Article on Sarah Russell from her hometown paper
Former GA standout shines on and off the court
February 09, 2006
The Brunswick News
When I think about Sarah Russell, one moment comes to mind.
It was early February 2003, and I was covering the Region 3-AAAAA basketball tournament at Groves High. The Glynn Academy girls were playing Wayne County, and Russell started the game on the bench.
It was an unfamiliar place for a player who averaged 22 points and 10.5 rebounds per game to be in such a critical game, an odd setting for a player who one month later would be named our Coastal Georgia Girls Player of the Year. But doctors ordered Russell not to play because of the flu.
She listened for a few minutes, then dragged herself off the bench and scored 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting while pulling down nine rebounds. The fact GA lost the game and was eliminated from the tournament didn't take away from the inspiring performance by Russell in her final game for the Red and White.
But that memory slides over and takes second billing after Tuesday night. I had the honor and pleasure of attending The Gathering Place's Main Event on Jekyll Island, and, along with Braves' ace John Smoltz, Russell was a keynote speaker.
I watched a young woman talk about how Christianity has given her a new, fresh perspective in her life. I watched as she gushed at how walking with God has helped her on and off the court. It was really a nice moment, and the applause that followed her speech really was well deserved.
Oh, in case you're wondering, her basketball career is rolling along, too. Russell was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week a couple of weeks ago, and she leads Mercer University in scoring (11.7 points per game) and rebounding (7.3). The junior is a big reason the Lady Bears have survived serious injuries to two seniors to post a 10-9 record.
"I've had to step up, be more of a leader, be more of a communicator," Russell said Wednesday, after catching a ride on Smoltz's plane Tuesday night. "People look to me from the defensive standpoint. I've had to step up both offensively and defensively."
But the 20-year-old isn't one to get caught up in the numbers alongside her name on the stat sheet. She admits that being a Christian is tough in a sport where oftentimes you're judged solely on points, rebounds and shooting percentage.
"I tell my teammates all the time, your worth is not based on your performance," she said.
Actually, Russell's journey home Tuesday was via Tampa. Smoltz - who also was inspiring and engaging with his testimony to the crowd of approximately 1,000 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center - flew to Tampa with two of his buddies to play in a golf tournament. Russell flew along, then was flown back to Macon so she could be in class on time Wednesday. A long trip, to be sure, but well worth it, she said, to be able to address many of her friends back in the Golden Isles.
"The Gathering Place has a big place in my heart because of the impact they made on me and so many others," Russell said. "Anytime I can help them out, I'm there."
Just like on that Saturday afternoon in the region tourney 36 months ago, you always can count on Sarah Russell to come through.
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