DEAR BASKETBALL BY ASHLEY INGRAM

By: Morgan Lair

Basketball | 4/14/2025 1:41:00 PM

Dear Basketball,

The journey we've been on is one that is almost indescribable - 18 years of an incredible adventure. I started because of my sister, and continued because I loved the game. You've been challenging yet rewarding, exhausting yet thrilling, frustrating yet joyful, and all of the everything in between. The highs and lows, good and bad, you've somehow always been there - from traveling to practices and games, and all the adventures in the middle.

Thank you for the lessons that you have taught me: that adversity is going to happen but you have to be resilient and fight through it, working hard will lead to success, and even if it doesn't, it leads to something better, to be confident in your abilities, that being vulnerable first can allow for you to become a better leader, as the rest will follow. These lessons and more, I know I will be able to carry them for the rest of my life.

One of the greatest parts about you, is the people I have met. Coaches that have turned into mentors. Teammates that have turned into family. The biggest hype man, call you anytime, hard-working, goofy people that I now get to call my best friends. There is no way I would be where I am without them. They are stuck with me for life, whether they like it or not.

Thank you for showing me even more, that my family will be there with unwavering support. Traveling far for games, watching online, and being my go-to people. Without them, I would not have played college basketball, and what a crazy ride that would have been. We will continue to go to different games, make brackets, and stay invested even though this time in our lives is over. You will always be a part of my family.

While it may be sad that this season of life is over, I am happy that it happened. I won't miss all of the running, but I will miss the locker room shenanigans, endless games being played, silly and deep conversations. I can't thank God enough for putting you in my life and Him being there every step of the way. "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

Signing off, #30

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