Hailey Kelley-Class of 2021

As a 5’3” freshman, Hailey Kelley never expected to make history two years in a row. During her junior year after coming off of losing to Haven two times in the regular season, the Dragons beat the Wildcats in the Sub-state championship game. After making it to state for the first time in Halstead girls basketball history, the season was cut short after the first round of state play due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the Dragons lost to Cheney in double overtime in the first round of state.

Now a senior, she talks about how blessed she is to be able to play again. Many players were hit with different emotions because two years in a row they didn’t make it to the second round of the State Tournament.

“Coming from highs to lows is humbling,” Kelley said.

The COVID-19 pandemic also stopped Kelley’s junior softball season.

“My grade has a lot of perseverance because of what we all have been through [with COVID],” she said. “I try to live in the moment more, after having our state games stripped away” Kelley says.

As a freshman Kelley was small and had big hopes for the future. As she grew up, so did the number of medals and trophies she put on the shelf. Kelley loves being able to experience things whether it is on the bench or in the game. Volleyball, basketball and softball have all evolved just like she has. Kelley enjoys seeing how the game changes as years go on. Kelley’s basketball career consisted of 76 wins. She also made 10 three point shots her senior season.

Kelley started sports at a very young age. Her mom, a college athlete in, put Kelley in club and rec sports which started Kelley’s love for sports. Her Grandma Kathy has helped Kelley by pushing her to be better and work harder on her faith. Kelley says that her grandma is one of the many that inspire her.

“My Grandma Kathy is one of my biggest influencers because she is very strong in her faith,” Kelley said. “Having her push me in that aspect and just having her around has helped me.”

The team aspect of sports is what Kelley loves the most.

“Basketball is a game with five girls who have to work together,” Kelley said.

“We [the seniors] have played a lot together. Playing together for this long helps us all know that we have each others’ backs. What happens off the court or field doesn't matter during a game or practice.”

When Kelley was a freshman she had many seniors to look up to. One of her favorite moments was, as a sophomore, watching the senior volleyball players in the Marion Tournament because the they enjoyed playing together so much.

Through her young career she had many people to look up to and helped her shape these wins that she has. Having leaders to look up to helped Kelley shape into the student athlete she is today.

With everything that Kelley has gone through, she will thrive at Kansas State University and wherever life takes her afterwards. Through all the highs and lows of her high school career, she has learned many lessons.

“If I could give advice to myself four years ago, I would say, ‘be open to new people and live in the moment,” Kelley said. “Some activities can be boring sometimes, like practices, but then you look back and see how awesome it really is. Always keep your mind open to new things.”