Story and Photo by Rusty Ellis
Cookeville senior Bailey Gillies signed the dotted-line on Thursday morning, as she completed her commitment to play basketball at Blue Mountain College beginning in the fall.
“It’s very rewarding, my 10-year-old self is screaming,” Gillies said. “This has always been the dream, so it’s really cool to get to live it out.”
The close program and tight-knit community for the Blue Mountain community are what stuck with Gillies, as well as how much she says she simply felt wanted by the coaching staff.
“They were interested the first time we met, and they called every time they said they were going to call,” Gillies said. “Once I went on my visit, I left and told my parents I was going to play there…I loved the campus and the town. We went to a game, and the community showed out. I love the community aspect of it.”
For her head coach, any athlete committing is a big deal, but this one meant just a little bit more for obvious reasons.
“I’m really proud of her, and she is my daughter, but of all the players I’ve coached, Bailey’s worked really hard,” said head coach Jamie Gillies. “Blue Mountain saw her this summer, and she was what they needed and what they wanted…I’m really proud of her.”
Coach Gillies mentioned the same things Bailey did as far what as what stuck out to her about BMC, citing the small-town feel and values as something that she liked about the school and surrounding community.
“They seem like a close-knit team and family,” Gillies said. “They’re Christian-based, so as far as what our family was looking for for her, we felt like that was a really good fit for her.”
The Lady Cavs have dominated the regular season to a 25-0 record thus far with the regular-season finale on Friday against Wilson Central at home. It’s been a senior season to remember for Gillies, as she says she’ll miss the teammates she’s played with and the opportunities she’s had in her time at Cookeville.
“I’m going to miss the girls, and I’m going to miss playing for my parents,” Gillies said. “That was a unique opportunity that not a lot of kids get. I’ve just created bonds here that will last for a very long time.”