The clock counts down rapidly to zero. An opponent attempts to pass the ball, but one of the home players snatches it from the air. The player passes to a teammate, who quickly shoots from behind the semi-circle arc. The ball soars toward the basket and hits the rim. It rotates around the bright orange rim several times and then falls through the net with a swish as the buzzer sounds off loudly.
Seniors Sarah Kiser and Teigan Edwards are both captains and guards for their respective teams. Kiser has played for about seven years, while Edwards has played for six.
“I think both of them are very similar, yet so different,” athletic director Mike Maddox said. “[Sarah has] that incredible ability to make people feel good about themselves no matter what they’re going through, [and] I see Teigan as a young man [that] just knows how to accept people exactly like they are, whether they’re a coach, an adult [or] a student – he takes people right where they’re at, and he’s one of the greatest teammates anyone could ever have.”
Kiser began playing sports in fifth grade. Her family played in the past.
“My whole family has played [sports],” Kiser said. “I just thought it was a really good way to connect with them more and get [closer] with them, and I just really love the game.”
Head girls’ basketball coach Dalinda Cassell chose Kiser for this Eagle Eye spotlight because of her leadership. She has also aided with activities outside of school.
“She shows great leadership on and off the court,” Cassell said. “She’s been involved with the community, helping with Little Dribblers, and she helps with our camps in the summers, so I thought she was deserving.”
In the future, Kiser plans to attend The University of Texas at Tyler and pursue a degree in education. However, she does not plan to continue playing basketball in college.
“The hardest part of being an athlete is probably keeping up with school and playing basketball because it’s hard to balance the two,” Kiser said. “If you try really hard you can.”
The Lady Eagles did not make the playoffs this year. However, Sarah has helped lead them since she joined the varsity team for the playoffs her sophomore year.
“She’s more of a silent leader. She leads well by her actions on and off the court. That’s something that I appreciate about her,” Cassell said. “[She’s] very compassionate for other people, always willing to help, and [I] just see a lot of success in her future.”
Edwards began playing basketball in sixth grade. Like Kiser, he followed in his family’s footsteps by playing.
“I had to play pretty much,” Edwards said. “My parents played [sports].”
Head boys’ basketball coach Chris Grotemat selected Edwards for a spotlight because of his leadership as a member of the team.
“Teigan’s a tremendous leader,” Grotemat said. “He leads both in terms of his work ethic, [and] also his presence. First guy on the court, last one to leave, just really sets the bar for work ethic and determination, so he was an easy choice.”
In the future, Edwards plans to attend college. He hopes to play basketball while he’s there, and he plans to become a coach.
“My favorite part is probably playing with friends,” Edwards said. “[I] enjoy playing with them.”
The Eagles basketball team is currently sitting at third place in the district with two games remaining before the playoffs begin. Edwards, the starting point guard, has been a constant to the team in recent years.
“Teigan’s a great kid,” Grotemat said. “He’s lighthearted. He’s fun to be around, but when it’s time to go to work on the court, he’s all business, and that’s what makes him such an easy player to coach and such a great teammate to be around.”
Both athletes are considered excellent role models on and off the court.
“They’re very unselfish, and when you have somebody like that on your team, pretty soon it starts to spread to other people,” Maddox said. “I think that’s just a great quality for them to have because it spreads throughout their teammates and pretty soon whatever team they’re on, you end up with a team that’s very unselfish as well.”
