The determination of Tessa Beauchamp has been recognized by Sport B.C.
The forward with the Holy Cross Crusaders senior AA girls high school basketball team was announced as the winner of the Harry Jerome Comeback Award for 2010 last week.
Beauchamp returned to the basketball court for the 2009-10 season after several years of battling cancer, helping the Crusaders to a seventh place finish at last year’s provincial championships in Kamloops.
“I am really honoured to even be nominated for this award and to win it means so much to me, especially after all the negative of the past year,” said the 17-year-old.
“I have been around basketball my whole life. This past year, I knew I could play, but my body wouldn’t let me. Now, basketball is fun again and I can just play and not think about anything.”
Beauchamp averaged nine points and five rebounds over the four games at the provincial tournament. She was also invited to a Basketball B.C. under-17 provincial selection camp.
The Harry Jerome Comeback Award “recognizes a BC amateur athlete who demonstrated great perseverance in the face of adversity.”
“Every year, the Harry Jerome Comeback Award recipient embodies the qualities that make sport so compelling,” said Tim Gayda, president & CEO of Sport BC. “Tessa Beauchamp is no exception. Through trying times at such a young age, Tessa has shown a power and conviction that is not only indicative of a great competitor and athlete, but also of a strong and courageous person.”