It was probably predestined that Gracie Pendley would end up at Connors State College playing basketball. After all, her sister Bailey is just a couple of years removed from her time on the court at Warner and Gracie has been involved in the Connors program for several years which is one reason that coach Jamie Fisher was drawn to her.

“Gracie came to our camps when she was little and there was certainly a competitive spirit between her and her sister even then,” said Fisher. “Bailey helped me run our camp and I could never let Bailey be in the group over Gracie because Bailey would be too hard on her and Gracie would get frustrated.”

But that sisterly competitive spirit also had its plus side for the younger Pendley.

“Yes, we were super competitive, but I also recognize that Bailey set the bar for me, and I’ve always wanted to exceed it,” said Gracie, a freshman from Oktaha.

Fisher knew from the outset that Gracie would be the kind of athlete that he desires in his program and a good candidate for the Cowgirl Way.

“She works hard in class and on the court and is a model citizen and does things correctly-the Cowgirl Way. And like her sister, she’s a great outside shooter for us.”

Being around the program for so many years in the camp and watching her older sister play and practice, Gracie had a chance to really examine the Connors program.

“I like the program that coach Fisher is building and the atmosphere here. I come from a small school and Connors just has that same comfy, family feeling that high school did,” said Pendley who acknowledges that there have been some challenges in adapting to the college game.

“Probably my biggest challenge has come on defense. In high school we played a
lot of zone defense which we never play here. Our man-to-man defense has a lot of

different sets that you have to learn but I like it and it’s more fun to play than zone.”

Gracie is studying nursing and notes that Fisher has not only helped her on the court but also in making sure she gets into the right classes to pursue her goals. So like her sister was, Gracie Pendley

is another example of doing things the Cowgirl Way.