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Harper Gideons of St. Margaret’s caught the pass while positioned just beyond the 10-foot line used in volleyball. She set her feet and shooting form, and launched a long 3-point attempt.
The guard held her shooting hand high as the ball splashed through the net for a late basket against Rosary last week.
Gideons’ shooting range seems to have no boundaries but she conquers more than just the 3-point arc on the basketball court.
The senior was born with a hearing impairment and plays with a cochlear implant and hearing aid. The cochlear implant is small electronic device surgically implanted into the inner ear.
“She’s an inspirational kid,” St. Margaret’s coach Josh Markum said of Gideons, who sank four 3-pointers in a key 53-42 win against Rosary in the Pacific Coast League.
“There’s a lot of adversity she has to face in her daily life so facing adversity (on the court) is not new to her.”
Gideons’ journey in basketball began as a youth player. Over several years, she learned how to overcome various obstacles that can occur in a contact sport often played in loud gymnasiums.
She’s played through a hearing device shorting during a game or getting knocked from her ear. And’s she become skilled at reading hand signals and eye contact from her teammates and coaches.
“I just make intense eye contact with (teammates) and they start telling me little cues because some of the plays sound similar,” Gideons said. “But I’ve been playing for a long time and I’ve always been deaf so I kind of know how to adapt.”
Gideons’ brother Battle also was born with a hearing impairment. He starred in football for St. Margaret’s and now plays for the University of Chicago.
Gideons has her own impressive resume.
The four-year starter led St. Margaret’s to the CIF-SS Division 5AA title as a sophomore and was selected player of the year for the division. It was the school’s first title. Last season, she helped the Tartans finish as the runner-up to JSerra in Division 3A.
And earlier this winter, she surpassed 1,000 points, 200 3-pointers and 200 steals for her career.
One accomplishment Gideons is most proud of came off the court. As a seventh grader, she authored a children’s book titled “Now Hear This: Harper soars with her Magic Ears.”
Gideons’ ascent isn’t over. She isn’t sure about playing college basketball but wants to study psychology. She’s also motivated to make another postseason run with her teammates this season.
“Our program as a whole has stepped up a lot,” Gideons said. “It’s fun to be challenged.”
SHORT SHOTS
Top-ranked Mater Dei plays Rancho Christian at the Public vs. Private Showcase at Los Osos High on Saturday at 7 p.m. … Fairmont Prep guard Kayla Priest (ankle) is a “day to day”, Huskies coach Josh Lozano. … The county’s top scorers at the Rosary MLK Showcase on Monday were: Vivian Villagrana of Pacifica Christian (36 points), Charlotte Muller of Esperanza (28) and Kaeli Wynn of Mater Dei (20).
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