By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
The story of the Heritage Christian girls basketball team has been well documented. In fact, there are those who would say the exploits of Kelly Faris and crew are the most chronicled story in Indiana high school sports since the nearly daily diary we received on Mike Conley and Greg Oden.
It is not the on-court heroics, however, that have the Eagles nominated for a St. Vincent Spirit of Sport Award as Team of the Year. Rather, it is who and what this group was off the court and how they handled their incredible success that is at the heart of this honor.
Nonetheless, a brief history of the Eagles’ accomplishments is in order. Heritage Christian won its fourth consecutive Class 2A state championship this past season. The Eagles were ranked as one of the Top 10 squads in America. They triumphed in overtime over a gallant group of players from Oak Hill in one of the greatest championship games in girls history.
Faris is headed to play in the storied program at Connecticut. Fellow senior Claire Freeman is moving on to ply her trade at Butler. The list of on-court accomplishments is too long to list.
Off the court, this team represented all that we celebrate about sport. They were excellent students. They delved deeply into community service. They were quality citizens. Most importantly, they handled their success with a sense of class and dignity that we will long remember.
With the level of pressures and distractions that come with the type of success these girls achieved, that is reason enough to herald their character.
Hoosier Authority sat down with coach Rick Risinger and team leaders Faris and Freeman to discuss what made this group so special.
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