Eastern Mavericks’ Lacey Goodenough to wear retired number five in honour of Nathan Goodenough and Sarah Hardy
A Hills basketball club rocked by the car crash deaths of two teen athletes in just six weeks has reinstated the number they shared in a legacy-making moment.
A jersey number retired by an Adelaide Hills basketball club in tragic circumstances has been revived after 25 years, thanks to a touching family connection.
Sarah Hardy, 16, and Nathan Goodenough, 17, were both playing for NBL1 side Eastern Mavericks in 2000, when they lost their lives in two separate fatal car crashes, only six weeks apart.
Both proudly wore the number 5, which the club retired shortly after in recognition of their contributions and legacies they left.
A quarter of a century later, the number has now been brought out of retirement and handed to Nathan’s niece, Lacey Goodenough, 10.
Lacey’s father, Joel Goodenough, presented the number to her at St Francis de Sales Community Sports Centre on Friday.
Mr Goodenough, also a previous player at the club, said now as “the right time” for the number to return, through Lacey’s family connection.
He said the moment carried significant meaning for the family.
“It’s a super special moment for all of us, it means everything to me, my mum and to my family,” he said.
“It’s special to me to know that she can continue that legacy of wearing the number five at the Mavericks.”
Mr Goodenough said he hoped this gesture shows “how much bigger the sport is than just a ball bouncing up and down on a court.”
Both Nathan’s older brother Joel and father, Kym, also wore the same number during their time at the club, with Joel now operating his own basketball program, J 5ive Basketball, in tribute to his family’s connection to the sport.
The decision was endorsed by NBL1 women’s coach and life member, Nathon Jones, who knew both families well.
Mr Jones said “it made absolute sense” adding that “the Goodenough family was so important to the beginnings of the club and still are”.
He said he hoped Lacey would one day understand how much the number truly means to both the family and the club.
As the only founding member still involved at the Mavericks, Mr Jones described the moment as “truly special” and said, “I hope she knows how much both Nathan and Sarah loved just playing basketball.”
Mr Jones remembers both Nathan and Sarah not just for their love of the game, but for being “terrific kids” with a constant desire to put their friends and teammates before themselves.
The Goodenough family still remain active at the Eastern Mavericks, with Sarah’s mother, Debbie returning to the club in recent years.
Nathan Goodenough is remembered by his parents, Vivienne and the late Kym, and Sarah Hardy by her mother, Debbie, whose ties to the club run deep and remain part of its story today.
Originally published as Eastern Mavericks’ Lacey Goodenough to wear retired number five in honour of Nathan Goodenough and Sarah Hardy
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