On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Quakertown senior Carolyn Sipprell was recognized for committing to continue her basketball career at Thomas Jefferson University. (Photos provided courtesy of Jennifer Banas/Quakertown HS)
Carolyn Sipprell – Thomas Jefferson University (Basketball)
Major: Business
Reasons for choosing Jefferson: “The team and coaches are great, and I am excited to be part of a successful program.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in basketball at the collegiate level? “I have always been involved in athletics since a young age. I couldn’t imagine my life without a sport somewhere in my schedule. My parents and current basketball coach started asking me about being a college athlete, so that’s when I began thinking about it. I was mainly a soccer player, but basketball eventually became my favorite, so that’s the sport I chose to pursue at the next level.”
Coach Brittany Bamford says: “'Proper preparation prevents poor performance.’ Carolyn’s been preparing for her entire life – whether it’s on the court, whether it’s on the field or in the classroom. Carolyn had an older sister that came through the program, so going down to the middle school, I knew who she was right away. However, in eighth grade, she looked a little different than how she looks now. She dropped the goggles, she was about 5-0 feet, and I figured she’d end up a guard like her sister, but her height and her jumping ability proved her natural niche to be a post. Her freshman year at the end-of-the-year meetings, I was curious to see what her involvement with basketball would be. I was a little nervous because she was a standout soccer player. When she told me that she loved basketball and basketball was her favorite sport, I got butterflies.
“Throughout her career at Quakertown, our success and failure ebbed and flowed with Carolyn. Our success was driven by Carolyn becoming more confident on the basketball court over the past four years. She led us in every stat, and the outcome of our games relied on her offense and defense. She will be almost impossible to replace. The last time we had a player score 1,000 points was in 2010 – Daniella Ciccarone. Carolyn scored 1,031 points and she had over 500 rebounds, which is another great accomplishment for a high school player. Carolyn earned first team all-league honors this year, and she achieved honors all four years. She led us in charges, which is one of the most unselfish things you can do for your teammates by stepping in the way and having someone from the other team literally run you over. Carolyn cares about her teammates. I’m very honored and proud to be her coach. She’s become a player who’s well respected amongst her teammates in the league, and we play in a very tough league. She’s worked hours on her own to attain the skills she has today. I also know she hasn’t peaked yet, so that will be exciting to see how she continues to grow as a player. She will continue her athletic and academic career at Thomas Jefferson University. I look forward to watching her become a better basketball player and a better young woman over the next five years. You’ll be missed more than you’ll ever know.”
About Carolyn:
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite artist: Morgan Wallen
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