The Palatine Pirates girls basketball season has started incredibly strong this year, with their current record being 7-1 record. This year the team has eight seniors, Anja Jacobsen, Kacie Filian, Tiana Henderson, Jenny Mylinski, Kendra Lindell, Grace Seiffert, Sarah Jasonawicz and Sydney Rzepca.

Rzepca has been playing basketball since she was in third grade and has been a starter on the varsity team all four years of her high school career. She plays position #5 (center or forward). Rzepca loves this position because it gives her a lot of freedom.

“I can post up, cut through the lane, set ball screens, etc.” said Rzepca.

Her favorite part about basketball is “being out there on the court, the lights shining so bright, the gym so loud it’s hard to hear the point guard yelling out plays, knowing that you’re giving your all for everyone out there on the court with you, everyone on the bench who has your back through it all, everyone in the gym who represents the name on the front of the jersey.” She loves how all of the coaches, players, and fans support all that the team does. She truly loves it all.

The team’s future is bright. They have gained experience over the years of playing with each other and every year they only get better and better. Rzepca is excited to see where the team goes from here as they continue to chase a conference title.

Sadly, this is Rzepca’s final season, but she is happy to say that this has been the best part of her four years at Palatine High school.

Come see the lady pirates at their next home game. Go Pirates!