CULLMAN, Ala. – Former Hanceville multi-sport athlete Bentley Childers walked the stage and received her diploma back in May, and in an interview with the Tribune, she shared some of her favorite memories from her Bulldog career.
“For volleyball, my favorite memory is coming back from my previous ACL injury better than before and still being able to earn my spot on front row, as well as playing all the way around. For basketball, my favorite memory is the girls getting to practice before our coaches and putting on the early 2000’s uniforms, and watching their reactions to us wearing them to warm up as they walked in. Even though I didn’t get to participate in track this year, my favorite memory is going to the county meet for the first time and placing in two of the three events and just having a great connection with the whole team. Lastly, my favorite memory from softball is not only coming back this year and having the best season of my life, performance-wise, but also proving everyone who doubted Hanceville High School softball wrong by going to state and making school history while doing it.” Childers said.
Bentley played a huge role in Hanceville’s amazing run to state in softball this year, and achieving so much alongside some great teammates and incredible coaches was something that she, the team, the coaches, and the Bulldog community will never forget.
“For softball, the team really just felt like a family, and our new head coach, coach Kim Lewis, really made it a part of our cluture that we are family. We all got close with each other, so our bond really pushed us to where we are. We pushed each other to be the best we can be, and it really showed this season. Our coaches love and care for us, and you can really tell by how much time and effort they all put into us, just pouring into us day in and day out. We centered our season around not praising us as players or coaches personally, but just giving it to God and thanking God for what we accomplished. We wouldn’t have made it here if it wasn’t for Him. All of our coaches are great examples of people who fall in faith and with God. Personally, I have created a bond with coach Lewis. When she came in, I told her that last year, I got sat by my coaches at the time due to them not wanting to trust my strength and speed after my previous ACL injury. I felt doubted at the time, but she really believed in me and my abilities. She pushed me to be the best teammate and player that I could be for my girls. Not only that, she helped me off the field too with advice. Anything I needed help with, she was always there. She helped push me to be the best version of myself, and she really made a huge impact on my life.” Childers said.
Bentley added, “Even with me being so down on myself, not knowing if I was really ready for this season or being capable of being the best due to being doubted by others, she couldn’t have come in at a better time. She is one of the best things that has happened to me, and I feel like God gave me and my team her for a reason.”
She was around some great teammates in her other sports as well, and she took away so much from everyone during her sports career.
“With all of the sports this season, it really felt like we were a family, and we had great chemistry,” Childers said. “I learned that no matter what’s going on outside of the sport, when we’re together practicing or playing, we leave it outside and get the job done. We do that by giving it our all and 100% all the time. The coaches have really taught me important lessons for the sport, but also in life, and they really want to see you succeed.”
Bentley took part in some of her favorite games and will deeply miss playing at Hanceville.
“For volleyball, probably the Cullman Christian games, because we worked together the most. For basketball, most likely the Dora game, because I got to cheer on my teammate and best friend, Alex Twitty, as she played one of what was many great games for her that season. There were so many favorite games in softball, but my favorite one was the last game that we played in at Regionals. Even though it was bittersweet for me due to me getting injured in that same game, it was my favorite, because I felt like I was making school history as I was playing, and I felt as though it made me play better,” she said. “I’d been at Hanceville since I was in kindergarten and played varsity sports since I was in seventh grade, so with that comes a lot of hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears, but what it also comes with are the friendships, relationships, and bonds you create along the way. I’ll remember the fun, late night volleyball practices, the tough summer workouts and the following practices after that. I’ll remember all of the seventeens we ran in basketball (laughs). I’ll remember all of the rainy, but fun track meets we ran in. Last but not least, I’ll always remember making school history and going to state in softball. All in all, I’ll miss my teammates. They’ve all helped me along the way. They helped me grow to become a stronger and better athlete, and every one of my coaches have all taught me at least one valuable lesson for the sport and even life. I’ll miss playing sports at Hanceville and the culture I helped create.”
She shared a couple of her favorite high school memories and what made Hanceville a special place to go to school. She kept her advice short and sweet when it came to giving advice to those people who are fixing to start high school in August.
“My favorite high school memories have got to be the pep rallies and the football games,” she said. “What made Hanceville a special place to go to school is just the environment and going to school with the same people I started with, even though some moved along the way, and the pride the school had. My advice to them is to keep your circle of friends small.”
Bentley gives all of the credit and glory to God for everything that she has done so far, not only in sports, but in school as well.
“Honestly, I give everything to God. He’s the reason that I’ve been able to do everything that I’ve done when it comes to being able to play sports. We have a team prayer before every game with every sport I’ve played, but also, I like to have mini-prayers with Him along the way of games. I also take deep breaths before hitting and going into the box just to reset and let Him help me get everything completely off my mind and to be ready for the next pitch. Academically, I personally pray before big exams and tests and at the end of studying for those exams and tests, just in case I did miss something, He helps me remember those things, and as a student-athlete, I’ve always said that it’s student first, then athlete, because my academics are what make me able to play.” she said.
She leans on a couple of her favorite Bible verses and favorite song to help her get through everyday life.
“My favorite Bible verses are John 3:16 and John 14:6. These verses are verses I have lived by my whole life and have been staples in my life since I was young. They remind me that there is no other way than God’s way, and He’s the reason my sins are paid for. My favorite song is ‘Five More Minutes’ by Scotty McCreery, because it reminds me to cherish what I have left.”
She has soaked up a lot of things during her walk with God so far.
“While walking with Him, you can’t let worldly things make you stray from Him. You’re going to have people that don’t believe in the same things you do, and if they don’t support your walk with God, then they aren’t your true friends, because friends will help you with your walk with God and support it. Keep your eyes on God, and don’t go astray.”
