Captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team, eye on a tennis state doubles title, academics at the forefront and a legacy to leave behind–the pressure is on for Abigail Long in her senior year at Shawnee Mission East, but that’s just how she likes it.
“I love pressure situations,” the senior emphasized. “Some people may say the opposite, but I love standing on the free throw line when it’s loud and you have to make that shot.”
Growing up in a sports-oriented family, Long has had exposure to the competitive world of athletics since she can remember, playing eight different sports in her lifetime. However, when the time came to choose a focus, both basketball and tennis won the battle for her affections.
“We have a basketball hoop in our driveway, so I spent three or four hours a day shooting and playing," she said. “COVID really started to change how much I loved it with the time I was by myself in our driveway.”
Both sports have given Long incredible opportunities at Shawnee Mission East, not only in athletic success, but also early lessons in leadership. As a sophomore, she found herself as captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team.
“I had always been some sort of a leader, but going from a team with nine seniors to a team with me being the only returning varsity player as a sophomore was a lot,” Long said. “I think it really taught me how to be a leader and how to talk on the court.”
Little did she know at the time, these pressure moments would prove wildly beneficial for her post high school career. Long’s success on the court and in the classroom has secured her a spot on Yale University’s women’s basketball team, yet another stepping stone for growth.
“I think one thing I’m excited about is seeing how much better I get and how much better I can get,” she said. “As a freshman, there’s going to be a lot of pressure–new on the team, a new style, a new way of playing, fitting in on the team. I think a little bit of pressure will help me adapt and learn the new ways of that team.”
But first, Long has unfinished business in her final year as a Lancer. On top of defending her tennis singles state title and finally securing that state doubles title she has been seeking for three years, she wants greater things for her basketball team.
“I really really want to finish with a winning record,” Long said. “We were 500 my freshman year. The past two years have been kinda rough and we haven’t done super well as a team, so I would love to bring the team back up to where it used to be.”
Pressure can make or break a person, and Long is clear about what type of person and player it will make her.
“One thing people don’t realize is when you put a lot of pressure on yourself, you don’t perform or play as well,” she said. “If I’m not having fun, I either take a break or I don’t play it for a little bit. I think it’s really important as you’re going through high school to make sure you’re having fun in everything you’re doing.”
"I think it’s really important as you’re going through high school to make sure you’re having fun in everything you’re doing.”