The Polar Bears practiced this week in their home gym ahead of their slot in Friday’s state semifinals.
“We just gotta get out there and play our game,” said Lauren Pallotta, a junior on the team. “We made it to this point for a reason. It’s not just luck.”
Pallotta and her teammates prepared to make history by playing at the state level for the first time.
“It’s an amazing experience,” she said.
With a brace on her right leg, she’s back in the game following months of recovery after tearing her posterior cruciate ligament while playing last season.
“I was going up for a layup, got hit from the back and fell on it weird,” she said. “Didn’t know what was actually wrong for a while. Never actually heard of a PCL prior to the injury.”
Thankfully, no surgery was needed, just physical therapy and rest.
Head coach Anthony Butch is glad to have her back on the court this season.
“When she’s on the court and she’s fired up; everyone kind of gets fired up with her,” he said.
He said she’s come back from her injury even stronger.
“The second half of the year is when you really had the ‘wow’ moments of, ‘Yeah, holy cow, Lauren’s back and she’s better than what she was before the injury,’” he said.
Pallotta said she’s excited to play the game alongside people she considers family.
“We can create a name for the future and keep all these younger kids interested in the sport,” she said. “And, you know, keep this Jackson thing rolling.”
That means earning a title for the school and living up to her family’s name in the process.
She’s the youngest of four siblings. Her older sister and brothers all played sports at Jackson and qualified for state competitions. Her brother Jake helped bring back a state championship in baseball, while Jaret played on the school’s championship-winning boys basketball team.
“I’m thankful for what they’ve brought to our Pallotta name, but I just know I can make my own name for myself,” she said.
She’s confident in her skills.
“I think I’ve had a ball in my hand since I was first born,” she said. “I’ve prepared for this my whole life.”
And she’s thankful for a shot to earn her own place in history.
“I would consider myself to be the best athlete in the family,” she said. “So, Jake, Jaret, Alex, if you’re hearing this, just know that I’m better than you.”
Jackson High School plays Mason High School at 6 p.m. Friday at University of Dayton Arena. The winner will go on to play in the state Division I championship game.
