Lakes guard Janae Pullen sensed something was wrong last fall.

Just before the start of her junior season, Pullen experienced a range of symptoms that affected her ability to play basketball.

“I was constantly getting headaches, I was very fatigued and my heart was racing from little to no activity,” Pullen said. “We had assumed my anxiety was getting really bad because that’s something I’ve dealt with my whole life.”

She said tests revealed she had a vitamin D deficiency and high thyroid hormone levels. She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

The 5-foot-6 Pullen, who transferred from Carmel, had been an instant sensation for the Eagles during her sophomore season, averaging 10.0 points and setting a single-season program record with 72 3-pointers. But her goals quickly changed last year. No longer solely focused on scoring points and helping Lakes win games, Pullen had to get healthy enough to play at all.

Further complications made that harder.

“Getting it under control proved to be difficult,” Pullen said. “As the basketball season came around, I was dealing with that underlying condition but also was hit with respiratory syncytial virus and then, shortly later, COVID.

“It was kind of one thing after another. I didn’t feel 100% healthy the whole season. I often felt short of breath. During that time, it was tough because I didn’t speak much on the challenges that I was facing health-wise.”

Pullen’s scoring average dropped four points, and she made 37 3-pointers, barely half as many as her record number. But she said she was grateful to be on the court.

“Although I didn’t show up in the way I expected, my team and coaches were very supportive and understanding to what I was going through,” she said. “My condition is finally controlled. As long as I continue to follow my treatment plan, I should be fine this season.”

When Pullen and senior point guard Inclarity Turney are playing together, they are one of the best backcourt duos in Lake County. Turney said her longtime friend is ready for a memorable senior season.

“Last year was a tough season for Janae,” Turney said. “Janae’s mindset has completely shifted, giving her the ability to take on more of a leadership role on our team and provide an example of a hardworking athlete for our younger girls.”

Lakes first-year coach Grant Murray is confident Pullen will get back on track.

“Janae’s stats don’t lie,” Murray said. “She’s one of the most accomplished shooters in Lakes history. She’s added other elements to her game this year. She’s attacking the basket more and being more aggressive on defense.

“The highlight of her game is being a spot shooter, but she can get in the paint and get some kick-outs. We’re working on running her off screens and also on catch-and-shoot. We’re seeing her game being more versatile.”

Pullen credits her family for helping her get through her difficult junior year and for inspiring her throughout her life.

She said her grandmother Marlene played college basketball in Belize.

“She was more of a point guard than a shooter, but she gives me a lot of insight on just how far simply playing hard and having energy can get you,” Pullen said. “We enjoy watching basketball games together. She really motivates me.

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“She moved to Illinois when I was very young and had to find her way in a completely different country. She raised eight children while maintaining her strong work ethic. I’ve been able to watch her persistence toward meeting her goals.”

Pullen said her parents taught her the importance of sacrifice and working hard and how to handle adversity.

“My mom was 16 and my dad was 17 when they had me,” she said. “They worked really hard to get me where I am now. They were kids themselves and had to juggle a lot to provide for my brother and I and also to make sure we were never without. They always found a way to get us the training we needed and signed us up for AAU or feeder each season.

“I just want all of their work to be worth it. They’ve shown me that with hard work, you can accomplish anything.”

Pullen said she’s unsure about playing in college but is aiming high this season. The Eagles, who will play Argo in their opener on Tuesday, haven’t finished with a winning record since 2016-17. She thinks they can be a factor in the Northern Lake County Conference.

“I’m extremely motivated to have a big senior season,” she said. “I really want our team to win conference.”

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.