Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Eustace Lady Bulldog basketball player Heagen Manken is surrounded by teammates and applauded by Mineola players Jan. 30 after scoring the first points of the District 15-3A contest, an honor for the Eustace senior who is courageously fighting leukemia at Texas Oncology-Medical City in Dallas. Heagen officially achieved remission Feb. 3, shares her mother, Amanda, who added Heagen is awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Her head coach, Lacey Beeson, says being one of the starting five for Eustace was a surprise for Heagen, whom she calls “incredibly strong and brave.” Beeson coordinated with the Mineola head coach to make the special moment happen.