BARBOURVILLE — From the moment Halle Collins was asked to play up in kindergarten due to a shortage of girls on the team, her love for basketball began.
As she grew older, it became clear that basketball was her true love, even though she had also played some softball from a young age.
The slower pace of softball eventually led her to choose basketball as her primary sport, knowing that juggling two sports would be challenging in the long run.
“As I got older I knew basketball was meant for me,” she said. “When it came to softball, I started playing when I was about five — T-Ball as some know it. I let go of softball not because I didn’t love it but because it was too slow of a pace for me, plus I knew two sports would be too much down the road.”
Starting out in third grade with AAU basketball, Collins realized the differences in playing with boys and girls. While challenging, she continued to improve her skills through practice, whether with the boys in her yard or with her mom.
“The physicality, skill set, and athleticism overall were so much different,” Collins said. “At first, it did not come easy, but as time went on I adjusted. Also, as time went on, I kept working out. With those same boys, outside in my yard, with my mom, etc. A lot of times you would never catch me without a ball in my hand. Sometimes I’d fall asleep with one.”
Despite gaining media attention and many awards throughout her high school career, Collins has never let the pressure get to her. She viewed it as a natural part of being a talented athlete, using it to set goals and seek out new challenges.
“As I have gotten older, I have caught more attention,” she said. “The attention doesn’t give me pressure or any added pressure. I’ve always had pressure even before the coverage and success just because I knew what I was capable of and that goes for now as well. I don’t see pressure as a bad thing as some do. The pressure just comes with being a good athlete. The pressure allows you to create goals, opportunities, and challenges.”
Even though Collins makes her achievements look easy while on the court, she’s had to overcome a lot of obstacles to get where she currently is as one of the top players in the state.
She had to overcome breaking her leg, and this past season, she’s had to deal with many health issues which led to her saying this past season being “the toughest ever” but still found a way to average a double-double on the court while earning the L4 Security 13th Region Media Network Player of the Year award along with being named a Kentucky Junior All-Star.
“Honestly, I forget I broke my leg. But going back I did have doubts when I broke it, but I knew deep down I would be just fine,” she admitted. “The mental game was the hardest. Learning how to walk and run again isn’t something I’d wish on anyone. With a lot of PT, individual work, and patient people got me back to 100 percent. I think this injury was for a reason. When I came back at 100 percent my leg was stronger and I was overall a better player. This break also made me realize that sometimes it’s okay to give yourself a break, your body needs it.
“This has been the toughest season overall I have faced,” Collins added. “Being put on seizure medication brought in a bunch of side effects. I felt like a zombie, fatigued and in a daze. Halfway through the game, I could have gone and fallen asleep on the bleachers and by the end of some games, I would just cry, but not know why. My confidence went down at the beginning of the season due to the medication, but the doctor lowered my dose and I started taking vitamins. As of now, I’m doing a lot better, but still tired.
But that’s not all Collins had to endure this past season.
“Besides having Myoclonic seizures and being put on medication for them, finding out I had a lesion on my brain was also mentally challenging,” she said. “After figuring out I could still be a kid and do the normal kid things, I felt relieved, but the anxiety is still there when doctor appointments are in arms reach.”
Heading into her final high school season, Collins’ goals remain centered on team success and personal growth.
“Winning another district title,” she said. “But most importantly, a region championship. Individual-wise, I want to beat the state rebounding record.”
With an impressive track record of 78 double-doubles, 1,465 rebounds, and 2,767 points, she is ready to make her mark in her final varsity season and beyond.
“Very hard,” Collins said when asked about her thoughts on her upcoming senior season. “It’s bittersweet for sure. I hate even thinking about my last high school game, but I can’t wait to go to UPIKE.
“(I want to continue) being a better teammate and leader. I feel like that’s my role. I want others to look up to me. Goals for basketball, I just want to ride the bus down the hill knowing we are region champions.”
