In August 2014, Renee Breedlove, the current girls varsity basketball coach, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Initially, this diagnosis was heart-breaking news; however Breedlove found comfort in her best friend, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, and her sisters, who each fought the cancer twice, and survived. A little over a year later, on Dec. 15, 2015, Breedlove underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction, and on Jan. 6, 2016, she was informed that she was cancer-free and did not need go through chemotherapy or radiation.

Breedlove turned to God during this time, requesting that her friends and family not cry over hearing the original news, but pray instead.

“The peace, the hope, the almost pain-free recovery, my prayer time with God, and the family and friends’ support, caused me to aspire to live a drama-free life,” Breedlove said.

Because of the continuous doctors’ appointments, which caused Breedlove to miss practices and games from December to January, she wasn’t as connected to the team as players had hoped. Coach Eric Dawson, who has worked side by side with Breedlove for the past nine years, took over coaching while Breedlove was away, and she believed he was very capable of taking her place in her absence. Breedlove does not think this had much effect on the girl’s playing ability through the season, though some teammates think it caused some players to not put in as much effort as they could.

“Without her there, some people didn’t play as hard,” sophomore varsity player Trinity Cooks said. “I think it would have been better if they all put in more work to become a better player.”

Instead of being upset, the players tried to honor Breedlove in their playing.

“It made us think, ‘We’re going to win this game for her,’” Cooks said. “And sometimes, we did go out and play hard, but sometimes, we didn’t.”

The girls basketball team went 5-21 this season, but no one could say the record had anything to do with Breedlove’s cancer. If anything, her illness brought the team closer together. The girls knew going into the season that it would be a challenge.

“They had no experience,” said varsity boys coach Brian Weeden. “They had one girl who had played varsity basketball, but the rest were JV or freshmen. The coaches were also hired two months after school started, in September or October, so I’m sure that is what had an effect on the team.”

Breedlove also believes that not getting to spend more time with the team preseason had a huge effect on the players’ skill level and mentality.

“The fact that we were hired so late and that we had to spend so much time teaching the game instead of refining skills, late season-ending injuries, academic failures and me not actually teaching at Grady played a big part is this season’s outcome,” Breedlove said.

To show appreciation to coach Breedlove, and other cancer survivors, Grady hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness event during a girls basketball game on Feb. 8, 2016. Cancer survivors were recognized and given gifts during halftime.

Breedlove admits that those cancer awareness ceremonies had little meaning to her prior to her diagnosis, but now she understands the meaning and importance of them.

“Now that I am a survivor, I guess you can say it definitely has new meaning,” Breedlove said. “Cancer didn’t mean the end of my life. If anything, my experiences helped me see my life in a new, more positive light.”

Breedlove led the Grady Lady Knights through a tough season, and though it may not have had the outcome they were looking for, everyone can agree it was a great learning experience. Through the cancer, injuries, failures and accomplishments, the team grew closer together and became more motivated to do better.

“Cancer made me realize that I can make an impact, and that I have a purpose,” Breedlove said.