Argyle senior transfer uses her faith to power her, Eagles to state tournament
It’s often said that high school is supposed to be one of those special times in one’s life, but Caroline Lyles has gone through more heartache in the past four years than any student should.
Lyles lost her mother, Donna, to breast cancer during her freshman year in 2019. Her father, James, was diagnosed with throat cancer at the start of this school year and a grandmother died during the fall.
But even on her darkest days, Lyles has always turned to basketball.
“Basketball has helped me tremendously,” Lyles said. “It has been an outlet for me when things get hard and it allows me to feel at peace and get away from life. It’s like therapy.
“It was one of the things that I knew would stay constant and keep me going, which it did. I don’t know how I could get through this adversity without basketball.”
Lyles is a senior at Argyle and has the Eagles two wins away from an undefeated season and the UIL Class 4A state championship.
Argyle (37-0) plays in a semifinal game against Hardin-Jefferson (33-4) at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome on Friday. If the Eagles win, they’ll play in the Class 4A title game Saturday at 7 p.m.
Lyles converted a key three-point play during Argyle’s 34-32 win over Canyon in the 4A Region 1 semifinals on Feb. 25.
“It’s a God thing and I think mom was looking over her,” Argyle coach Chance Westmoreland said. “Pretty special for her to go through that after everything she had to overcome. She’s a true inspiration and the sweetest kid you’ll ever meet.”
Then the Eagles beat Decatur, 52-40, in the 4A Region 1 final on Feb 26. to clinch the program’s eighth trip to the UIL state tournament in the past nine years.
“Caroline is truly a unique, charismatic and dynamic individual. She’s a parent and coach’s dream,” James Lyles said. “I’m honestly not sure how she manages it as she keeps her feelings and emotions very close to the vest. She has managed this on her own and I feel she’s done an incredible job.
“She definitely beats to her own drum while remaining very humble and confident,” he said. “What makes me the most proud is the influence she has on others by the way she conducts herself, and she isn’t even aware of it.”
A new beginning
Lyles and her parents had lived in Fayetteville, Ark.
She went to the state title game in back-to-back seasons as a sophomore and junior. But COVID canceled the final in 2020 and both teams were named co-champs.
The team lost by one in double overtime in 2021.
After Donna’s death, James and Caroline decided to move to the Dallas-Fort Worth area where James’ family lives.
The move, which took place last year, was supposed to be a fresh start, but that’s when James found out he had throat cancer.
Caroline was on a recruiting visit at the time. “It was very unexpected news and I was shocked. When I was told that he has cancer, I was scared and worried,” Lyles said. “Knowing that I had already lost my mom to cancer, I didn’t know what to expect with my dad. I was confused, wondering why all this was happening to me and my family. It was frustrating.
“But I believed in my dad. He has never shown a weak side. He is strong and I know that he’s going to fight and beat this cancer. He will find out in the next month or two if he is cancer-free and we are very hopeful that he is.”
Lyles also said that she couldn’t imagine living in Arkansas with just her dad. “I have felt so loved by every one of my family members. It helps a lot to know you have someone by your side — loving, supporting, and pushing you everyday.”
Through all the obstacles, Lyles has kept her faith to God close to her.
“I have relied on God a lot to get me through all the adversity. I have put all my trust in Him to get me through the good and bad days,” she said. “I never gave up. I told myself that good days would come if I keep fighting. It’s hard to stay positive everyday and keep a smile on your face, but I do everyday.”
“I strongly believe her faith has been key for her strength,” James added. “Having an extremely close family and extended family has helped, but her love for Christ is her security and foundation.”
Hello, Argyle
Caroline didn’t know about Argyle or its basketball culture, but when the Lyles decided it would be their next destination, she was so excited that she started to look up the school, area and sports reputation.
“I knew right away, this was something I wanted to be a part of,” Lyles said. “Without knowing much about the basketball culture at Argyle, my first impression was that they all have a winning mentality. They love to win and will do whatever it takes. I noticed how much the town supports basketball and how much everyone loves it.”
She felt the love right away.
“I was immediately welcomed on the team and felt loved from the first day,” Lyles said. “I feel like that’s not very common, so I was very blessed to be brought into such a loving family.
“Argyle has made this the best year of my four years in high school. Everyone here has been so helpful, loving, supportive and friendly. The community here has helped me and my family so much in making us feel welcomed immediately and helping my family when my dad got diagnosed.”
Westmoreland quickly noticed her athletic ability.
“She was a great looking athlete,” he said. “You don’t see many kids like her at the 4A level and I told her at the first practice that she was going to help our team immediately. She’s so unselfish and makes the right basketball play. She makes the pass, dives on the floor, takes the charge and does whatever it takes to be successful..
“She can affect the game in so many ways. She’s very versatile and an unbelievable kid. Just an all-around perfect fit for our team in every way possible.”
Added Lyles, “Coach Westmoreland has been a blessing. I have been coached by a lot of people, and he has easily been one of the best coaches I’ve ever played for. He has made me a better player and has helped grow not just skill-wise, but also with my IQ. They have invested so much into us and sacrificed all their time for us. I want to go win a ring and state title for them.”
Argyle has been dominant this season.
Of the Eagles’ 37 games, only four have been decided by single digits.
Two of them have been by three points or less.
A state title would give Argyle its sixth in eight seasons and seventh overall.
“Winning a state championship my senior year after going through that in Arkansas would mean so much,” Lyles said. “I have worked my whole life for moments like this, so to accomplish something as big as this is a dream that I want to come true. Especially with my team this year.
“I believe everyone on this team deserves it,” she said. “We have put all our effort into this and to see all our hard work pay off would be something really special.”
This story was originally published March 3, 2022 at 1:59 PM.
