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From player to manager, Tingley takes change in stride

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor


Suamico – When you’re forced to stop playing a sport you love due to injury, it’s not an easy thing to accept.

Such is the case for Bay Port girls’ basketball player Kaitlyn Tingley.

Tingley, who had been playing basketball since the second grade, was forced to sit out her senior season after receiving a pair of concussions in the last year, so she decided the risk was too great to play. Instead, Tingley took the change in stride and became the Pirates’ manager to stay a part of the team.

Bay Port’s Kaitlyn Tingley (Diane Nitti – DImage Photography)

“It definitely wasn’t an easy decision because I love the sport,” said the senior Tingley, who is the daughter of Tina and Cory. “I got my first concussion during summer league of 2017 in July, then I got another one a few games into last season and it progressed from there. I experienced headaches and dizziness. Even driving at night, headlights bothered me. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes I had to wear sunglasses at night driving. In the end, I knew my head was more important than playing and I’d need it down the road.”

From shooting baskets and dribbling balls, Tingley is now filling water bottles, gathering errant shots in practice and helping the girls on the team any way she can.

“I asked Coach Coleman this past summer if she minded if I would be the manager and she told me she would love that,” she said. “She still wanted me to be a part of the team – she’s made me feel like I’m still a big part of the team and has included me on everything.”

Bay Port is currently the No. 4 ranked Division 1 team in the state and sits at 8-0 overall. The Pirates are tied with Green Bay Preble atop the Fox River Classic Conference standings with a perfect 6-0 record.

“It’s exciting with how well the team is doing so far,” said Tingley. “I wish I could be a part of it playing – it’s very hard to sit and watch.”

Tingley feels she is completely back to normal with things and has been working out on her own. Whereas before, running used to give her tunnel vision, now she experiences no ill-effects from the concussions.

Even though the decision was tough, she still feels she made the right choice.

“Even though I loved playing basketball in high school, I didn’t see myself playing in college,” Tingley added. “I still feel good with my decision.”

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