Seniors Savannah Lorenzini and Abigail Mahnke’s basketball paths have been everything but linear. After playing freshmen year, Lorenzini decided to stop playing for the high school team until ultimately rejoining the team her senior year. She is one of the team captains who leads the team with 8.7 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game.

Meanwhile, Mahnke is also a frequent starter who began her basketball journey in her senior year. She is third on the team rebounds, blocks, and second in steals. Both are closely connected on and off the court, with Lorenzini saying that, “I am the reason Abby played this year”. Their energy together is undeniable. Whether it be during the game, in warmups, or after the battle, the teammates are all smiles and laughter.

They have a delicate balance of competitiveness while also making sure to enjoy each moment and allowing their teammates to have fun. Lorenzini’s main goal when it comes to leading her teammates is to “push them to be confident and have fun on the court.” Being a senior captain means she is a player whom other younger girls look up to and follow.
Lorenzini, who is committed to softball, decided to play basketball because “I miss playing basketball, and it’s a good thing to keep me active.” As one of the leaders of the team, she pushes her teammates to “do their best and not be afraid of making mistakes, because everyone makes mistakes.

”Me and Abby are like two peas in a pod” – Savannah Lorenzini

Mahnke, who played for the girls’ varsity volleyball in the fall, is fresh off winning an open division championship with the team. She acknowledges the difference in competition, as for her, basketball “is a very physical sport which I’m not used to and it is fast paced.”

Her exuberant energy and competitive nature are not just on the volleyball court but also on the basketball court. She also values the team bonding that the teams have before the games, that have allowed her to become close with her teammates in such a short span of time. Mahnke said, “Before games is a really important bonding part of our team when we all talk and laugh in the locker room”. She has been able to connect while also competing with her teammates, growingwith them and trusting in them to be the best version possible.

It may not be either of their main sport, yet both Lorenzini and Mahnke joined the team to have fun and be with their best friend. Yet, they also joined a community and helped make a positive impact through their athletic abilities and leadership