Niles North sophomore point guard Aliyah Kvamme first learned to play basketball at age 5 from her father, who played in college. She continues to learn from senior shooting guard Sa-lah Martinez, one of her Vikings teammates.
Kvamme first played varsity basketball as a freshman last season. She said two things have helped her adjust to being the starting point guard: coach Dan Paxson’s confidence, and Martinez’s continued nurturing on the court.
“As the starting point guard, I’m learning where to find my teammates on the court and make decisions,” said Kvamme, a Skokie resident. “Coach Paxson is confident in my decision-making. I am getting more confidence in my decisions as well.”
Kvamme popped in a pair of 3-pointers and helped Martinez find opportunites to score her 14 points during the Vikings’ 47-35 loss to Highland Park in a Central Suburban North contest Friday in Skokie.
There are times when Kvamme questions her decision-making on the court, and her confidence level drops. Those are the times Martinez, also a Skokie resident, steps in to offer encouragement.
“She’s my mom out there,” Kvamme said of Martinez. “She knows how to help my confidence. She makes me feel she cares.”
Martinez said her experience as a varsity player and team leader gives her the perspective to help younger athletes such as Kvamme overcome temporary obstacles, like missed shots and errant passes.
“I’m older,” Martinez said. “I tell her to keep up the good work. She really hustles. If I see she is feeling down, I tell her, ‘Everything will be all right.’ “
Paxson said Kvamme has quickly developed into a team leader. He said she kept Niles North (4-15, 0-5 CSL North as of Friday) in the game against Highland Park.
“She is getting her teammates involved in the game,” Paxson said. “This season, she has become a very positive influence. She has a good sense of what is happening on the floor. She knows where her teammates are.”
Kvamme’s father, Malik Kvamme, played college basketball at UIC. He got her started in basketball at age 5, when they would spend time together in the gym. They still go to the gym together and usually work on her skills.
“We spend time together in the gym every night,” Aliyah Kvamme said. “He is a big part of (improving) my game.”
Basketball provides stress relief for Kvamme. She said spending time in the gym — alone or with her father — is the perfect therapy for dealing with the pressures of life. It is one of the reasons she loves the game.
“It helps you find solutions to other problems,” she said. “I’m really thankful to basketball for that.”
Paternal influence also helped Martinez start her basketball career when she was 5. Her father, Dean Martinez, played high school basketball at Senn. He suggested she give the sport a try, though she wasn’t sure at first.
“I thought basketball was for boys,” said Martinez, who hopes to play in college next season. “My dad signed me up. I started playing and liked it. As I got older, I really got to love it.”
Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
