Life has a way of throwing speed bumps in our path at times. Whether they are big or small, these serve as tests to see how we will deal with things that are given to us unexpectedly. High school athletes are not immune to this either. For some, it is going into a slump or an injury, but in Gage Crago’s case, the loss of a parent

“My dad passed away during my sophomore year,” he recalled. “That is something that is tough for anyone but especially a fifteen-year-old. Basketball became my way of coping with things and it helped me to improve my game.”

Crago is a senior at Harrah High School, where he plays point guard on the basketball team. He has some outstanding teammates and he is thankful for them because they have played a big role in him becoming the player that he is.

“My coach and teammates always motivate me to improve and play my best,” he said. “I enjoy working against Brendan Tison. We are good friends outside of basketball and when we are put in situations in practice where we are not teammates, we always compete and sometimes argue or but heads. But as soon as we step off the court, or are on the same team again we always play great together.”

Other than his teammates, Gage has had some people that have played a big part in his life and helped shape him into the person that he is today.
“My mom is my biggest role model because she makes so many sacrifices for me to be able to follow my dream of basketball and to play at the next level,” he said. “A teacher who had the biggest influence on my life would be Coach Cameron Couch. He helped me on the court and in the classroom. He was a great role model and helped teach me how to be a man.”

Being a basketball player, Crago enjoys watching the NBA and has a player that he likes to watch most.

“Lamelo Ball is my favorite basketball player and a person I have always enjoyed watching play even before he got into the league.”