Student Athlete of the Week: Hadie Adams

Looking to maximize one of his players' untapped potential, Niwot High School girls basketball head coach Todd Trobaugh has been pushing Hadie Adams to become a more willing shooter. The senior possesses the ability to thrive in the paint, and the Cougars need more offensive weapons.

"We want her to score, we want her to shoot," Trobaugh said. "When she gets the ball in the paint, we want her taking it up. She has tremendous skills. She can be a double-digit scorer. When we get into the meat of the schedule, we're going to need her to score in double digits."

After averaging about four points per game through Niwot's first six games, Adams embraced Trobaugh's request on Dec. 20 when the Cougars traveled to Greeley West High School, erupting for a team-high 17 points. Her dominant performance included seven points in the first quarter and eight in the third.

"We started really hype," Adams said. "Everyone was so happy to be there. It was everyone working together that pushed me to do that."

Those 17 points marked a new career-high for the third-year varsity player, according to MaxPreps. Before Dec. 20, she hadn't scored more than eight points in a single game.

More importantly, Adams' surge helped Niwot beat Greeley West, 60-46.

"It was really rewarding," Adams said. "We came in knowing we had to be prepared. It was just fun to do it with my team."

The Cougars improved to 7-1 with over two weeks separating them from their next game on Jan. 7 against Horizon High School. Reflecting on Niwot's strong start to the season, Adams credited her team's improved chemistry.

"The bond on our team this year is so different from what it was," Adams said. "Everyone loves each other and loves to be with each other. It's such a blessing."

Trobaugh added that Adams has become one of Niwot's top leaders, setting the tone alongside fellow seniors Madison Ackerman, Peyton Rhodes, Thalia Almaraz, and Jiselle Sales.

"Her leadership as a senior this year has been fantastic," Trobaugh said. "The leadership of all our seniors this year, that's been the difference. That's what's turned this program around, is our five seniors, and she's right out front."

Moving forward, Adams hopes to continue shooting more while helping win games in the Granite Peaks League. She will also be navigating the emotions that come with her high school basketball career winding down.

"It's bittersweet," said Adams, who hopes to attend college after graduation. "I'm ready to graduate and everything, but it's sad to think this is my last season. I want to do the best with what I have left."