Avery Dickson has become extremely comfortable within the confines of Liberty Christian’s tiny gym.The senior has been a major contributor on the Eagles’ basketball team since her seventh-grade year, when she was cast into a starting role after a pair of injuries on the team. The gym is also where she practices pitching for her select softball team.Dickson has put together quite the resume, including becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,240 points.She played point guard until this season, when she switched to a wing position and began sharing responsibilities with junior Matilyn Voss.Since handling full-time starting duties as a freshman, Dickson’s numbers have been consistent.She averaged just over 15 points per game through her junior campaign and finished up with 14.5 points per outing this season.Dickson tallied 500 total rebounds, along with 200 steals and 200 assists.She was a three-time first-team Metro Athletic All-Conference selection. Dickson also earned first-team honors at the state tournament on two occasions.Her first love was actually softball, but with Liberty Christian not fielding a team, Dickson had to find alternative ways to stay involved. She pitches for the St. Peters Royals select team and is planning to play college softball at St. Charles Community College.“Having a Christian education always came before softball,” said Dickson, when asked if she considered transferring to be able to play on a high school team.She has attended private school since Liberty Christian was still Warrenton Christian, making the long journey from her home in Montgomery City.Q: What’s your fondest memory from your basketball career?“Last year when we won state.”Q: How challenging was it early on to become a young leader?“It was really challenging, because the first year I became a full-time starter the whole team had graduated, and Mattie (Voss) and I were the oldest players.”Q: What areas of your game have improved the most?“I’ve done better shooting my free throws, and I’m making a lot more of my layups.”Q: What did the addition of Matilyn to the team mean to your game?“This year we played more as a team. It wasn’t so much me having to do it all. Matilyn pulled a lot of weight, so that helped me not have to do it all myself.”Q: What are the greatest benefits to attending Liberty Christian?“Everything is centered around God. We have Bible classes, and all the seniors go through a leadership course. It teaches you how to go out into the world and be a leader. Also, we’re all like a big family, and we help each other out.”Q: Do you ever wonder what it would be like to attend public school?“Everyone wonders that sometimes, but at the end of the day I woudn’t trade this experience.”Q: How would you describe your relationship with your brother, Brendan?“We’re really close and this year we’ve been through a lot, which has made us closer. We’ve always got each others backs, but in basketball he always tells me he can beat me one-on-one.”Q: What is it that you enjoy most about softball?“I love pitching, because I’ve been throwing since I was really little in rec ball. Then I started going to pitching lessons in St. Louis with Jim Greiner.”Q: What’s your favorite activity outside of sports?“Hanging out with friends and going on vacation to the beach.”Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?“Probably my grandpa. He’s taught me a good work ethic, because he works very hard at what he does. We’re really close, and he’s one of my best friends. He takes me to my tournaments out of state as well.”Q: If you could change one thing about society, what would it be?“Probably how people treat each other. I feel like everyone always looks at the worst in someone.”Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?“Hawaii. It’s not even that cool, but I really want to go.”Favorite Food: “Cheesecake.”Favorite Restaurant: “Ruth Chris’ Steakhouse.”Favorite Movie: “The Notebook.”Favorite TV Show: “The Bachelor.”Favorite Song: “Country or Rap.”Favorite Sports Team: “Oklahoma City Thunder.”— Compiled by Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports EditorDICKSON SETS NEW STANDARDSDerrick Forsythe photo.