THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604190262
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: COURTLAND LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
SHANETTE GARY flashes a sheepish grin when asked if she's shy.
``At times I can be when I'm around people I don't know,'' she said. ``I'm a lot more outgoing when it comes to sports. I put a lot of feeling into it and can let off a lot of steam on the field.''
What Gary lacks in aggressiveness around others, she more than makes up for on the softball field. And the basketball court. And the volleyball court.
Gary, a junior at Southampton High School, has made her statement by starring in all three sports this year. She was the starting point guard on the basketball team, earned second team All-Bay Rivers District in volleyball and is currently enjoying her best season as a catcher on the Southampton softball team, batting .389 with an on-base percentage of .700.
``She's a dedicated athlete,'' said Southampton softball and basketball coach Stacy Carr. ``She loves being involved and is one of those who just has a natural ability. I don't know how she does it.''
Gary doesn't know, either. Maybe because she doesn't have time to think about it.
Besides sports, Gary is involved in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Debutante Cotillion (a sorority that raises money to award college scholarships), Black Achievers (a study group) and Upward Bound (a summer tutoring program).
``It takes a lot of studying,'' said Gary - who has a B average - of keeping her grades up. ``I don't have a weekend.''
Gary said she began playing all three sports in eighth grade. She has started on the varsity teams since her sophomore year at Southampton.
``I just like all three,'' she said. ``I guess volleyball's my favorite because you have to use all your ability from the others. And it's really a team sport. Everybody gets to put everything together.''
Gary's success in sports hasn't come because of an intimidating size or personality. She's 5-foot - ``and a half (inch)'' if you ask her. The 16-year-old's size didn't keep her from becoming one of the Indians' leading hitters and servers in volleyball.
``I'm smaller so I have to work at getting the ball over the net,'' said Gary, who lives in Drewryville. ``I'm very aggressive when I play.''
Said Carr, ``She's just feisty. She hustles all the time and gives 100 percent when she's out there.''
Though only a junior, Gary said she has been thinking about college for a while. She would like to attend the University of North Carolina.
``I want to try to play volleyball and softball (in college),'' she said ``but it will take a lot more hard work and determination. You really have to prove a lot in college sports.''
Gary has proved herself in sports at Southampton, but said she would trade individual success for something she hasn't enjoyed - team success. The basketball and volleyball teams combined for just four wins in the Bay Rivers District. The softball team is 2-3 overall this season.
``Yes, I'd definitely trade,'' she said. ``But we have young teams and everyone is working on our skills to be better (next year).''
After next year, in college, Gary said she isn't going to focus on sports. She has something else in mind.
``I really want to help out people,'' she said, adding she may major in elementary education. ``I like kids. Nowadays people just don't care. People are out here helping me, so I want to give back.''
So far, Gary has given plenty to Southampton girls sports. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Shanette Gary, a three-sport star at Southampton High, warms up
before a softball game against Poquoson.
by CNB