Team chemistry is key for Rathod and Islanders

Published 11:30 am Thursday, December 4, 2025

Maya Rathod brings the hustle to the basketball court and prides herself on giving 100% effort each time out.

The Mercer Island High School (MIHS) senior shooting guard pitched in with some scoring, assists, rebounds and steals in the Islanders’ pair of non-conference victories over Franklin Pierce and Neah Bay to tip off the season at the end of November.

As basketballs bounced in the background on a recent afternoon in the MIHS gym as boys teams prepped for a game, the 5-foot-8 Islander gave a rundown of how her squad looks this season.

“I think that our team dynamic is really good. We played in the off-season in June and we played really well together. We sort of built up some team chemistry back then and so I think we’re doing a really good job so far building off of that,” said Rathod, adding that they’ll continue to move forward and play together as a team.

During the early wins, the Islanders executed their plays, got back on defense and snagged rebounds. Rathod noted that some of the Islander standout players are senior guard and captain Anna Mock, junior forward Sam Campbell, sophomore guard Izzy Russell and sophomore forward Olivia Simpson.

Rathod, who has been playing basketball since kindergarten, sat out last season with knee injuries and is now back at full strength for the Islanders. Rathod’s energy and excitement levels were on the high end when she returned to the court and got in on the action.

“Now I’m here and I’m able to play my senior season. I just want to finish it out strong. I would say last season I felt like I was missing out on a lot. But I just remember thinking, at least I’m just a junior — I still have my senior season. So I’m just really grateful that I’m able to do this this year. I’m super excited,” she said.

The Reporter asked Rathod a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her life:

What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?

Sometimes I think failing and making mistakes can lead you to success because then you realize how you can improve.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

Probably Michael Jordan because he’s a legend.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

I like “Inception.”

If you’re having a rough day at school, how do you kind of break out of that to kind of flip that around in your favor?

I like talking to my siblings because they’ve both been through the same school district and played the same sport as me. So a lot of their time is spent in the same way that I spend my time. So I feel like they understand when I’m having a hard day — what it feels like to be in that same position. So just talking it out with them is normally a good way to turn my day around. But also I like to read. And, of course, playing basketball just kind of gets my mind off of things as well.

What kind of books do you like to read? What genres?

Honestly, like, anything fiction. It just kind of gets my mind off of everything else.

What’s a binge-worthy TV series for you that you recommend?

Right now, I would say “Stranger Things” because the new season just came out and I really liked it.

What superpower would you like to have?

I’d say teleportation because I think it’d be nice to just be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want.