Georgetown junior McCall Hampton received the prestigious state girls Christian Athlete of the Year Award for 2018 on Sunday, March 10, at the 30th annual Christian Athlete of the Year for Texas ceremony held by Lay Witness for Christ International at the DFW Airport Marriott in Irving. The Lady Eagles all-district basketball standout also was named the winner of the Joe DeLoach “Paying it forward” Award, which is named in honor of former Olympic and University of Houston sprinter, who is known as the only man to defeat Carl Lewis in Olympic Competition. Hampton was selected for the featured girls award from a field of more than 20 entries. Leaders of the organization said the following of the nominees for both the girls and boys Christian Athlete of the Year awards for Texas: “You are here tonight because you have been selected as a Winner from among nominees throughout Texas. A prerequisite for your inclusion were strong recommendations by a coach, by a teacher and by a ministry leader. You were nominated because of your accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic field and because of your Christian influence. What you did zia the platform afforded you and because of your commitment, we are thrilled to honor you.”
“McCall has an incredible platform to be an influence for good,” Georgetown head basketball coach Rhonda Farney said. “McCall’s sensitivity and passion for others’ salvation is just one attribute that makes her such a special young lady.” Hampton responded to the honor by saying, “Words can’t even describe how thankful I am to have the honor in being the Christian athlete of the year. I wouldn’t be here today without my loving family, friends, church and team. ” Life isn’t easy and it’s hard to have faith now days. My journey hasn’t been easy. I have had to overcome trials that have tested my faith in God, but the Lord always reveals himself in the storm. No matter what, trust in God’s plan for your life because he will take you places you never thought you could go.”
Senior teammates Jaelyn Knight and Ali Isbell and Georgetown’s assistant coaches Tosha Doherty, Kevin Spruill and Katie Youngblood made the following comments on Hampton:
Knight: “She has the biggest heart and always is so supportive on and off the court. She has a passion for the game and will work like crazy to achieve what she needs in order for the team to be successful.” Isbell: “I can always rely on her to cheer up the team when we are down.” Doherty: “She is always willing to check in, help out and lift up her teammates even if she has to put someone above herself.” Spruill: “Her attitude and determination are contagious to whoever is beside her on the court. She always lifts her teammates up and challenges them to be their best.”Youngblood: “She only knows one gear and that makes her teammates have to step up to the plate and match her effort. There are many types of leaders on the court at a time and McCall is no doubt the leader on the frontline, leading everyone into battle.”
In the words of Lay Witness for Christ International, “The simplest way to define ‘pay it forward’ is that when someone does something for you, instead of paying that person back directly, you pass it on to another person instead . . . ‘Paying it forward’ can make the world a better place.” Of Hampton, the event program said, “McCall Hampton has been the benefactor of growing up in a Christian home. She has been going to church every time the doors are open, almost her entire life.”She is very sensitive to the fact that there are a lot of people that have not been as fortunate as her, in that regard. McCall has been on a mission in her school yo make sure that her friends, classmates and teammates are afforded the same opportunity.”She is constantly inviting people to Wednesday night youth group and Sunday morning church.” “It is not uncommon for there to be three to five girls waiting for her after practice on Wednesday so that she can take them with her to church,” noted Farney in the event’s program.