GOOD HOPE, Ala. — Good Hope senior Tyler Cone earned his diploma in May, and in this interview, he shared his favorite sports memories and what it was like being around so many great teammates, friends, and coaches.
“My favorite football memory has to be the entire year. Stepping in at quarterback was some of the best fun I had, especially knowing my guys were always behind me. The overall bond was my favorite part. My favorite basketball memory was when we competed in the beach tournament this year. Being down by 31 to Breathitt County at the half and coming back, then we lost on a buzzer beater. Even though we lost, that was one of the most electric atmospheres I’ve been a part of,” Cone said. “It was a blessing. I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I did. I love those people, and they made everything around it all so much more enjoyable. I learned how to be a better person, teammate, and man. The coaches in football and basketball are men of God, and they push that through us every chance they can, which I’m thankful for. It was a blessing being around the coaches. They made all of the long days worthy. They always pushed the Word of God through us and were always striving for us to be better men. The time and effort they poured into us was unmatched.”
Tyler shared his favorite game from each sport. He will really miss playing at Good Hope and being a role model for younger kids in and outside of sports was very important to him.
“My favorite football game was when we played Fairview my senior year. My favorite basketball games were when we won the county championship three out of four years,” Cone said. “I will remember and miss the people and the atmosphere. It was always a great time. As a younger kid being on varsity, I always looked up to certain people. Knowing the impact those people had on me always made me want to be better for those younger ones around me. Their impact on my life at that time is something I’ll never forget.”
He had a blast during his time at Good Hope and being around so many great people is something that he will never forget. He shared some advice with the students that will be starting high school in August.
“I had so many funny memories at Good Hope, and I’m grateful I got to experience that chapter around those people. The people made it so special. I always loved being around the people,” he said. “Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s some of the best times of your life. When you graduate, that’s when you’ll realize that you’ll never have those opportunities again. I was in the National Honor Society and the First Priority Church Club. It was awesome. All of the people in the clubs are super nice, and it’s a good way to reach out to others in the school. I learned to put God first in everything you do, and you should always try to be friends with everyone.”
Tyler accepted a scholarship to continue his basketball career at the University of Montevallo, and he had an amazing time visiting the campus. His relationship with God is also very important to him, and he shared his favorite chapter in the Bible.
“It was very welcoming. The staff was super nice, and the current players made it feel like home. I took the scholarship at Montevallo, because some of the buddies I grew up with are also there. You can’t beat having fun and doing what you love at the same time,” he said. “God means everything to me. I grew up in a church home, and the Godly figures in my life are shaped around Him. The book Job means everything to me. When you really sit down and read Job, as a man and a person, it makes you understand it so much more.”
More than anything else, Tyler wants people to remember him as a great friend.
“I want people to remember me for how nice I was and the friendships I had with people. I always tried to talk to others that I was never close with. I enjoyed making friends and being friendly with people that I didn’t know.”
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