SHAWN-MARIE HEILIGER BRINGS ENERGY TO THE BASKETBALL COURT

When Shawn-Marie Heiliger is on the basketball court, good things are going to happen, and happen fast.  This 16 year old package of energy is one of the leading players in the South Charlotte area.  Shawn-Marie is a junior at Charlotte Catholic High School and the daughter of Dave and Joni Heiliger.  

Shawn-Marie has been playing basketball her whole life and has competed in AAU basketball competitions since fourth grade. In the past she has dabbled in soccer and gymnastics, but has settled in with her true love, basketball.

The first thing you notice about Shawn-Marie on the court is her speed and quickness.  With years of great coaching, she has settled into her own style of play.

 “I love the game of basketball, it's my passion. Fortunately, I have had a lot of great coaches that have helped me develop my style of play. The game is much more fun to me when I play with high energy. As far as my quickness goes, learning about the game of basketball has helped me with positioning, anticipation, and court awareness.” 
 
The girl’s varsity coach at Charlotte Catholic, Bobby Conrad is a big fan of Shawn-Marie.

“Shawn-Marie is one of the hardest working players that I have coached.  She is constantly in the gym, weight room, and studying game film to make herself and her teammates better.  Her teammates love being around her and she always brings a smile and a positive attitude to the floor.”

USA Select Basketball coach Sean Kilmartin also enjoys watching Shawn-Marie on the court.  He uses NBA All-Star Steve Nash as someone that Shawn-Marie reminds him of. 
 
 We asked Shawn-Marie about what Coach Kilmartin had to say.
 
 “First of all that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me regarding basketball. I would say that never giving up and always trying to win does describe me. I do, however, aspire to be a "Steve Nash type" of player in all aspects of the game. I love to watch him play and I think that he is one of the best point guards of his time.”

With Shawn-Marie leading a very strong Charlotte Catholic team, hopes are high for the Cougars.   With lofty goals in place, the entire team will have to work hard.

“Our team goals are very straight forward; we want to keep improving as a team and put ourselves in the position to play for championships!”

Once the season does come to an end, Shawn-Marie will turn her attention to AAU basketball and the North Carolina Flight team.   The past two seasons, the Flight has won the AAU State Championship.

With this season and one more left to play in high school, Shawn-Marie is hoping to attract the attention of many colleges with her basketball skills.  She has a high desire to wear a college jersey and continue working on her game.


 “After high school I do want to play in college because I don't see myself ”retiring" from basketball in just over a year from now. I am looking forward to the journey to become an NCAA student athlete.”

Once she arrives in college, Shawn-Marie will bring plenty of experience of balancing school work with a year round sport.  She carries a 3.2 grade point average and enjoys Biology Psychology and Math classes.
 
 
 A college basketball experience would add to the list of doors that basketball has opened for Shawn-Marie.  She has traveled the country and met many interesting basketball personalities including; Pat Summit, Muggsy Bogues and Kay Yow.   Their words of inspiration have left a mark on this student of the game.  When Shawn-Marie takes the court, her focus is on one thing and one thing only, winning the basketball game.  This young lady will do whatever it takes to help her team to victory!