The Camille McCaskell Interview (York, PA)
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Tyreese Smith: "In your own words, how would you breakdown your game?"
Camille McCaskell: "I describe myself as an aggressive player who loves to hustle on both ends of the floor. I am a scrappy defensive play who likes to harass the other team. My outside shot has also been a key component in my playing style. I really have excelled through this past season through shooting 3’s and using different moves like my infamous euro step in the game. I like to stand out by having a lot of energy on the court and also when I’m on the sidelines cheering on my teammates."
Tyreese Smith: "How was life growing up in York?"
Camille McCaskell: "Living in York, I moved around a little bit. I attended Dallastown and York Suburban at one point, but have been at Central York for a minute. I have lived in the county all my life. This is the community and culture I live and breathe. There are so many cherished moments that I have gone through, both in sports and not, that have truly made York special to me. Especially through sports, there have been so many talented athletes and role models that have come through York. I have always been inspired by them. Looking up to them made me want to push and work my hardest to excel like they have."
Tyreese Smith: "How was your junior season last year?"
Camille McCaskell: "Junior year was a big step for me since it was not only my first year on varsity, but also as a starter. We had gained a new coaching staff, players, and program. I didn’t know what to expect for us as we started the season. As it began, everything was falling into place. My teammates and I were getting used to the coaches, playing with one another, and our playing style. As we progressed throughout the season, we were truly excelling and having a successful season. For myself, I gained confidence with my three ball, and worked effortlessly towards getting better every practice and game day. It was also a very emotional season for me due to my little sister."
"I have been playing with her for years," She continued. "But towards the end of the season, she tore her ACL and meniscus soon right before playoffs. It put a lot of stress on me, and led me to filling a much bigger role than before for our team. It also helped me become a better leader for my teammates as we entered the post season. With those post season entries, we did fall short in both counties and districts. Since then, we’ve been working hard to prepare for this season."
Tyreese Smith: "You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?"
Camille McCaskell: "In the offseason, it has been all about getting better. Since April, we have been doing speed and agility workouts with other sports. Two times a week along with weekly open gyms, we have been training and preparing for the 2024-2025 season. There has also been many opportunities since the beginning of the school year where I would go in at 6 A.M. every Tuesday and Thursday morning to get shots up. I had some companions like some of both the boys and girls basketball players there as well. We would get shots up, do workouts, and maybe even have a few 2v2s or 3v3s in there as well. There has also been some encouragement through our own program called, Paw Ball hours for trainings, games, open gyms, and more. I just reached my accomplishment of a total of 316 hours right as the season is starting up."
Tyreese Smith: "Joining the Sideline Cancer organization this year, it’s more than just basketball. Discuss your time with Sideline, but what it meant to you throughout the offseason?"
Camille McCaskell: "As I joined Sideline Cancer, it was a little bit different due to me going to a new organization for my last year. It was also a very busy time with all the tournaments in the many different states that we went to. This meant being more focused on playing at the collegiate level. I worked even harder to get noticed and get better. I wasn’t at school basketball as much, but I still got shots up and lifted when I could. There were also times where my coach, Charlie Parker, did incorporate workout sessions during practices to help with different moves and finishes. I was happy to have that change because it led to cherished memories within our Sideline family, and efficiency towards my skills during the off season."
Tyreese Smith: "Having a younger sister, I can’t imagine the arguments when it comes to hooping with each other or who’s hogging up the remote. All in good faith, though. Even extending it to having a supportive family, what does the word ‘support’ mean to you?"
Camille McCaskell: "When I hear the word “support”, all I think about is the concept of being there. Having someone’s back, comforting them, and just being true to someone at all costs is the true of definition of support in my eyes. The want and need of doing that for someone is what can make you bigger and better in the long run. That is truly what it is all about. There are so many experiences where that has occurred within my life. It is especially the case between me and Alivia. We have been through so much together on and off the court. That 'support' for one another at all times will always be the core of our relationship."
Tyreese Smith: "Who is your favorite player and why?"
Camille McCaskell: "My favorite basketball player would have to be Stephen Curry. He is my favorite based on his influential duty and skill set in the NBA. He has truly changed the game of basketball and impressed people all around the world with his amazing 3 point shot. From little kids to elders, if you ask them if they have a Stephen Curry jersey, they would probably say yes. Stephen Curry is such a kind soul on and off of the court. He is involved in many charities and events that influence people all around the world. He is very idealistic and a truly deserving person as a whole. Because of his personality and duty, I have been a fan for a long time and have always looked up to him as a player."
Tyreese Smith: "What do you believe are the greatest challenges most players are facing today?"
Camille McCaskell: "I think the greatest challenge that most players are facing today is confidence. There is so much negative energy that players put on themselves when they are playing. Having that feeling that they are not good enough. I have witnessed this through other players and also myself. There were times that I felt like I wasn’t doing good enough, and I lacked my own confidence. It didn’t feel good not one bit and it was a process to get out of it. I feel that growth is the best way to overcome a lack of confidence and it is truly a good thing."
Tyreese Smith: "As you’re now at the age where you’re starting to look for college opportunities, what do you ideally look for in a college?"
Camille McCaskell: "As I think about college, I think my ideal college distance would be between 1 to 2 hours away. It truly doesn’t matter to me if it is the perfect college for me. The sizing of the school also doesn’t need to be really big. Small to medium sized campuses are what seem best for me based on building relationships with peers and professors. I am looking to study Secondary Education for English. I want to get a bachelor’s degree, and keep working to eventually become a principal or even a professor. The community and culture of a college is also really important to me. It makes me feel more supported to know that my surroundings are a good place to be in."
Tyreese Smith: "What are your expectations heading into the last chapter?"
Camille McCaskell: "With the season coming, I am expecting to have a successful season and go far into the post season. This means districts, counties, and maybe even states. I also am looking forward to us growing together as a team, and having great team chemistry through the season. It will help us in the long run and lead to many great things for each of us."
"For my senior season, I am looking to fill the leadership role and be a role model for my teammates. As the 'mother' of the team, I think it is a great opportunity for me to adjust and just be there for my teammates. I just want to have fun for my final season of high school, and do it with the team that I love most. These upcoming moments are what I will cherish as I grow up and do great things."
Tyreese Smith: "Thank you Camille for taking the time to talk with me. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation? Any last words?"
Camille McCaskell: "I want to say that it is better to cherish the moments while you still can. It will end faster than you think and you’ll look back and say, 'Where did all the time go?' Having these memories will be a key part in your life and will be with you forever."
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