DAYTON, Ohio — It’s not every day a player can experience both being the only freshman on a team and then four years later be the only senior.

However, a unique leadership role at Archbishop Alter High School has given one senior in a very special full circle moment.

It’s been years since Maddie Moody watched our first Spectrum News story featuring her.

“I’ve changed so much,” she said while watching the video with her teammates. 

In 2022, Moody was a bright-eyed young player sporting a mask at practice during the pandemic years.

She was the only freshman on the team and the Lady Knights took home a state championship.

Fast forward to 2025, and Moody is now the only senior as the team prepares to take on Bellevue for the state championship at UD Arena.

Her step sister also played for the Knights and was a state champion herself in 2015 and 2016.  

“It’s surreal and it’s bittersweet. Throughout the entire tournament, it’s been you win or you go home. So making it to the last game, it means a lot to me and we’re all playing for that same goal,” Moody said.

“People look at her stats and think she’s made a mark on the program — they don’t understand what she’s done for our program besides the stats,” said co-head coach and athletic director Christina Hart.

An important mark on the program has been one of leadership. She’s been a mentor for younger players, like freshman Izzie Arcuri.  

“She makes sure everyone is doing the right thing. If we have any questions, we know where to go. We ask her and she pushes us to be our best. I’m a little nervous but overall I’m excited for the opportunity,” Arcuri said.

Having strong players like Moody is just part of the Lady Knights' success.

“I would say year in and year out, it’s our defense and our fundamentals. This year, it’s our resilience as a group. Every kid has stepped up and that’s why we are where we are because they just keep working and don’t give up,” said Hart.

The push to never give up is a constant theme for Moody and the team.

After watching the 2022 video, Spectrum News asked Moody what advice she might give to her younger self. 

“Just to keep working hard, it all pays off in the end. I wouldn’t be here without any of these coaches or any of these teammates and I just think if I could tell myself anything, just to keep going because it gets better,” she said.

After graduation this year, Moody will be playing basketball at Northern Kentucky University.

Right now, her plan is to study business and accounting. 

Alter takes on Bellevue on Friday evening at 4:15 p.m.