Marissa Pleasant, a freshman at Marquette Catholic High School (Marquette) in Michigan City, fulfilled her dream of earning a spot on the Varsity Girls Basketball team. Pleasant delegates her time between being an athlete and a full-time student. Championing her success at Marquette is her loving and supportive family.
“I was born and raised in Portage,” said Pleasant. “As I grew up, I was an adventurous little girl. I loved doing everything. My parents were huge aspects of getting me to where I am now. They got me into tee ball, soccer, cheerleading, and gymnastics. I’ve been an athlete since I was young, and I feel that has helped me be in all the sports I am in today.”
Pleasant recounts a particularly strong passion for basketball that developed early in life. In fifth grade, she made the decision to join a travel team called the Region Rebels Youth Basketball. Her coach, Jerry Bechtold, would inspire her to grow her passion and skill level for the sport. Pleasant honed her skills through managing, observation and practice.
“We didn’t have a sixth grade team throughout middle school, but I was a manager for the older girls,” said Pleasant. “I stepped in during practices, and I was able to both watch and learn more about the game. When I got to seventh grade, I was ready to take that point guard position and lead my team because of all of my experience on and off the floor. I kept putting in the work each year because it was my dream to be starting varsity as a freshman.”
Pleasant relishes her moment of making varsity on the Marquette Blazers Girls Basketball team.
“After the spring of eighth grade, we had tryouts for Marquette,” said Pleasant. “I stepped into the gym, and I loved the atmosphere, the coaches, the players—everything was amazing. I felt comfortable and that I fit right in. I kept showing my skill levels and tried to convince the coach that I could really make a difference for this team, and then she put me on varsity.”
Pleasant’s steadfast commitment to basketball proved true at the Class 1A Northern Semistate, where she made the game-winning three-pointer that defeated Clinton Central 72-70 and advanced her team to the next round. This would serve as a milestone moment for Pleasant’s high school career.
“At the semi-state championship, we had two games,” said Pleasant. “I did not have a good first game. I felt I was rusty and not hitting my shots. We were up the whole game. We had a lead of 11 and this team was really good. It was back and forth scoring until it was 72 to 70. Then, it was really stressful. We were up by five, but we kept blowing the lead. There were about 10 seconds left and this girl got fouled. She made the first free throw but missed the second. Her teammate got the rebound, so that put them up by one point. Our coach called a timeout, which I think saved us. We had an initial plan in mind, but our shooting guard ended up passing me the ball. I got there at the right time. I took the shot and it went in with about three seconds left.”
Pleasant, while having a vibrant love for basketball, also invests her time in playing in other sports. In the fall, Pleasant did cross country, where she sustained an injury. Not wanting to risk further injury, Pleasant will be proceeding with golf in the fall. She currently is doing shot put and discus for track and field and is on Marquette’s baseball team.
Outside of athletics, Pleasant exudes a great aptitude for learning. She makes the choice to build up her academic success by putting her studies on a pedestal.
“I am an all-honors student,” said Pleasant. “I have AP classes and I keep straight A’s. School comes first for me. I usually get my homework done in class, and if I don’t, I finish after my practices. I find a way to balance everything because I’m an athlete, but I’m a student-athlete first. I make sure my grades and assignments are up-to-date before I have fun.”
In line with her success in academia, Pleasant takes pride in the various roles she holds within Marquette.
“I am involved with several other activities,” said Pleasant. “I am in my school’s student government. At the beginning of the year, I was elected for one of only two positions for freshman representative. I also was selected out of four girls for Homecoming Court. I play a role in our school’s club for athletic directors. I even recently participated in the American Legion Oratorical Contest, where I placed first in my district and second in my region. In and outside of my roles, I have completed over 70 service hours this year alone.”
Pleasant attributes a great deal of success to her ever-supportive family, which encompasses her parents, her sister, Kayla, and her twin brother, Andrew. The sibling trio are invested in academics and athletics, and their parents ensure their punctuality and commitment.
“My mom is our Uber driver,” said Pleasant. “She takes us everywhere, but my dad too will get us where we need to be when he’s home from work. My mom used to be a nurse before she had us but decided to quit and do real estate. Her job allows her to be available whenever I need her. She’s on top of everything and even keeps us in the loop with an app called Cozi. She checks it every day to make sure we’re where we need to be. She is our number one supporter, and I am so grateful for her.”
Pleasant further credits her hometown of Portage as a firm foundation. Her home serves as a creative outlet for her to partake in hobbies outside of school and academics. Pleasant loves to partake in baking, especially in making fudge and Crumbl-style cookies, and she enjoys acrylic painting.
“I am lucky growing up here in Portage,” said Pleasant. “I have a bike trail right behind my house that feels safe for me to ride my bike anytime I want. I also like having places to go. We have Sk8 World, a boba and nutrition place. I think it’s a really safe environment to be a part of.”