by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
“I play basketball and volleyball at Lapwai High School,” said Grace Sobotta. “My accomplishments this past season are being the 2020 Idaho girls’ basketball state champions, P1FCU player of the week, and White Pine League player of the year.”
Grace Sobotta, 15, is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Her parents are Bob and Angel Sobotta and the family lives in Lapwai, ID.
“My tribal core values define who I am as a student-athlete because I’m in a small community with a lot of people wanting the best for you including doing good in life overall not just in sports,” said Grace.
My coaches Ada McCormick Marks and Josh Leighton influenced me by pushing me to work harder in practices and games,” said Grace.
“Although being only a sophomore this season, Grace was a great leader on the court for her teammates throughout the season,” said Ada McCormick Marks, head varsity girls’ basketball coach for the Lapwai HS Wildcats. “She encouraged teammates when they were getting discouraged and even when she was struggling with scoring at times. She led by example and did the other things that her team needed including rebounding, steals and assists. When any of the coaches saw something that she needed to do or fix the next time down the court, she took it all in and did everything with a great attitude.”
“Another thing about Grace and her leadership was her will to want to win and did everything she needed for the team and always played hard every second she was out on the court. Then the times that she was on the bench getting a break she was cheering on her teammates and still encouraging them being a great teammate and leader,” added Ada.
“My teammates Glory Sobotta, KC Lussoro, and Sayq’is Greene influenced me by always being there for me on and off the court,” said Grace. “They always challenged me to work hard in practice and games.”
“Grace is my younger sister we’re 18 months apart,” said Glory Sobotta. “She’s shown so much improvement over the years she’s grown as a player and person. I’d say she’s someone I can count on, on the court. When I’m struggling I let her handle the ball. We’ve talked about so many games and watched film over and over. She and I spoke the state championship into existence. I can say all the 6 am’s and gym time paid off for her. She is continuing to improve during this time, and we go do ball workout s at our uncles. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for her because I know she’ll do great.”
Teammate KC Lussoro said: “I have known Grace for awhile now. Out here on the ‘rez’ you basically know everyone. I wasn’t close with her until she came into high school. I got to play with Grace for two years, and within those two years she was always a key player for our team. She can play any position out on the court. She always knows what to do and when to do it. Grace is a very smart player, she is calm and she makes everything look smooth and easy. Her team leadership is strong. She was a big part of leading the team to state this year and last year. She is always there to hype you up or pick you up if you need it.”
“One of the things I’ve noticed about Grace is that she never gives up. It doesn’t matter how much time is in the game, it doesn’t matter if we are winning or losing she will play until that last buzzer. She has a strong passion for the game, and you can see it when she plays. As a young player having all these big roles and these strong traits makes other players look up to her. I would look to her in game situations because she is someone you can always rely on. She is only a sophomore and got player of the year. I know Grace and her sister Glory always have a ball in their hand. They are constantly working on themselves. I am glad I got the experience to play with Grace, and she is a great teammate to have. She is always looking to learn and improving herself. I can’t wait to see all her accomplishments in her future,” added KC.
“Grace and I are sophomores and played our whole lives together,” said Sayq’is Greene. “We grew up together in my mom’s day care and also her being my dad’s best friend’s daughter and also my cousin we have always just been like best friends or sisters. Her leadership on the court is something I’m proud of and thankful for because she’s always been a leader in Boys and Girls Club, AAU, middle school basketball, and now high school basketball. In practices she’s usually my partner and she always pushes me to be better.”
“In the games Grace always makes sure we have good attitudes and or just making sure where we need to be at the right time. Off the court Grace is also a great leader. During our freshman year she was the President for our class and showed great leadership. She also is very great in school, and she is always on time or getting her assignments turned in on time. She has a lot of little cousins that look up to her as a role model including myself even though she is a month and ten days older. I still consider her my role model in sports, school, and her amazing personality,” added Sayq’is Greene.
The holistic concept of wellness is based on physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. To be able to balance the four components on and off the court may provide a strong path to optimum performance.
“I try to stay active as much as I can whether it’s running or playing basketball,” said Grace. “I need to improve on keeping my head in the game and not worrying on mistakes I made because that leads to more mistakes. I always try to have a positive attitude in games and I connect my spirituality through that because we were taught to have good sportsmanship. In stressful game situations I try to keep my head high and not over-think anything.”
“I am staying well in our pandemic right now by staying home and trying to stay active while at home,” said Grace. “I do go out to the track or shoot some hoops to stay active.”
The future looks bright for Lapwai HS Wildcats girls’ basketball when the team and school returns back to normal.
Photo Credit: Pox Young
I’ve coached Grace since her and Sayq’is first started playing basketball and softball, and it has been awesome to see who and where she is at today. She has put in a lot of time and hard work, and the thing about it, is she is still improving. It has been an honor and privilege to coach her, Sayq’is and the girls….
Grace has been a joy to watch growing up, she is one of 37+ nieces and nephews on her maternal side. We have a large family, with 9 siblings. (4 boys, 5 girls) They naturally have a very large cheering section when we can all be there to cheer on our Sobotta nieces and nephew Titus Yearout! I am excited to watch Grace continue to grow as a player, student and future leader in our community and Nez Perce Tribe. ~Auntie Dawn ❤️