The basic sounds of a bouncing basketball, buzzer and referee whistle are taken for granted by almost everyone, except Pine Ridge High School sophomore star Marissa Cimino.
"I was born to play basketball," said Cimino, 15.
The vocal leader of the team is loud on the court for a couple of reasons. First, that's the way she likes to play; second, that's the way she needs to play, because of a hearing impairment that leaves her 70 percent deaf without her hearing aides.
"Especially the buzzer, that gets in the way," Cimino said. "My coach trying to tell me something, I ask him what's going on, the ball makes noise and echoes -- it's a little hard for me."
Cimino has ways of dealing with the struggles. She fully understands sign language and can read lips.
"Everything we run is by numbers and signs, and the girls have adjusted tremendously with it," said Coach Bruce Palmer.
The teammates completely support her, as do her family and friends who watch nearly every game.
"I will never miss a game," said Darcy Cimino, Marissa's mother.
"She's a great leader on and off the court," said Pine Ridge forward Shantel McGee.
Cimino, the young team captain, has been enjoying a solid season. She nearly missed recording a triple-double in a game against DeLand by only one point and one assist.
Cimino's ultimate goals include playing basketball in college, and on the professional level.
"Wouldn't that be something? I don't put anything past her," said Tony Cimino, Marissa's father. "She's gotten this far with this disability. The sky's the limit with her. I'm very proud of her."
"I just want to do good. I want to get to the college level," Marissa Cimino said.
She simply puts it into perspective: Some people need glasses to see better; some people need hearing aides to hear better. That is what she needs, and it is just part of who she is, and it won't keep her down.
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