Moments before tipoff, you may find Claire Finney in the locker room folding and organizing each item in her space. It’s not a typical pre-game routine, but one that grounds her. The small moment of stillness allows Finney to clear her mind before stepping out under the fluorescent arena lights. That same attention to detail carries onto the court, where her focus only sharpens as the clock winds down to gametime.
Once the ball is in play, the calmness transforms. Spectators may hear Finney’s voice above the commotion, calling out a screen, signaling a rotation or redirecting a possession. A starting five junior, she has grown confident in her role guiding the Pride through high-pressure moments.
The confidence didn’t appear overnight. It has been a true growth process since her first season with the team, watching older players as role models and refining her own individual responsibilities. Now, she balances raising her voice in the right moments with trusting her teammates and the process.
Her presence isn’t limited to in-game moments. The team chemistry extends far beyond the court, and Finney describes another familiar routine, one that includes team bonding before and after practices each day.
“We have a really good locker room dynamic… chatting before practice, decompressing after, then we all go to dinner together,” said Finney.
These small rituals, whether stretching together before warmups or greeting each other’s families after games, tightens their bond and reinforces the trust they place in one another.
With fifteen players, the roster is a blend of different identities, each shaping the team’s culture in its own way. Some players offer a steady, calm presence while others bring loud energy and encouragement. Instead of dividing them, it is a mix that strengthens the environment and allows each player space to make mistakes and grow.
“I think we just all do a really good job of celebrating each other’s successes,” Finney said.
The sense of connection stems from intentional and conscious effort, built day by day to lift each other up.
Along with the relationships she has built with her teammates, Finney notes the broader culture at Springfield College and how it has shaped her own identity as an athlete and student. The campus’ emphasis on athletics, service and community gives her a strong foundation that extends outside of basketball.
“I think playing at Springfield College is a unique place. We’re very clear about our mission every day,” Finney said. “That really goes into all our programs. Not just basketball, but the classes I’m in and the professors I have.”
On the floor, Finney’s mindset during each possession is simple – find the best shot. She constantly scans the court, looking for the next pass and reading the defense to find open players and generate shot opportunities. Her quick decisions and intentionality create chances that don’t always show up in the box score but make a true impact on the Pride’s success.
“I really try and focus on finding the best shot every possession and getting the ball where it needs to be on offense, looking for the open person for the next pass,” Finney said.
These instincts were formed early on and dating back to her youth basketball days, her coaches trusted her with making important in-game decisions and valuing her input as she gained a deeper understanding of the game. Looking back, these early moments were a glimpse of the player she’d become: strategic, competitive and always thinking two steps ahead.
“When I was playing AAU and we were at tournaments, my coaches would let me run timeouts and halftime and pick plays,” Finney said. “They would talk to me after and ask, ‘did you notice that?’ or say, ‘Here’s what you could have done differently.’”
Those experiences continued in high school, where she started as a freshman alongside future Division I and high-level college players. The expectations were high, and she adapted quickly, learning to match their pace and energy.
Not only did this foundation build confidence in her leadership but also instilled sharper insight as to the purpose behind a drill or the outcome of a play. Head coach Naomi Graves shares how she sees these skills developing each day, especially now that Finney is stepping into a new leadership role.
“I think she has come a long way,” Graves said. “She was named captain this year, so she’s going to be in a different role, and I’m excited to watch her continue to develop.” Finney doesn’t see the title as something that changes who she is.
“I don’t think an official title changes what I want to be on the floor,” she says. “I really want to emulate the things we value.”
Deep into her third season with the Pride, Finney crossed a personal milestone, passing the 500-point mark during a road game against Lasell University. However, she rarely defines her game by numbers and accolades. Instead, Finney puts her energy into showing up everyday committed to the principles that define the team.
Her impact and dedication stretches beyond the scoring. Her commitment to lifting up her teammates and focusing on small details makes her presence unmistakeable both on and off the court.
As she looks ahead, Finney remains focused on growing her game, and never getting comfortable with where she is. It’s an approach built on minor improvements and habits that continue to shape the kind of player and leader she wants to be.
Photo By Emma Bynes/The Student