A familiar color stood out in the stands of unfamiliar gym Friday, and it made the night extra vivid for Julie Hagert.
Fans clad in pink sat in the bleachers as Maple Grove put on its fifth annual Pink Out game, an event designed to raise awareness for breast cancer. It was a home game for the Crimson, who hosted league rival Park Center, but held at Osseo Junior High School, where Maple Grove has played since a frozen sprinkler pipe flooded its gym in early January.
Seeing the pink pop out in the black and orange accented gym stirred Hagert’s emotions. Prior to tip off, the game announcer told the crowd that Hagert’s oldest brother Ted - who was diagnosed with cancer when he was 23 years old - had recently finished his chemotherapy and is well on his way to recovery.
“I didn’t know they were going to announce his name, and when they did, I got a little teary eyed,” Hagert said. “But I played for him.”
And Maple Grove played for Julie, who had two points in the Crimson’s 47-45 victory over the Pirates in their Northwest Suburban Conference West Division showdown.
Mackenzie Barta’s basket with 36 seconds to play in the game broke a 45-45 tie, and Maple Grove held off Park Center, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, to remain in first place in the division standings.
“I’m so glad my team came together to pull off a win against a really good team,” Hagert said.
The senior forward is no stranger to adversity.
Besides dealing her brother’s battle with cancer, Hagert has fought her way back to the basketball court after a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended her junior season last December.
When asked if the recovery process was difficult, Hagert simply shrugged off the question.
“It was hard with some ups and downs, but I got through with it,” she said.
Hagert averages 4.9 points per game and has 17 blocks and 42 rebounds this season, and said she was motivated to get through her rehab by desire to play her senior year so she could achieve her dream of playing college basketball.
It's a dream that is one step closer to becoming reality after she committed in June to play for Concordia University in St. Paul.
“It’s a perfect fit for me,” said Hagert, who added she wanted to be close to home.
While playing close to home is important to Hagert, so is keeping up a positive attitude and determined work ethic.
Maple Grove coach Mark Cook said no one could tell the challenges Hagert has faced just by looking at her.
“I tell you what, she comes to the gym every day with a smile on her face and she works hard, I just love that kid to death,” Cook said.
