GOOD HOPE, Ala. — Good Hope senior Lillie McCluskey made a lot of great memories on and off the court during her high school years and in this interview, she shared some of her favorite experiences alongside her teammates and friends.
“Some of the most memorable times for me include team trips, which fostered lifelong friendships. Sharing moments with my teammates were priceless. Other happy memories include winning championships. I have been fortunate to have won middle school, JV, and varsity county championships, two varsity area championships, a regional championship, and a state championship. Winning championships and playing with great teammates was an incredible experience. It was such a thrill to be part of a successful team and to see all of our hard work pay off. The feeling of winning and celebrating together is something I’ll never forget. Plus, we pushed each other to constantly improve and be the best version of ourselves,” McCluskey said. “I learned so much from my high school basketball experience. Not only did I learn how to develop my basketball skills, but I also learned the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication. Being part of a team taught me how to work together towards a common goal, communicate effectively, and support one another. I also learned how to handle both victories and defeats with grace and sportsmanship. Overall, my basketball experience helped shape me into the resilient and determined person I am today.”
Lillie learned so much from her coaches and was a part of a lot of memorable games during her career.
“Great basketball coaches do so much more than just teach the game. They inspire, motivate, and push their players to be the best they can be. They provide mentorship and guidance both on and off the court. Coaches have an impact on their players’ lives, helping them develop not only as athletes, but as individuals as well. Through the years and many coaches, I learned the importance of teamwork, perseverance, dedication, communication, and sportsmanship. Their guidance went beyond the game and impacted my growth as a person,” McCluskey said. “My favorite games were the area championship, the Sweet 16 game, the Final Four, and the state championship game. The area championship was an incredible game, because it took the entire team to get that victory. The Sweet 16 game is one of my favorites, because we were finally able to beat Deshler. The Final Four is another one of my favorites, because we were able to beat the defending state champions by 30 points, which allowed us to play in the state championship game. The state championship is, by far, my favorite game, because we were able to make history and achieve our goal of winning a state championship.”
Winning a state championship with her teammates will be a memory that Lillie will cherish for the rest of her life. She shared some of her favorite experiences from her time off the court as well.
“Winning the state title in my senior year was an incredible experience. Winning the state title is an achievement that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It is also a reminder that dreams can be accomplished with perseverance, teamwork, and communication to excellence. Winning the state title alongside some talented players is not just about the win itself; it is about the bonds and memories created, and the shared journey towards the goal that made the experience unforgettable,” she said. “My favorite high school memory is winning the state championship and all of the celebrations and festivities surrounding it. Some of my other favorite high school memories include a senior class field trip, the kids’ basketball camps, the senior slip-and-slide, and graduation.”
She added,
“The senior class field trip to the Birmingham Zoo was a wonderful experience of getting to spend the day at the zoo with my class. Another memory is teaching basketball drills and fundamental skills to younger children at the kids’ basketball camps. A few of my senior classmates and I enjoyed spending half the school day sliding down a slip-and-slide on the hill of the elementary school playground. My last and final high school memory is walking across the stage at graduation to receive my diploma surrounded by my loved ones and classmates.”
Good Hope will always hold a special place in Lillie’s heart and she will deeply miss being a Raider.
“Good Hope was a special place to attend for several reasons. The dedicated teachers, the extracurricular activities, and the supportive environment from the tight-knit community are what make Good Hope a special place. The dedicated teachers guide their students through challenges, provide valuable life lessons and advice, while also inspiring them to reach their fullest potential. The extracurricular activities give the opportunity for students to explore their interests, develop valuable skills, and build friendships. Last, but definitely not least, is the support from the tight-knit community. I never realized how supportive the community truly was until I was able to experience the state tournament with the entire community supporting my teammates and me,” McCluskey said. “I will miss hanging out with my friends and enjoying school-related events together, like football games and dances. It was also nice to have my schedule set each day so that I didn’t really have to think about anything. What I’ll really miss the most is playing basketball, because it has been a big part of my life and has brought me so much joy and excitement from a very early age. High school basketball was more than just games. It was about teamwork, competition, and pushing myself to be better. From early morning practices to all-day games, basketball created an environment I’ll miss being a part of daily. The camaraderie and friendships formed on the court are something I’ll always treasure and miss.”
She talked about what she will remember the most about being at Good Hope and touched on a special role model in her life that she looks up to.
“I will always remember the support from the community of Good Hope, as well as the support from Cullman County during our run to become state champions. The community always had our backs by supporting us with donations, snacks, meals, and most importantly, their attendance at our games, whether it be watching from home or present at the gymnasium. The community support was not over once we achieved our goal of winning a state championship. Instead, the community continued to support us with gifts and more meals while also attending our celebrations. This is something that I will remember forever,” McCluskey said. “Shaylee Gonzales serves as my role model in both basketball and academics. Her demonstration of leadership qualities, like teamwork and dedication, inspired me to lead others with the same qualities. She emphasizes the importance of education and time management for student athletes, which motivated me to prioritize my education while also pursuing my passion for basketball. Her ability to bounce back from challenges and injuries is something I really connect with, because I have gone through similar struggles. Seeing her resilience and perseverance motivated me to overcome my own challenges and injuries with determination and strength. Also, her commitment to using her platform to give back to younger generations inspired me to do the same within my community.”
Lillie gave some advice to the students that will be starting high school in August. Being a role model to younger kids watching her was something that was always important to her.
“High school can be exciting, but also intimidating. With that being said, it is also a time to learn, grow, and create memories. My advice to students starting high school is to be organized by keeping track of assignments, projects, and important dates. I highly recommend getting involved in clubs, sports, and any extracurricular activities, because these are an easy way to make new friends, while creating memories that will last a lifetime. The most important advice I have to give is never be afraid to ask for help. This was something I struggled with, but I soon realized that the teachers want you to ask for help. The final piece of advice I have to give is always remember to have fun. It is important to enjoy your high school experience, while also making the most of every opportunity given to you.”
She added,
“Being a role model for younger children is crucial, because they learn by watching others. They look up to older individuals, which means that our actions have a great influence on their values and behaviors. By being a positive role model, I can inspire them to set goals and strive for excellence. It wasn’t until I noticed the influence I had on younger children that I truly grasped the significance of being a positive role model. One moment that helped me realize that importance in their life was when a girl told me I am her favorite player and that she wants to be like me. Another example is when a third-grade girl hugged me every day in the school lunchroom. I have had many similar encounters with younger children, and while I didn’t know any of them personally, they felt like they knew me. That sent a strong message to me that my actions are being watched and possibly emulated by those younger than me. That made me want to be a positive influence for the younger children.”
Lillie wants people to remember her for the way she treated others and shared some advice for anyone that wants to be where she is now.
“I want to be remembered as someone who was always kind and respectful to everyone, while trying to help cheer others up whenever I could. I also hope to be remembered as a hard worker in school. It is important to me to be remembered as someone who listened and cared about others. Volunteering at basketball camps for kids was an experience that helped me out in a positive way. It made me think hard about who I want to be as a person. Knowing that younger girls were watching me, that motivated me to continue doing good things. This experience made me realize how crucial it is to be nice, helpful, and a positive role model for others,” McCluskey said. “My advice for someone who wants to be where I’m at now is to keep working hard, and never give up. Always be yourself, and never change or try to be someone you’re not. Instead of being afraid of challenges, look at them as an opportunity to learn and grow. Find a strong support system that can give you advice when needed. My final piece of advice is to stay positive, always believe in yourself, and never stop trying to improve.”
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