SSHS senior named Athlete of the Week

SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan High School Senior basketball player Bethany Hoag was voted Missoulian's Athlete of the Week last week after being nominated for the first time.

Every week the Missoulian sports department and Republic Services nominate four boys and four girls to honor them for this award. One athlete in each category is then selected for the title by public vote.

Hoag was nominated because she filled the Lady Blackhawks' stat sheet with 18 points, 12 rebounds, six steals, two assists and two blocks as they beat the Lady Prospectors from Granite High School to secure the District 13-C tournament title.

Hoag has played basketball since fifth grade. She originally got involved because she loved being active. She continued her participation throughout high school because she loves the "atmosphere" of the sport.

"There's nothing quite like it," Hoag said. "I also enjoy being a part of something bigger than myself and making memories with my teammates. Plus, it's a lot of fun."

Her favorite aspects about playing for Seeley Lake Elementary and SSHS have been making memories and winning divisional championships back-to-back.

"Winning back-to-back divisional championships is something I will remember for a very long time," she said. "I can't ever forget the team that I got to share those memories with. Even though last year we lost out at state, it was a fun time and a great learning experience for everyone. I think we'll be much more prepared this year and win, lose or draw, we got the experience to play."

Hoag has faced several challenges in her sports career not only dealing with repeated injuries keeping her off the court but also being diagnosed with a heart condition the summer before her seventh grade year.

"It required me to go on medication that made me tire extremely fast so I couldn't spend as much time on the floor as I would have liked to," she said. "It recently got reversed so that's good but it was a frustrating few years."

Hoag describes this past year as being "emotional" as the team heads on to state. She said the team has rallied behind Head Coach David Cahoon and their teamwork has resulted in their consistent success.

"We have played extremely well as a team this year and that's what makes us so unstoppable," she said. "We are all hard working and unselfish and I think it shows on the court."

Hoag is happy to have received this title and is grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for her and spread the word. She said while she does not plan to play in college, she hopes to continue her love of the sport by participating in a recreational league.