Tessa Miles will play both basketball and soccer at Centre College. (Tonia Witt Photo)
Tessa Miles really likes basketball and soccer equally well. That’s why Centre College will give her the perfect combination of academics and athletics that the Bethlehem senior wants.
“I knew first and foremost that I wanted to stay close to home and also try to get the best academics I could and also play both sports that I love,” said Miles. “The perk is I will be playing with Ashlynn.”
Her sister, Ashlynn, was also a multiple sport standout at Bethlehem and was the Centre soccer team this season.
“She just wanted me to do what I wanted to do,” Tessa said. “She is excited that I am coming to Centre but she did not try to influence my decision.”
Tessa had 100 goals and 78 assists in her soccer career and helped Bethlehem win the 2023 state title. She was Fifth Region Player of the Year as a senior.
She had 1,038 points and 348 rebounds in basketball going into this season and had a huge game recently with 35 points, five steals and four rebounds against rival Nelson County.
“I just couldn’t choose between sports. I love both sports. I know playing two sports in college will be challenging. I would not have committed without understanding that,” Tessa said. “Worse comes to worse, I can choose just one sport after I get to Centre.”
The Colonels have one player, Anna Thompson, who has played both basketball and soccer.
“She told me it was not impossible to do both,” Tessa.
The Bethlehem standout is not sure if she may be a pre-med major or go the business/accounting route — or maybe switch to something else.
“Ashlynn has told me that Centre is very academically challenging. That is what a DIII liberal arts school is but she loves soccer and wanted to continue to play the sport she loves. She has a good ratio of friends who play sports and are not in sports.”
Tessa knew if she went to school not close to Bardstown that it would be difficult for her parents to come watch both her and her sister play.
“I am pretty sure my sister, parents and grandparents are all happy with my decision to attend Centre,” she said.
The sisters both love winning. Bethlehem has won six straight district titles in basketball and four straight regional championships. Tessa has been a three-year starter in basketball. The Banshees have won the district soccer title each year Tessa has played and she was a four-year starter.
Tessa wants Bethlehem to continue its district and regional championship streaks going in basketball this season even though the Banshees have three new starters that rarely played last year.
She has talked to Centre basketball coach Wendie Austin “quite a bit” and hopes to watch the team play in person in February.
“She tells me with my character and my skill set that I should be able to fit in well and play my role with no trouble,” Tessa said.
Centre soccer coach Jay Hoffman has a vision for her that she really likes.
“Jay sees me as a creative player who creates opportunities for others or as a wing,” Tessa said. “I love all that stuff. I just think it is all going to be a really good fit for me.”
One Response
Awesome Tessa 🖤⚽️🏀💛. We are so proud of you 💕