“Live for today, but put a little aside for tomorrow,” encourages Pennridge High School chemistry teacher Sharon Parkes. This advice is especially relevant in the life of high school senior athlete Samantha Murphy. Balancing homework, sports, and other activities outside of school is one of the greatest challenges a student athlete faces. However, Samantha “Sam” Murphy has got this down.
Sam began on Pennridge High School Varsity Girls Basketball team in 2023 and has been a starter for the last two years. On the court, she plays the positions of point guard and shooting guard. Last season, she averaged about nine points a game and made several other contributions to the team. In a game against New Hope Solebury High School, Sam made 3 three-pointers. She did the same in another game against Wissahickon High School. However, shooting three-pointers is not her only skill. In a tough game against Council Rock North High School, Sam had a total of seven steals. Her importance as a member of the Pennridge basketball team was highlighted in a Suburban One Sports Girls’ Basketball Wrap article from Jan. 14, 2025. After a game against William Tennent High School, Sam received props from coach Jason Rapp when he stated, “Shoutout to Sam Murphy for an outstanding fourth quarter by hitting a huge three and making shots difficult for Kocur.” One of Sam’s proudest moments while playing for Pennridge was during a competitive game against Bensalem High School. “Getting two three-pointers to bring our team back into the game was a great feeling,” stated Sam.
Sam began playing basketball in first grade and was a part of an intramural team until third grade. After her dad got her into the sport, she grew to love the game of basketball. Sam played on her sister’s travel basketball team until it disbanded in eighth grade. Ever since then, she has been a leader on Pennridge High School Varsity Girls Basketball team. However, basketball is not Sam’s only passion. She loves to read books, and she enjoys the outdoors. Sam’s best friend since first grade, Gabby Hamburger, said, “You can find her murder mystery books neatly organized in bookshelves in her bedroom. Trust me they are filled!” In the summer, she loves to swim or spend time out on the lake in her kayak getting a tan. One of Hamburger’s favorite memories with her best friend was recently going to a Luke Bryan concert, where both friends had a great time. Hamburger highlighted how Sam is as a friend when she stated, “She tends to stay on the low-key, but will be outgoing. She has a great sense of humor, and she will crack jokes that will keep you dying laughing for minutes.”
In school, Sam is a straight-A student and maintains status as an honors student. Over the past few years, a lesson that playing basketball has taught Sam is time management. “During a game, being aware of how much time you have is so important. The same goes for time management with your homework,” explained Sam. Keeping her grades up while balancing practice, games, homework, and tests have been one of the challenges Sam has faced as a student athlete. Sam’s chemistry teacher, Sharon Parkes, said that when faced with a challenge, “Sam is nervous at first and doesn’t always trust her own ability. Over time, she realizes that she can do it.” When Parkes described Sam as a student in her class, she stated, “Sam is thoughtful about the things she needs to do. She has really good time management and is aware of what’s necessary.” Between basketball, school, and life outside of school, Sam is an excellent example of a student who can manage her time well and balance events of her life. After high school, Sam plans to study biology at Elizabethtown College next fall. She will leave behind a legacy of a great friend, teammate, and student.
