The boys and girls basketball teams celebrated senior night on Friday, February 13, with the final home game of the season against Heard County. Both teams had played Heard County once before at Heard, and the boys walked away with a massive 60-point victory, which helped set the stage for the home game on Friday. Both the girls and boys basketball teams had three current seniors each this year, with Sidney Rush, Presley Dixon and Tofarati Opaleye on the girls’ side, and Cam Selig, Brent Bell and Christian Teasley for the boys.
The girls tipped off early in the evening at six, and kept it very tight in the first half, leading 23-20 at halftime. Heard County then pulled away in the second half, gaining a twenty-point lead, capping off the game at 64-44. Sophomore Elle Howren and freshman Kendall Dixon lead scoring for the team, each contributing 12 points. Towards the end of the game, Presley Dixon, who has been injured for her senior season, enjoyed a special moment when she got to shoot one of the final baskets alongside her teammates on the court.
The boys team finished their dominant regular season in a fitting manner with a commanding 52-point win Friday night. All three seniors continued playing instrumental parts in the game as regular starters, making plays all night. Just before the boys’ game tipped off, all six basketball seniors, as well as senior cheerleaders, were recognized and celebrated for the time and dedication to their respective teams as part of the senior night tradition.
“It meant a lot. It was the last home regular season game that I get to spend with my best friends. So, it meant a lot. It was a pretty fun night,” said senior Cam Selig. “This is my second year at Darlington and It’s been great. The student sections been great, coach has been great and teammates have been even better, so I can’t really complain.”
Senior night takes on a deeper, more special meaning for some players who have spent much of their life playing for the Tigers.
“Basketball senior night meant a lot to me because I have played basketball my whole life, so it was nice to get celebrate all of the work that I have put in with the rest of the team and the seniors,” said senior Brent Bell.
Senior players also enjoy reflecting and reminiscing on their time spent on the team over the years, and their goals met and achievements accomplished.
“My favorite memory as a Darlington Basketball player was breaking the all-time 3-point record and spending time with my teammates in St. Simon’s, just messing around and having fun,” said Bell.
Favorite memories also stem from certain unforgettable traditions or parts of the team’s culture and community experienced with the team.
“Beating Model at Model was really fun. Beating Model here at RUMPUS was really fun, and beating Model in the Christmas tournament was really fun,” said Selig.
The senior walkout is a highlight of the senior’s season and time for many, since players get to choose a few people they consider special or close to them to share the spotlight for a few treasured moments as they end their career.
“I walked out with my mom and dad because they’ve been my two biggest supporters, and they mean the world to me,” said Selig.
Connections in the sport are evident within families who connect over the game, and especially among teammates who make the game special, even if it is a loss.
“Even though we lost the game it still went really well. We connected well as a team, and a lot of things went our way in the first half. We hit a bunch of shots and talked well on defense, which resulted in us being up at the half. We ended up losing, but it was definitely the best game we played as a team,” said senior Sidney Rush.
Memories and special moments existed for players on and off the court over the years they played, especially within the smaller, closer-knit teams.
“We hung out a lot outside of basketball, but even during basketball, when we were all together, my favorite memories were team bonding experiences like an escape room and our annual Christmas party,” said Rush.