Name: Sadie Lott
School: Bonneville High School
Grade: 12
Position: Point/Shooting Guard

How did you first get interested in your sport?
Ever since I was a little girl I grew up watching my three older siblings, Braden, Kenzi and Carson, play basketball. Both of my parents, Brad and Dina, grew up playing basketball and the sport has been in our family ever since. I have played basketball for as long as I can remember. I started playing when I was in kindergarten and loved playing basketball ever since.
 
If you play other sports, which is your favorite and why?
Volleyball and basketball are my two loves. I started playing volleyball around second or third grade and have traveled as far as Florida for club tournaments. My team won the Far Western National Qualifier in Reno and the Pacific Northwest Qualifier in Spokane and we took second at Nationals in Detroit. We’ve traveled to Utah too many times to count, Denver, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Indianapolis and many others. I have played travel basketball as well and was gone for a whole month alternating between volleyball and basketball. I love both volleyball and basketball because they have taken me all over the place. They have given me opportunities to play at high levels and to go and compete.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from high school sports?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that everything will be okay and work out in the end. When I was a freshman, we almost went undefeated in the season and it was time for districts. We were ranked in the top five in the state and were supposed to make it to state. We lost by two points in both games to get to state. The next year, we went to state and it was one of the coolest experiences ever. My junior year, a couple of girls quit and two girls got hurt so we didn’t have as good of a year. My coach at the time, Amy Wood, who had coached for four years at Bonneville, moved so we had to get a new coach for senior year. This year, some of the girls who quit played again and we have nine seniors on the team who are all healthy. Sometimes in basketball, we fall short and sometimes things don’t go as we planned but it’s through adversity that we become our strongest.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? 
Some of the best advice I have received is to never take anything for granted. Four years of high school goes by so fast. When you are an incoming freshman all the seniors say ‘these four years go by so fast so don’t take them for granted.’ Well, they were all right because now I’m a senior. You don’t realize how fast it goes until you are a senior. I’ve learned to soak in all the moments and live in the moment. I am thankful for the words of inspiration that upper classmates, Coach Erikson and Coach Cunningham have taught me.
 
What coaches or teachers have made the biggest impact on your athletic career?
Coach Ryan Erikson has had the biggest impact on my athletic career. He has given me the confidence to go out on the court and play ball. He gives me so many opportunities to be an athlete. Coach Erikson always has such great stories from his high school career. I’ve learned from his successes and failures. Not only has Ryan been a great influence on my basketball career, he has also been there for me outside of basketball. He always makes sure I am okay and things are going well. He is definitely a coach that I will miss and wish I had him for longer than just one year.
 
Which teammates have you really connected with during high school? 
I have really connected with Brooklyn Cunningham, Sage Leishman and Maddie Pettingil. We all haven’t been on the same team until this year because of injuries and other things. We haven’t really been friends outside of sports until this year. It has changed me for the better and I’m so glad I have taken the time to get to know them. All four of us are seniors, so this season is going to be bittersweet. I love competing with them because I know they will always have my back. They bring such great energy on and off the floor that is so contagious.
 
Is there anyone in your family who have helped you get to where you are today?
All of my family members have had a big impact on me. I have grown up around basketball my whole life. I am the youngest, so I’ve gotten to watch my three older siblings and learn from them. My parents are always giving me pointers and things I can do better after every game. They will stay up until I get home from my game and we will watch the news and talk about the game. When me and my older brother Carson were the only ones living at the house, he would always give me advice and tell me what to do on the court.
 
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I play piano, guitar and ukulele. I started playing piano in second grade and have recently taught myself how to play the guitar and ukulele. 
 
What about this season are you looking forward to the most?
I am looking forward to going to the Boise tournament in January. I am excited to go compete and grow as an individual and team. I am also looking forward to increasing my friendships with my coaches and teammates.