The Lady Railers are ready for Redbird

 

[March 03, 2023] 

The Lady Railers are the talk of Lincoln and after their state appearance at Redbird Arena this weekend, it’s a safe bet to say these girls will soon be the talk of Illinois!

All season long we have witnessed a very special group of athletes wearing “Lincoln” on their jerseys and absolutely dominating the competition. While what these ladies have done on the court is impressive, off the court they’ve managed to bring a community together in a positive way. Everyone is talking about this team and cheering for them, while also rekindling some great Lady Railers history and friendships from the past.

It’s truly a great time to be a Lady Railer basketball fan!

While you’ve followed along faithfully to the coverage provided by Lincoln Daily News, now is a really good time to introduce you to some of the people really connected closely to these Lady Railers and see what they have to say about the team and this magical season.

Let’s start with the guys first

He’s more than just a water boy. He cheers from the bench. He chases down basketballs for the girls. He never stops smiling. He’s had a front row seat to this team all season long. He really is the sixth man on this Lady Railers team. He is junior Ryan Fruge and as the student manager who gets to sit near the coaches, he is having the time of his life. Maybe it took a little convincing to get him to be one of the managers, but after this weekend, he will have a medal hanging from his neck and a smile a mile wide.

How did he get into this position?

“They’ve always been my friends and I remember when the season started, they were just begging me to be a manager,” said Fruge. “They were like, ‘Be a manager, be a manager because we want to be around you more.’ At first I was like, oh maybe, I don’t know, really. But then finally, I just had to give in. And, I mean, I am so glad I did because this has just been the best experience ever. It’s definitely the highlight of my life and I’ll always remember it. It really means a lot to be a part of all this. It’s been great.”

Another guy who has had a front row seat to all the action is Assistant Coach Cory Farmer. Coach Farmer is the ultimate “Girl Dad.” He coaches daughter Mesa and her little sisters, Falyn and Finley, can often be seen on his lap during the game, or immediately afterwards. They all live in the gym.

Coach Farmer, who has been around some of these girls since fourth grade, says having a front row seat to this remarkable Lady Railers team is “the best part.”

“I don’t think going into the season this was something we expected,” said Farmer of the undefeated season. “I mean, we didn’t expect to go 35-0. I thought we’d be good, even though there’s not a senior on the team.”

“It’s tough to put it into words what this season means,” continued Farmer. “You watch the kids and how hard they work at practice and all the little things they do really pay off and see their emotion when they come off the court, that’s a feeling you don’t get every day.”

“I started coaching Kloe’s class when they were in fourth grade at West Lincoln-Broadwell and each year you watch them get better and better,” continued Farmer. “I’ll tell you what really sticks out for me is this is my first year with them (at LCHS), so I wasn’t with them for two years, then I come out here this year and just the juniors and throw Piper (Whiteman) in there too, just their leadership at practice compared to what the younger ones do, and the younger ones are good too, but you watch when the juniors are at one end and they do all the little things. Every drill they go hard, no matter what, even if there’s no defense and no one is watching, they want to get better. And it rubs off on the younger ones and they start to see that. It’s really a testament to the kids because they want to win. They are the most unselfish bunch that I’ve ever been around. They don’t care who scores. It doesn’t matter to them. It’s fun to watch and it’s fun to be a part of it.”

Another guy who is devoted to these Lady Railers and who has the tough job of keeping Kari Froebe in line during the WLCN broadcasts is Jay Hardin. Hardin serves as the play-by-play announcer for Lady Railer basketball and his knowledge of stats and basketball history is off the charts. His love for the game and these athletes really comes through in the broadcasts.

“They are a special basketball team on and off the court,” said Hardin. “One of the most unselfish teams I’ve ever seen and very talented. The way they represent the school and the town should make everyone very proud. Their class and commitment deserves and demands our respect and support. This season has reminded me why I’m passionate about the game.”

From the eyes of a dad

And finally to finish out the guys, how about a word from a proud coach’s dad, Mark Richmond, who says without a doubt these Lady Railers are his favorite high school basketball team.

