Battle Ground Academy News

BGA Middle School math teacher and girls basketball coach Mandy Nowlin was recently inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

“I was extremely humbled and honored to be a part of the 2021 Silver Anniversary Team for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame,” Nowlin said.

Nowlin’s list of basketball accomplishments is long and extensive. She was a two-time team MVP and Mid-Southern Conference MVP in her high school career, scoring 1,006 career points despite an ACL injury in her senior season. Then, at St. Louis University, she graduated as 4th career leading scorer, 2nd in 3FG made, and 7th in career assists. She is considered the best pure shooter in SLU women’s history, and she is still 4th in career 3FG% and 4th in career FT% and holds the single-game 3FG record.

Nowlin considers basketball a significant part of her life. Her father coached it, and she and her brother played it for as long as she can remember.

“My father was a boys’ basketball coach in Indiana, and my brother and I lived in the gym from the time we were old enough to bounce a ball,” Nowlin said.

Now, Nowlin uses her love of the game to coach BGA middle schoolers, teaching them the game and the qualities she has learned through the game.

“On the court is where I learned hard work, mental toughness, and picking myself up after experiencing adversity,” Nowlin said.

“I feel my experiences as an athlete have helped me be a better mentor and positive influence in the lives of my students and players.”