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Katie Gearlds

Katie Gearlds inspirational journey is story of determination, strength, and incredible motivation to become the greatest. A native of Beech Grove, Indiana, Katie grew up playing with the boys and developed a tough and smooth style of basketball. With no goal in their back yard hours were spent dribbling and playing keep away between her younger brother, T.J., and Katie. After picking up a ball at the age of four she has never seemed to be able to put it down. All family vacations, and trips were centered around AAU tournaments, or high school basketball. Katie was named MVP in 2002 of the AAU 17-and-under national tournament after leading Indiana's Finest Black Cats to the national title.

In 2003, while attending Beech Grove High School, she established herself as one of top women's basketball players in the country. Katie catapulted her team to a Class 3A state championship. They became the first team in Beech Grove High School history to win a state championship. During her high school career she scored 2,521 points, ranking fourth in Indiana history. Gearlds led the state in scoring as a senior in 2002-03 averaging 30.1 points per game, along with 9.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 5.1 steals per game. In addition to basketball, Katie's AAU and High School basketball careers have given her what some claim to be "legendary" status. People will always remember her three free throws to tie the semi state game at the end of regulation in front of a packed crowd. She was quoted in the Indianapolis Star as saying "I felt so much pressure because I didn't want to let my teammates, my coaches or the community down." It wouldn't have mattered if she did miss those shots, she already had brought all of Beech Grove close to greatness and everyone is appreciative. She will be talked about around here for a long time to come. For the whole community, I will say Thank You, Katie!

In 2003, at the conclusion of her senior year Katie Gearlds was bestowed the honor of becoming...