ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: JAMES WOOD BASKETBALL PLAYER WHITNEY DICK

January 31, 2012

Sport: Basketball

Position :Guard

Parents: Brian and Robin Dick

Hometown: Winchester

Nickname: Just "Whit." It's easier to call on the floor than Whitney. My coach in sixth grade started calling me that.

When did you start playing basketball:Third grade. My sister [Kristen] had played, so i was like, "Oh, I want to be like her."

What you love about basketball:Just the whole teamwork thing. I like being part of the team, and it's a challenge, and I like a challenge. Setting a new goal every time is just fun. There's something different every time you play, because you have to adjust to the team.

Biggest strength and weakness in basketball:Strength, probably foul-shooting. It's always come naturally. Weakness would be ball-handling. Oh my goodness. It's definitely a struggle. I always try to work on it, but it doesn't work out. Sport you always wanted to try:I've always wanted to try volleyball. I would like to be a hitter. I like how strong they are when they spike it.

Most memorable moment in basketball:My 8th grade year at Frederick County [Middle School}, we won the FCJL championship, and it was like in I don't know how many years since Frederick County had won. It gave me a lot of pride.

Most embarrassing moment in basketball:There was one game [when I was younger] when I shot at the wrong basket. My coach at the time was my dad, and he gave me a hard time about it.

Favorite athlete:[Orlando Magic guard] J.J. Redick. He played for Duke, which is my favorite college, and he was just a lights-out shooter. I've always really admired him.

Favorite sports team:Duke Blue Devils men's basketball

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive:[Former Chicago Bulls guard] Michael Jordan; [Duke head coach] Mike Krzyzewski; and Dwight Eisenhower. [With Eisenhower], I just remember we had a project in school and we had to pick a president, and I picked him. I thought the things he did were interesting.

Favorite Quote:"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky. It was on a poster in one of my classes in middle school, and I just like it because it applies in so many ways. You've got to try.

Favorite subject in school:Science, particularly biology. I'm interested in cell reproduction and stuff like that.

What's on the iPod:Country, mostly Luke Ryan.

Pregame routine/ritual:Me and my friend Erica [Hepner], she's on my team. We have a handshake, and we have to touch the top of every door we pass through on the way to the court. We started doing that last year when we both made varsity together. We started goofing off in practice one day and came up with this handshake, and now we do it before every game.