“The Lady Railers are one of the most fun teams I have seen play in the 20 plus years I have followed girls high school basketball,” said Richmond. “It’s clear that they have done the work to reach this level of success and it’s fun to watch the excitement that they are experiencing achieving their goals.”

“As the coach’s dad, I’m as excited and proud as a dad can be for Taylor,” continued Richmond. “She has had this passion for basketball since she was in grade school and continues to have that passion. She is not only guiding her team to State but she is realizing her own goals and dreams of going to State. I do smile a lot when I listen to the postgame interviews and to the interviews on “Cheap Seats.” Coach sure does sound like a pro. A big thank you to Lincoln and Railer Nation for making my favorite coach one of their own.”

When asked about his daughter’s high school basketball career, Richmond offered, “Her teams were 20 plus win teams but they were not able to get past the Sectional finals. They did not have the depth that this Lady Railer team has and they faced Naperville Central with Candace Parker and company.”

Well, if your season is bound to end before a trip to State, it’s not too shabby bowing out to one of the greatest to ever play the game in 3-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year for Girls Basketball, Candace Parker.

Coach Taylor Rohrer

As for Lincoln Coach Taylor (Richmond) Rohrer herself, she is really doing a marvelous job of juggling it all this season. When the season started, she was excitedly keeping a secret. That didn’t last long. And now as the time has passed, fans have noticed her baby bump has gotten bigger. That’s right. Rohrer and her husband, Neil, are expecting a baby around May 18th. She’s already a dog-mom and her life will be richer and more chaotic come May. No doubt she will handle it all in stride and be a champion mom, too.

When asked about her Lady Railers after the Super-Sectional win over Highland, Rohrer said, “I am just really excited that our team reached this incredible goal. I am so proud of our kids. It’s just a dream come true. We are excited but we are going to stay focused and we are going to get it done at Redbird.”

You heard it from the coach, “Get it done at Redbird.”

Thoughts from the team, starting with Kloe

Now let’s get a few words from those girls who look to get it done at Redbird Arena.

Kloe Froebe has mentioned from time to time in interviews about this being “The Revenge Tour” because of the teams that had beaten these girls in the past. Well, in the 2022-23 season these girls got their revenge.

The victory Monday night that punched the Lady Railers ticket to the 2023 IHSA Class 3A State Tournament was perhaps the sweetest revenge.

“This was one more stop on the Revenge Tour and this was for Coach (Rohrer) because she lost to Highland in the Super-Sectional in 2016 and this is for my sister, Kaelyn, because she was on that team that lost,” said Froebe on Monday night. “This is just amazing.”

Later in the week, when prompted for more thoughts, Froebe said, “It feels unreal! I don’t think it’s quite set in yet what we’ve accomplished and are going to be doing Friday afternoon.”

Now everyone should know by now that Froebe’s mom is none other than West Lincoln-Broadwell coaching legend, Kari Froebe, who was also an outstanding basketball player in her own right. Froebe taught these girls the fundamentals of the game at an early age and she hauled them to The Gym in Springfield practically before they could ride a bicycle. She also coached them in junior high at WLB and guided them to multiple state championships while winning 170 plus games and losing zero. She knows how to build winners.

“My mom is the reason we are here,” said Kloe Froebe. “Without her none of this would be possible. She has spent many hours with not just me but most of my teammates shaping us into the players we are today. She never doubted our potential and believed in us since kindergarten. I’m truly blessed to have her as a mom, coach and supporter.”

While Froebe is undeniably the star of the team, let’s be honest, the team is as good as they are because she has influenced the players around her to be even better. That’s the sign of a great athlete. Her teammates around her have worked incredibly hard and they deserve all the credit, too. They are all unselfish student-athletes who know their roles and perform at the highest level day in and day out, whether it is a game or practice. Froebe is just an excellent team leader who knows what it takes to win and fortunate for her and all of Railer Nation, the rest of the girls possess that same winning mentality. That’s why they are playing on the final weekend of the season. Each and every girl who has taken the court this year in a Lady Railer uniform has elevated the game to new heights and it’s fascinating to watch.

A couple more fun facts about Froebe: She was just named a unanimous selection on the 3A AP All-State team, garnering the most votes with 115. Incredible! She is also 19 points away from 1,000 points THIS SEASON!

