Teen mom and student-athlete Cayla Harang's journey to playing college basketball

Overcoming obstacles is in Cayla Harang’s DNA.

The Mountain House girls' basketball player never wavered when life challenged her.

When she was put in special education classes because of her learning disability in the third grade, it pushed her to find her own way of learning. Five years ago, Harang and her family were living in a shack in Los Angeles and she was surrounded by the wrong crowd. She got out of that environment once they relocated to the Mountain House area.

At 14 years old, she got pregnant and once again Harang had to be resilient.

“I felt a lot of pressure,” the now 17-year-old said when asked how it was when she found out she was pregnant. “I was very scared and wasn’t prepared for the situation I was getting myself into. But I knew once I saw Royalty and I held her that she was everything that I have to live for now.”

Despite having her daughter who is now 3-years-old during her freshman year of high school, Harang persevered to continue playing high school basketball. She’s not stopping there. On Wednesday, she signed her national letter of intent to play Division III basketball at the University of La Verne in Los Angeles.

Hoop dreams never die

Harang’s journey into motherhood was filled with adjustments as her dreams of playing college basketball were still alive and well. Before having Royalty, the 5 foot 11 inch forward was a true baller earning her a spot on Jason Kidd’s Select NorCal girls' basketball team.

Once she got pregnant she had to step away from the team. With the support of her parents and Kenyatta Madison, the director of Team Kidd NorCal, Harang found her way back to the court.

“Once Cayla got pregnant it was like OK, I’m having the baby but she’s going to keep going and keep playing basketball,” said Cassie Harang, Cayla’s mother. “Kenyatta Madison kept reaching out to her and when we showed up with the baby he was like woah but he kept her and kept her dreams alive.”

Harang or her mother would bring Royalty to all of her AAU games and practices across the country. The transition to high school basketball wasn’t as seamless for her now that she had to balance school, sports, and taking care of her daughter.

During her junior year as a Mustang, she struggled with time management. Finding time to practice, do homework, and be a mother cut her 2020-21 season in half. Along with the unbalance came the overwhelming mental toll.

After having Royalty, Harang experienced postpartum depression which affects up to one in seven women in the United States. Her plate was full and she had become a black sheep in her school labeled “the girl who had a baby.” Naturally, Harang is upbeat and optimistic. Some days were harder than others, though.

“I just wanted to sleep and no lie just like literally die I was like ‘Man I’m so tired. This is so draining. What am I doing?” Harang said. “But then I picked up that ball again and it’s just something about it. I just keep going back to it.”

It takes a village

By her senior year, Harang was able to thrive as a mother and a student-athlete thanks to her support system. Her family, AAU connections, and the Mountain House athletic staff all played a role in making up Harang’s village.

“We had a conversation mid-season when she was a junior and I told her I’d support her any way I could,” said Lupe Galindo, Mountain House’s girls' basketball head coach. “ If it was prioritizing her family or whatever she wanted to do. That next year she fixed everything and managed it.”

She ended the 2022-23 season leading her team in rebounds grabbing close to 10 boards per game. Harang and the Mustangs made it to postseason and finished with an overall record of 18-12.

While she was shining on the court, Harang and Cayla’s father, Ronald Harang Jr. were on grandparent duty. They would watch Royalty whenever it was needed and brought her to all of Alvarez’s games. Cassie Harang made a promise to her daughter to provide that kind of support while she chased her dreams. It was something Cassie Harang didn’t have growing up as a teen mother herself.

“I had two babies before I was 18 and it was really, really hard,” she said. “I wanted better for Cayla so we told her if she finishes school we’ll help with Royalty. But I think even if she didn’t have us she would make a way because she’s a miracle.”

Staying positive and staying hungry

Harang’s unwavering pursuit to play basketball derives from her positive nature. While most people would think having a baby would end their chance of playing college basketball, she is setting her sights even higher on the WNBA and overseas professional basketball.

When tasked with getting back in shape after having Royalty she charged forward. Three months after giving birth she was back on the court playing in a championship game with her AAU team. One of her biggest driving forces is the encouragement from her dad.

“Cayla’s always been a fighter and she’s the type of kid that if she’s in an environment where people are pushing her then she’ll thrive,” Ronald Harang said. “ It’s my job as her dad to push her and get her to focus.”

With his push, her village, and having her daughter as motivation, Harang will return to Southern California this fall to become a Leopard and the first of her family to go to college.

“I’ve always been the type of person to keep going like I’m hungry,” Harang said. “ I’m like starving and I’m ready to clear everybody’s plate because I know right now is my time to shine. But for other girls who are ever going to be in my shoes, you got to stay positive.”

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Mountain House's Cayla Harang's unusual journey to college hoops