During an exciting week of March Madness, one remarkable shot took flight, embodying a deeper significance as it etched itself into the records of the season.
It was a moment showcasing persistence, resilience, and faith.
Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel, whose right arm does not function adequately, took a left-handed shot from the three-point line that found its mark. This junior guard at Lesley University had faced considerable challenges, including being cut from her high school team.
Yet, she stood tall, representing her Cambridge, Massachusetts college team against Fitchburg State this season when she aimed for a historic achievement.
Her shot smoothly glided through the air, becoming the first recorded basket by a female athlete with a single arm in a Division III game. (Watch the video below…)
Her coach immediately called a timeout. “When that shot went in, I realized we had to hold on to this moment,” Coach Martin Rather commented in a CNN article. “It allowed the team to come and celebrate with her while reflecting on the dedication it took to reach this point.”
Baileigh expressed the joy shared by her teammates, stating, “They witnessed my journey through this season, and for it to culminate in that moment was significant for us all.” The enthusiasm was infectious, leading to her scoring again on her birthday, seven weeks later.
