The big sister: Athens Christian's lone senior leading team in her own unique way
Natalee Goff is the fifth girl in Athens Christian history to reach the 1,000-point career mark.
The senior shooting guard has come a long way from when she started as a freshman. She joined the Eagles' roster her sophomore year after transferring from Franklin County, no intention to make history the way she has.
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She credits her growth to her coach, Jeff Vaughn. He's one major reason she came to Athens, after all.
"I wanted a coach that would push me hard and he definitely gets the best out of me, even on the days that I'm not ready (or not feeling it)," she said. "I used to be really slow, and I feel like I've gotten faster. I feel like my overall offensive game has gotten a lot better, and my ability to see the floor and pass the ball to my teammates, those have probably been my biggest areas of growth. Also, my shot. I spent a lot of time perfecting my shot and quick release—my form."
Right now, Goff averages around 15 points per game this season, according to Vaughn. Her experience playing at the highest level of AAU basketball has helped carry his small, young team to the point they are at — undefeated in Region 8-A D1 and eyeballing a deep state playoff run. He called Goff a "gym rat," someone who's in the gym as much as physically possible.
"Probably the biggest growth I've seen in her is mentally," Vaughn said. "In her younger years, a bad call would affect her play. She'd get into her feelings a little bit or lose her mind sometimes and we'd have to pull her out, I'd talk to her and then send her back. Now, I think since she's in her senior year, she's gotten better in that department. Most teams we play face guard her, therefore it makes it hard to work for a bucket all night, but she's gotten used to playing under a lot of pressure and handling bad calls from the referees or bad plays she's made."
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As the oldest on the team of eight girls, she's taught them valuable lessons for after she graduates, including how to prepare and how to go above and beyond for the benefit of not only the team, but yourself as well. She doesn't hold the typical title of "leader," Vaughn said, that's more of sophomore Ansley Moore's role. But she does get say in where they eat, or what time practice starts, or what color jerseys they'll wear, quite like an older sibling.
"She leads in that way, as well as on the court offensively for us," Vaughn said.
She also holds them accountable and pushes them to be the best versions of themselves.
"She's really encouraging, even when we might not be playing our best," sophomore Josi Vaughn said. "She's always saying, 'you got it!' and that we're going to be fine. She's always bringing in good energy, clapping everyone up. She's always been a sister, too. She always has our backs, no matter what. ... She's just a good role model and a strong leader."
Goff is committed to continue her basketball career at the Division II level with Emmanuel College. She inked her promise in November during the NCAA's early signing period with her parents by her side.
She comes from a basketball family, both her mom and dad having a history in the sport — her sister, on the other hand, plays golf. They've been her go-to for support over the years, when it comes to decisions being made or milestones being reached or even just getting to practice on time every day.
"A lot of times, I think they believe in me more than I believe in myself," Goff said. "I think that's big. They've always supported me, and they have always told me, 'Whatever you want, you just have to work hard at it and it'll come.' (If young me could see me right now), she'd probably be really happy too. I'm putting in a lot of time and a lot of hard work to be in the position I'm in."
Sara Tidwell covers Athens-area high school sports and University of Georgia athletics for The Athens Banner-Herald. Contact her at stidwell@gannett.com and follow her @saramtidwell on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Natalee Goff is putting in the time, effort to get a state title
