THE GYM fell quiet for a split second — just long enough for Olivia Honey’s three-point shot to arc toward the basket. It was the kind of moment you dream about but also carry on your shoulders. When the ball dropped through the net, the crowd erupted. Honey had scored her 1,000th career point.
“I could’ve sworn it was an airball,” she admitted, laughing. “I was just relieved. For so long, I had people telling me that my name was going to be the next one on the 1,000 point banner in the gym… I did feel a little bit of pressure.” It wasn’t just about the points. That shot marked years of discipline, resilience, and the steady resolve Honey became known for.
This year, her senior season at Riverside Christian Academy (RCA), Honey’s hard work was recognized in a whirlwind of honors: Miss Basketball, valedictorian, and that milestone moment on the court. “I’d never heard of Miss Basketball before,” she said. “I was honored — and a little confused.” The valedictorian news surprised her, too. “I knew I ranked high in my class, but not at the top.”
Though not one to seek the spotlight, Honey has led by example, both on the court and off. She’s a quiet mentor to younger players — someone who shows up, pushes through, and encourages others to do the same.
“I just hope to have been a leader that others were proud to be led by,” she said.
“RCA has helped shape me into the person I am today,” Honey said. “It has been my source of growth emotionally, socially, and spiritually.” She added, “Through Riverside, I formed relationships I hope to carry forever and discovered strengths I did not know I had.” Her faith has guided her throughout. “My faith shapes how I approach school, sports, and leadership by reminding me that everything I do is for God, and those things should glorify Him.”
Looking ahead, she plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and pursue a degree in physical therapy, a field that ties her love for movement to her heart for service. “I’ve always been fascinated by the human body, especially in sports,” Honey said. “This curiosity has made me want to further understand how the body moves and how to keep the body strong.”
But more than titles or stats, Honey hopes she’ll be remembered for something simpler. “I want to be remembered as someone who was genuine and stayed true to themselves,” Honey said. “To my classmates, someone who had others’ backs, someone they could come to for advice or just a good laugh; to my teammates, as someone who gave their all on the court… never giving up and always pushing others to be their best.”
At RCA, Honey gave everything she had. And in doing so, she became the kind of leader others could count on, just as others had once believed in her. GN
