By: Chris Cummins
Video by Morgan McCullough
Staff Writer

Varsity sports in public schools, especially in Coppell High School, are notoriously discerning in their selection process. Because of this, the chances of an underclassman making the team, let alone a freshman, is miniscule. This year, however, the varsity team has not only an underclassman on the team, but also a freshman at that. At six foot, five inches, Simi Socks is an imposing presence wherever he goes, but it’s on the basketball court where all of his height is utilized, and where the Freshmen near his name on the scorecard is overshadowed by the height listed next to it.

Coming to Coppell High School as a Freshman, Simi has had his plate full with not only adjusting to a new school, new classes, and new classmates, but with adjusting to playing a significant amount of time in a competitive varsity basketball team, with a chance at a district title on the line. It only makes things more difficult since Coppell plays in a particularly difficult district, which includes Southlake and Denton Guyer, both of which are perennially in the hunt for the district title.

Simi has been playing basketball for “years now” and according to his “Basketball Babe”, Cate McMinn, Simi is on the team, despite being only a freshman, because of his “driven personality” and his “desire to always improve.”  As of now, the basketball team is in a three way tie for first place with a record of 6-4, and Simi is in a rare position to make an impact, even help win a district title, at this early stage of his career.

Even now, fairly early in the season, Simi is predicting success for the fairly young team, and says that he is looking forward to being “undefeated.” The team, due to graduation, lost their leading scorer and Captain, Andrew Bourg, and two over 6’ 5” players in Patrick McNamara and Dallas Riney.  Fortunately, Simi provides 6’5” worth of replacement in that category, and a talent that is sure to only grow in the next four years.

Still, even being a freshman brings with it responsibilities, especially if you’re being looked to be a major talent in the next four years. Even now, Simi is receiving accolades, especially from this newspaper, and according to Cate, is being looked to “raise the next generation.”

From scoring nine points a game against Carrolton Creekview in an important tournament, to getting looked at by college scouts even at this early stage in his career, there is a lot of pressure riding on Simi’s shoulders. However, it seems as if Simi is ready and willing to handle the pressure, and do the CHS basketball team proud.