was the same way .
You played lights out in the state tournament . Playing basketball in a football stadium is never easy . It is a place that rattles people all of the time . Yet it was two of your better games this year . How were you able to keep your composure ?
I had a breakdown after the Fredericksburg game . But I told myself , “ Hey , you , if you ’ re going to have a breakdown , you have to do it after the game , because right now , this could be your last game . So , give it all you got .”
Why did you breakdown after the Fredericksburg game ?
Before the game , we were going to a gym to practice , and I sort of started crying but I didn ’ t let anybody see me . Then after the game I started tearing up on the bus . But nobody really saw me because it was dark . And then we got
out and we were going to eat out on the Riverwalk . I was on my phone , not even paying attention , just texting . Something told me to look up , and when I looked up , I see the hotel that me and my mom had stayed in my freshman year when we went to San Antonio to watch the Spurs and Warriors play . That hotel was setting right in front of me . I have a really good sense of direction so when we got to San Antonio , I saw this one building that I remembered . And I was like , yeah , my mom used to stay here . But I didn ’ t really know how to get to that hotel . When I looked up , I saw that hotel and I just stopped . My team was walking past me and then Caylor , was like , “ Hey , are you okay ?” I didn ’ t even really hear her . I was just still staring at it . And then , she was like “ Paris !” Then , I just like fell in her arms and started crying .
The next day you go in and do something nobody thought was possible .
The 1988 Bearettes celebrate a championship as Misty Peden , far right , was a key member of the team that advanced to the state tournament .
You are extremely excited , but also high school basketball is over . Basketball with this team is over . What emotions did you face then ?
I was really proud that we did it with this team . If you win a national championship in college it ’ s cool , but these teammates are people that I ’ ve been playing with for so long . And just to get it done with them was a dream come true .
Did you have any kind of emotional moment thereafter ?
The emotions were all mixed up . It was emotional for everyone .
It ’ s been a month since winning it all . A month since that experience in San Antonio . How are you doing with life after basketball ?
Case keeps my mind off of a lot of things . He is five , so it ’ s not like I go to him with my emotions , but he keeps my mind off a lot of the things . I still play basketball at home and stuff . And I try to teach him how to play as well .
What is next ?
I ’ m going to go to school for psychology and play basketball somewhere . I have offers , but I have not decided where I will go .
Photo by Gracey Tucker
Miller and Case watch celebration fireworks in the athletics parking lot of Brownsboro High School during the conclusion of the event that honored the champs .
How has your “ adopted ” family helped you through this emotional season ?
I wouldn ’ t have wanted to go to any other family . They ’ ve kept my mind off of it . They ’ ve been there for me . Financially they ’ ve supported me . Emotionally they have supported me . Your name and they they ’ ve done it . I can ’ t thank them enough for everything they have done for me .
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