At the beginning of the basketball season, Oriahna Golden never expected she would end up wearing a jersey and stepping onto the court. Instead, she began the season as the girls basketball team manager, supporting the team from the sidelines. However, when a roster spot unexpectedly opened up, her role changed in a way she never imagined.
Oriahna explained how she became the team manager in the first place. “The coach pulled me aside because I was next on the roster and asked if I was willing to be team manager so I could still be part of the team,” she said. Although she was disappointed at first, she stayed positive. “Of course, I was a little disappointed, but I was really happy to still be able to participate.” Being manager allowed her to stay close to the game and support her teammates every day.
As the season went on, an unexpected roster spot opened, giving Oriahna the opportunity she had been waiting for. When she was asked to join the team as a player, her excitement was impossible to hide. “I was very excited since I knew I was next on the roster and that I might be able to play basketball for my school team,” she said.
The transition from manager to player was not easy. Because Oriahna had not been practicing with the team at the beginning of the season, she had to work hard to catch up. “Since I wasn’t practicing with them at the very beginning of the season, it definitely took some time catching up with my teammates,” she explained. Still, her familiarity with the team helped make the adjustment easier. “It made it much easier to adjust from team manager to player.”
Her teammates were excited to see her step onto the court. Teammate Nevaeh Tarwater shared her reaction, saying, “When I found out that Oriahna was joining the team as a player, I was surprised, but mainly happy since our team needed another player.” The team made sure Oriahna felt supported throughout the transition. “The team helped her adjust by teaching her all of our plays and being super encouraging,” Nevaeh added. She also noted that Oriahna’s experience as manager played a role in her success. “By watching the team all season, she already knew most of our drills and had built connections with the other girls.”
Now officially part of the roster, Oriahna is excited for what lies ahead. “I’m just so excited for the upcoming season and to see my teammates grow as players,” she said. Oriahna’s journey shows that sometimes starting on the sidelines can lead to an unexpected and meaningful opportunity
