Having two six-foot one freshmen certainly makes a high school basketball team stand out. Freshmen Kiely Robinson and Alice Max have big futures in the basketball scene. In addition, Robinson is a running candidate for Metro Detroit Athlete of the week, and Max is the #1 freshman in Michigan for pre-season rankings and 80th in the United States for pre-season rankings. These two stars are a part of the Rochester Girls Varsity Basketball team this season, including eight new players and four returners. With so many new faces, many were uncertain of how the Lady Falcons’ season would end up. With their sum of new talent, Rochester’s Girls Varsity Basketball team is unquestionably the group to beat. 

Thus far, the team’s accomplishments are far from average. Currently, Rochester’s girls varsity basketball team is ranked #1 in their league. First year junior, Ella Martin, remarks on the achievement.

“I think that it reflects our hard work this season from everybody,” Martin says. “From the first girl to the 12th girl.” 

Another remarkable highlight of the season occurred at the recent Crosstown Showdown game held at Oakland University’s O’Rena. Rochester came out ready for victory when faced against long-time opponents, Rochester Adams. The girls brought a tough competition and beat the Highlanders 48-25, which is a milestone, considering the program hasn’t seen a score like that against Adams since 2008. 

Finishing her senior season up, co-captain Lulu Taliercio has been prioritizing the relationship between her and her teammates.

“I like that everyone’s having a good time and I feel very welcomed by the team, even though I’m a senior,” said Taliercio. “I feel like in practice, we know when to be serious and when to have a good time.”

Similarly, Martin feels that the team has done well due to the connection that they have.

“I feel like we’ve really bonded a lot and that reflects how we’re playing right now,” Martin says. 

Taliercio on the other hand feels that the team’s intensity at practice is what has led them to success.

“I think we’re playing really well because we practice hard, and then we go and play hard,” said Talercio. 

The amount of work that the girls have put in is unmatched. With about six to ten hours of practice per week, it’s no wonder the team has rebounded to such great heights.