By Hayden Swope

Isaiah Atwater, a basketball athlete from Maize South, was chosen as the Shelter Insurance Athlete of the Month. Last season, Atwater broke a school assist record while also being named first team all-league and all-state. 

“It means a lot to me because I have always seen the Vype magazines since I was a kid, so now it is cool to actually be in one,” Atwater said.

To prepare for the season, Atwater spent his time in the gym with his teammates and coaches working on his technique on the court.

“I have been getting ready for the season by just trying to stay in the gym as much as I can,” Atwater said. “There isn’t particularly one weakness that I have focused on, I have mainly just been working to become more consistent overall and trying to get better at everything so I have no down or bad games and my coaches know what they will be getting from me every game.”

Atwater has spent the offseason working on not only personal ambitions, but also team goals.

“My main goal is definitely for us to win a state championship this year,” Atwater said. “Personally, I want to become more efficient as a shooter than last year and try to shoot 85 to 90 percent from the free throw line.”

With this being his senior year, Atwater will get to carry all of his favorite moments with him, including all of the memories of his favorite games and matches. 

“My favorite basketball memory so far is all the road trips with the team traveling to different cities or states for games and tournaments,” Atwater said.

After high school, Atwater hopes to take basketball with him wherever he goes in life.

“My plans next year are to play at a college and after that hope to continue with basketball as a career as a player or a coach somewhere,” Atwater said.