Perspiration drips from her forehead as she runs down the court. The ball soars toward her from the opposite end of the court, and she catches it in stride. Faking left and driving right, junior Lade Adepoju dodges defenders as she makes her way toward the basket. Leaping into the air, Adepoju tosses the ball off the backboard and into the basket as a defender strikes her arm. A whistle pierces the air and the closest official signals a foul. Adepoju sinks her free-throw and proceeds back down the court to play defense.

Adepoju moved to the United States in September of 2013 from Alicate, Spain and currently lives with her aunt and cousin. She has been playing basketball for 11 years, and she played on a competitive team in Spain called Cabo Mar.

“When I moved to Alicate, my neighbors were playing basketball and they told me to try it. I liked it, so I continued playing it,” Adepoju said.

While living in Spain Adepoju said that the schoolwork was a lot more challenging, and it was a cause of great stress in her life.

“A friend in the U.S. told me that here it is easier, so I came to play basketball without stress,” Adepoju said. “It is a lot less stressful here. [In Spain] when I’m not in school I have to play basketball, and when I’m not playing basketball, I have to study. I didn’t have time for anything.”

Playing basketball in Spain is very similar to playing in the U.S., but there are some differences in the rules and in the game itself. For example, the number of steps allowed while dribbling the ball, Adepoju said.

“The three-point line is farther in Spain,” Adepoju said. “When dribbling, we can only take two steps, but here, you can take four [steps] and it’s like nothing.”

Math teacher and head girls’ basketball coach Brian Bubalo, who is also a new face in BVNW and the girl’s basketball team this year, likes to have a new addition to the team.

“You always like to have girls move in and want to be apart of the program and play basketball for their school,” Bubalo said. “Lade is a good ball player, so I think she is going to help our team in a lot of ways.”

According to Bubalo, her positive attitude, optimism and skills will add a lot to the team.

“She is a good person; she is respectful,” Bubalo said. “She works hard and she is committed to being a good basketball player, and then she has good basketball skills. She can dribble, pass and shoot with both hands, she has some speed, and what I really like is her strength and toughness. She is able to take the ball to the basket, get bumped and still make a shot.”

Senior captain Scout Watson believes Adepoju will be able to succeed and flourish in the U.S. Watson said that the team will benefit from having Adepoju on the team because of several traits she possesses.

“She is extremely quick, she sees the court really well, she is very unselfish, she can either drive or shoot; she’s really good,” Watson said. “We need someone who’s really quick. She is always there to give a high-five and always makes us laugh. She definitely brings the team together because we haven’t had someone that can really run the offense really well, and she can do that. Although she doesn’t always know what we’re saying, she’s always working as hard as she can doing it. She’s really good at defense and getting steals.”

Although Adepoju has not played here as much as she has in Spain, she said she likes playing in both countries a lot. At BVNW, she made  the varsity basketball team.

“I like [playing in both countries] the same,” Adepoju said. “I’ve seen the NBA and I like it. I like to watch basketball on TV sometimes, but the NBA in Spain is on at three [in the morning] and I have school so I can’t watch it.”

While she liked playing basketball in Spain, Adepoju said she thinks she has a better chance to play basketball in the U.S. because she has a better chance of being scouted by coaches.

“In the city [I lived in], there wasn’t a lot of people that came to see if you’re good or not,” Adepoju said.

Adepoju said playing basketball makes her feel elated because of the team aspect of the game.

“When I’m playing, I forget all the problems outside,” Adepoju said. “My favorite part of playing basketball is being with my teammates; I meet a lot of people. I like the people on the team [at BVNW], they are very nice.”

Watson said that Adepoju puts a plethora of hard work and effort into everything she does on the court.

“She’s always in the gym early,” Watson said. “She’s there doing sprints and finishes on top at the end of them. Whatever she’s doing, she goes 110 percent.”

According to Bubalo, Adepoju has real potential to have a good season, but there are some things she needs to improve on that are vital to her success.

“She’s got to be able to work with the other players; it is a team game,” Bubalo said. “It’s a matter of getting her used to our offensive system and working with other players. We have to find the spot that best suits her and her abilities and then give her an opportunity to use that.”

In addition, Bubalo said that he admires her work ethic and intensity. Her traits will add to the spirit, enthusiasm and intensity that the team already possesses.

“Anybody who comes in with excitement, energy and enthusiasm is going to have a positive influence [on the team],” Bubalo said.

According to Watson, Adepoju has a bright future with the team.

“[She will get] a ton of steals and a ton of layups,” Watson said. “She’s a big part of fast-break offense, and she’s definitely a great point guard. I’m excited to see what it’s going to be like in games with her, how our team is going to do this year having a new coach and to see how far we go.”