Lizzie Bassett and Harbor Springs Seniors Celebrate a Dreamlike State Championship

EAST LANSING — Lizzie Bassett, a standout athlete from Harbor Springs, entered high school with aspirations of greatness, much like many of her peers. While formulating ambitious objectives is straightforward, the journey to achieving them demands dedication, skill, and relentless effort. Bassett was ready for that challenge, but the conclusion of her senior year exceeded even her expectations.

Reflecting on her journey, Bassett remarked, “Honestly, four years ago I never knew this would be the way I’d end my senior season. I think this was the goal, definitely, but to actually have my senior year end like this, it’s like a fairytale. It’s insane.” This fairytale culminated in a Division 4 soccer state championship at DeMartin Stadium, located on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, where the Rams triumphed with a 2-0 victory. Bassett contributed significantly by scoring a penalty kick in the second half, a pivotal moment that eased the tension and solidified the win.

“I’ve never taken a PK in a game before,” Bassett admitted with a chuckle after the match. The occasion was certainly a memorable one, as she had the support of her teammates. “I was very nervous, but I’m very thankful that my teammates told me to take it,” she expressed. “They just hyped me up, so that calmed my nerves a bit, and I’m really thankful for them.” Following her goal, the Rams maintained their composure for another twenty minutes as they secured the championship, leading to an outpouring of joy when the final whistle blew. “Honestly, we were all just super excited and ran to each other,” Bassett noted. “It was the best way to end our season. We’ve worked all season for this, so to accomplish our goal as a team is just really awesome.”

Bassett is one of five seniors on the team who have significantly contributed to maintaining a competitive edge for the Rams, consistently vying for conference and district titles. With this championship, the expectations have now been elevated. “I think it definitely does,” she said about the impact on the program. “I think people watching and our community knows that Harbor Springs is a bigger threat now. Everyone will just continue to work hard, and this is just going to be the new goal for every season.”

Head coach Aaron Riley, who has been with the program for more than a decade, has witnessed numerous talented teams, and he acknowledges the remarkable contributions of Bassett and her fellow seniors, including Fran Warren, Lilly Barnadyn, Sophie Barnadyn, and Sydney Burch. “I’m very excited for them,” Riley commented. “They got what most seniors don’t get. They got the storybook and trophies. They got memories that’ll last a lifetime.”