As the season winds down at Asbury University, the reality of collegiate basketball coming to an end has begun to sink in for the seniors on the men’s and women’s teams.
Turner Shouse is one of these seniors and has been playing basketball since he was just four years old. He expressed that it’s going to feel strange not being on a team anymore.
“Basketball has been running in my blood since the beginning of time,” said Shouse. “It’s a great influence. Once I picked up a ball and started watching, I was addicted.”
For Shouse, basketball has always been about more than the game. His father is the Head Coach of the team, so his family will come to support both of them. Each match is an opportunity for a gathering, and he said that they will sit in the stands and chat. On the court, however, he remains locked in.
“I’m trying to take everything in day by day,” said Shouse. “Even if some practices are grueling, I’m just looking around and trying to appreciate everything around me.”
Luckily for Shouse, he won’t be leaving the program behind anytime soon. With a degree in Sports Management and plans to earn a masters in the same field, his goal is to return as an assistant coach and help develop and encourage future players.
“It’s a four-year journey, not everything happens overnight,” said Shouse. “If you have one bad game, not everyone is looking at you. Just try not to overthink, put faith in God.”
On the women’s basketball team, seniors Aaliyah Edenstrom and Morgan Flannery are experiencing many of the same emotions as their careers near the end.
“I feel like it all went by like a blur,” said Edenstrom. “I’m like, ‘is this real life right now? Am I actually a senior?’ It has not sunk in.”
This season has been especially challenging for the women’s team, as injuries and illness limited the roster early on. At one point, only seven athletes were able to compete.
“Different people had to step up, especially to play different roles which they weren’t expecting,” said Flannery. “Different things didn’t go our way. We’ve had to show up every day, ready to work hard, not knowing what’s going to happen.”
Through those obstacles, Edenstrom said she learned the importance of accountability.
“College ball is different, you take it more seriously,” said Edenstrom. “You gotta show up every day even if you don’t want to. That helps you do good in life, if you learn to do it while you’re playing basketball, it makes it easier.”
Flannery said her time with the program has helped her grow in confidence, particularly as she took on leadership.
“I’ve stepped into positions like team captain, and I’ve had to be more vocal than I necessarily like to be,” said Flannery. “My coaches have full confidence in me, which helps a lot. It transitions into my personal life outside of basketball.”
For her, this leadership has meant encouragement rather than direction.
“We’re all great leaders individually; you don’t need another mini coach,” said Flannery. “You need someone who is going to support you and encourage you throughout. That’s what I’ve really tried to step into.”
All three seniors agreed that the time passed more quickly than they expected.
“Live in the present. Four years flew [by],” said Edenstrom. “I was not expecting it to go this fast at all. I still remember when we were coming in as freshmen. Now, we’re seniors and it’s so surreal how fast it went. Cherish every moment.”
“God has given you the opportunity to play this sport,” said Flannery. “You should take full advantage of it and enjoy it.”
Senior day for both teams will take place Saturday, February 21 and they will celebrate the dedication and impact these athletes have had on the program.
