You might say that Woodward senior Averi Edwards is a speed merchant and it’s that quality that has defined her athletically in the present and probably her future.

“Averi is our motor that keeps going from beginning to end,” said her basketball coach Lacy Moore, who has coached her since seventh grade. “She’s our defensive specialist because she is so quick with good anticipation and great hands. Most nights she will be the fastest girl on the court.”

Averi also puts that speed to good use as a holding midfielder on the Lady Boomers soccer team, which has made the Class 4A state semifinals the past two years, and in track where she runs the sprints and relays. And it will be a great asset when she goes to play soccer next year probably at Southwestern State.

“Soccer has always been my main sport, but I’ve really grown to love basketball a lot because the coaches have always been so encouraging,” said Averi.

This is a year of change in basketball for Edwards. As one of two seniors on the team she’s assuming more of a leadership position this year and she’s also moving from shooting guard to point guard.

“The last couple of years we’ve had a strong leader on the team but now that she’s gone, I’m looking to Averi to step into that role,” said Moore. “She’s always been a good physical leader in her work ethic but she’s having to become more vocal this year and she’s doing a good job of that.”

So how is the change to point guard working out?

“It’s been kind of shaky so far I think,” said Averi, who is also a member of Key Club, FCA and the pep club. “I’ve had to work on growing my self-confidence is basketball which I think I have, but now I also have to become more confident in handling the ball and running the offense which has been a challenge, but I have a great support system.”

That support system is made up of her mom, who played collegiate soccer, and her coaches, whom she calls her role models and who have helped her in many ways.

“They’ve taught be how to be a good teammate and a good person and that has helped me build my character both on and off the court,” Edwards said.