Basketball Senior Night 2021

Last night was a special one as we honored the Seniors for both basketball teams, cheerleading, and dance team.  While we didn't come away with the win against Barren County (in overtime), it was still a winning night.  When you can do something that feels "normal" this year, it feels like WIN.  Basketball has been a part of Karson's life since 2009.  

Tagging an early post from November 18, 2009:

 I'm officially coaching Karson's basketball team the Sparks.  We are composed of a whopping six girls and playing division I (which is 6 & 7 year olds). I had the opportunity to attend a coaching seminar featuring the Lady Toppers. Besides the team and Coach Cowles, I was the ONLY female at the coaches meeting =). The Tops were running all kinds of "plays", "defenses", and "fastbreaks" that you can run with your team(s). I was thinking to myself....hummmm, I doubt most of mine even know how to tie their shoes, much less set a screen, pick and roll, while cutting down the lane to the basket???? We'll be doing good to shoot on our assigned goal and not need a water break every five minutes. We had our first practice on Friday. The girls were so excited and did so well. I would have pictures to post on here, but being the coach and all, I can't multi-task that well =).

 

It's hard to believe this little Sparks player has turned into a lovely South Warren High School Senior basketball player.  12 years watching our girl play the sport she loves.  Basketball is a challenging sport both physically and mentally.  She's stuck with it - taped ankles, bruises, broken and torn off toenails, blisters, shin splints, wins, losses....memories!  

Through the basketball years....

This one made it to the digital board for Senior Night:

Karson kicked off the night as the first and only Senior Girl on the basketball team.  It was special.  Emotional.  Every game we are lucky enough to watch, and she's lucky enough to play, is a blessing.  As the season is winding down, her time on the court is coming to a close.   

Each Senior had a tribute board in the gym hallway.  We have the best booster clubs!

After the girls game, the boosters had a small reception area in the cafeteria with all of Karson's favorite snacks - Doritos, Zebra Cakes, Oatmeal Cream Pies, Donut Holes, dipped strawberries, Nestle Crunch Bars and Snapple Apples.  

Some great shots from this season:

Welcome to the 'Ville

It looks like our sweet girl is going to be a Cardinal in the Fall.  The University of Louisville gave her a D1 offer - in academics - hah!  We're super proud of how hard she's worked and know she'll continue to do that for UL.  She was accepted into the Honors College and in December received notification that she was also accepted into the School of Nursing Guaranteed Early Admission Program which automatically reserves her a spot in Fall 2023.  It's bittersweet for this mama as Karson is my best friend.  Her absence will be felt every single day.  There will be a hole in my heart knowing that she may never fully come back and be my little girl who needs me.  I'm just not prepared to say good-bye...I'm not ready...I'm not sure I'll ever feel "ready!" It gives me a great deal of comfort knowing I have extended family in Louisville who will love her and take care of her (Kenton I'm counting on you to be her rock).  She's also got an incredible roommate who she met in kindergarten at Plano - Piper Coleman.  These two have grown up together and remained friends to this day.  While we've not managed to make a campus visit, we plan to do so very soon.  COVID makes everything much harder but fingers and toes crossed, the light at the end of the tunnel is coming.

Karson only applied to UL and WKU.  Our mailbox and her email are constantly being bombarded with college admissions and requests to apply.  However, these two schools were her top picks.  This week she was accepted into the WKU Mahurin Honors College.  She was also invited to apply for the Cherry Presidential Scholarship which is an incredible honor as well and still on the table.