-
Madison Turley shares a tearful hug with coach Kim Perez after the final shot of her high school career. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo -
Dublin senior Madison Turley (seen with a smile above) was graced with the opportunity to walk on to her final home game on Friday, Feb. 2 and toss up a 2-pointer. Turley was taken out of her final season as a Lady Lion in her favorite sport when she suffered a knee injury in January. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
As the Dublin Lady Lions and Comanche Maidens returned from half time during Dublin’s last home game Friday, Feb. 2, the energy was very different. Comanche players walked over from their bench, the referees casually strolled to either side of the players and Dublin senior Madison Turley took her place under the hoop.
Although a knee injury took her out of the season several weeks ago, she has regularly been on the bench supporting her team.
Prior to the game, both Dublin and Comanche had arranged to let the senior who’s loved basketball since she started playing at age 5 to participate in the final home game of her high school career.
Turley took the court at the beginning of the game on crutches as she stood with her team while they warmed up. She ditched the crutches as the third quarter started. The clock started, she tossed the ball up and Dublin’s score ticked up from “16” to 18.”
The clock stopped and the stands erupted in applause as Madison gave tearful hugs to teammates and her coach, Kim Perez.
“Putting in my last two points as senior despite a recent injury was nothing short of special,” Madison said. “The two points meant more than just adding to the score, it made me realize that was the last time I would assist my team as a Dublin Lady Lion.”
Both Perez and Madison’s mother, Deanna, called the moment bittersweet, but are grateful to everyone who allowed it to happen.
“I am grateful she will always have that moment with her,” said Perez.
“It was awesome,” said Deanna. “It was a moment in time that Madison and we as parents are forever thankful for. The excitement, the cheers from everyone, then to watch it unfold, then the tears and the hugs.”
“We are very blessed to live in Dublin, Texas and have such caring and supportive fans, parents and an outstanding, bighearted basketball coach in that of Kim Perez, Deanna said.
Madison also thanked Coach Perez for being a huge part of her life for the last four years. Now, she gets to take this moment and many others in a sport she’s loved as she embarks on the next phase in her life.