By  Sam Sidi ’16, Feature Staff Writer

The moment Jocelyn Willoughby ’16 came to Newark Academy last year, she instantly changed the Women’s Basketball Program. She helped lead the team to a 24-3 winning season and garner their first two banners hanging proudly in the Kirby Gym. According to Willoughby, two of her major successes, while playing at Newark Academy, were winning both the Conference and Prep Championships. Willoughby said both were, “achieved through hard work.”

Willoughby is always striving to become a better player and is constantly recognized for her competitive nature. Head coach of the Newark Academy Women’s Basketball Team, Liz Bona-Beach states, “Jocelyn is an integral part of the team. She makes everyone work harder and is an extremely competitive athlete.” Similarly, Karina Mehta ’16, a teammate of Willoughby’s said, “Jocelyn is a skilled player who constantly motivates and encourages the team throughout the game no matter how rough it is.” Her drive allows her to act as a coaching figure to some members of the team, but her skills do not end there. Willoughby also dominates the scoreboard. At Newark Academy, she broke the record for most points scored in the 2012-2013 year with a whopping 462 points. Mackenna Woods ’16, the manager of the team, described how even now Willoughby is still racking up points in the current season.

Everyone can acknowledge that Willoughby’s impact on the team has been significant. Athletes in general at Newark Academy constantly admire her. Kimberly McGrath ’16, a soccer and lacrosse player, said, “I admire Jocelyn as an athlete and I wish to have her same work ethic. She finds her weaknesses and works on them until they become her strengths, and that is what a true athlete is.” Willoughby has also been recognized for her personal successes by being invited to the USA National Basketball Team try-outs. Not only that, but humanities teacher Ms. Fischer describes Willoughby  as “an asset to [her] American Experience class because she is a class leader not only modeling the best of what a diligent, focused student can be, but also demonstrating positive risk taking through her willingness to relate to the material on a personal level and respectfully voice her opinion on controversial topics.” It goes without saying that Willoughby is constantly pushing herself and her teammates to be better on and off the court.