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By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

A competitive spirit will transfer across one’s life; it oozes into a person’s endeavors — their work, their studies and athletic pursuits. Cayden Anderson has become well known for that competitive drive, and although she may be better known for her exploits on the hardwood, that drive will allow her to do what not many get to do — and that is play at the collegiate level.

It won’t be on the hardwood, but that’s not the only place she excels, as she is hanging up the high tops and hitting the links for the Alice Lloyd Eagles come this fall. She is the daughter of Rik and Scarlett Anderson; Rik serves as the assistant girls basketball coach at Happy Valley.

In front of coaches, friends and teammates, Cayden made her choice official Tuesday by putting ink to her National Letter of Intent. Alice Lloyd College, a Christian private school located in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, competes in both the NAIA and NCCAA. She will major in education and specialize in high school English.

Her competitive drive has allowed her to excel in everything she does. In the classroom, she has a 3.9 GPA; on the golf course, she has continually lowered her handicap — which currently is in the 15 range — and on the basketball court, she has been a multiple All-Conference and All-County award winner.

This past season on the basketball court, she averaged 14 points and led the East Tennessee area in steals. She was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Three Rivers Conference. At 5-foot-1, she had no fear driving the lane looking for points and punishment — often daring much larger girls to foul her.

In golf, she qualified for the regions all four years, and this past year just missed out on qualifying for state when she lost a playoff. She and teammate Grace Hollifield finished as runners-up in the region and were named to the All-County team all four years in golf.

The opportunity to play golf at the next level is something Cayden doesn’t take for granted.

“I’m a little shorter, so I didn’t get the opportunity to play basketball at the next level, but this is a sport I grew up playing with my dad, and it has always been a big part of our family. I fell in love with the campus and the atmosphere at Alice Lloyd, so when I was offered the chance to play golf there, I just had to take it. The school was smaller, and the staff was so welcoming and nice, and they really look to do what is best for their students,” Anderson shared.

One consistent theme in talking to her coaches resonated, and that was her competitive drive and willingness to do whatever it takes to see her and her teammates excel.

Girls golf coach at Alice Lloyd, Ryne Loggins, showed confidence in her as a person:

“She is a great player and competitor, and I have seen her scores, but beyond that, her and her family are just great people, and she will fit in great in the culture we are trying to build at Alice Lloyd.”

Happy Valley golf coach Gene Renfro added:

“Cayden is a team player, willing to work and compete, willing to listen and do what she needs to get better — that drive just burns in her.”

Dana Hill, head girls basketball coach, topped it off by speaking on her drive and desire to excel:

“Cayden had a desire to be good. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, and she will give you her all. As a competitor, I would have hated to play her — she is hard-nosed. I saw her take a tooth to the top of the head, we taped her up, and she went right back out there. You just don’t see that drive in most kids today,” Coach Hill exclaimed.

Cayden represents what colleges are looking for today in student-athletes. She excels in both the classroom and on the field and is described by everyone as a high-character individual. In her spare time, she is active at both Roan Street Church of God and Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she and her dad serve by helping the church with lawn care.

Cayden did pause and offer some advice to future students who wear the Warrior maroon:

“Happy Valley is so welcoming. During the floods, they just stepped up and showed what this community is about. They are willing to step up for their students, so have confidence in yourself — the people here believe in you and want you to succeed.”