SAN ANTONIO — For many high school athletes, the transition to college sports is a significant adjustment. For former Ronald Reagan High School basketball standout Sahara Green, that transition proved to be both challenging and rewarding during her freshman season at Bethany College in Kansas.
Green recently completed her first year at Bethany College, an NAIA institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Balancing the demands of collegiate academics and athletics, she appeared in nearly 70 games while splitting time between the school’s varsity and junior varsity women’s basketball teams.
While Green came from one of Texas’ largest and most competitive high school athletic programs, she quickly discovered that college basketball operates on an entirely different level.
Reporting to campus in early August for training, Green said she was immediately struck by the intensity of competition.
“Girls were diving on the floor, talking smack and competing like it was a district game from high school,” Green recalled. “Open gyms in high school were usually a little more relaxed, but from day one everyone was competing for a spot.”
That competitive atmosphere only intensified when preseason workouts began in September.
According to Green, practices often stretched from early morning until late evening. Days began at 6 a.m. with strength and conditioning sessions, followed by weightlifting, basketball skill development, team practices and classes throughout the day.
“Preseason was three times a day,” Green said. “You would start early in the morning and sometimes not finish until around 9 p.m.”
The demanding schedule left little room for downtime.
“There really wasn’t much personal time,” she said. “It was all about finding a balance between basketball, school and taking care of yourself.”
Despite the rigorous workload, Green embraced the challenge.
She excelled in the classroom while managing her athletic responsibilities, earning a 3.8 grade-point average as a business major.
The experience taught her valuable lessons about discipline, time management and perseverance.
For student-athletes considering playing sports at the collegiate level, Green says the adjustment can be difficult, but the rewards make it worthwhile.
“The biggest thing is being ready to work,” she said. “It’s definitely more demanding than high school, but it’s also helped me grow as a player and as a person.”
As she prepares for her sophomore season, Green hopes to continue building on the success of her freshman year both on the court and in the classroom.
For Reagan High School fans following her journey, Green’s first year at Bethany College serves as a reminder that success at the next level requires dedication, resilience and a willingness to embrace new challenges.