Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Cougars setter Courtney Fines looks to set up the ball during a game at Assiniboine Community College on Saturday. (BRUCE BUMSTEAD/BRANDON SUN)
There is rarely a time of year when Courtney Fines is not busy playing sports.
The Grade 10 Elton student keeps busy year-round by playing volleyball, basketball and fastball — and she’s excelling at all three.
This high school season alone, the 15-year-old has been named a tournament all-star at the provincial AA high school girls volleyball and basketball championships.
She accomplished those feats in difficult positions as well. Fines ran her volleyball team’s offence as its setter and led it to a provincial title. She also led her high school basketball team to a provincial silver medal as its point guard and she’s in a similar position on the softball diamond, where she pitches for the Westman Magic.
"I like to be the one who touches the ball lots," said Fines, who scored 27 points in the provincial high school basketball championship game. "I like to be a leader."
Although she excels in all three sports, Fines spends most of her time focusing on volleyball and softball. She’s currently playing for the Cougars Volleyball Club 16U team, which placed second at its tournament over the weekend.
Fines became interested in the sport when she was young and watched her older sister, Payton, play as setter.
She fell in love with the sport as soon as she stepped on the court three years ago.
"My sister gave me the motivation to play when she was younger," said Fines, who has attended setter camps to improve her skills. "She was a setter as well, which was pretty much the reason why I wanted to set because I loved what she did."
Despite the early success Fines has had in volleyball, she thinks she would have the most success in the future in softball. At 5-foot-2, she has heard that she may be too short to be a setter in college or university.
"In volleyball, I would think she could (play at the next level), but it would at a libero position," Cougars coach Ed Zalusky said.
"She’s a really good athlete and really good character kid to have on the team. She’s a sponge ... She’s trying to do everything I ask her to do and you can’t ask much more from a kid than that."
For her part, Fines is thinking about one day playing softball at a collegiate level instead of volleyball or basketball.
She knows it will take a lot of work to achieve that goal, but she’s hoping her play with the Magic will draw some attention to make her dream come true. And even though she’s currently playing volleyball, she’s already preparing for the softball season.
"I’m outside in the yard and throwing the ball around lots," she said. "My dad (Brant) is my coach as well and he helps me out a lot."
» cjaster@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition April 9, 2012
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There is rarely a time of year when Courtney Fines is not busy playing sports.
The Grade 10 Elton student keeps busy year-round by playing volleyball, basketball and fastball — and she’s excelling at all three.
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There is rarely a time of year when Courtney Fines is not busy playing sports.
The Grade 10 Elton student keeps busy year-round by playing volleyball, basketball and fastball — and she’s excelling at all three.
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