Faith Emerson
Providence Hall senior Faith Emerson will play basketball for the Whitworth University (Spokane, Washington) Pirates come fall.
A pioneer for the Providence Hall athletics program, the three-sport (volleyball, basketball, track) athlete led the Lions to the CIF Division 6 championship basketball playoff game and was named All-CIF and All-County in hoops.
Helen Higgs, head women?s basketball coach at Whitworth University, says, ?What I like about Faith is that she brings such a passion to the court. She really loves the game. She also brings size, versatility, and athleticism to the sport. We are excited to see how she will adapt to college basketball and contribute to our program.?
Emerson chose Whitworth for the ?intimate student/teacher ratio, similar to Providence Hall,? the athletics program, and the academic opportunities. She is interested in studying business and economics, with an eye to a career in international affairs. ?I have a passion for human rights,? she said. ?Disadvantaged people in third world countries really touch my heart.?
According to Providence Hall athletic director Keith Luberto, ?not everyone knows that Faith began playing for the Lions as an 8th grader at El Montecito School. She played on our volleyball team. The summer leading up to her freshman year she played on the boys basketball summer league team, the only girl in the boys league.?
With true pioneer spirit, Faith worked hard to invite new students to join her at Providence Hall and to create and develop the high school girls athletics program. Providence Hall, founded in Santa Barbara in 2007, provides college preparatory education for grades 7-12.
Playing with the boys was fun for the scrappy 5?10? girl.
?Guys are fun to play with because they are bigger, faster, and stronger than girls,? she said. ?Playing with them elevated my game. I knew I had to take and make my shots when I had the chance, because my next attempt would most likely be blocked.?
Faith professes to love high-pressure scenarios. It is not a stretch to believe Faith will leap to embrace the challenges and pressures of collegiate athletics and studies with her trademark passion and enthusiasm.
