CULLMAN, Ala. – Senior Caroline McBride moved to Holly Pond from St. Bernard over the summer, and collected some great memories during her time as a Lady Saint. The time she spent over at St. Bernard will help her out in a big way this upcoming year at Holly Pond.
“I enjoyed my time at St. Bernard. I fell in love with basketball in my first year playing while being coached by Luke Yarbrough. He was a great coach, but ended up moving after my freshman year to Idaho. The best thing I did at St. Bernard was be a part of the team that won area my sophomore year. Winning it with my team and my best friend Ella Davis was by far my favorite memory of playing at St. Bernard. We worked so hard to get there, and I will forever be grateful for that. I enjoyed playing volleyball as well. Coach Fallin was great, and I really enjoyed being able to step into a leadership role, and help the younger girls that we ended up needing throughout the season,” McBride said. “Even though we had a rough season last year in basketball, I’m proud of myself. I know I did everything I could, and I don’t have any regrets. I loved cheering on my team and being there for them. As for volleyball, I feel that we grew as a team, and I’m proud of how we did.”
Caroline added, “I’m very excited to start at Holly Pond, and especially coming off a rough junior year, I am really striving to have a great senior year to end my high school career on a high note. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be a Bronco this upcoming year, and I think it can only get better from here on out. Our goal is to make it to state in both sports, and I truly believe that both teams have the ability and the talented coaching staff to make it happen.”
She took away some important things at St. Bernard, and she has enjoyed being a Bronco so far. Being around some great teammates and coaches in both sports helped made her transition really easy.
“I definitely learned how to be a teammate at St. Bernard, and that will definitely help me at Holly Pond, with me being the new teammate. With the team being young at St. Bernard, I had to step up and be a leader, and I am very thankful that I have that experience,” McBride said. She added, “Holly Pond has been great. After all of my transfer and enrollment was complete, I was able to work out and practice with the basketball team. We played great in our summer play-day games. We got a good look at who we have on the team, and I’m so excited to see what coach Mary Lauren Hartline has us doing, how we can grow as a team, and what we can accomplish. The girls have been so welcoming and supportive, which has really made my transition so positive. I haven’t been to many volleyball games yet, but the games that I have been to, they’ve gone great, and the team is looking very strong. I love that group of girls. They’re so funny and kind, and I’m so thankful to have this new Bronco family. Coach Adrien Adams has also been so amazing, especially since she just recently had a baby. She cares so much about the team and has already made an impact on me. I love both coaches in both sports, and the assistant coaches are great. I’ve already gained so much from them.”
Caroline will be the only senior on the volleyball team and her, along with Madison Butts, will be the seniors on this year’s basketball team. She really enjoys being around Madison, and she’s excited to see what they can do this upcoming season. She brings so much to both teams, and she’s blessed to have so many great role models in her life.
“It’s been great. I love Madison. We played travel ball together this past season, and it’s so fun playing with her. I’m so excited to have my senior year with her,” she said. “I bring leadership qualities to each team. I like being able to help the younger girls, and just show them to work as hard as they can, and do that by example. My mom is one of my greatest role model. Coach Hartline and coach Adams are both amazing role models. There’s also a lot of staff members at St. Bernard who have been great role models for me throughout my high school years. They mean a lot to me. I am very blessed to have such a supportive group of people around me who I can turn to always, no matter what.”
She kept her goal for both upcoming seasons short and sweet, and God means the world to her and her teammates.
“Win state. That’s the goal that we have set for our respective seasons. We are working every single day as a team to make that happen. The talent on our teams is incredible, and if we continue to work, and have the right mindset, there is no reason that we shouldn’t be in the Final Four for both sports,” she said. “God is the center of my life. I have really worked this year on getting closer to God. St. Bernard lost a great person this past school year- one of my classmates at the age of 17. It completely changed my view on life and has made me so grateful for everything I am able to do. Holly Pond has put a focus on God in our sports as well. We pray before every basketball practice, and coach Adams talks about a verse or message from God before volleyball practice. I’m so happy that I’m not only joining new teams, but meeting new people to grow closer to Christ with.”
Two very important Bible verses has changed Caroline’s life, and faith has brought both teams even closer together on and off the court.
“One of my favorite Bible verses is Galatians 6:9: ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest.’ This verse is close to me in sports. It just reminds me that if I continue to work hard through any adversities in the season or the off-season, I will reap what I sow. My other favorite Bible verse is Colossians 3:23: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.’ This verse has also helped me to stay disciplined. At the end of the day, win or lose, I’m not living for the sport. I’m living for God,” he said. “I feel like it’s helped us appreciate what we are able to do, and just give it our all, whenever we’re on the court or in the weight room.”
She’s excited for her senior year to get underway, and has taken away a very important thing during her walk with the Lord.
“I’m really excited for the coaching I’m going to get, and the memories I’m going to make. I’m excited to just give it my all one last year, and see the team grow as one. I’m also very excited to get to play against my best friend Ella Davis,” she said. “I’ve learned to just call on God. No matter what’s happening, just call on Him, and you will find peace.”
