Showcase Q&A: South Shelby’s McWilliams discusses track career, grilled steaks and farm life

The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood
Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m.
with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10.

SHELBINA, Mo. — The explosiveness Callie McWilliams showed on the track and on the triplle jump runway translated quite well to the basketball court.

McWilliams, the Missouri Class 2 state champion in the triple jump for South Shelby and a member of multiple state-qualifying Lady Birds relay teams, will put that athleticism on display for the final time on the hardwood when she represents South Shelby for the Missouri girls in the Muddy River Showcase on June 21.

McWilliams will continue her track and field career at State Fair Community College, meaning the showcase will be her final organized basketball game.

“It was definitely a hard decision because I love both sports,” McWilliams said of choosing track over basketball. “There was just a spark with track that wasn’t with basketball. Also, the success that State Fair has had was really a turning point for me, and I’m really excited to get started with that.”

McWilliams briefly considered trying out both at the college level. Her averages of 16.9 points, 3.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 steals per game in her final basketball campaign suggest she has what it takes, but she decided against it.

“I thought about it, but I just think that one sport will be enough,” McWilliams said.

McWilliams discussed her state championship, superstitions, farming, home cooking, and more with Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey in this Showcase Q&A.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about playing in the Muddy River Showcase?

A: Definitely meeting all the girls. I’ve always played against them, but I’ve never really met all of them. I just think bringing all this talent together is going to be really cool.

Q: You’ve had some head-to-head battles with a lot of these girls. How much different is it going to be playing with them as opposed to playing against them?

A: I think it will be very different, but I think it will be really fun. I’m really excited to be in this showcase. 

Q: What was it like winning the state title in the triple jump last year?

A: It was kind of mind-blowing. I couldn’t believe it. I had no words whenever I was up on the podium. It was an awesome feeling. I hope everybody gets a chance to feel the same way that I did.

Q: What are you studying in college?

A: I either want to go into speech pathology or be a vet tech.

Q: What are the draws of both?

A: For vet tech, I’ve always lived on a farm. I’ve worked at a vet’s office. I just love animals. For speech, I love people. I think either job would suit me, but we’ll just have to see where I go.

Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals or anything you do before every basketball game?

A: I always put my left shoe on before my right one.

Q: Is that the same in everyday life or just basketball?

A: Just basketball.

Q: So, any other time, you could put your right shoe on first and be content?

A: Yes.

Q: But in basketball, it has to be left first?

A: It has to be.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher in high school and why?

A: Probably my anatomy and biology teacher, Mr. Hillard. I just loved that class because we got to do labs and things, and he was really helpful when it came to any questions that we asked.

Q: Did you bring your lunch to school or did you eat lunch from the cafeteria?

A: I brought my lunch every day.

Q: Every day all four years?

A: Pretty much, except when I woke up a little late.

Q: Did you have a go-to? Did you like to switch it up? Did you have a specific thing you ate on game days?

A: I kind of just ate whatever we had in the fridge, either leftovers or ham sandwiches or turkey sandwiches. It was nothing specific on game days.

Q: Who’s the better cook, Mom or Dad?

A: My dad is better on the grill, and my mom is better with everything else.

Q: What’s your favorite dish that each of them makes?

A: I really like my mom’s enchiladas. My dad cooks steak a lot, so I’d probably say steak.

Q: How do you like your steak cooked?

A: Medium well.

Q: Do you have a certain cut of steak you like the most?

A: Probably ribeye.

Q: Why is that?

A: That just popped in my head.

Q: What are your favorite sides to go with your steak?

A: I like cheesy potatoes and cooked broccoli.

Q: How are you keeping busy during the summer?

A: I’m going to work at the vet’s office Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I lifeguard some, and I also show sheep.

Q: Living on a farm has something to do with that, I suppose?

A: Yeah, we have about 150 ewes (female sheep). We breed and sell the lambs for market.

Q: Is that something you’ve done your whole life?

A: Yep. We used to have cows when I was little, but then we switched to sheep because they were smaller and we could fit more in our pasture.

Q: Do you think you might want to have your own farm someday?

A: Yeah, definitely. At least a little farm.