Hayden Cross's Sports Career

3/2/23

By: Kalynn Cross

Hayden Cross is a 17 year old junior. Hayden has played baseball since he was 3, and basketball since he was in 6th grade. He has been going to this school for 6 years. His 7th year will be senior year. Now that you know that stuff, come along with Hayden to look more into his sports career.

Hayden on offense

Hayden has played basketball for Edgewood for 7 years. He played 6th grade basketball in 2017, 7th grade 2018, and for 8th grade 2019. When he got to 8th grade, he knew that he wanted to play in high school. But what would it take to play at that level? What would he have to do in order to improve his chances of making the high school team? Hayden said, “ you need to put in hard work, and sacrifice your time. You need to be smart with the ball, take good shots, and hustle.” He knew he had to work even harder than he has in the past years. From those past years, he has gotten stronger and better at basketball.

Hayden doesn’t really know what to do for his senior year yet. Hayden used to only be able to shoot layups. Now he is 6ft 2, dunking on 10ft, and shooting threes. His favorite middle school ball experience was, “Playing with teammates and shooting threes.” His favorite high school experience from high school was, “Being able to be with friends and watching the ball go into the basket.”

Hayden's basketball picture

Now that you know that Hayden has played basketball for a long time. So here are some tips from a high school junior,

“ Hustle, basketball IQ, and practice daily.”

Hayden with all of his rings on

Hayden has played baseball since he was 3 years old, and he left baseball when he was 13 years old. He played for Whiteland, black bulls, Astros x2, and the Prospects x2. Since he was a little baby he has loved baseball, and used to play it all the time everywhere. But once again what would it take to play at that level? What would he have to do in order to improve his chances of making the travel team? Hayden said, “You have to love baseball and you have to practice everyday you have to learn the play.” He knew when he was about 10 years old that he had to work really hard and keep practicing in the garage, and outside.

Hayden always used to hit home runs since he was 5, but mostly every game he would get hurt, but it didn’t affect his playing time. He would always walk it out, or he would be hurting but he wouldn’t tell anybody because he still wanted to play. One time he got hit in his ankle and walked it off to 1st base, and it was really swollen. The coach looked down, and said, “ Hayden are you ok?” After that we had to go to the emergency room. There was also another time where a fast ball was coming, and then it wacked him in the face, and his two teeth got knocked out.

Most of Hayden's trophies

( The rest are in his closet)

Hayden's rings

One of Hayden's favorite memory was, “ When we won 3 national championships in a row.” He wishes that he could've played school ball for the junior high but then covid happened so he didn't have the chance. This is what he liked about playing baseball, “Going to different states like California and Alabama and hitting the doubles and playing 3rd base.”

“ When we won 3 national championships in a row.”

His wooden bats, and his championship towel

Now that you know Hayden has had a big experience with baseball and has played since he was tiny. Here are 3 tips to help you, “Dedication, hard work, practice.”

Hayden always had a good time with his sports. He loved playing baseball, and basketball. He still has every single thing from baseball because how much he loved playing his sport. I hope this helps with your dreams to play basketball, and baseball when your older.

Here are some more pictures:

All his helmets

Homerun ball

His medals and pictures and a champion plate

More pictures, medals, and championship stuff

Contributor bio

Kalynn is a 11 year old 6th grader, and loves basketball, and baseball. She has 3 brothers, and 2 sisters.