In many ways, Amelia Hodges and Ella Thompson remind me of two other Banshee Legends in Abigail Proctor and Maddie Sparks, who both took similar paths to their target school and both found success and multiple trips to the State Tournament in the coming years.
Like Proctor and Sparks, Hodges and Thompson came from a slightly different background and eventually made Bethlehem their home. It’s interesting to note that the Banshee Soccer team started winning Region Championships around the time they became Varsity on the team and after they graduated after the 2018 team, Hodges and Thompson debuted in blue and gold during the 2018-2019 season on the Girls Basketball team and the area and the Region would be changed forever (or at least up to that point).
The Banshee Basketball program saw a 29-win season, a 19th District Championship, the team’s first 5th Region Championship and their first EVER trip to the KHSAA Girls Sweet Sixteen all in 2019 when it all started. Obviously, the crowning glory of that season wasn’t Hodges 507-points scored that season or her 78-made three pointers or Thompson’s 417-points or her 343-rebounds. It was actually the 5th Region Final win over powerful Elizabethtown. The game where it all started.
Up to that point, the Banshees were on a roll, but very few gave them a serious chance to winning it and making it to the State Tournament at Rupp Arena, but that win not only gave them a trip to the Big Dance, but also instant validity and vaulted Hodges and Thompson into the spotlight along with the rest of the Banshees.
The following season, Bethlehem won more games than the previous season going 31-4 and both Hodges and Thompson had great seasons as the program was getting plenty of attention and although they failed to win the Region Championship that year, the word was out that the following season it would be “Championship of Bust.”
Despite the pandemic, the Banshees were locked and loaded and ready for a deep run and coach Jason Clark had the benefit of having not one, but two Miss Kentucky Basketball Candidates and although Bethlehem had a difficult schedule, the two seniors put together marvelous seasons. Hodges ended up scoring 452-points, hitting 76-threes while Thompson finished up with 555-points and 295-rebounds and both played key roles in their team’s success.
Hodges ran the guard spot with precision and was masterful at finding the right person at the right time with her passes. Along with being a dangerous shooter, she became a wizard on the court with her no-look passes and her sometime flashy style, while Thompson continued her driving, ball faking style which she worked on during the offseason. Watching her drive into heavy traffic and her improved footwork was like watching ballet ad her ability to shoot inside and outside made her a double threat. Also, both were good defensive players as well.
Watching them play together especially during their senior season was like watching Bird and McHale on the Celtics as the two seemed to know what they other was doing or thinking. Maybe it was just familarity or maybe something else.
The two actually admit to knowing each other as far back as grade school and playing together around fourth grade for the first time. That continued through middle school and into high school, first at Nelson County and then at Bethlehem.
In fact, one of the few times they didn’t play at the same time was probably their sophomore season when Hodges, Maddie Sparks and Carly Beam were stricken with a virus and missed the second Bardstown game. The other was when Hodges was injured during the 19th District Semi-finals this season and sat out the Championship game against Bardstown. Both admitted there may have been some nerves before the game, but once the game was under way and Bethlehem began seizing control, the Banshees won going away and Thompson played with emotion and purpose. Kind of like she was playing for two people.
One of the little known facts about the two are they enjoy fishing together, but neither likes baiting their hook. In fact, they both have admitting to having teammate Kasey Spalding do that for them on occasion as several of the gals on the team (Spalding, Bailey Bishop and Emma Filiatreau) are sometime fishing buddies.
With the most successful three seasons in Banshee Basketball history behind them, the two start making plans for their second life and playing basketball in unfamiliar settings apart from each other. Thompson will be playing at UT Martin while Hodges will make Lindsey Wilson her new home soon.
I asked them if it’ll be strange coming back to watch their old team (Bethlehem) at their old place and their former coach next season and confided that it’ll be different to say the least. Much like athletes, who suddenly have the umbilical cord to their high school team suddenly severed, it’s always a little strange the first time around. They will make the adjustment like so many before and after them.
One thing I do hope will happen is that at some point in time, the two have their numbers retired at the school and wouldn’t that be an event worth watching with so many other players former and otherwise showing up in honor of the event.
After all, what more could you expect from two gals who are considered “Bethlehem’s Best.”
And that is why they are both The Sporting Times Co-Winter Athletes of the Year.
