The South Bay Black Journal recently profiled one the rising student-athletes in the South Bay and what we learned from London Gant of Gardena Serra High School is her love and dedication to softball will be vital tools when she transcends to life’s bigger challenges.
LONDON GANT
Freshmen stats
Top 10 in Division
Top 3 in Santa Fe League
Batting avg: .641
Slugging percentage: 1.205
On base percentage: .682
Home Runs: 4
Batters struck out: 87
South Bay Black Journal) You come from a family of athletes who play basketball what made you choose softball?
London Gant) Even though I do, I found out basketball was not the sport for me. I started playing softball seeing all the older girls playing at Baldwin Hills Rec. I saw how hard and competitive they played.
SBBJ) What is it about the game you like most?
LG) I like seeing all the hard work off the diamond paying off. All the fielding clinincs and hitting lessons, BP paying off. Staying focused every play. Making ESPN plays at short. Also love the team aspect.
SBBJ) What do you see as you biggest challenges?
LG) Staying confident after making errors or being in a hitting slump. Something you quickly learn is that softball, you have to work. Game of failure, learning to bounce back. Also, I just learned how to pitch at the start of softball season to help Serra. Learning how to be more accurate and learn different pitches.
SBBJ) Who is your favorite player?
LG) Maya Brady from UCLA. Watched a clip of her work ethic off the diamond. Reason why she is a top softball player in college.
SBBJ) Do you have a favorite team?
LG) Favorite team is UCLA because they hit a lot of home runs. Play with a lot of energy. Reason why they are always top college team in the country.
SBBJ) Why did you choose Serra?
LG) I choose Serra because I knew they would challenge me academically. I also want to help build the softball program back to where it was in 2018, Div. Champs. Top team in league. I want young girls from the city playing softball rec want to come to a competitive program. Program where you compete for ships and become better women on and off the diamond. WHY not come to Serra
SBBJ) What has been some of your favorite experiences there?
LG) Meeting all the new people, making new friends, going to football games, track meets.
SBBJ) What is your routine in preparing for school and games?
LG) Staying on task with school is always my main priority. Before games, I make sure my pregame and mental is good. Trying to stay focused and locked in. During week have school softball practice. After school, have fielding clinics, hitting lessons with coach Ryann, batting practice in the cages. If I can’t go to fielding clinics, I field with my dad at the park.
SBBJ) Who is your hero?
SBBJ) My dad (William Gant), he constantly pushes me to get better and supports me
SBBJ) What’s your favorite dish your mother makes?
LG) Fettucini alfredo “white sauce”
SBBJ) Is your dad a girl dad?
Yes, he supports everything I do and is there at every game, practice, everything else.
SBBJ) What’s your grade point average?
LG) My GPA is 3.7. Im always working hard to maintain it with balancing softball and school
SBBJ) What was your best game?
LG) My best game is when Serra almost beat the number 1 team in league. I went 2-3, and was intentionally walked with 2 runners on base. Other team knew I was going to do some damage. Also had 13ks that game
SBBJ) What’s your favorite movie?
LG) Friday
SBBJ) What’s your favorite song?
LG) Nipsey , “Dedication”
SBBJ) Where do you want to go to school /major?
LG) I want to go to DUKE, HOWARD, OREGON. But really anywhere that gets me a free education where I can compete at the highest level and lets me major in Nursing
SBBJ) What’s your goals after sports?
LG) I want to become a nurse.