Moving on let’s hear a few words from the other stellar Lady Railers who look to bring a basketball state championship to Lincoln.

Tori Geriets is just another one of the Lady Railer starters who has really heightened her game this season. Seriously, she’s levitated to new heights and the sky is the limit for this girl who plays so tough under the basket for Lincoln.

After Monday night’s win, Geriets said, “Tonight was amazing and I am so excited to play at Redbird Arena. It has been a goal for us all season and this is just one more step for us to get to the championship.”

Becca Heitzig is without a doubt the girl you want on your side. She has a competitive spirit like no other and a kind heart that truly wants the best for everyone.

Heitzig is the current state champion and state record holder in the 800m in track, but on the court, she’s all about the team.

“This is so different because this is a whole team working together and it’s all of us,” said Heitzig. “It’s not just one person or a few people. It’s all of us together, our coaches, people in practice, fans, everyone. So it’s just amazing.”

Now record-setter Jenna Bowman, who can’t stop talking sometimes, said after the win Monday night, “I am just excited. I am ready for the weekend. I am ready to play at Redbird.”

Bring it, Bowman! Let’s see those corner 3s sink through the net this weekend.

Piper Whiteman, who even though she is a sophomore, brings a level of leadership that makes these juniors stand up and pay attention. She also has an infectious smile and when the rest of the team on the court refuses to break their game face, it’s Whiteman who is just busting to let loose a smile.

“I had so much fun tonight,” said Whiteman after the 61-39 victory over Highland. “The fans were incredible and I felt the support from our community. I am so excited to go play at ISU and like Kloe said, revenge is the best success. We just didn’t want to feel like we felt last year walking off the court. We’re using that for our Revenge Tour and we just keep getting further and further.”

“Two more games,” Piper squealed at the end.

Taryn Stoltzenburg, unlike the other five, did not grow up a Lady Wolverine. Stoltzenburg attended Lincoln Junior High School and she said, “I’m just excited.” Stoltzenburg is pretty quiet compared to the rest of the girls, but she can sure hit those 3s and layups and play a mean defense. Her smile says it all, too. She’s just having fun.

It’s worth mentioning that Stoltzenburg's teammates are even more pumped up at the opportunity to play at Redbird Arena because, as Froebe noted, “First time at State right here,” pointing to and calling her “T Stoltz” on Monday night. Stoltzenburg is also up for PrimeTime Performer of the Week and leading the way by hundreds of votes.

Left to right are Piper Whiteman, Kloe Froebe, Jenna Bowman, Tori Geriets, Taryn Stoltzenburg and Becca Heitzig surround their true “Sixth Man” Ryan Fruge.

The ladies behind the Lady Railers – the moms

There’s more, folks, because these girls have some of the most incredible moms on the planet. So much can be said for these amazing women who have built such strong daughters and now is a good time to just touch on some of their thoughts.

It all starts with Kari Froebe and how she had a vision years ago to do something special with these girls on the court and in her words, “I wanted to make a great program.” Froebe laid the foundation when these girls were little and she even said, “People bought into the craziness and the madness that I asked of them.”

Froebe is a big believer in hard work and the phrase “Earned not Given.” She also believes in the importance of mental toughness.

Froebe, who insisted on talking about all the girls, not just her own, said, “These girls, you never have to ask them twice for anything. Because they all have that competitive fire inside of them. That’s something that you can’t coach. That’s something that they just have and they’ve always had it. Another thing they’ve always had is they are very goal-oriented.”

Froebe even taught them at an early age to write down realistic goals.

Froebe mentioned how this group of girls never fights, there is no drama and they have accepted their roles from when they were young. And she noted they have all perfected their roles and they each bring something special to the team.

Kim Heitzig is one of those moms who bought into the crazy years ago.

“As a former Lady Railer basketball alumni (88-91), I understand Lincoln basketball culture,” said Heitzig. “It is somewhat crazy to outsiders but the way it draws our community together brings so much joy to my heart. I remember the daily grind of late night practices, but also all the laughs and memories. I never experienced playing at the state level so for Becca to be a member of this team makes her entire family proud! Her team is her rock and these girls have not changed since grade school!! They have grit, determination and will do what it takes to win. I am most excited to see her make memories with her best friends because 30 years down the road she will be wearing “Once a Railer, Always a Railer” and then she will truly understand what it means!”

