She dribbles, she shoots, she scores! Freshman Samantha Pate scores for the Lady Bison!

Pate strives to hear these words every basketball season. She’s been working on perfecting her game since she was four.

“It started out just a fun activity for me,” Pate said. “Little did I know this sport would change my life.” 

Pate first began playing for Little Dribblers at four, then moved onto her junior high team and the Texas elite team in Bryan/College Station in the years that followed. She will play for the high school team this year.

“I’m very fortunate to have played for many teams,” Pate said. “I’ve attended so many camps and currently am being coached by Marcus Carroll to improve my game.”

Pate is excited for what is in store for her high school basketball career. She has already set many goals for the team.

“I’m so excited to play with my cousin, senior Lauren Pate, because we have yet played together before,” Pate said. “My ultimate goal is to bring another state title to Buffalo before I graduate high school.”

Pate also has many interests on top of basketball, but said that none of them are more important than her family and her faith.  

“God and family will always be before the sport I love,” Pate said. 

Pate’s ultimate goal is to attend Baylor University where she would love to be involved in the Baylor basketball team and school.

“I have always loved watching the Baylor University girls play, throughout the years,” Pate said. “I hope to do many great things at their university.”