Shick finally finds home in DuBois
DUBOIS — Three years.
Three colleges.
One future finally in focus.
It took being a nomad for Union graduate Lexey Shick to finally find a home — both in the classroom and on the basketball court.
“I definitely believe everything happens for a reason,” Shick said. “I'm on a good path now.”
The journey for Shick to Penn State DuBois was certainly a winding one.
Shick began her collegiate career at Juniata College in Huntingdon. A nursing major there, she got some playing time as a freshman, playing in 20 games and scoring 41 points to go with 24 rebounds.
She scored 11 points against Misericordia for the Eagles, which were stocked with experience and upperclassman.
But Shick never really felt comfortable there.
It was far from her home in Rimersburg and she needed a change of scenery.
Shick transferred to Clarion University for her sophomore year and decided to give up basketball and commute from home.
Not long after, she found she still hadn't discovered what she was looking for.
“I missed playing basketball,” Shick said. “I played pick-up games, but it wasn't the same.”
Shick also wanted to change her major.
She decided a third fresh start in three years was warranted.
Shick knew Penn State DuBois women's basketball coach Pat Lewis from the days when he was recruiting her during her stellar career for the Damsels.
Shick averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.6 steals as a senior for Union after tearing her ACL during the summer.
When Shick decided to transfer to Penn State DuBois to pursue a career in occupational therapy, Lewis jumped at the chance to have her join his team.
It was a perfect blend of what Shick was looking for: close to home, but far enough away to get the full college experience; a good program for her new major and a spot on the basketball team.“It was a great feeling to know it was everything I wanted,” Shick said.Shick is already making an impact on the court for the Lions.Splitting time between point guard and shooting guard, the 5-foot-4 Shick is averaging a team-leading 28.7 minutes per game.She's putting up 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, three steals and 2.7 assists per contest as well.“I was a little nervous after taking a whole year off,” Shick said. “I didn't know how I'd be and how rusty I'd be.”Shick soon found out she had nothing to worry about.She felt explosive and didn't give her surgically repaired knee a second thought.“I feel 100 percent,” Shick said. “I feel so much better. I feel like I have my quick first step. It feels so natural and smooth now.”It's shown.Shick said her experience two years ago at Juniata was important in her development as a player.“I played here and there, but I didn't have a defined role,” Shick said. “Here I have a defined role. At Juniata, I got to play against some good competition and it helped me become a smarter player.”Now settled, happy and healthy, Shick is looking forward to what her future holds at Penn State DuBois.She has this season and next season while in the occupational therapy program to play.“I think I'm almost there,” Shick said. “I'm working on my shot a little bit. I'm trying to get my 3-point shot down. I've been a little hesitant to shoot and coach Lewis said, 'You have a good shot.' That gives me some confidence.”