Amanda Bowman is another mom who bought into the crazy and years later she is gleaming with pride about these girls.

“Honestly, I’m not one to show a lot of excitement,” said Bowman. “But you will see me beaming ear to ear and telling anyone who will listen about how special this team is. When watching the WLB girls win state multiple times in junior high, I just prayed that those successes would continue on when bringing all of the feeder schools together in one place and that’s happening. I feel like I sit at the scorer’s table as a proud mom to all of the girls, not just Jenna. Knowing how great they are off the court makes me even more proud of all of them. Because they are best friends, they are able to carry that onto the court. There is no jealousy. They celebrate each other's successes. And they are there to pick one another up when one is struggling because they genuinely love each other!!! They combine the love of basketball with the love for their friends and you get a season like this year!!”

“I think it is obvious these girls have been playing together for several years, a few since kindergarten,” said Bowman. “They have learned the fundamentals from Coach Froebe. With those fundamentals and the hard work of sometimes playing multiple games in a day during the summer, they were bound to be in the final four of state!!”

“I am super proud of how Jenna is willing to step into any role that Coach Rohrer gives her,” added Bowman. “At 5’4” she guards girls that are a full eight inches taller than her but then can transition to cutting off faster guards. She was willing to be a ball handler when Becca was out but she’s most comfortable in her baseline position. She is willing to do the dirty work to help her team be successful. She comes home with bruises and scrapes from battling the taller girls.”

Another mom who has seen a daughter have her share of battles with the taller girls is Christy Fruge. And she too, followed Froebe’s lead years ago.

“We have had similar highs when these girls were in junior high,” said Fruge. “Starting around second grade we would drive all over Illinois watching these girls play nearly year round. When they got to the junior high level we were really able to see all that traveling and hard work pay off. These girls have a bond that can’t be explained. They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s incredible to say the least. As for Tori individually, she is amazing on and off the court. A straight A student, a true friend, and completely devoted to her family. On the court she would rather give the ball to someone else to make a shot and get the cheers from the crowd, even when she could turn and drive to the basket like I’ve told her to do all season. She is the best daughter I could ever ask for. She has gone from a little girl to a young woman that I consider to be not only my daughter, but my best friend.”

Piper Whiteman’s mom, Angie, is the ultimate sports mom. She is mom to three boys, each fantastic athletes who have achieved success on the basketball court and football field. Now it’s Piper’s time to shine and is she ever a bright star. Just like her mama. You never see Angie Whiteman without a smile.

“This is such an amazing and fun time,” said Whiteman. “Piper has been the best cheerleader/supporter/rebounder for her brothers and now they're cheering her on from the sidelines.”

That is so true, especially for brother, Brody, who really is Piper’s loudest fan.

“I love how cool she is about all of this,” continued Whiteman. “She knows the job she needs to do and how to get it done! While I'm freaking out over here, so nervous...not nervous that she (they) won't play well but that she (they) have fun, leave it all on the court and have zero regrets!! Piper loves being a part of this team....family. I love how fierce and competitive they are, yet respectful, class acts that especially Piper's cousins and their friends and young girls watching can look up to as role models. Beasts on the court and such girlie girls off the court.”

“What she has learned from the years of being a teammate is so much bigger than the game of basketball. Piper will always have your back, loyal until the end and she knows they have hers. I could go on and on, but will end with "I'm beyond proud of my girl and love this team, their special bond and friendship so much!”

Now let’s get to the mom of the PrimeTime Performer of the Week, Jamie Stoltzenburg.

Stoltzenburg’s daughter didn’t join this group until high school and in just three short years she fit right in.

“I am very excited for her,” said Stoltzenburg. “Years ago we knew that she would be playing with this group of girls in high school. Of course, we were hoping for that, that she would make the team and be playing with them. Their chemistry together is fantastic.”

Stoltzenburg wanted to share a story about her daughter, Taryn that made her really proud.

