Greene senior Barb Borst will do whatever it takes to help her team win. What she is doing best this year; however, her fourth on the Trojans’ varsity basketball team, is put points on the scoreboard.
Coming off a career-best 12.0 points per game as a junior, Borst’s tireless work ethic has translated to a 16.5 points per game average, and she already had three 20-plus point games this year after recording none in 23 games a year ago.
Borst caught fire during a three-minute stretch to start the second half in last Saturday’s Pennysaver tournament championship game. Tied with Sidney at the break, Borst scored eight of her game-high 18 points helping unbeaten Greene capture the title. Earlier that week, Borst had her best game of the season against the Trojans’ most difficult opponent. Facing a perfect Union-Endicott club in the Greene Holiday Tournament finals, Borst again tossed up 18 points, played tough defense, and hit free throws at the end of the game to secure a five-point win.
Borst’s accomplishments make her a well-deserved selection as Evening Sun Athlete of the Week. “She’s really focused on helping the team and willing to sacrifice as a teammate,” said Greene first-year varsity coach Dave Gorton. “She has the respect of all of her teammates because of her effort.”
Basketball is a year-round investment for Borst, who participates in strength and conditioning camps, skills training, offseason travel teams, and is a quintessential gym rat. If the Trojans have any open gym time or a voluntary shoot-around, Borst is there. “She wants to practice all of the time,” Gorton said. “Last week was a busy one, and we had a voluntary shoot-around the day of a game. She called to make sure we were still having it.”
Initially cast as a point guard, the ballhandling proficiency of teammates Erin Smith and Liz Wentlent have allowed Borst to flourish in a shooting guard’s role the past two seasons. She still is second on the team in assists, and although she stands 5-foot-6, is third on the team in rebounding.
Most important, she is a coach’s dream, one who readily accepts suggestions to improve her game. Amongst her teammates, she was voted a team captain and is one of the unquestioned leaders on a team that is presently ranked the number one Class C team in New York State. “(Barb) is a key component to our success, and we’re fortunate to have a number of outstanding players,” Gorton said. “We have a veteran group, and Barb speaks to me on behalf of her teammates. She’s very concerned about her teammates, and they respect and pull for her.”