Cumberland County Lady Jet Dominica Beal said she enters this season seeing the game and her place in it from an entirely new perspective.
Now a senior, Beal stands as the only upperclassman on the Lady Jets roster. One of six shooting guards for Cumberland County, Beal comes off a season in which she posted career highs in both points and rebounds, setting the foundation for the leadership she provides this year.
“I think with me, it’s just being that role player,” Beal said. “Just getting that rebound or shooting that open three if need be and if I’m on the bench I’m hyping everyone up.”
Beal’s impact extends beyond the box score. With a young roster around her, Beal said she embraces the small moments, between extra effort plays, vocal encouragement and steady presence, that all help keep the Lady Jets grounded throughout the season.
“It’s more like being a leader and having the younger ones look up to me,” Beal said. “Just being that role model they want me to be.”
As the season unfolds, Beal said she still finds it hard to believe she has reached this point. What once felt far away now feels immediate.
“It’s so surreal,” Beal said. “I can remember my freshman year looking at all the seniors and being like, they’re like, it’s gonna go by so fast, they’re saying it’s gonna go by so fast, but I’m like no it’s not, it’s not. It’s gone by so fast; I’m really excited about it.”
Beal said she looked up to the seniors and their mentorship. Beal said when she was a freshman, that senior class would watch every junior varsity game. Beal started most games during her time on the junior varsity Lady Jets team.
That excitement is rooted in experience. Beal said she remembers the mentorship received early in her career, when seniors regularly attended junior varsity games to support younger players. Beal started most games during her time on the JV squad, gaining confidence while feeling valued by the program.
This season, Beal makes it a point to return that support. Beal said she plans to attend every junior varsity game, cheering on the next group of Lady Jets and reinforcing the culture that shaped her.
