Senior night for any sport is a moment that every athlete cherishes for the rest of their lives. The boys’ varsity basketball team entered their game against Benton Central on Feb. 27 expecting this final farewell for the seniors.
They dribbled onto the court and began warmups just like any other game, but something was different on this special night. Sporting a Logansport jersey with the number 44, senior Hurlee Shank joined the team’s pregame stretches and shootaround. Being a former freshman and sophomore player, Hurlee continued his support on the sidelines, doing whatever the team needed him to.
“He transferred into the manager role, and he’s pretty much just been the kind of kid you want around you,” assistant varsity coach Adam Hassett said. “He’s a good kid. He brings humor. He does a good job of what he’s supposed to do, and he inspires other people around him.”
He cheered from the bench as his teammates began to build a comfortable lead over their opponents. Anticipation grew as the point differential widened. Late in the fourth quarter, the student section started chanting, “We want Hurlee!”, signaling that his moment was near.
“We had to make sure we had the game secured, which at that point we pretty much needed a miracle for them to come back,” Hassett said. “It was time to get Hurlee in. The crowd wanted him in. We wanted him to go in; he wanted to go in.”
As the coaching staff prepared to put him on the court and the fans continued to cheer his name, his teammates showed support and helped set the stage for Hurlee’s big moment.
“Everything was just racing, and I just felt pumped up to finally extend the lead so we could get him in the game, and it just meant so much,” sophomore varsity player Eli Hopper said.
When Hurlee finally stepped onto the court, students and community members alike celebrated, giving him the senior night he had long deserved.
“Hurlee is always there for those boys. Football, baseball, basketball, Hurlee’s there,” Columbia Elementary teacher Robin Huffman said. “So for them to reciprocate that excitement for him was really cool to see.”
Though he didn’t make a shot, opposing players gave him space, showing sportsmanship and respect regardless of his role on the team.
“Kudos to the player on the other team,” Hassett said. “He actually said, ‘I’m going to let him shoot.’ He saw the situation for what it was and thought it was important for him to score.”
Basketball is a sport of many layers and roles. Much of the hard work happens behind the scenes, from laundry to filling water bottles at practice. Those in the background deserve recognition just as much as those on the court. For one night, the beloved manager, who had spent years supporting others, finally got his well-deserved moment. At Logansport, basketball is more than just a game; it’s a community, and that night, the community celebrated Hurlee.
