By: Korinne Shepard
From the catch to the release to the ball swishing through the net, a milestone was reached that many will remember for years to come. The moment they stepped on the court, it wasn’t just them against the opposing team; it was them against themselves and what they were the game before.
Milestone Members
A 1,000-point career milestone at Hamilton High School is shared between four female basketball players, one of which was just reached this year. Jill Herbig, Ashley Overbeek, AJ Ediger, and recently Kaitlyn Geurink have all accomplished a 1,000-point career within their high school career.
Hard Work and Determination
All of these female athletes share one common characteristic: determination. Behind an accomplishment like a 1,000-point career are years of hard work and dedication. Perfecting shots, dribbling, and endurance have all contributed to this milestone.
Ashley Overbeek played varsity all four years of high school from 2013 to 2016. She reflects on the challenges surrounding her varsity career. “Coming into varsity sports as a freshman was a big adjustment and not being the tallest or biggest was a challenge.” Yet, her determination allowed her to persevere throughout her career.
Overbeek shares that her inspiration was her aunt. “My inspiration with basketball was my Aunt Beth who had a very successful basketball career playing at Hillsdale College,” she shares. She also mentions that her coaches played a big role in helping her achieve a 1,000-point career. “My coaches were always willing to stay after practice or come in on the weekend to rebound so I could practice my shooting.”
AJ Ediger played basketball at Hamilton from 2018 to 2021. “Looking back I think about how fun it was to just play basketball with my teammates and I was excited to have reached that milestone,” Ediger mentions looking back on her high school career.
Kaitlyn Geurink who is currently playing has been playing since 2021. She is also serving as a team captain and is a key leader for Hamilton. Since playing at Hamilton she has demonstrated determination that has motivated her teammates.
Plans for the Future
These athletes have accomplished exceptional things in high school and are continuing to do more things in the future at work and college.
Overbeek, who is currently working full-time, has ambitious plans for her future. “I am working full time and my next chapter in life is to be determined,” Overbeek says.
Ediger is currently pursuing basketball in college and studying at the University of Iowa. “I am currently getting my bachelor’s degree in Social Justice with an emphasis on Race and Ethnicity and am looking to go into coaching and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work.”
Meanwhile, Geurink is currently committed to playing basketball at Saginaw Valley State University. She is still undecided about what she plans to major in.
Role of Teammates
These athletes commonly mention that they couldn’t have reached this milestone without the help of their teammates. They all agree that they couldn’t have reached this milestone without the support and motivation of their teammates.
“It’s also important to realize you need to depend on your team,” Overbeek says. “I would not have gotten my 1,000 points without my amazing teammates.”
Ediger confirms this by saying, “Basketball is a team sport so I would not have been able to reach that milestone without my teammates!”
Advice for Ambitious Dreamers
After years of hard work, their passion for the game remained strong. Their achievements have created inspiration for younger female athletes.
“One of the biggest things for me is passion. You got to have a love for the game and be willing to put in the work day after day. You work hard every day to be a better version than you were yesterday.” Overbeek says.
Ediger emphasizes the importance of confidence when playing, “My biggest advice would be to do the work. The best way to gain confidence is to work at something so much that you can’t not have confidence in yourself. And have fun!” Ediger said.
A Lasting Legacy
Not only will these athletes’ achievements be displayed throughout Hamilton High School, but they will be remembered for their hard work and determination in the sport of basketball. They will continue to inspire younger generations of athletes at Hamilton.