Faust is TN/LVHN Girls Basketball Player of the Year

Five years ago, in junior high, Lehighton senior Skylynn Faust decided to trade in a soccer ball for a basketball.

It was a decision that ended up changing the basketball landscape for the Indians.

Faust, along with a talented group of seniors, helped to turn around the Tribe program, putting them in contention this season for the coveted Schuylkill League playoffs and also helping them qualify for the District 11 playoffs.

Faust has had a spectacular career, including a senior season in which she scored 548 points and went over the 1,000-point mark for her career.

She did all of that with just five years of basketball experience.

Faust’s overall body of work this season also earned her the 2017-18 Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Basketball Player of the Year Award.

“I never played basketball when I was growing up as a kid, I played soccer. It wasn’t until about seventh grade that I started playing basketball,” said Faust. “But it’s something that I fell in love with once I picked up the ball

“I think what also sped up my learning curve was the fact that I always played with older and more experienced players. That definitely helped me get better and stronger.”

In the game of basketball, improvement is key, and it’s safe to say that in just a short time, Faust has come a long way. She’s gotten significantly better each season that she’s been on the hardwood for the Indians.

As Faust improved, so has the program — with the biggest leap occurring this season.

In 2016-17, the Indians were 9-14. This year, they were 15-9 — a six game swing.

Faust averaged 15.5 points per game her junior year, and this season improved that mark by seven points, leading the Times News area with a 22.83 scoring average. Faust also improved her outside shooting, hitting 40 triples this season — 11 more than the previous year.

“I’ve coached now for almost 20 years, and I don’t know if I’ve seen any player work harder that I’ve coached to get better. She’s a real grinder, and she just loves the game and really wants to hone her basketball craft,” said Indians head coach Joe Berezwick. “She’s also just a great person. I just want to thank her for all that she gave us this season.

“I’ve only known her since June when I got the job, and I feel like I’ve know her my whole life. That’s the type of person she is, and she’s going to do great things after her time here.”

There’s no doubt that Faust is an inspiring basketball player — not only on the court, but off the court as well.

That point is proven by her maturity and academic success as she will be heading to Kings University to play basketball and major in neuroscience.

Inspiring people also need inspiration, and Faust gets motivation from a quote from the movie Coach Carter.

The quote, which states, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”

That quote meant so much to Faust that she had it tattooed on her forearm to always remind her of those inspiring words.

“I try to conduct my life on and off the court after those words. I try not to play with any fear, and just leave it out there on the court,” said Faust. “I always try to be positive and bring a lot of energy to every situation.

“I just really love the game, and it has done a lot for me and has helped me have a chance to get a really good education, which I’m really excited about. Kings College felt like home to me, and it will be my new home. It’s the best fit for me to both study what I want, and play the game I love.”