Basketball is a game that requires skill, and teamwork. For Alva High School sophomore Lakin Gaddy, she has mastered the position of point guard, since taking up basketball in 1st Grade.
When asked what her favorite part about basketball is, Lakin chimed, “I love competition. To be competitive in basketball, it takes speed, eye hand coordination, and body control while being aware of your team and your opponent at the same time. This is very challenging, and as the point guard, I am always looking for the best way for the team to score on every offensive possession. My favorite part of the game is getting the ball into the right person’s hands to score. Sometimes it is an assist to Jaycee Kelln at the post, hitting Triniti Miller running the floor, kicking it out to another guard for a three, or sometimes I have the best opportunity to score, but the feeling you get when your team makes a basket means that you won that battle. I love how basketball provides an opportunity to compete mentally and physically.”
In terms of inspiration for Lakin, she accounted, “When I was learning to play, the Ladybugs were in the middle of a three-peat state championship run. There were so many players that reached out to us younger girls. Two of them really made an impression on me. Morgan Shiever was my mentor in grade school, and she would come spend time with me once a week. Also, Jaden Hobbs always took the time to give me a hug and talk to me. I have always admired her ability as a player while remaining humble. They made me feel like I was a part of their success and made me want to be a Ladybug. I hope to be able to pass that feeling on to someone else someday.”
Besides basketball, Lakin plays another sport. She elaborated, “I run Cross Country which is challenging for me because I am sprinter. Northwest Oklahoma has some of the best XC runners in the state that I get to compete against every week and competing with them prepares me for State. I am a two-time State gold medalist (top five finisher). I also run track. My races are relays, the 200-meter run, and the 400-meter run. I placed 3rd in the 400m last year at state, and 6th in the 200m. When I’m not training, I love spending time with my friends and family.”
For academics, Lakin’s favorite subject is math. She elaborated, “To me math is a lot like basketball, what you put into it, is what you will get out of it. Getting straight A’s is very important to me, and I try to work as hard in the classroom as I do on the court. I am also involved in Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, Golf, and Speech and Debate. After high school, I would love to attend a Division I College and play basketball or run track/cross country.”
