JUJU MANSON RISING

As the only freshman starters on the boys and girls varsity basketball lineups, Julian (Juju) Manson and Grace Fincham reflect on the transition to high school and their first seasons.

When did you first get into basketball?

I first got into basketball at about [age] seven but started taking it seriously in sixth grade.

What are your goals for the next few years?

One of my goals for the next few years is to win a state championship by the time I graduate. West has really good athletes in all classes, and I think we could win at least one. I also want to improve individually and start getting recognition from colleges.

What are the differences between club basketball and high school basketball?

JM: High school basketball and club basketball, or AAU, are completely different. High school basketball is more team-oriented, and every high school team has a main goal at hand: a state championship. AAU is different because, during that season, you really want to showcase your talent to help expose yourself to colleges.

WSS: Do you have a quote or saying that you live by?

A quote I live by is [from Kobe Bryant]: ‘If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.’ This became relevant to me once I started playing varsity. I used to be hesitant about my decision-making on the court. I started listening to Kobe’s interviews to hear the mindset of one of the best NBA players to play. If anybody knew one thing about Kobe, he was not scared to take control of the game. He also understood that if things didn’t go his way, he would be the one with the blame, and that didn’t phase him at all.

POINTS PER GAME: 8.5

REBOUNDS PER GAME: 6.8

ASSISTS PER GAME: 3.0

Statsasof Feb.18

Source:VarsityBound