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Class of 2020 Watonga High School graduate and former Lady Eagles' varsity basketball standout forward Cacie Gorman will be playing basketball this season at University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. Cacie Gorman | Watonga Republican -
Former Watonga High School Lady Eagles' standout forward Cacie Gorman (21) attempts to score in the paint on Dec. 3, 2019, during a game vs. Okarche High School. Gorman will continue her basketball career 2020-21 season when she plays women's basketball at Univeristy of Arkansas - Fort Smith. Andrew Salmi | Watonga Republican
As we labor our way through July and into August here in Watonga, the official start to the 2020-21 school year is rapidly approaching.
The Watonga High School Class of 2020 seniors were sent off last month to continue their journeys in life.
One such Eagles graduate Cacie Gorman, will have the honor of furthering her career at the collegiate level as a student-athlete for the University of Arkansas -Fort Smith women’s basketball team beginning this season.
Gorman, who committed just prior to the start of her senior season in November to play for the UAFS Lady Lions, said the recruitment process happened in a flash.
Following a successful summer of play with her Oklahoma UNITY travel team under coach A.J. Hawkins, she was contacted by UAFS women’s basketball head coach Tari Cummings.
“Coach T invited me and my family for a visit. I felt it was the right place to go after my UAFS visit,” Gorman said. “I’m thankful for where I am going once I met the coach and staff at UAFS.”
A 6’1” standout forward for the Lady Eagles who was selected to the 2019-20 Three Rivers All-Conference Team and graduated from Watonga with a 3.97 GPA, Gorman has already established a great connection with Cummings.
“We’ve talked quite a bit on an individual basis as well as team meetings,” Gorman said. “She checks up on her players and you can tell she cares about us on an individual level. I know I’m excited to have her as a coach and mentor.”
A powerful player who provides great post defense and is a threat to score in the paint whenever she gets the ball, Gorman says she models her game after fan-favorite and seven-footer Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Steven Adams is a beast on the court,” Gorman said of the center from New Zealand. “He’s an amazing person and works hard to be the player that he is. You can tell he puts effort and heart into the game he loves.”
However, if Gorman had to pick a pair of people she idolizes on and off the court, they would be no other than her parents, Shawn and Lacie.
“My dad and mom are my idols,” Gorman said. “I remember one time this last year I had a bad game. When we got home after that game, my dad and I went up to the gym and he worked with me on some post moves. The next game I felt confident and had one of my best games. My mom always has encouraging words. She lets me know where to keep my mindset and always cheers me on. My parents and my grandma are my number one supporters, and I am so thankful for them.”
Despite what has been going on with the cancelation of spring sports and enforcement of social distancing guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gorman and her new Lady Lions’ teammates are making the best of the situation with individual workouts.
“I have had individual texts and phone calls with some of my teammates,” Gorman said. “We as a team have had a few zoom meetings due to COVID-19. They all sound so nice and fun. I can’t wait to meet them face to face.”
Gorman is very excited to go off to college, get an education, and play basketball.
“To all the coaches I’ve had, thanks for pushing me and watching me grow out to become this player I am today,” Gorman said. “Thank you to anyone who has supported me too!”
Andrew Salmi can be reached at Sports@WatongaRepublican.com