Amy Randel said in an email, "It's official now, so I can share this with you. It was a difficult decision to make and is sad in many ways, but it's the healthiest decision for her...Madeleine has decided not to play basketball this year."
Gates is also a stellar volleyball player, whose La Jolla High team just completed their season. Her mother said that Madeleine is taking five A.P. classes, in addition to a calculus class through Mesa College. The 6'2" junior, whose kill percentage in volleyball has been at an elite level, has been playing club volleyball during the basketball season, putting a severe load on the young student-athlete. Something had to give, and it was basketball.
Madeleine's mother, Amy, was a scholastic volleyball player. Her father, Michael, who has assisted the Vikings girls basketball team under former head coach Dave Westhem the past two years, was a basketball player in school. So the two tall parents have always enjoyed a friendly rivalry over their daughter's participation in the two sports.
Ms. Randel said that college recruiting for volleyball is "going full swing" at this point in Madeleine's third year of high school, with college matriculation looming in 21 months or less and the decision to be made for which college and which college offer to accept, in the likely case that an athletic scholarship would be offered, in many fewer months than that.
Gates' mother mentioned "the potential for injury" in continuing such an intensive two-sport and academic schedule, "not to mention being completely run down from everything," as factors in the decision.
"She (Madeleine) just walked over to the high school a few minutes ago to turn in her basketball gear...[S]he thought I would be happy, but really it is quite sad," said Amy Randel Nov. 24.
"I'm really going to miss those rebounds, etc., but I think she'll be healthier and happier as a result(,) so I shouldn't be sad for those very good reasons. She has some very good college options already and that's exciting...", she continued in her email.
"...[I]t made the most sense for her to concentrate on volleyball," said her mother.
Madeleine had 22 rebounds in one basketball game last year. She progressed quite a bit, with no out-of-season practice, between her freshman and sophomore seasons in roundball. A comment often heard from others is Gates' quiet, humble demeanor. Despite her considerable athletic ability, she has never demonstrated a need to unduly call attention to herself, rather to her team. Her teammates in both sports obviously enjoy playing alongside her.
Copyright 2014 Ed Piper
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