By Abby Cornelius
Contributor
Lunden Foreman is in her final year on the court and is always the last one standing.
Foreman is a shooting guard for the Mustang Broncos and is the only senior on the team this season. She acknowledges her responsibility and understands that her leadership role can sometimes be overwhelming.
“I sometimes feel like I’m not being as good of a leader as I need to be since I’m the oldest,” Foreman said. “I feel like I should be helping everyone around me.”
Although it may have been a struggle for Foreman to step into the role, she believes she has already become a better leader and enjoys motivating her team.
Foreman’s love for basketball wasn’t sparked from just anywhere. Instead, it has been instilled in her from a young age. She has grown up around the game.
“It has always been a part of me.”
Forman’s dad, Robert, has been a basketball coach for as long as she can remember. He is now the athletic director at MHS.
“Growing up, I was always around locker rooms, his teams, and practices. I was going to all of his games,” she said.
This season means a lot to Foreman. Not only because she is a senior, but also because she wasn’t able to play last year due to a knee injury.
“I had to go to physical therapy three times each week while my team was getting to play and practice,” she said. “That was the most challenging part for me.”
Lunden Foreman (Sr.) looks to make a play with a pair of Edmond Santa Fe defenders on the prowl during a game earlier this season at the Mustang Event Center. (Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Although making a comeback has been challenging for Mustang’s starting shooting guard, it has given her a new perspective and appreciation for the sport.
“Since I am back now, I just try to take every opportunity to be grateful that I can play,” Foreman said. “This time last year I was in a brace and was barely walking.”
Foreman has made plenty of fond memories as a Bronco over the last four years. Her favorite memory took place this season at the Bank 7 Holiday Classic tournament hosted by Mustang at the Event Center on campus.
Foreman admitted that since returning from the ACL injury, her shooting percentage has yet to match her potential. However, she proved herself wrong during Mustang’s 48-20 win over Clovis East (CA) in the consolation bracket semifinals.
“I went 6-for-10 from the three-point line and when I got subbed out, coach Smith gave me a hug and told me how proud she was,” said Foreman, who acknowledges the fact that she stays motivated knowing this is her last year and she has nothing to lose.
The team’s lone senior scored 36 points in the tournament, including 10 points against Class A No. 1 Seiling in the opening round.
Foreman and the Bronco girls put on a good show but commit a large amount of time to play as well as they do.
“We practice Monday through Friday with the exception of game days and some Sundays,” Foreman said. “Practices are high intensity and high energy. Sometimes it’s a scout practice where we are scouting the team we are about to play. Other days we are working on what we need to improve on as a team.”
Foreman’s biggest personal goal is this season is raising her three-point percentage, which has yet to reach her standard. She also has a team goal in mind.
“I really want to make it to state and see how far we go,” she said.
After losing to Canadian County rival Yukon earlier this season, Foreman says she is also excited to play the Millerettes again.
“We have definitely got better since that game,” she said confidently.
Although Foreman doesn’t plan to play basketball collegiately, she won’t step away from the game completely following high school. She intends to study marketing and her dream is to run the social media accounts for a college or professional team.
“I just want to stay close to sports,” she said. “I think then it would feel more like a hobby than a job.”
