Recently, Winthrop’s men’s and women’s basketball teams celebrated their seniors at their last home games of the season. The teams said farewell to five total seniors (two from the men’s team and three from the women’s team).
The seniors recognized from the men’s team on Feb. 29 were Hunter Hale and Josh Ferguson. At the game, the two finished the season strong with a combined total of 36 points and helped to secure the 84-76 win over High Point University.
The seniors recognized from the women’s team on March 7 were Marissa Cantrell, Miquela Santoro, and Uchechi Ufochukwu.
A few of the senior basketball members share their experience with playing for Winthrop Athletics. “My experience at Winthrop has been really good,” said Hunter Hale, sports fitness administration grad student. “ [I] met some great people, I’ve gotten very close to my teammates and made some great relationships in the community.”
“My experience playing basketball at Winthrop was amazing,” said Ferguson. “Each year was unique in its own way, but I wouldn’t trade one for the next because of the lessons I learned each year.”
“My experience playing basketball at Winthrop was disappointing,” said Santoro. “The women’s basketball program is broken and the administration turns a blind eye and doesn’t listen to the athletes. I would’ve transferred after freshman year when the new coach came in but I had hip surgery so I was out of luck.”
“I experienced many long lasting friendships over the years from playing here,” said Cantrell.
Although some may have not been as pleasing as others, they all agreed that they shared a lot of great memories with the team. “My favorite memory used to be playing a triple overtime game against gardner webb and winning the game,” Hale recalled. “[Now], my favorite memory [is] winning the conference tournament at this school.”
“Currently my favorite memory of my college career goes back to my freshman year when we won the Big South Conference Championship at home in the Winthrop Coliseum,” said Ferguson.
Cantrell responded, “My favorite memory was my first game my freshman year. I went 7/7 from the field and it was the most fun I ever had playing.”
“My favorite memory in my college basketball career was getting ice cream after a road win,” Santoro said.
Each player agreed that through any negatives they had, there were positive moments as well. Positive moments which would help them focus on their future endeavors. While some are looking to return home to begin their careers, others still ponder what’s next. “Seeing that I’ve already graduated, my plans after Winthrop are to play professionally for as many years as I can,” Hale said. “Winthrop has prepared me for this by the way that my coaches prepare me for each game, how hard they coach me, and how hard we work as a team. These tools will be very beneficial at the next level.”
“Next I plan on continuing my basketball career and playing professionally,” Ferguson said. “Winthrop prepared me for this through the countless lessons I learned on and off the court during my 4 years here from members of the staff, players, classmates, professors, and other members of the Winthrop family.”
“After basketball I do not have any set plans,” Santoro said. “If the opportunity presents itself to go overseas I will pursue that. If not, I will be going back to school to pursue a career in the medical field. I have very helpful professors who want me to do more than memorize information, but understand and apply it. These professors, Dr. Grattan and Dr. Hurlbert, are reasons why my education has been so beneficial.”
Each player agreed that their four years of their careers brought wisdom and experience. With this, they were able to share advice for future graduates. “For any athletes that are about to graduate soon I would tell them to enjoy the moments because there’s nothing like it,” Hale advised. “I would tell them not to stress themselves, play every game like it’s your last, and continue to be yourself!”
“Continue to stay focused,” Cantrell advised. “It can get hard when it’s close to the end.”
Santoro added, “For other athletes, keep all doors and options open for what you want to do next. Also, it’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to do! Don’t try and rush yourself into a job or career that doesn’t fit. Take time and find your niche in society that makes you happy!”
“My advice for other student-athletes graduating soon is to work as hard as you possibly can towards your dream, whether that’s in your sport, or a profession relating to your degree because it’s closer to your reach than you think,” Ferguson added.
Graphic: Shaniah Garrick/ The Johnsonian
