Catherine “Catie” Carey has been playing basketball since she was in third grade. This January, Catie celebrated her last year in the sport at the girls’ basketball Senior Night. Alongside three other seniors, Catie was celebrated for her hard work and accomplishments over the years. Catie spent “…three years on varsity,” and her career coming to an end was bittersweet. Catie explained how her “…emotions were all over the place that night,” feeling both excitement and sadness. This senior could not seem to wrap her head around the fact that her last basketball game had come. After all her years of playing this sport, it was finally coming to an end.
The way the girls were celebrated was with a ceremony at the halftime point of the game. The girls were all acknowledged for their accomplishments as they walked across the court with their parents. The girls were all given flowers and their friends and family made posters celebrating them. Catie was honored to be celebrated by the ones she loves most and recalls “…being in seventh grade and thinking how cool it would be to be in Sunlake basketball and part of that…” celebration. Catie said that the ceremony was everything she had dreamed of after all those years of watching the other senior girls. She said “It was a full circle moment,” going from watching the other seniors to being one of them. After the halftime celebration, the girls continued to put forth their 100% effort, which helped them take home the win. Even though many of her teammates were injured to some extent, they still “…won by a lot and everyone scored a decent amount…” which absolutely shows the strength of the team. Even with an ankle injury herself, she had a season high for number of points scored.
Catie was especially sad at her senior night because she made the decision to not continue the sport after high school. However, she still plans to “…go to the courts and get shots up whenever…” she feels like it, because she still loves playing basketball. Overall, Catie’s “..favorite part of this season was developing a deeper passion for the game,” itself. From this season and all the other seasons, Catie developed a new perspective and understanding for this sport that will stay with her forever. The things she will miss the most from this sport are the “…togetherness and familial relationship of the team.” Bonding with people through a shared love of a sport and by working together at games, forms relationships that will last a lifetime. These girls support each other both “…on and off the court,” which is what makes the bonds last. Therefore, after her experience in the sport, she will have gained so much knowledge and strong friendships. Even if she’s not on the court, basketball will always be a part of Catie’s life.
