TWENTY QUESTIONS: Kaileigh Bickford, Cape Cod Academy basketball
By Mike Richard
A knee injury sufferer prior to the basketball season has hampered the play of Cape Cod Academy junior Kaileigh Bickford, and it makes you wonder just how good she would have been this year.
"Her knee bothers her very much, you can tell that she's hurting," said Seahawks coach Katherine Marvullo, "but she doesn't let it affect her. Her mental game has improved because she's been limited in her physical game."
Consistently among the top scorers for CCA this season, Kaileigh tore the ACL in her left knee while playing AAU basketball over the summer.
"At first I thought I dislocated my kneecap," she said, noting that it turned out to be a torn ACL. "I didn't want to stop playing because I love this sport. The doctor was very hesitant in letting me play, but I do wear a special brace."
Just the same, she has had several 20-point games this season and a number of double-digit rebound games.
She has surgery planned following this season later this month, where doctors will surgically repair her hamstring to make a new ACL.
"Kaileigh is a very good leader. She wants to play basketball on the collegiate level, which I think she is capable of," said Marvullo. "She's able to communicate with her teammates, especially the younger kids. I guarantee next year she's going to be a force to be reckoned with."
Aside from her basketball career, Kaileigh is well-rounded as a musician – she has been playing violin since fourth grade and plays with the Cape Cod Youth Orchestra – and is interested in pursuing a career in forensics.
"Ever since I was little, I liked watching 'Criminal Minds,'" she said, "so I've always been intrigued by that type of forensics stuff and criminology."
Thanks to her interest in forensics and her outstanding academic record, she was recently invited for participation in the National Youth Leadership Forum Program Law & CSI in Washington D.C.
And when she returns next season as good as new, she should truly be a "force to be reckoned with," as her coach predicts.
20 Questions with Kaileigh Bickford, Cape Cod Academy basketball
1. Favorite subject: Science. I am very interested in forensics and criminology.
2. Favorite book: "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
3. Favorite food: I don't have a favorite food, I love all kinds.
4. Favorite movie: "Phantom of the Opera." I have loved it since I was a young.
5. Favorite TV show: "Criminal Minds"
6. Favorite Cape restaurant: Di Parma in South Yarmouth
7. Favorite Cape hangout: Sandy Neck
8. Favorite sports team: The Celtics
9. Favorite athlete: Kyrie Irving
10. Favorite 'pump-up" music: Rap/ RMB
11. Best advice I've received: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
12. Person I'd most like to meet: Jane Goodall
13. Hobbies and interests: Basketball, cooking, and playing violin with the cape youth orchestra
14. Own greatest sports moment: Receiving three varsity letters in one year
15. Most inspirational person: My mother (Mimi) inspires me every day with all she's been through and how well she puts on a happy face.
16. Pregame rituals / superstitions: I am a very energetic person, so before a game I have to put my headphones on and get in my zone.
17. Bucket list place to visit: I would love to travel to Italy. I love to cook as well as eat and a place like Italy could teach me many things.
18. Biggest sports setback or obstacle: I tore my ACL during a basketball in October, which was a major obstacle for me that I'm still fighting through.
19. College plans / major: When I attend college, I would like to major in criminology and become a detective.
20. Advice to young athletes: My advice would be to keep pushing yourself. I tore my ACL earlier this year. and I have been playing. and every day I push myself harder. and it pays off.
Know someone who'd be a great candidate for the Barnstable Patriot's 20 Questions feature? Email Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com.