Senior Sports Spotlight: Libby Oxciano

As a senior here at Valencia High School, this is Libby Oxciano’s fourth year in the Valencia Girls Basketball Program. Some of Libby’s hobbies besides basketball include playing video games in her free time and reading. Libby’s favorite books are Tuesdays with Morrie, which she recently read in her English class, and A Long Way Down - a novel in verse she is enjoying. She has had various memorable experiences and has much to share about her time in the basketball program.

Q: How long have you played this sport, and what inspired you to start? 

A: I have been playing basketball since I was five, and I was inspired by my dad because he would play in these leagues and I would go and watch him; I thought that was really fun to go and see.

Q: What position do you play, and why do you enjoy it?

A: Right now, I play point guard and I like it because I kind of have control of the floor and I get to dictate what happens. Even if it is a play we are calling, it is nice to have a sense of control over the pace of the game and everything.

Q: What lessons has playing this sport taught you? 

A: Playing basketball has taught me a lot about life in general, like taking things a lot slower, and thinking about decisions that you make. The way you present yourself on the court is the way people might see you in life.

Q: Are you planning to continue this sport in the future? 

A: I plan to, I would love to play basketball in college, but if it doesn’t happen for me, that is totally fine because at the end of the day, I play basketball so I can get to college, and even if I don’t play, I would still be grateful.

Q: What has your favorite moment/achievement been in your athletic career?

A: We won league in 2021 when I was a freshman, that was really fun. Honestly, also winning all those little awards when I was little and played [through the] city like participation awards because I got to do that with all my friends and that’s how I built some relationships.

Q: What is the most challenging part of playing this sport? 

A: Kind of keeping my composure because I am really competitive and I like to win a lot. Sometimes, when people don’t have the same passion as me or as much as I do, it can be frustrating.

Q: Who is the most inspirational person in your life (or someone who inspires you)?

A: I would say my dad is one of my most inspirational people, same thing with my mom, she’s also really inspirational in my life, and I look up to both of them a lot.

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: I do plan to go to a four-year college, but I do want to stay closer to home, so in California somewhere, just so I can come back home and see my sister, my dogs, and my parents.

Q: What would you do with the extra hour if you had 25 hours in a day?

A: With the extra hour, I would probably dedicate it to either more basketball or more sleep.