Resilient Rise
Nora Young’s basketball season as a senior at Tri-Central High School was a personal-best success. While facing Taylor High School, she racked up four 3-point shots in the first half of the game. She was named Player of the Game for leading the team in points. Her growth in confidence and readiness to take shots earned her the Mental Attitude Award.
In addition, Young racked up some impressive statistics. She is ranked in the top nine for 3-pointers and in the top 30 for points per game in the Hoosier Heartland Girls Basketball Conference. In Indiana 1A, she is ranked in the top 82 for 3-pointers made.
The hard work Young put in made her achievements possible. They are even more impressive considering that during her sophomore year, she seriously considered giving up the game. The grief of her father’s passing caught up with her, and for a time she found it hard to find enjoyment in anything.
“My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2017. It moved to his liver, progressing to stage 4. He passed on October 7, 2020. It took a toll on my mental health, and I struggled at times. During my sophomore year, I was missing my dad; going through high school without him was hard. I didn’t want to live at that time. I wanted to quit basketball. I felt like I wasn’t good enough to play. My mom was my biggest counselor and helped me get through it. My uncle stepped up and told me that quitting was not what my dad would want,” Young says.
“Now, I’m 100% glad I stuck with it. I made so many friendships I never knew I needed. The coaching staff and coach Mathew Corn helped me find my passion again. I worked hard my junior year and progressed. My shooting improved my senior year,” Young says.
Young continued to keep up her grades and other activities even while she was going through a rough time. She will be graduating with cum laude honors, having earned a GPA of 3.5.
This year, Young spends afternoons at Heartland Christian Academy, where she is experiencing what it’s like to be a teacher. She pitches in wherever she is needed and on Fridays teaches physical education to kindergarteners.
Young is planning on attending Ball State University to obtain a degree in elementary education. However, she has not ruled out the possibility of being an event planner.
“My challenge was growing up faster than I wanted to. My mom is my biggest inspiration; she wouldn’t let her sadness beat her down. A milestone for me was when my sister invited me to her senior prom. Afterwards, we were at a trampoline park, and I was having so much fun with other underclassmen who were there. At that moment, I was glad I was alive,” Young says.
“Senior year has been fun. I learned that it’s OK not to be OK. Don’t give up and believe in yourself,” Young adds.
