HOUSTON — As the summer basketball camp at Hoops-School in West Houston draws to a close, the absence of one young player is keenly felt.
Lucy Dillon, an 8-year-old who had been coached by former WNBA player Heidi Horton since she was 6, tragically lost her life in the Hill Country floods.
“Yes, we’re keeping her memory alive,” said Horton. “We turned from our sadness to honor this family who is missing their daughter, but wants her spirit to live on.”
In memory of Lucy, and with her family’s blessing, the camp has introduced the Lucy Dillon Legacy Award, presented weekly to a child who embodies Lucy’s qualities of determination, tenacity, sportsmanship, and fierce competitive spirit.
“Determination, tenacity, sportsmanship, and fierce competitive spirit, and that’s what Lucy exemplified, and she didn’t just do it one day, she did it every day, it was amazing,” said Horton.
This week, the award was given to 6-year-old Neesha Mehta, who was surprised and delighted by the recognition. “Yeah, and my dad said there was gonna be a surprise, but not in camp…but it was in camp,” said Neesha.
The Lucy Dillon Legacy Award has been presented to several young athletes over the past weeks. Meanwhile, Lucy’s family has established the Lucy Dillon Legacy Fund to support causes that reflect her spirit.