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Player with inoperable brain tumor scores memorable basket

 
Lauren Hill, center, who has an inoperable brain tumor, celebrates her memorable basket with her Mount St. Joseph’s team.
Lauren Hill, center, who has an inoperable brain tumor, celebrates her memorable basket with her Mount St. Joseph’s team.
Published Nov. 3, 2014

CINCINNATI — Lauren Hill felt so good after fulfilling her dream that she felt inspired to play another game.

Makes sense, since the freshman forward for Division III Mount St. Joseph's stirred a capacity crowd just by taking the court.

Much depends on Hill's health and energy as she deals with an inoperable brain tumor that has left her with just months to live. In between making two layups that started and finished Sunday's 66-55 victory over Hiram College and brought a crowd of 10,250 to its feet, she spent much of her inspiring game sitting on the bench wearing sunglasses and headphones.

Hill's condition has made her extremely sensitive to sensations others take for granted, but she still enjoyed the bright gym and the cheering crowd. And she certainly savored her two memorable baskets.

"It was awesome in every way," she said. "It's a dream come true. To play on a college court, to put my foot down on the floor and hear the roar of the crowd — I just love it so much. Everything that happened … was amazing. … It's a really good day."

The NCAA allowed the game to be moved up two weeks because of the urgency of Hill's condition.

Hill made an uncontested left-handed layup for the opening basket. The tumor affects her coordination, forcing the right-hander to shoot with her left hand. She also made the last shot of the game, returning with 26.5 seconds remaining for a right-handed layup. "That's the one I've been having trouble with," Hill said.

Both shots were greeted with standing ovations from the sellout at Xavier University's arena, a crowd that included support from stars in several sports. Former Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt was in attendance, along with WNBA players Elena Delle Donne, Delisha Milton-Jones, Tamika Catchings and Skylar Diggins, and Bills running back Fred Jackson.

Coach Dan Benjamin said things got emotional afterward, but Hill wasn't having it in a game she has waited for. "She looked tired on the bus," he said, "but once she saw that floor, there was a ton of energy."

Hill's determination to play while raising awareness about pediatric cancer has created a fan base that goes far beyond the school located on the outskirts of Cincinnati. The 19-year-old native of Lawrenceburg, Ind., has received support from across the country. Teams and players have signed and sent No. 22 jerseys to Hill, including 15 from high schools that lined the Lions' bench.

Hill still gets up at 5:30 a.m. for practice. Even though she can't do most of the drills anymore, she still tries. She has said she's not scared of dying: "But the people I worry about are the people that I'm leaving behind."