It’s Senior night for the Sunlake High School’s girl’s basketball team, where the whole team gets together to honor and congratulate seniors for their dedication, hard work, and their contributions to the basketball team over the past four years.
Cherity Powells, a Senior here at Sunlake High School, was one of the few seniors that went to the game. In her own words, “being a part of the basketball teams for four years had represented my commitment, growth, and consistency, requiring me to show up daily through challenges, hard work, and adversity. Overtime I developed emotional maturity, mental toughness, discipline, and leadership both in and off of the court, and that is very admirable. This team had become a second family to me, built on shared experiences, trust, and accountability between teammates and coaches”; and in her final year of the program, she takes pride in representing it, contributing to it’s culture, and leaving a positive legacy for those who follow. She has been on this team for four years, and she feels that being in it had not only shaped her to be a better player, but a more prepared, resilient, and grounded person.
What inspired Cherity Powells to join this program was her beloved coach, Coach Pledge, who she states “led with purpose, confidence, and clear direction.” She saw the culture that was built on discipline, accountability, and respect when she witnessed other players who trusted her coach’s guidance, played hard for one another, and were united by more than just the game. What stood out to Cherity Powells the most was the family-like atmosphere; the team supported each other on and off court, and this sense of belonging was very important to her, after recently moving out of state and feeling disconnected in a new environment. So, to our beloved Senior, this program not only presented an opportunity to play basketball, but a chance to find community, stability, and a place where she truly belonged.
When asked what her favorite memory was during her high school basketball career, she states that winning districts during winter was by far the most enjoyable moment. She was overcome with joy, and she felt as though all of the hard work she’s put into this sport since the sixth grade had finally started to pay off; and she would love to continue winning the districts and states this year.
The person that Cherity Powells felt had the biggest impact on her as both a person and a player was her coach, Pledge; not only had she helped her grow on the court, but she also helped her grow off court as well, and that some of the most important lessons Cherity learned in life were taught by Coach Pledge.
Some advice that our beloved senior has for any upcoming basketball players is that, “you should never lose sight of your heart, and keeping going, as well as to hold on to the people close to you, to make the most of every moment, and cherish the second family you have now because you’ll be spending the next few years with them.”
