INDIANAPOLIS — The Lapel High School girls basketball team took a team bonding trip to Indianapolis Saturday, June 24.

The Bulldogs enjoyed dinner at the Hard Rock Café, an Indiana Fever game and capped off the evening by playing a scrimmage game with Shenandoah on the Bankers Life Fieldhouse court.

But in between, the players were witnesses to history.

During halftime of the Fever loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, jersey No. 24 of Tamika Catchings was retired, and a banner was raised to the rafters to commemorate her career with Indiana.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

Catchings was the first-round pick of Indiana in 2001 and is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA. She won four Olympic gold medals, was a 12-time all-WNBA pick, a 10-time all-star, won a league MVP in 2011 and a finals MVP in 2012, and retired as the leading rebounder and second-leading scorer in league history.

Also known for her civic engagement, Catchings has won the ESPN Sports Humanitarian of the Year, is a two-time winner of the WNBA’s Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, and a three-time winner of the WNBA’s Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. She is considered a top sports role model for young female athletes, including Lapel freshman Morgan Knepp.

“I would like that to be me one day,” Knepp said. “She’s a big role model because of all of the positive things she’s done, like the charities she works with.”

Fellow freshman Makynlee Taylor added that she looks up to Catchings because she plays position similar to that of the retired former star.

“She’s a big role model for me because she’s a big (player) and that’s what I am,” Taylor said. “Just being strong like she is and finishing around the basket.”

Catchings was humbled by the honor of having her number retired.

“Nobody else will where that No. 24 ever,” she said. “To know that no matter what year you come back, nobody will ever wear that number. It’s an honor to have them put me on that level.”

The ceremony took place the day after the 45th anniversary of the adoption of Title IX, which created a level playing field for female athletes.

At a time when some people still make light of women’s sports, and some college administrators blame Title IX for the unsustainability of certain sports, Catchings had some advice for young female athletes.

“We wouldn’t be here or have the opportunity if not for the ladies that came before us,” the 37-year old said. “I’m not 45; this happened before my opportunity came, before I played high school or college. I think for young girls, go out there, have fun, play ball and don’t listen to that. And I know it’s hard sometimes, but no matter what, now that we’re celebrating 21 years of the WNBA, you have that to aspire to. And no matter what, don’t let anyone take your dreams away.”

Lapel outscored Shenandoah in the scrimmage, 37-20.