From Ballymena via Beijing and Rio de Janeiro to Carlisle, teenager Katie Morrow’s career has already taken her on quite an adventure.

A little more than a year ago, Katie – a new signing for Carlisle Panthers – was representing GB’s women’s wheelchair basketball team at the Paralympics.

As the youngest player in the GB basketball squad, then aged only 16, she helped the team to put in a good performance in Brazil, falling agonisingly short of winning a medal.

GB came through their group which included hosts Brazil, Canada, Germany and Argentina in second place to qualify for the quarter-finals.

There, they met China and claimed a 57-38 victory to move the British side within a win of a Paralympics medal.

But after losing 89-78 against USA in the semi-final, the GB women’s team then were defeated 76-34 by the Netherlands in the bronze medal play-off game.

Nonetheless, the team had made history and Katie is, understandably, proud to have been involved.

“It was incredible,” she admits. “I think, from the women’s perspective, we made history by making the semi-final. It was the youngest team we have ever had, as well.

“I think we also made quite a few improvements while we were out in Rio and we have a few years until the next Paralympics in Tokyo. Hopefully, the improvements will just keep on coming until then.”

But last year’s Paralympic exploits are now in the past for Katie, who has joined Cumbria Wheelchair Sports Club’s basketball team – known as CWSC Panthers or Carlisle Panthers – for the new season which got under way at the weekend.

Katie is methodical about the reasons behind why she has joined the Cumbrian club which was co-founded by Ray McBride.

She says: “I was kind of looking for a team that I would be able to get competitive with as well as a bit more aggressive.

“Overall, I think my performances – both defensively and offensively – will improve from playing here.”

Carlisle Panthers’ first-team fell narrowly short of promotion to the National League Premier Division last season, losing out to Middlesbrough-based RGK Tees Valley by a single point at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.

When asked if promotion would be the aim this campaign, Katie, who is classified as a 4.5 player, replies: “Yeah, we will definitely be looking to build [on last year].

“I definitely think that I have made the right move joining this club because of the thoughts of making improvements to my game that I had.”

The Northern Irish woman may have missed out on a Paralympic medal last year, however, she did help a British Under-25 team to World Championship glory in 2015.

That achievement earned Katie accolades in Northern Ireland as she was crowned the 2016 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

Meanwhile this year, the men’s Under-23s team, including Carlisle’s Nat Pattinson, followed suit. They took home a gold medal from their championships in Toronto, Canada.

Katie is pleased to be playing with players who have also been involved in international competitions, like she has.

“Yes, that is a definite bonus for me,” she says as she speaks at the Richard Rose Academy in Morton, Carlisle.

“And I think everyone seems quite keen to support everyone at the club, so I think that is really important.”

While Carlisle Panthers’ first-team fell narrowly short of promotion last term, the second-team won National League Third Division North. And Katie admits she thinks there is a good structure throughout the club.

“I think they all look really good,” she says when asked for her early impressions on her new team-mates.

“All the Panthers teams have looked very impressive and I am just thankful to be given the opportunity to be a part of the team.”

On her personal goals for the season, the 18-year-old grins before she adds: “Oh, I think I will just try to get better this year, really.”

Basketball may be the sport that Katie is known for, but the County Antrim girl is also believed to be a more than useful swimmer.

Alongside Danielle Hill, Katie Baird and Katie Doey in a freestyle relay event, the quartet broke the Irish record in their age-group back in 2012.

But while Hill has gone from strength-to-strength in the pool, breaking another Irish record in the 50m freestyle earlier this year, Katie has switched her attention on to the court.

Katie explains: “I first started playing basketball in 2014. It was through my background in swimming that I first got into basketball.

“I was invited into my ex-team, Knights WBC, in Belfast and I had been there since I started. I think that is a good thing.”

Away from the court, Katie is into her final year of her studies.

“I’m also still doing my A-levels in my final year – where I’m doing history, ICT and health and social care,” she says.

“I’m busy with that but basketball has now become a part of me that is always going to stick.”

On Sunday, Carlisle Panthers travelled to Lancashire for their first game of the season and claimed a victory as they beat Lancaster Bulldogs 69-48.

Also in Panthers’ National League First Division North table this season are Sheffield Steelers, Manchester Mavericks, Katie’s former team Knights in Northern Ireland, Sheffield’s Coyotes and St Mirren Warriors.

But having already played basketball in a number of countries, Katie is not concerned about the distances the team will have to travel and says it is “normal” for her now.

She concedes: “It is just part of basketball in general for me because I’m now in a different country.

“It is just normal for me.”