by Levi Gilbert

With just three weeks remaining in the 6A regular season, Hannah Ogilvie and the Cabot Lady Panthers (19-3, 7-2) have a firm two-game lead over Bryant and North Little Rock for the No. 3 seed and are within striking distance of both Conway and Northside for the top two seeds. And all four of those teams remain on the schedule.

“We are taking the season one game at a time and letting the wins and losses take care of themselves,” Ogilvie said. “Our team has learned to fight for one another and have each other’s backs on and off the court, leading to a stronger bond between all of us. I think that having each other’s backs and wanting the best for everyone has helped the team become the best we can be.

“One of the main takeaways from this season has to be the connection that I have made with my team. I have realized that not everything is about the game. Your team is there for you on and off the court, and that is one of the lessons that I have really learned this year.”

Ogilvie was selected to this year’s 501 Basketball Team — 41 players representing the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the court. The team is sponsored by Conway Regional Health System, First Security Bank and Conway Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center. The senior forward was nominated by her head coach, Jay Cook, who is in his first year at the helm of Lady Panther basketball.

“Hannah is a strong and versatile power forward that can play in the post or step out and be effective on the perimeter,” Cook wrote in his nomination.

“She can guard multiple positions and rebounds well. Hannah’s best attribute off the court is her character. She is honest and sincere and leads by example. She genuinely wants all of her teammates to do well. She loves basketball and wants to improve.”

The Lady Panthers are one game behind rival Conway in the 6A Central standings and face off this Friday in Conway. Conway beat the Lady Panthers in Cabot in January. 

“Conway has always been a rival, and the competition is always good,” Ogilvie said. “It’s going to take a constant team effort to improve both offensively and defensively [against Conway]. The team will come to play all four quarters and give it our all.”

Ogilvie’s grit and effort on the floor is rarely matched or surpassed by her opponents. Her inner strength and will have been developed by her health struggles.

“I have to face the struggles and challenges of being diabetic on the court as well as off the court,” Ogilvie said. “I am a Type One diabetic, so I have to overcome the struggle of my blood sugars being too low and too high.”

Ogilvie and the Lady Panthers haven’t skipped a beat after undergoing what could have been a disruptive change this season — being under the new leadership of Jay Cook after Carla Crowder retired last season after a 38-year career. 

“Coach Cook is amazing,” Ogilvie said. “He pushes me to be my very best and sees potential in me that I never saw in me. He has pushed our team to be better than we thought we could be. He has not only helped the team on the court, but off the court as well.”

Ogilvie will close out her time as a Lady Panther in March, but her time as a basketball player is not over. The senior, alongside her classmate Izzy Arnold, signed her letter of intent last week with the University of Arkansas at Monticello. 

“My team and coaches were so supportive of me,” Ogilvie said. “The day that I did my public announcement and signing had to be one of the best experiences I have ever had. Heather Healy (coach of the Arkansas Sting) helped push me these past two years and help me learn many life lessons that helped shape me into the young lady I am today. I would not be able to have gotten the scholarship and opportunities I got without her. She has inspired me to keep pushing and never let anything stop me from achieving my goals.”

At Cabot High School, Ogilvie is involved in Jesus Unites Students Together club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and medical academy. She is also involved in the youth group at Mount Carmel Baptist Church. 

Ogilvie and Cabot return to action at Conway at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.