Polk County’s Melinda Morgan signed a letter of intent on Thursday, May 12 to attend Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) to play basketball for the Lady Buccaneers.
CVCC, an NJCAA Division II school located in Hickory, N.C., competes in the Region X Carolinas/Virginia Athletic Conference.
CVCC women’s basketball head coach Tommy Edwards said that Morgan first appeared on his radar screen through articles in the local papers.
“I saw Melinda’s name listed as a scoring and rebounding leader,” said Edwards at the signing, held at the library at Polk County High School. “I called Coach Culbreth, and he said to come on up and have a look at her.”
“I saw some things from Melinda on the basketball court that I really felt could help us,” continued Edwards. “We’re going to play her at a three wing and a four post.”
Morgan began honing her skills on the hardwood early, participating in recreational hoops when she was just four years old. The road to basketball success has not been free of potholes, and Morgan’s story is an inspirational tale of how persistence and hard work can pay dividends.
“I actually didn’t make the basketball team my seventh grade year,” said Morgan, adding, “I just wasn’t good enough.”
Being rejected at such a tender age may have discouraged many young girls, but for Morgan, it was a wake-up call.
“I was pretty upset about not making the team, and I decided I was going to do something about it,” said the feisty 5’11” senior. “I went to tons of camps, and did travel ball over the summer, and my mom even hired a personal coach for me and I worked with him every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.”
The dedication and willingness to pay the upfront price for success has clearly paid off. Morgan was named a starter the following year, and has been a starter and stand-out performer ever since, earning the Wolverine award her sophomore year and pulling down all Western Highlands Conference honors in her senior year.
Morgan also earned conference honors on the volleyball court. She was recruited by CVCC volleyball coach Shannon Hudson as well, but decided to focus on her first love.
“I decided not to play volleyball, because I want to focus on basketball, and the seasons run into each other. Since I plan on playing basketball after Catawba Valley, I didn’t want volleyball to get in the way.”