WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Most days, Faith Pavalonis can be found on a court with a basketball in her hand. The 7th grader from Moosic has been playing the game as long as she can remember. For the past few years, Faith has been with the Wyoming Valley Clutch at the junior level, playing with some of the best in the area and her talents were recognized, when she was selected to play for Team USA in the Junior Olympics in Europe.
"I didn't think it was real at first and then I found out it was real and it just made me excited knowing I'm playing on a different continent and going against and playing with new people," Pavalonis said.
Pavalonis' coach, Irelyn Jannuzzi, has seen her growth over the past couple years and understands what playing for Team USA can mean for Faith's future.
"To be able to perform on a stage like that and so many different countries and coaches and other players. It's one of the best opportunities you can have in 7th grade," said Jannuzzi.
Women's basketball is getting a lot of hype these days and some of the current stars of the game are players Faith aspires to be. But what she doesn't realize is by playing at the next level, Faith is becoming a role model herself.
"She vocalizes on and off the court. She's sort of the glue that holds the team together. She's very mature for her age and I think other players are going to continue to look up to her, as they did before she was even able to get this opportunity," Jannuzzi said.
Faith is hungry to get on that court and show the world, not only what she's got, but how she wants to grow as a player.
"Defense is probably my best thing because I just love going after and getting the ball. That's one thing I'm excited for is playing against better competition and trying to see how I keep up with them and get the ball at a higher pace," said Pavalonis.
Faith will get that chance when the basketball portion of the Junior Olympics begins on June 16th.