With the basketball season lasting a long five months, many people think it would become boring and almost unbearable to get through the season. Yes, sometimes the practices are the last thing any of the players want to endure on a Friday afternoon when everyone else is enjoying their weekend. Most of the time it is easy for us to complain about drilling plays over and over again until they become second nature. It can also be difficult during games to stay focused and persevere even when winning seems to be an unreachable goal. But when we are all feeling discouraged, frustrated or just annoyed with the seven suicides we had to run at practice, senior Kristen Murphy reminds us why we are here: because we love to play basketball.

Whether it is during a difficult defensive drill or in the fourth quarter of a tiring game, Murphy is always there to remind us to stay motivated and positive. Coming from what some may call a “basketball family,” full of present or former college athletes, and two of them older sisters who graduated from Sion, I suppose she has shown that being a true athlete is more than just points in a game or how well she can handle the basketball.

During games, when the rest of us need an extra push or words of encouragement, Murphy is the first one to bring the team into a huddle and remind us to stay together, play through any difficulties and to never give up. Not only does she preach those words, but she shows us how to live them. I do not think I have ever played basketball with someone who had as much heart, determination or love for the game. If the team needs to get a defensive steal to turn the game around, we can count on Murphy. If the team needs to drive to the basket more on offense, Murphy is the girl for the job. Even if we simply need someone to cheer us up after a long day full of tests, Murphy does so with her bubbly and witty personality. She is more than just an athlete on the court; she is a true teammate.

Her character and hard work are not only shown in her attitude during practices and games. In 2013, she tied the school record of 22 for most rebounds in a single game and has exceeded 1000 points in her high school career, which few people are able to accomplish. In the District Championship game, she reached and surpassed the school record for career rebounds with 1115 total. In the same game, Murphy earned Hy-Vee Athlete of the Week after scoring 24 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.

When someone is this accomplished, it can be hard for them to stay humble. The best part of Murphy’s character is that she seems to have no problem remaining grounded and focused. If I had never played with or heard about her basketball skills, I would never know they existed because she would be the last person to tell me. Not only is she humble about her own accomplishments, but she seems overjoyed when a teammate has a great game. That is a sign of a true team player.

Her athleticism is impressive, her attitude positive, her humility admirable. She may be the only senior on the team, but she is the best one the team could have asked for.