Hall of Fame Inductee - Shalyn 'Shy' Cartmill-Waddell

For several years, the Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame had only one brother-sister combo enshrined. Now it has two.

Shy Cartmill, the younger sister of QHS boys basketball standout Kyle Cartmill, joins him among the inductees after putting together a stellar four-year prep career. Cartmill was a fouryear starter who scored 1,157 career points and earned special mention all-state honors as a senior.

A first-team all-area and All-Western Big Six Conference selection, Cartmill averaged 11.1 points, six rebounds and seven assists per game. She also had 78 assists and was invited to play in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-star game.

It was the third straight season she averaged better than 11 points per game, netting 11.2 points as a sophomore and 11.9 as a junior. She averaged better than 4.2 rebounds per game her final three seasons as well.

Cartmill went on to play at Western Illinois University, where she led the team in free throw percentage and free throw percentage. She and her husband, former NFL linebacker Reggie Waddell, live in Carrollton, Texas.

Acceptance Speech

First, giving honor to God who is truly the head of my life. I know without Him, this would not be possible. It is with great honor, a grateful heart and a humble spirit that I accept this nomination into the Quincy Senior High School Sports Hall of Fame.

I would like to thank several people. The Hall of Fame Committee for this great honor. My parents, Cheri Cartmill and Albert Cartmill Jr., for being very loving, supportive and for believing in my talent and allowing me to prefect it by turning our home into a gym. My brother, Kyle, for being my “first coach,” my greatest competition and my biggest fan. At the time I didn’t understand why you were so hard on me, but now I do and I thank you.

To the greatest grandparents a child could be blessed with, Lillian “Granny” Aytson, Albert “Grampsy” Cartmill Sr. and Dorothea “Grandma Dot” Cartmill, thank you for your unconditional love, unwavering support and your guidance.

Uncle Gary and Aunt Janet Cartmill and family, Alfred Cartmill, Stacey and Dwayne Wells and family, Gay and Richard Allen and family, thank you for the miles you have traveled to show your love support throughout my career.

To the family and friends that were unable to travel the miles to support, I felt your presence and love and it means just as much and I thank you. I am also thankful to my late grandmothers, Lucille Aytson, Bett y Cartmill and my late grandfather Thomas “Papa” Johnson. I love/miss you and carry your life lessons with me in my daily walk.

An extra special thanks to Mrs. Ruth, Bill, Dave and the late Mr. Joe Daniels. Also, Dr. George and Mrs. Mary Nell Meyer, I could never begin to thank you enough for your kindness and support. Also, the fans and friends of QHS basketball, you all hold a very special place in my heart.

Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to thank my mentors: Kay Robbins and the late Penny Lewis for the support, guidance, life long lessons (on/off the court). Words could never express what you mean to me, so I’ll just simply say thank you.

To my coaches, Coach Sandi and Coach Fred Devoe, thank you for the individual shooting lessons and the lifelong friendship. Coach Eric Stratman, we started out not always seeing eye to eye, but I know that you always had my best interest at heart. You pushed me to be the best, helped me to see things in myself that I did not know were there and I thank you very much for that and the memory we share of winning the 8th Grade State Championship. Coach Tom Berry and Coach Gary Handrick, thank you for making my Lady Devil years memorable. Also, thank you for pushing me day in and day out to be and play my best.

I share this honor with my family, friends, teammates and coaches throughout the years. You all hold a very special place in my heart that I will always cherish, I thank you all.