She cheers for her Timber Wolves from the bench.

"Defense, defense," barks Exeter-Milligan Senior Claire White.

She is inspiration to her entire school, as one student explains. "We're going to win it for Claire White."

Claire White could not play at State. She is on crutches after a car accident left her with a broken tailbone and a fractured pelvis.

"I don't remember any of the specifics from the accident. I don't remember, but I was not in my vehicle when they found me," said White.

She's the only senior on the team and it's not easy for her, but her role now becomes a leadership one away from the court. It's a challenge she welcomes.

"It's a lot harder from the bench than it is on the court," said White.

On the court leading up to State she was touched with the team's gesture. "The girls wore purple ribbons on their shoes after the accident- It think it's something like when this happens to a small team, the girls respond and everything is geared toward being supportive," said White.

She also received a purple lay that she wears on her wrist as a badge of honor. Her new role is one of a leader. It gives her a new perspective. Her team lost on a buzzer-beater, but the experience just might lead the 3-time state qualifier into coaching.