Montgomery County girls basketball coach Joe Basinger remembered the first time he met Sam Queathem when she was in middle school.

“She was that little seventh grader who always dressed like a little boy athlete,” Basinger said. “That seemed like it was yesterday. She had me at her games, and she would come up and talk to me. All of that comes flooding back. It makes you really cherish your time with the rest of the kids when you think about it because it seemed like it went by in a blink of an eye.”

On Feb. 8, Basinger got to see Queathem being recognized during a senior night ceremony after the Wildcats cruised to a 65-34 win over the Mark Twain Tigers. Queathem is the only senior on the varsity.

“She’s a kid who is willing to sacrifice anything personal for the betterment of the team because that’s what she has done for four years,” Basinger said. “Hopefully, that’s what these girls will remember her for.”

Queathem turned in an outstanding performance in her senior night game, scoring a season-high 19 points, including 13 in the first half. It was only her fifth game of the season after missing the first 15 contests due to an injury she suffered during softball season in September.

“I just had a lot of adrenaline,” Queathem said. “I was just happy to be here. This was only my second home game that I played here and it’s my second to last home game. I was trying to make the best of it. I was trying to have fun and enjoy the moment while it’s here.”

Queathem also helped MCHS clinch its fifth consecutive winning season, which marks a school record. The Wildcats improved to 14-6 with the win over the Tigers.

“It’s great,” Queathem said. “We always work hard here. This year, we all get along. We have a great bond and it helps us because there’s never anything that’s going wrong. We can all count on each other. We know how to play as a team. We mesh so well together. We have a bunch of talent on our team. It helps us a lot.”

Also for the Wildcats, sophomore Malia Rodgers scored 18 points and sophomore Maddy Queathem – Sam’s sister – added 11.

Sam Queathem scored in double figures for the first time this season. She finished with two 3-pointers and went 5 for 7 from the free-throw line.

“Tonight was one of my best games,” Queathem said. “I was glad to be around the team. It means a lot, especially from the community and everyone around here who have supported me. Especially since I haven’t been here for most of the season.”

Queathem was in action for the first time this season on Jan. 26, when the Wildcats played St. Clair in a consolation semifinal game at the Hermann Invitational Tournament.
“At the Hermann Tournament, whenever I first got out there, it was kind of nerve-racking,” Queathem said. “It was almost like freshman year. You get those nerves. But it was amazing to be back out on the court.”

Despite the long layoff this season, Queathem is enjoying a banner career that included a first-team all-Eastern Missouri Conference award last winter. The Wildcats won over 60 games and two EMO championships during Queathem’s career.

“She wants to not only play well, but she wants to help her team win,” Basinger said. “That’s what she’s been doing from day one when she stepped onto the floor here as a freshman. She would do whatever it took to help this team win.”

Queathem plans to play basketball at State Fair Community College next year. She will continue a basketball career that began in third grade.

“Coach (Stephanie) Finke got me into playing basketball,” Queathem said. “I played a grade above me with my cousin. I just really enjoyed it.”