Cushing High School sophomore Macie Townes started playing basketball at six years old after watching her older sister play and wanting to be just like her. She calls her sister her role model.
“My freshman year she was a senior and we did everything together,” said Townes. “She rejoined basketball so we could be together even longer.”
Townes has a natural competitive nature, which shows when she is asked to rise to a challenge.
“My favorite memory is when my coach assigned and trusted me man-on-man to shut down the number one scorer in our district on defense. I held her to 11 points that game when she was averaging 30 points a game,” said Townes.
Head coach Mason Baade can attest to her tenacity and calls her an underclassman to watch.
“Macie took a massive leap offensively this summer,” said Baade. “She was asked to be one of our primary ball handlers while we were short on guards and did an excellent job. She also led our team in scoring this summer as a slasher constantly getting to the rim. She has been working hard on improving her shot and even knocked down a few threes as well. As a freshman she played a key role towards the end of the season for us as one of best defensive players. She is constantly on the floor hustling for loose balls or showing her athletic ability out jumping the opposing teams for rebounds.”
Townes’ motivation to be her best on the court comes from a couple things… but first and foremost from her family.
“It’s funny because since my first game of basketball I was motivated to score points by my mom holding up gummy worms up in the crowd,” she said. “Even now I still look forward to a sweet treat after a game, but I truly think that motivation comes from my parents and family being present at all my games.”
In addition to basketball, Townes plays for a traveling softball team, runs track and cross country, and plays soccer. She has received recognition in those sports as well, as a two-time state qualifier in cross country and an All District honorable mention in soccer. She also enjoys being part of Cushing’s theater program.
