Basketball has always been a big part of my life. When I was in third grade my mom basically forced me to play and I'm so thankful that she did. I have been playing ever since, and now I am a senior in high school. I was a point guard until my sophomore year, then I started switching between that and shooting guard. Up until high school, I was always one of the top scorers on my team for school ball. In 6th and 7th grade I won all-star awards. Then, as a freshman, I got pulled up to JV. I was one of the top scorers during that year and my sophomore year. I got a little time at varsity as a sophomore, but not much. My sophomore year going into junior year summer, I had an amazing AAU season. I was averaging 15-19 points a game, had multiple assists, and had an improved quick defense. I led my AAU team in points scored, assists, and steals, and my confidence was starting to build rapidly. Sadly, during the last tournament of that AAU season (end of June 2022), I tore my ACL. I was absolutely devastated and it had a very heavy effect on me mentally and physically. In my opinion, nobody should ever have to go through that. I had surgery the following month and the very next day, I was in physical therapy. I went to physical therapy twice a week for the next year. About 6 months after surgery I got back into weightlifting with my trainer to get stronger, so I could return to sports. In addition, I started working with my basketball trainer about 8 months post-surgery. Throughout this whole process, I still went to mostly all practices and games for school soccer, basketball, and AAU. I was finally fully released to go back to sports mid October, 2023. My first sports game back was my soccer senior night, which was special. I still have to be in the gym regularly to make sure my knees stay strong and nothing happens, but I am so thankful to be back. This year, which was my senior year I didn't get a whole lot of playing time, but I was a big part of the team. Every day in practice I gave it my all and got the starter ready to play in big games. Some days were harder than others because of my knee, but all the hard work, pain, and dedication paid off at the end of the year. We (Lancaster Catholic) won the section, district, league, and State title/championships. Throughout this whole journey, I have become a stronger person. I learned that I can do anything that I put my mind to and nothing is going to stop me. I have also gained confidence, knowing that it took so much just for me to take a step back on the court again and now we (the team) have left behind history. Basketball has taught me time management too. It has helped me stay in line and always accomplish all my work. This sport is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I'm so happy that my mom made me play.

Being raised in the Catholic church and attending catholic school every day, God has been present in my life since I was born. From 1st to 8th grade, I went to St. Leo the Great Catholic School, and from 9th to 12th grade, Lancaster Catholic High School. Every day there is something new that I need His guidance on. Last year (my junior year of high school) I tore my ACL playing AAU basketball. I was devastated. Everything was going right. I was feeling confident and strong. I was playing the best basketball that I have ever played, and then boom. That ended my AAU season, my upcoming school soccer and basketball season, and the following year's AAU season. All I could think about was...why God? Why me? Why did this happen when everything was going so well? What could Your plan possibly be for me? I was constantly praying that everything would heal correctly after the surgery, that physical therapy would go ok, that my mental state would get better, etc. It took a really long time to heal and recover from this injury. I am now back and stronger than ever. My first official game back was my soccer senior night, which was special. Before games, I pray that my knee will be ok, my mental strength is there, and I can keep my composure during the games, whether it be soccer or basketball. Even though this was a horrible experience, think God was trying to show me all the different options of what I could be doing in my life. Because before this I had never considered anything other than sports. It helped me discover that I am a good coach and I see the game differently from the sidelines. It also helped me realize that I do want to play basketball in college. Before the injury, the thought had crossed my mind about whether to play or not, and this helped me decide to play. Because of going through this injury, I was able to help another girl on my basketball team, that had just torn her ACL this year. I was able to give her advice on how the surgery was going to go, give her a person to talk to about the injury, tell her where to go for physical therapy and where not to go, and let her know that everything was going to be alright in the end. I don't think I would be where I am today without my faith. God has guided me in so many ways that I can not even begin to express. Whenever I am scared or upset all I have to do to feel better is pray. It can be really hard at times, but I know that God has perfect timing and that everything will work out in the end. I will be attending college for Veterinary Nursing and I think faith will play a big part in my career path. I obviously will be working with animals, which are people's family members, so this will be stressful. Also, I am going to have to deal with the death of animals, which isn't easy. In my opinion, having someone greater than me who is always free to talk to will be such a blessing. There will be bad days, but there will also be so many good days as well that the Lord will bless me with. Being able to thank Him for another day on earth where I can make a difference in someone's life will be a great feeling.

Coach Matt has always been a special basketball coach to me. From the times in 8th grade when he was so passionate that he was jumping up and down on the bench or having us run around the school parking lot for conditioning, I know he has always had my best interest at heart. In my sophomore going into my junior year AAU season, he was my coach again. This was his first year that he was going to coach AAU. He asked me and my friend if we wanted to play for him, of course we said yes. That was the best year for me. He built my confidence up so much and made me feel like I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. He pushed us hard in practice and it really showed. He also brought a speaker so we could listen to music while we were warming up and doing drills. We always had a great time. Sadly, during the last game of the season, I tore my ACL and was out for a little over a year. I had a really hard time mentally with that. During the regular basketball season that year, he came to the games to watch the team play. After the games, he would talk to me and ask me how things were going with my knee. Then my junior going into senior year I was on that same AAU team with him as my coach, but my doctor still hadn't released me to play. He called me and my parents before the season started and asked me what my goals were, when/if I thought I was going to be back, and how he could help/push me to be better, etc. During the AAU season, he included me in the drills that I could do while not being fully released, but he kept pushing me to get better even though I was on the sidelines. He would give me ball handling drills, rebound for me, and more. Now, I'm finally back on the court and it is my senior school season. I am gaining confidence back and overcoming my fears after the injury. I have learned so much throughout the process and it has helped me grow mentally and physically. He is still in the stands this year and talks to me after every game he comes to. I don't think I would be where I am today if Matt hadn't stuck by me since 8th grade. David seems like an amazing guy and reminds me a lot of Matt. Some traits that I think I share with David include being a loyal friend, having a great sense of humor, and having a big heart.