CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville High girl’s basketball guard Destiny Hill has signed with Lincoln Trail College to continue her athletic and academic career.
“Since I’ve been hurt the past two years and I really haven’t gotten to play as much, I knew that I wanted to go to a two-year school,” Hill said. “I just felt that I would be better off to start back playing JUCO ball. When I went to actually go visit Lincoln Trail, they all were so nice. I feel like Coach Sparks (Scott) and Coach Rotar (Adam) really know how to put athletes out there and will try their hardest to get me to where I want to go.”
In her freshman campaign, Hill played in 10 games and helped lead the Lady Wildcats to the Region 5-AAA Championship and an eventual spot in the state tournament. As a sophomore, she finished as the team’s second leading scorer after averaging 10.2 points per game and also led the team with 97 steals.
Hill would go on to receive All-District, All-Tournament Team and All-Area honors that season for her work on the hardwood.
In the following offseason, Hill tore her ACL in a spring AAU soccer tournament and was forced to miss all of her junior soccer season as well as most of the basketball season. She returned to play in the final 12 games of the year and went on to score in double figures four times.
Two games into her senior basketball season, Hill tore the ACL in her other knee to end her high school career.
After overcoming two major setbacks, Hill isn’t taking the opportunity to play at the next level for granted.
“When you haven’t been able to do something that you love and then you can again, it’s just like a breath of fresh air,” Hill said. “A fresh start in a sense. I don’t really even know how to put it into words. Especially to still be able to get a scholarship to go play is amazing to me. Honestly I would’ve never thought after all of my surgeries and injuries, someone would still give me a chance.”
According to Hill, the adversity that she faced over the course of her rehabilitation process really put things into perspective.
“It’s taught me that I’m a lot stronger than I think am,” Hill said. “I’ve also learned that there are good people who are willing to help and not let me fail or give up. They push me to my limits most times, but I feel like it’s going to make me a better player, because I’m going to want it more. I’m so excited to play college ball and just get back on the court.”
Hill accredits her supporting cast to helping her get through each difficult scenario.
“When I first tore my ACL I was upset, but it wasn’t the end of the world,” Hill said. “I was a sophomore going to be a junior and still had my senior year left. I thought to myself, ‘everything is fine we’ll just take this and just keep going’. As I went through it, Coach Rush (Brian), Coach Chilcutt (Sonja) and Coach Jean (Tyler) were all telling me that it’s all going to be alright no matter what happens. I will never forget them for that because at my darkest times when I needed somebody the most, they were there for me.
“Then the second time I tore my ACL, it was a lot harder than the first. I was a lot more down in the dirt just because it was my senior year and my time to go out there and really shine. I was fine all summer playing AAU and just to come back my third game in and tear my other ACL, it hurt my soul. I just wanted to be out there with my team, help them out and be there for them. It just really taught me how to kind of go with things that happen instead of letting them get me down and keep me there.”
When Hill looks back on her time as a Lady Wildcat, it’s those that surrounded her on the court and inside of the locker room that she will remember the most.
“I think my team most definitely,” Hill answered. “They were probably the best team that I could’ve asked for. Even though I was hurt, it wasn’t a team that looked at me like I couldn’t play. It was a team that wanted to grow, do as best that they can and take advice from anybody. It wasn’t a selfish team. It was just a team that really worked together and you could tell.”
Hill is ready for a new beginning, as she gets set to embark on her next life’s chapter in Illinois.
“I’m really looking forward to playing,” Hill said. “Just getting out on the court and having that competition back. Being able to actually go out there and instead of watching games, actually be in them. Words just can’t explain how excited I am. I’m so thankful that I have the opportunity to go play and have a scholarship. After everything, I never would’ve thought something like this would happen to me. I just can’t wait to get back on the court.”