Eight-year-old Addison Taylor got the surprise of her life on March 18 when Hayley Harrison showed up in her kitchen to deliver an autographed basketball.

Jaclyn Taylor, Addison’s mom, said Harrison, a George Rogers Clark High School girls varsity basketball senior guard, is Addison’s idol.

“I’m not sure where [Addison] first met Hayley,” Taylor said. “… But over the three years we’ve watched them play, Hayley has become her favorite.”

After watching the girls lose to Ryle High School at Rupp Arena on March 15, Taylor wanted to console an upset Addison, so she purchased a basketball for her.

In the following days, Taylor had the idea of asking Harrison to sign the ball and got in touch with a friend who knew how to reach Harrison.

Harrison then decided to hand-deliver an autographed basketball, one she said she used all throughout high school, to Addison, which Taylor said came as a surprise.

“Addison was shocked,” Taylor said. “When I got Addison to come to the kitchen, she turned and looked at me and said ‘That’s Hayley,’ and ran and gave her a hug. … It was really sweet.”

Taylor said she is grateful for Harrison taking the time out of her day to be a role model for Addison.

“Hayley is just that,” Taylor said, holding back tears. “She was really sweet and really kind and got down on Addison’s level and knew exactly what to do to make Addison feel special. You just don’t see that very often anymore from our young people.”

Taylor said Addison loves to play basketball and has played in the Upward program for two seasons.

That Monday night and for a few nights following Harrison’s visit, Addison went to bed hugging that signed ball.

In a Facebook post praising Harrison for visiting her daughter, Taylor said it took Addison nearly 30 minutes to calm down after Harrison left.

“To quote Addison tonight: ‘I can’t believe I just met my hero!’”Taylor wrote.