By Alyssa Scala

When you come to watch the College of the Siskiyous Lady Eagles basketball team play you will see a 6′6” player running up and down the court. Who might this be? It’s Leah Swain from Melbourne, Australia.

Now, it may seem strange that someone from Australia is playing at COS. How did she find COS you might ask?“My family knows a man named Steve from Australia who used to play for Tom Powers and suggested that I should go play college basketball–that it would be a great experience for me just as it was for him. So here I am,” said Leah.When asked about Australia she says it’s a little different than what everyone seems to think.

“It isn’t what everyone thinks. There are not kangaroos hopping around everywhere, and most people don’t live by the beach or surf all day. It’s just like a city here. People go to work and maybe on their spare time they will go catch a wave or two,” said Leah. “Though don’t get me wrong there are many amazing beaches and the people there are very relaxed.”

Leah lives about two minutes away from a beach so she likes to spend a lot of time there hanging out with her friends, relaxing and swimming.While going to COS, Leah takes advantage of new experiences and a bit of solitude.

“In Weed, I spend my time either hanging out with the friends I have made here or playing basketball. Weed is very different than home since where I live is a city, but I do love the peace and quiet.”

Leah also seems to be enjoying her basketball experience with the Lady Eagles, and playing for Coach Tom Powers.“Playing basketball is something I love to do; I love the whole aspect of basketball. The team feeling, working together to accomplish a common goal is fun to me and getting that big ‘W’ is one of the greatest feelings,” said Leah. “He (Powers) is way more relaxed than other coaches, which is a good trait when it comes time to explain things.”The COS Lady Eagles (9-5) are on the road for the next couple of weeks, but you can watch Leah and her teammates on Saturday, January 17, at 5:30, when they take on Lassen in Golden Valley Conference play.

Siskiyou Youth contributor Alyssa Scala is a graduate of Yreka High School. She currently attends COS, where she is working towards a law degree.