'Unselfish'

LITTLE ROCK — For many high school athletes, winning a state championship is the highlight of their athletic careers, but for Central Arkansas Christian senior Kelsey Hatcher, it has become second nature.

Through her three-and-a-half years of athletics, Kelsey has been a part of 10 state championship teams, six coming in the past two years at CAC and the other four coming in her freshman year at Pulaski Academy. Making the transition from her old school to its biggest rival was a tough decision, but her desire to be a part of a high-caliber basketball team trumped any trepidation she may have had.

"Basketball is my favorite," Kelsey said. "It's a really competitive game, and I like everything about it. There's nothing like being a part of a team."

Kelsey transferred to CAC in the 2005-2006 school year, one year after the Lady Mustangs won their first of three consecutive state championships. While basketball may be her favorite sport, it only accounts for 20 percent of her state championships. At Pulaski Academy, she was part of three track state championships and one soccer state championship, and since joining the Lady Mustangs, she has added another soccer championship, as well as cross country and track championships.

Had she been a part of the softball team, she could have added another ring to her jewelry collection because CAC won the state championship in that sport last season as well. But with her schedule, she just never bothered to start playing another sport.

Besides, it may have interfered with basketball, and that is where she sees her future. Recently named as the Little Rock Tip Off Club's player of the week, Kelsey is averaging 25 points per game this season leading the Lady Mustangs to an 11-4 record. Even playing with Whitney Zachariason over the past two years (the school's all-time leading scorer), Kelsey ranks fourth on the scoring list and could move into third place within weeks.

"She's been a good player," head coach Steve Quattlebaum said. "She immediately made the team better [when she transferred]. The main thing about her is how unselfish she is."

Early in her career at CAC, Kelsey had to sacrifice some of her game to get the ball to other players, Quattlebaum said. But this year, she is looked upon for the majority of the scoring for the team and she has flourished.

Her skills on the court has garnered the attention of many schools throughout the country, and in the fall she will attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on a basketball scholarship.

"I had quite a few options," Kelsey said. "But I loved the coaches [at Oklahoma State]."

She has not made up her mind on what she will study while attending college, but she has not ruled out coaching. Her coaches, Quattlebaum, Scott Loucks (AAU) and her father, Greg Hatcher, have had a big impact on her life, on and off the court.

Whether she becomes a coach or not, Kelsey will gladly give advice to help the younger generation of players, much in the same way she gives advice to her five younger siblings.

"The main thing is to play hard and compete," Kelsey said. "You can control those two things; the rest is pure skill."

In addition to all of her awards and accolades at CAC and Pulaski Academy, Kelsey was also a part of a successful AAU team, the Arkansas Belles. In a tournament in North Carolina a year ago, she helped lead her team to a thirdplace finish in a 95-team field.

Although each of her 10 state championships means something different to her, the one that means the most was the 2006 basketball championship, when one of the assistant coaches died suddenly.

"Last year's championship we were playing for coach [Andrew] Brady," Kelsey said.

Whether it is her natural ability on the court, countless hoursof practice or the support of her family and coaching staff, Kelsey's impact on the team and on girls basketball in the state of Arkansas is widely felt. And through it all, Kelsey manages to stay humble.

"I've just been so blessed with the opportunity [to play basketball]," Kelsey said. "And I've been blessed to be able to go do something with it."