Gardiner was selected in the team at the recent state championships where she captained the Combined Independent Schools team to a record-breaking win.

CIS had never beaten arch rivals Combined Catholic Colleges and Combined High Schools, but the independent school girls, captained by Gardiner, combined to scoop the series.

Gardiner’s girls beat CCC by 27 points and backed it up with a 19-point win over CHS.

They were rewarded with five of the 10 places available on the NSW team.

Gardiner’s mother, Leanne said Chevalier had always encouraged Kelsey to do the best she possibly could at basketball and it was no different this time around.

Chevalier are working with the Gardiners to re-work Kelsey’s trials timetable so she can still play at the national schools championships.

Some schools forbid their students from playing sport when they are in Year12, but Chevalier’s philosophy is that students need to do what makes them happy.

Chevalier careers advisor Gavin Bull said the school would accommodate Gardiner’s commitment to basketball.

“The big thing here is it’s all about perspective and what is important for each student is doing what makes them happy,” he said.

“Kelsey has put so much time and energy into basketball this year and it’s only fair that she is allowed to play for the NSW All Schools team.”

Gardiner also competed for Illawarra at the NSW Country Championships last weekend.

The team, which also included Chevalier student Nikkila Thorpe, finished second.