If the Shawnee State Bears women’s basketball team was a jigsaw puzzle, Chloe Long would be the missing piece.
The Sugar Creek Christian Academy Eagles standout senior guard likes how she fits into the Shawnee program and the Bears’ head coach DeWayne Burroughs said Long checks all the boxes in what they look for in a recruit.
“First, of all, Chloe is a fantastic young lady. We try to bring in some of the top young ladies. It’s not about basketball and academics, it’s about your personality, how you fit into our program. She met the girls and she fit right in with them,” said Burroughs.
“She felt right at home and we felt she was part of the family right away. She plays hard, she’s going to knock down shots and get rebounds. She’s going to do a little bit of everything to help us win basketball games and that’s what I like about her. It’s not one thing that she does well. She does a bunch of things well. I like to have all-around players and she fits that mold.”
Long said she doesn’t care where she plays, she just wants to contribute.
“We haven’t talked much about it, but I’m looking to be a shooting guard or another point guard,” said Long.
The Bears were 20-10 last season and will graduate 5 of their 13 players. Long has already played alongside her future teammates.
“We’ve had a couple of open gyms, a couple of scrimmages I’ve been to with them, but practices officially start in July,” said Long. “It’s been very fun. I think we’ve already got a chemistry going on honestly.”
Long wants to earn some playing time as a freshman but she also wants to contribute to the team with intangible facets of the game.
“I’m hoping to join the team and be a leader. I really want to be a leader and have that type of personality that I can help them in any way I can,” said Long.
“It definitely takes independence and confidence in yourself and in your abilities, but also trust in your teammates and the people around you.”
Long is confident she’ll be able to adjust to playing at the next level.
“I’m very excited. I’ve been playing travel ball since I was in the seventh grade. I’ve kind of gotten accustomed to the fast-pace, different atmosphere type of thing,” said Long.
Besides basketball, Long has also played soccer, softball and even ran track last year but did not run track this season because she has been working.
“Basketball is my favorite because it’s been with me since I was probably 5-years old. It’s always been my home away from home,” said Long. “I was raised in it and my dad (Andy Long) has always been my coach. It’s an extra father-daughter thing we do.”
After starting her basketball career at the young age of 5 in the youth leagues, she began playing at Sugar Creek when she was in the sixth grade. While playing at Sugar Creek, Long has been able to play for her father Andy Long who has been the team’s head coach.
“Basically, I love playing for my dad,” said Long with a big grin. “It’s been such a good personal bonding experience playing for him all these years.
“He definitely treated me differently, but not setting me aside and putting me on a pedestal. We definitely had our ups and downs that you have in a father-daughter relationship, but he gave it to me. He put me through it hard because he knew how good I could be and I appreciate him for that.”
By signing to play at Shawnee State, Long now owns the distinguishing honor of being the first student-athlete to play at the college level.
“I’m very honored. It’s been a great journey so far. I’ve been working my butt off since I was little and. I’m just really stoked by the opportunity to go and play at the next level,” she said.
Long plans to major as a physical therapy assistant.
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