Prince William County, Va. - Chanel Shands never considered herself a natural 3-point shooter. The Forest Park High School junior only became more proficient at converting long-ranged shots out of necessity.
An injury incurred her freshman year forced her to limit her level of activity after she said she was diagnosed with a fractured back. Unable to run or even jump, she spent her time standing still and shooting baskets, sometimes 500 a day when she was in the gym.
"I had to develop it over time and re-do some things," Shands said. "I did a lot of form shooting."
Shands' skill at scoring from beyond the arc has become an integral part of her game and will be on display again this Saturday when she looks to defend her 3-point title this Saturday at Hoops Fest XV at Gar-Field High School.
The annual skills competition, which is sponsored by the News & Messenger, begins at 2 p.m.
In the 14-year history of the event, only one other individual has successfully defended his or her 3-point title and that was another Forest Park player, Whitney French, who won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002.
Shands was a nervous wreck a year ago when she took the court at Potomac High School for the 3-point shootout at Hoops Fest XIV and it showed. In the first round, her first few shots were air balls before she settled down to do well enough to advance to the final.
She beat Battlefield's Allie Rash for the title, 6-4.
In both instances, Shands said her teammates and friends could tell she was visibly shaken by being the focus of attention when she began shooting. It was the first time she had participated in a 3-point contest.
"I was shaking and they said my face looked like I had seen a ghost," Shands said.
Now that she's more comfortable with the atmosphere, Shands is looking forward to the chance to claim a second-straight championship, especially after her high school season was cut short when her back started hurting again following Forest Park's win Jan. 5 over Osbourn Park. After undergoing physical therapy, Shands was cleared to play again three weeks ago.
"This year, I knew I wanted to do [Hoops Fest] because I feel better prepared than last year," Shands said.
Sports editor David Fawcett can be reached at 703-530-3911
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