“When Becca was injured earlier this season, Taryn came home from practice one Saturday and I asked if she was hungry. I told her I would fix her some lunch. She said she was starving but she asked me to give her fifteen minutes. She then went downstairs and as I was in the kitchen, I could hear a noise. I went to check on her and I found her staring at the wall and just bouncing back the basketball and not looking at the ball but just focusing straight ahead at the wall and practicing her ball movement with her hands. I don’t know if the coach told her to come home and practice or if she just did that on her own but it was more than fifteen minutes and she did that on her own. I think she knew she had to step up with Becca being injured.”

Stoltzenburg also loves the friendship that these girls have shared. They really are all friends.

“They’re very close,” said Stoltzenburg. “They have a tight bond. They have a very cool friendship together.”

“I am really happy for her, and I am happy for the team,” said Stoltzenburg, eagerly anticipating this weekend. “And I am excited because we haven’t been to State either. And I have to say, too, that the moms of these girls, it’s just a good group. All of them. I feel very blessed to be a part of it.”

Another mom, who was a member of the 1999 Lady Railer basketball team that went to State, is Sarah (McLaughlin) Ramlow and she shared a while back that she has been waiting her whole life for this moment to see her daughter run onto the court in the high school state tournament. Daughter Mia Clark is a freshman on this year’s team and she is quick off the bench to make an impact in the game.

“Mia was three years old when she started playing basketball and that’s when I started to get anxious,” said Ramlow. “I was ready for her to be a Railer. It’s in her genes for sure. I was waiting. She was born and I was ready for her to play basketball.”

“I am the only member of the ’99 team with a girl on the team this year,” added Ramlow. “1999 was my junior year. Mia Knows her role on the team so when she gets a chance to go in, she gives it her all knowing that those minutes count and she did just that Monday night in the Super-Sectional game. I am extremely proud of the way she went out there with no fear. She told me after we got home that was the most she’s ever wanted to play and contribute to this team. This team is so special in that they are all out to support one another no matter how much or how little. It has brought a whole community together and put girls' sports on the front page! Everyone I come in contact with says that Mia has my exact mannerisms. She plays the exact same way I did and obviously you can’t really deny that she’s my child. Another similarity is that I was also second off the bench but the fact that she is a freshman and I was a junior makes me so incredibly proud of her. She has put in so much hard work, always out practicing on her own, wanting to get better. To see your child succeed in a way you’ve dreamed of since she was born is such a surreal feeling as a parent. Making it to State is a very rare accomplishment for many but to have it in our family for the second time, it’s just icing on the cake. Tears will definitely be flowing when she runs out on the floor at Redbird.”

The girls “adopted mom”

When Clark and the rest of the Lady Railers run out onto Doug Collins Court today, there is one woman who will be capturing the moments from behind the lens and she is just like a mom to these girls. She is the one and only Lynn Paulus and her history with these girls runs deep. Paulus had three Lady Railers of her own, and even when they graduated the program, she kept up on the younger girls who she had followed at WLB.

“I have been part of most of these girls’ careers since they were in second and third grade,” said Paulus. “They have become my “adopted” kids. They are the epitome of “work hard, play hard” whether it is on the court or off the court. These girls have never been the biggest on the court but they definitely have the biggest heart and the biggest will to win. To me what makes them so special is they are so much more than teammates, they are friends and they are always cheering each other on to be the best they can be even out of basketball season. It is neat to see them at softball, soccer or track, cheering their basketball teammates on.”

Paulus also had some words about Coach Rohrer, who fascinatingly enough came from the Chicago area (Aurora) to take a job in a little community called Lincoln and she never left. Meeting and marrying a farmer caused her to stay.

“I was there in her beginning days and each year she just kept chipping away at building a state caliber team,” said Paulus of Coach Rohrer, who is in her 11th year at Lincoln. “You can see the love she has for the sport and her players. What a great combination the two have made this year!”

Perfectly said.

With that, Railer Nation, let’s get ready to roll into Redbird Arena.

Your Lady Railers (35-0) take on Deerfield (29-5) today at 11:45 a.m. at Redbird Arena in Normal.

Do you “Believe the Hype” now?!

[Teena Lowery with photo provided by Kloe Froebe]