SUPER SENIOR: SS's Cheyenne Cunningham
When the South Side girls step onto the court, opposing teams can be assured they will have a tough defense to try and break through.
At the top of the Lady Hawks’ defense is senior Cheyenne Cunningham. Cunningham is the first of nine girls to be honored as a Super Senior for the 2016-17 season.
“I love to play pressure defense,” Cunningham said. “It is exciting, and it is something that you can have fun doing. But it does take work and being in control.”
South Side broke through and won the District 14-AA crown last season, and Cunningham believes that the Lady Hawks can build on that this season.
“I believe we can compete for a district title every year because we always work hard,” she said. “We have been running hard in training and doing what Coach [Brent] McNeal asks us to do.”
Being a leader this season will be nothing new for Cunningham as she believes that she has been a leader all three years of high school because of the position she plays.
“I have always had to be a leader, even as a freshman, because I am the point guard,” Cunningham said. “A lot of the young players look up to me, and they depend on me.”
But to be the leader that South Side needs her to be, Cunningham always makes sure to put in the work to improve herself to be the best she can be on the court.
“I think I am better about listening and following directions,” she said. “My work ethic is better. I feel like I have changed and learned something new each year.”
Last season, Cunningham averaged 11 points, six assists and five rebounds, and she should be that type of multi-faceted athlete again this year as South Side will try to reach the Class AA state tournament.
“We have to have composure,” Cunningham said. “That has been a struggle for us. To make it far this year, we can’t get rattled or turn on each other.”
Michael Odom, 425-9754
Super Seniors
This is the first of 18 Super Seniors to be honored. Super Senior articles will appearance online one a day for 18 straight days. The girls Super Seniors will be in print on Nov. 13 with the boys appearing on Nov. 20.