Sophomore Berkeley Cleavinger is on the JV basketball team here at Randall. She grew up in the small town of Happy, Texas, where she started to play at the age of 7.

“I began to play basketball as a bored kid in a small town,” Cleavinger said. “It gave me something to put my time and energy into that I actually enjoyed doing.”

After a few years, Cleavinger decided to stop playing because of how few people were on the team.

“It just seemed pointless to me to continue playing in a place with no opportunities around me,” Cleavinger said.

However, this was not the end of her basketball career. She moved to Amarillo at the start of her 5th grade year. Once she got to junior high, she saw an opportunity to be on a team like she always wanted to be when she was a little girl.

“I was so happy that Westover gave me a place to pick up an old hobby that I had missed so much,” Cleavinger said.

Berkeley has played every season since the 7th grade.

“I love basketball because I really enjoy being able to bond with the other girls, and us working together to become the best we can be.”

She is very team-oriented and is thankful to be able to play with the group of girls on her team. “I’m so blessed for the coaches and upperclassmen that have helped me grow in basketball, and how this has helped me bond with the younger players as well.”

Berkeley continues to play basketball throughout high school and loves that she is able to share something she likes to do with the people around her.