Like Mother, Like Daughter
(SACKVILLE, NB) Abby Miller, a fifth-year Basketball Mountie, is proud to have followed in her mother's footsteps. They both fell in love with the game at an early age. Melanie Miller, Abby's mother, started playing basketball a little later than most would today. Playing her first organized game in grade 6, while Abby's first memories of playing basketball date back to when she was 5 years old. Both showed promise early in their careers, making their junior high teams and making their high school teams at young ages.
Mother and daughter both chose to attend Mount Allison University to pursue their studies with the hopes of pursuing their basketball careers. Just like her mother, Abby made the most of a try-out opportunity and earned her spot on the Mounties roster as a walk-on. Unfortunately for Melanie, her first season with the Mounties would be their last in Atlantic University Sport (AUS). Through her remaining years at Mount Allison, she played in the competitive New Brunswick Women's League, but the experience was different from playing against other universities. After graduating from Mount Allison, Melanie attended the Nova Scotia Teachers College where she played in the ACAA from 1990-1992 where she won a conference championship and participated in the 1992 Nationals in Toronto.
The choice of coming to Mount A was not always evident as Abby mentions being annoyed and tired of hearing about Mount Allison while growing up. Her mom would keep mentioning how great of an experience she had there. "Every time we drove by on the highway, we would have to stop in Sackville and drive around campus" Abby mentions. While Melanie "wanted to go to a smaller university with a small campus, where it felt like more of a community," Abby wanted to go anywhere else. When it came time for her campus visits, Abby toured Mount Allison with her father. Her mother avoided the situation to make sure not to steer the decision process in either direction. The day Abby visited, the decision was made, she knew this was her school.
Beyond their playing careers both have given back to the sport as coaches. Melanie has been coaching basketball for 33 years and coached Abby until she was in high school. She says they have experienced "both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat over the years, but the best part of it all, is that we got to do it together... mother and daughter." A wonderful memory they share happened when Abby played in the U15 National Championships in Edmonton, AB for team New Brunswick. Jessica, Abby's older sister also played for New Brunswick in that tournament representing her province at the U17 level making it an extra special event for the family.
They both have many fond memories of their time together on the court. Abby credits her mom for being the biggest influence on her game. She says her mom's favorite quote is "offense sells tickets, defense wins championships." Defense continues to be both individuals' favorite part of the game. Above all Abby credits her mom for showing her the passion it takes to be a good player. Abby adds "The biggest influence my mom had on my game is what separates good players from great, is heart."
Abby has genuinely enjoyed her time at Mount Allison and two memories stick out. The first was the relief she felt when she learned that she had made the team as a walk-on. The Mounties had a new coach that fall, and the uncertainty made her nervous. The second is a very recent event. Last week's victory over Holland College in the newly renovated McCormack Gymnasium at Mount Allison. Playing 4 years in the previous version of the gym and not being able to play or practice on campus in the first half of the season and the first half of January made the homecoming extra special. Playing a formidable opponent and coming out with a big win made it all the sweeter for her and her teammates. She credits her team's ability to come together and perseverance to stick together through adversity for the big win.
Abby will continue to follow in her mother's footsteps as she too has taken to coaching. She has helped her mom with some of her recent middle school teams and has been helping with the Junior Mounties and Basketball New Brunswick. She looks forward to continued growth as a coach and to continuing to be involved in the sport she loves. Teachers' college may also be in her future, time will tell but what is clear is basketball will continue to play a big part in the Miller family.
Story courtesy of Mounties Athletics