Perception is a funny thing.
My first remembrance of Annabelle Tovar was in Oklahoma Nationals back when the girls were still in elementary going to 6th grade. Her style of play and her demeanor was very intimidating to me much less than the young girls that had to face her.
As a youngster all the way to middle school, her AAU team, the Lady Hoops, were a juggernaut. The Lady Hoops were National Champs in Florida in elementary. Imagine that much success as a youngster.
The team went on to make a run as one of the most successful around the state. If they lost, it was because they didn't have their full roster or it was in a big time National event. You can probably count in your hand how many games they lost in 3 to 4 years.
Perception might be that Belle Tovar being a product of that environment and her former teams success is that of being brash, trash talker, bragger, uncoachable etc. How many players and Parents if experiencing that same success wouldn't be. Heck I have seen players and Parents with less than 10% accomplishments than Belle Tovar be just that.
Reality is the Belle Tovar in spite of all that success and glory is comfortable in her own skin, a leader, modest, nice and very coachable.
When she joined the team over 2 years ago, she and her Parents didn't have any demands. How many players and Parents in the AAU world with her Resume wouldn't?
She wanted an opportunity to earn playing time and to prove herself to her teammates and coaches.
When she came aboard, the team roster was heavy in players. She never complained about playing time. She just took upon herself to work twice as hard.
At one point her dad offered for her to play with the Islander team still developing. Sacrificing for the better of the team. Her dads words were "It doesn't matter what team she plays with at this point, Belle has to prove what she can do'"
Imagine a kid with this extensive Resume having to prove all over again for the betterment of the Organization.
Sacrifice....
That's what makes this team special.
Belle Tovar has taken full advantage of her opportunity and earned her place as an Islander.
She didn't do it by telling people how good she is, she let her game do all the talking All Summer Long!
Perception might be one thing, but Reality is Belle Tovar with hard work and strong work ethic has earned recruiting letters and interest this summer from Nebraska of Omaha, Wichita State, New Mexico, Tulsa, Houston Baptist, Rice, University of Washington to name a few. And that is just to start.
Perception might be that's good...... but somewhere you will find Belle continuing to work twice as hard to prove herself.
That's what makes Belle Tovar special.