By Kyle LoJacono
The Wiregrass Ranch boys basketball team has played 132 games with 86 victories the last five years, and during that time the same person has been a part of kicking off every home contest.
John Long Middle eighth-grader Andreyné Fye began singing the National Anthem at each boys game in the Bulls’ gym while in the fourth grade when her family moved to the area from Georgia.
“They were looking for a singer at that time, and my mom (Jewell) told them I could do it,” Andreyné said. “They said sure. I guess they liked me, and ever since then I’ve done it.”
The last four years she sang the anthem with her sister and current Bethune-Cookman University student Jordanyné, but Andreyné is now doing the honors solo.
“I’m so nervous every time she sings, because that’s my baby,” Jewell said. “I’m nervous, but she always sounds so good. She’s got such a beautiful voice, and I’m so proud of her.”
Andreyné said she started singing around age 4 because she “grew up in a church” with a lot of Gospel music.
“I was just always singing, and then people started complimenting me,” Andreyné said. “That made me want to keep singing.”
Andreyné said she had to train herself to be able to hit the anthem’s wide range of pitches.
Today, she sings with the strength, skill and beauty of an experienced performer, but she still hits the common obstacle of a novice.
“I do get stage fright,” Andreyné said. “Usually I’m just a little bit nervous, and I get butterflies. I try to calm myself down and just think of the music.”
Andreyné said she plans to continue to sing the anthem when she starts attending the school next year.
Wiregrass Ranch has one more regular season home game this year, which is against cross-town rival Wesley Chapel Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
