Maci Eads has a good sense of what she wants to do with the next four years of her life.
Whether the Franklin Community High School senior makes room for a college basketball career remains to be seen.
Currently fifth on the Grizzly Cubs’ career scoring list with 791 points, Eads plans to attend the University of Indianapolis and major in exercise science.
The sport she’s played since age 5 is not part of the plan.
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“As of right now I’m not going to play. I’m going to focus on my studies,” said Eads, a 5-foot-8 guard whose 4.18 grade-point average places her near the top of Franklin’s senior class academically.
“It’s going to be hard. But once I get there and see how things are I might decide, if the opportunity (to play basketball for the Division-II Greyhounds) is there, then I might take it.”
If this is Eads’ final season, she’s made it memorable by leading the Grizzly Cubs in scoring (13.3), blocks (16) and 3-pointers (31). She’s also second on the team in both assists (1.5) and steals (2.1) and fourth in rebounds (3.1).
Coach Walt Raines’ squad takes an 8-12 record into Saturday’s home game against Whiteland in what promises to be an emotional afternoon.
A four-year starter, Eads, the Cubs’ lone senior player, will be honored. So, too, will Raines, who prior to the start of this season announced his 28th year with the program would be his last.
The player presently third on the Franklin girls career 3-point list with 120 will play her last game at the Franklin Community gymnasium.
Her coach has been impressed with every facet of Eads’ commitment to the program.
“Maci is just a great kid to work with. A very coachable kid who is a good athlete and always wants to be better,” Raines said.
“This year she’s had to play every position for us because we don’t have a lot of size. We’ve gone with a small lineup and she would be what you consider our post player. Maci has played point, she’s played the ‘2’. Whatever we need and without any complaints.”
Eads made her first varsity start in her second game — a 52-41 victory against visiting Greenfield-Central — early in the 2012-13 season.
Aside from sitting out two games both her sophomore and junior seasons due to mild concussions, she’s been a starter in every Grizzly Cubs girls basketball game since.
The ceremony to follow the Franklin-Whiteland game Saturday in many ways represents the first steps in the next stages of Eads’ life.
Asked where she sees herself 10 years from now, Eads thought for a moment before revealing she would like to be a pediatric physical therapist.
“Hopefully at a place like Riley (Hospital for Children) or somewhere like that. I really like little kids and seeing them wanting to work hard enough to succeed,” she said.
“My parents have always told me to try my best. The attitude that I have to succeed and try my best in everything I do. I’ve always put my studies first and then everything else.”
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THE EADS FILE
Name: Maci Eads
Age: 18
Born: Franklin
Family: Parents, Ron and Michele
Favorite TV show: “Big Bang Theory”
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite movie: “Love and Basketball”
Favorite athlete: Tamika Catchings
Favorite team: University of Wisconsin men’s basketball
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CAREER SCORING LEADERS
Here are the leading scorers in the history of Grizzly Cubs girls basketball:
Name;Graduated;Points
1. Anna Waugh;2000;1,595
2. Lindsay Vandivier;2009;1,214
3. Carly Buchanan;2010;974
4. Ashley Adams;2005;860
5. Maci Eads;2016;791
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