As the winter sports season kicks off, the Akins High School varsity basketball teams are hitting the court with a renewed competitive spirit. But for the seniors on the roster, this season carries a different kind of weight—it is their “last dance” as high school athletes.
For these players, the season is about more than just the scoreboard; it is about leaving a legacy, mentoring younger teammates, and cherishing the camaraderie of the locker room one last time.
The Eagle’s Eye caught up with seniors from the Boys’ Varsity and Lady Eagles squads to discuss their origins in the sport, their goals for the playoffs, and the bittersweet emotions of their final year.
Boys Varsity
Dyshon Morrow, Shooting Guard
EE: When did you get into basketball, and what is your favorite thing about it?
Morrow: I got into basketball at three or four. My favorite thing about it is just competitiveness and being on a team that wants to win.
EE: What are some emotions you have knowing it’s your last year playing?
Morrow: It’s definitely a sad feeling because it is the last year you want to be able to keep playing, but there’s also some excitement to it. Things to look forward to.
EE: What are some goals you have for the team this year?
Morrow: The main goal for the team is we’re gonna try and make the playoffs, that’s every year, but also we do want to win games and win tournaments.
EE: What will you miss most about playing high school basketball?
Morrow: What I will miss most is just spending time with my teammates, all the practices, all the memories we create.
Caleb Parkhill, Shooting Guard
EE: When did you get into basketball, and what is your favorite thing about it?
Parkhill: I got into basketball around the 3rd grade. My favorite thing about basketball is how fast you have to forget about your mistakes. There’s no time in the game to dwell on mistakes; you have to focus on the next play. For example, if I miss a shot but then get a steal on the next play, the missed shot does not matter. It has translated to real life, too; it has taught me to get back up and try even harder after a mistake.
EE: What are some emotions you have knowing it’s your last year playing?
Parkhill: It’s bittersweet. I feel sad because basketball has always been a huge part of my life, but I am also excited to enter the next chapter of my life.
EE: What are some goals you have for the team this year? Parkhill:
Be a top 4 team in the district and make a run in the playoffs.
EE: What will you miss most about high school basketball?
Parkhill: My teammates and coaches. Being part of a team that feels like family almost. Hearing the crowd say “boom” when I make a three.
Darius Headspeth
EE: What’s your name and position
Hedspeth: Darius Hedspeth, point guard
EE: When did you get into basketball and what is your favorite thing about it?
Hedspeth: I started playing basketball when I turned 7
EE:What are some emotions you have knowing it’s your last year playing?
Hedspeth: My favorite thing about it is the relationships I create through it and being able to compete with high level players,
EE:What are some emotions you have knowing it’s your last year playing?
Hedspeth:I’m kinda sad that it’s my last year playing high school ball and knowing I’m leaving my team is tough but I’m also happy to be able to play at the next level next year.
What are some goals you have for the team this year?
Hedspeth:The goals I have this year is to be better than last year, make each other better everyday and make the playoffs this year.
What will you miss most about high school basketball?
Hedspeth: I will miss the relationships that were built over the years with coaches and players and trying to bring an underrated school culture up.
Lady Eagles
Jiana Lopez, Power Forward
EE: When did you get into basketball? And what is your favorite thing about it?
Lopez: I started when I was like, in fourth or fifth grade, and my favorite thing about basketball is how close we are. My favorite moment… It’s probably just like going around the school at away games. That’s probably the best moment.
EE: What are some emotions you have knowing it’s your last year playing?
Lopez: It’s very, very bittersweet.
EE: What are some goals you have for the team this year?
Lopez: Working together on the court, communicating, not arguing all the time, and having less attitude on the court as well.
EE: What will you miss about high school basketball?
Lopez: What will I miss most about high school basketball is being with my teammates, the younger classmen, knowing like we’re all close with each other and the coaches and everybody around.
Natalie Martinez, Guard
EE: When did you get into basketball? And what is your favorite thing about it?
Martinez: I would say I got into my actual eighth-grade year of middle school, and my favorite thing about it is learning the new stuff and meeting new people.
EE: What are some emotions you have knowing it’s your last year playing?
Martinez: Some emotions I have knowing it’s my last year playing are that I’m sad and happy also, because I’m ready to get out of here, but knowing I’m gonna miss the team and what we’ll do.
EE: What are some goals you have for the team this year?
Martinez: Some goals I have for the team this year are that I would want us to hopefully do better than what we started off doing in our communication, and to be stronger on the court.
EE: What will you miss about high school basketball?
Martinez: What I miss about high school basketball is probably just the team and how close this team actually was this year. It felt like a second family.
Adeleah Cardenas
EE: What’s your name and position?
Cardenas: Adeleah Cardenas, Point Guard, Shooting Guard
EE: When did you get into basketball and what is your favorite thing about it?
Cardenas: I started playing basketball when I was in the 4th grade because my mom told me I was too short to play. Obviously being stubborn from that day on I was committed to proving her wrong. Good for me basketball ended up being one of my biggest passions and one of my favorite things in the world.
EE:What are some emotions you have knowing it’s your last year playing?
Cardenas: I’m honestly very sad because basketball has always been such a big part of my life that to let it go it’s going to be very hard for me. Iv had such a great opportunity to make so many friends and so many new memories, i will forever be grateful. I will say I’m very excited to make the most out of my season and put in my all for my last year
What are some goals you have for the team this year?
Cardenas: I think for all of us to have a good team bond. We are all really good friends off the court, literally never fail to laugh around them. Having great team chemistry on the court is just as important and I’m hoping we can take our off-court energy onto the court for some more wins this season!
What will you miss most about high school basketball?
Cardenas: Everything. Basketball is such a big part of my life that it’s not to miss. Long days, early mornings, all the running, I’ll even miss complaining. Most of all I think I’m going to miss the many friends I have made over the years.
Whether they picked up a ball at age three or found the sport later in middle school, each athlete carries a deep appreciation for the lessons, friendships, and unforgettable moments basketball has given them. While the scoreboard will fade and the routines of high school life will soon shift, the impact of this “last dance” will stay with them. And as they move on to new chapters, the Eagle community will remember them not only for the points they scored, but for the passion and spirit they brought to the court.
