By MAKENNA WILLIAMS
Bellefonte High senior basketball player Maria Cotter has made an inspirational impact on the scoreboard and on her teammates both on and off the court. Maria constantly proves to be a very caring, trustworthy, and valuable player to her coaches and teammates.
Maria has been playing basketball for 8 years; she is currently showing off her skills as #44 at point guard as her senior season begins.
In the first 2 games of the season, Maria scored 21 points, scoring 11 against Clearfield, and 10 against the Central Mountain Wildcats.
Her commitment to basketball gives her something to look forward to during the day.
“My love for basketball started when I would play co-ed games in fifth grade. It taught me how to be competitive and convinced me to try something new,” Maria said.
Bellefonte High Basketball Coach Marissa Ward describes Maria as very hardworking, always giving 100% on the court, and being an essential asset to the team as well. So far throughout her varsity career, Maria earned the Mountain League All-Star Honorable Mention in the 2021-2022 season, as well as the Mountain League All-Star 2nd Team award, and All Centre Girls Basketball Honorable Mention during the 2022-2023 season. Maria also brought her best game when she played for the Penns Valley Winter Jam All-Tournament Team.
After being through many experiences with basketball and her teammates over the last few years, Maria says her favorite part about being on the team is the bonds she has created with all her teammates and coaches.
“My favorite basketball memory is the Sheetz trips after away games, and riding the bus back with my friends,” Maria said.
Coach Ward views Maria as an athlete who strives to improve herself on and off the court, assists her teammates, and achieves her academic and athletic goals. Though Maria has a prominent impact on the court, she says one of her biggest struggles throughout her career has been pushing herself to constantly improve. Maria’s teammates look up to her as they see how hardworking she is.
“She is kind, energetic, and very caring. She strives to be her best and help others be their best,” teammate Keira Whitman said.
Maria has a very close bond with Coach Ward and credits her and her previous coaches for having a huge impact on her as a person and player.
“We are so lucky to have her as a part of our team!” Coach Ward said.
Finally, as Maria begins her final basketball season, her coaches and peers are ecstatic to watch her improve on her skills and see where she goes from here. Maria has been a very respectable player, teammate, and friend to everyone she’s worked with throughout the years, especially during her varsity career on the basketball team. She will be greatly missed by those that had the opportunity to play with her. She plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania after senior year to study Clinical and Laboratory Science; she does not plan to play basketball at the next level.
