Giannini passes on what she’s learned

by Eric Keppeler
Photo by Larry Austin
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, January 13, 2007

Carolyn Giannini

Carolyn Giannini finds herself in a tough situation.

She’s one of just two seniors on a Lew-Port varsity girls basketball team that is clearly in the midst of a youth movement and building for the future. Giannini knows that she’ll be long graduated by the time all of the freshmen and sophomores on this year’s team are ready to contend for any kind of title.

Instead of sulking about a down season in her senior year, Giannini has been very proactive in taking on a teaching role for a youthful squad in dire need of some veteran leadership.

“I try to make sure that the younger players know that they’re part of the team,” Giannini said. “We show everyone the same respect. We don’t really use the term ‘rookie’ because everyone is getting about the same amount of playing time. We understand that it’s a learning year, and we try to show them some of the things we’ve learned over the past few years.”

Giannini came up to the varsity midway during her own freshman year and has been in the top rotation ever since, although this is her first year as a regular starter.

She also has some versatility, able to play both guard and forward spots.

“She’s a great shooter and a hard worker,” said Lew-Port coach Tina Williams. “She helps her teammates when she can. She’s come a long way over the last three years.”

Giannini had the opportunity to experience a championship season during her sophomore year, so she understands what it takes to be successful. Lew-Port won the Section VI Class A-2 championship that year – the Lancers’ first title since 1997. They ultimately lost to A-1 champ Grand Island in the Class A qualifier, but it capped an amazing run.

Now, she’s doing her best to pass on what she’s learned.

“I was fortunate enough to win a championship in my sophomore year, so it’s not that big a deal for me – I know what it’s like,” Giannini said. “I know that these girls will have the same opportunity when they’re seniors. Yes, it does stink to go out not as successfully as we had hoped, but now we’re just trying to have fun with it.”

It hasn’t been easy, as the Lancers have taken their lumps this season. And being the smallest school in the Niagara Frontier League hasn’t helped, either.

And Giannini knows the team will be better for the experience, even if she herself won’t be around to see it.

“We only have five returning players, so we’re doing a lot of learning this year,” Giannini said. “A lot of players were pulled up to the varsity maybe earlier than they expected, so we’re still getting to know each other and how we play. It can be intimidating to come up to varsity and play with older girls you’ve never played with before. You don’t know if you’re going to be accepted. But I think by mid-season, we’ll be able to pick it up and really start to show our game.”