Sarah LaRocque '18 Recruiting Profile

I remember in grade school I was the tallest girl in class. I was shy, awkward, hated my short haircut and wished I was invisible.  My grandmother would tell me stories about her sisters who were noted high school athletes in their small Texas town. She would try to cheer me up by telling that I was just like them, tall and athletic. Two of them played basketball. They were all over 6' tall and were very good in their sport! I always felt self-conscious because of my height until I started playing basketball. I loved playing basketball and I didn't feel shy or self-conscious when I was in a game.

In 5th grade I was on my first team. Most of us had no idea what we were doing, but I loved being in the game. My coach dubbed me the "rebound queen" because I got every single rebound and put the shot up fast. It was so much fun; all I wanted was to keep playing. I took same time off in 6th grade. My dad had been diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He had been in remission 2010 but it wasn't gone and he was in and out of Karmanos during most of 2011. When he finally came home in September, 2011 we all prayed that he was on his way to recovery. He had gone through so much. I didn't play basketball much while he was sick, I didn't want him to feel bad because he couldn't watch me play so I decided to wait until he was better.He lost his fight March 16, 2012, 10 days after my birthday.

In 7th grade I wasn't the best player but I was the tallest girl who tried out which caught the coaches' attention. I was sure I wouldn'tmake the team, I was so raw and slow, but yet as bad as my tryouts went that week I made the team!I wasn't about to let the coaches down! I wasn't the fastest or most skillful player but I learned fast and worked hard. I wanted to prove to my team and coach that I belonged there. At the end of the season Coach McNeil sent home flyers for a basketball camp at the high school over the summer. That summer my mom signed me up for EVERY basketball camp, clinic, workshop she could find! I was exhausted!! It was the hottest summer EVER and I was playing and training on courts with no air conditioning, but I looked forward to going every day to my next clinic.

Then my mom found Greg Grant Basketball and Training Center and we went to check it out. GGBT was a brand-new facility, opened :-/barely a year. I instantly felt at home there and signed up for weekly camps, clinics plus played on the monthly leagues during the entire summer of 2013 up until 8th grade tryouts in January. During that time I became stronger, more confident and a very disciplined player.  I was ready to show the coaches what I learned. I made itin the top 5 pick for the team and finished my season in the top 3. I was so proud and charged up that I continued playing off season at Greg Grant. After all I had to prepare for Freshman tryouts!

Almost everyone from my 8th grade team tried out for the Freshman team. It was an emotionally exhausting week and by the end of that week we learned our fate. I had worked and trained all summer for this moment and as I watched former teammates wiping their tears in disappointment my heart sank. Those girls were some of the best players in 8th grade. When they called my name I went into the office, they started out giving me advice on how I can improve, pointed out some strong points and congratulated me. I made it on the Warren Mott High School Lady Marauder's Freshman Girls Basketball Team! 

My hard work paid off!!!  I continued to push myself and work harder at every practice and game. I wasn't going to disappoint my team or my coaches. At our basketball banquet at the end of the season my coach, Coach Abby, shared her thoughts on how each of us performed during the season. She said she couldn't wait to see what I'm going to bring to next years' J.V.  team.  I was so proud when I told her I made the J.V. team this year and can't wait until next season's Varsity tryout.

When I was 11, I was tall, awkward, shy and wished I was invisible. I only felt happy shooting around with my friends or in school. I never thought I'd  be good enough to play on any school basketball team.  A lot of people taught me to believe in myself. My mom told me from day one, if I wanted to give it up or take time off it was my decision. She never pushed me into anything but she believes in me and my sister, Emily, believes in me. Greg Grant, who has been my mentor since joining his training center in 2013, taught all of us that we control our destiny in our sport; you have to want it and work harder than you ever did before. Most importantly, you can't quit when it gets tough. Watching my Dad fight his cancer taught that giving up is never an optionn

 (I would like to dedicate this to the memory of my Dad, David LaRocque. He was 46 when he passed away from lymphoma.)

Basketball become my outlet for the pain and anger I felt at that time. In doing so I was able to push myself harder to play to the best of my ability. Even without him by my side my Dad is always with me and I will make him proud)

Hard work allows me to be better, faster and stronger than I've ever been.  I am enrolled in a cross training gym class in school which has been the hardest, most physically demanding class I've ever had and I love it.  I have tough coaches both in basketball and track who inspire and challenge me. Tough players don't intimidate me.  All these factors are necessary in order become a great player.