Swailes sails into the fore of Blair basketball

Donning black sunglasses and hugging a basketball, 6'2" senior Allyson Swailes raps into a microphone while strutting in front of the junior and senior classes at the Feb 14 pep rally. The students, in response, chant "Go Ally! Go Ally!"

Swailes, a center on the varsity girls' basketball team, has a similar command on the court. Her solid build and quick feet contribute to easy lay-ups, put-backs, drop-steps and post-ups. "Ally has a definite presence in the paint because of her size and because she moves so well," says point guard Mackenzie Robinson, a junior.

Playing on the Holy Cross High School varsity team her freshman and sophomore years, Swailes did not play basketball when she transferred to Carroll High School in her junior year. After a year of absence from basketball, Swailes is back, averaging 10.4 points per game with the Blair squad. Getting back in shape after a season off was the hardest part about returning to the game, says Swailes.

William Lindsey, coach of Blair's varsity team, says that Swailes adds stability and leadership to the team. Lindsey believes she has adjusted well to playing with new teammates.

A Dec 13 game against Springbrook High School best demonstrates Swailes' impact on the team. Blair lost to Springbrook despite a comeback from a 15-4 deficit to within two points. Swailes scored 24 of Blair's 52 points. "Her best games have been when she was an inside force," says Lindsey.

Swailes' passion for the game has influenced the team to fight for a win. "When she does well, everyone does well," says sophomore small forward Brittany Higgins. "She's always going hard, never giving up."

Despite her success, Swailes has not allowed her ego to swell. She says she is always looking to involve other players because of her team-oriented goals. "I want to step and play well and put everyone on the same page," she says.

Swailes attributes her success to her focus before and during games. Still, she says, enjoying the game is the most important aspect about playing. "If basketball stops being fun, what's the point of playing?" Swailes says.

Recruited by competitive universities including Duke, Purdue and Syracuse, Swailes says her brother, Charles Chase, initiated her interest in basketball. Chase was Montgomery County's top rebounder in 1989 for Paint Branch High School. He taught her basic skills in dribbling and shooting, she says.