|
 Froebe
was chosen as the girls basketball player of the year after a
remarkable season that was the culmination of a remarkable high
school career in the sport. As a recipient she was notified that she
would be able to donate $1,000 to the not for profit or charity of
her choice in her name, and in partnership with Gatorade.
Froebe chose the Lincoln YMCA because it is a place and an
organization that is near and dear to her heart. She happily gives
the YMCA credit as being the beginning of her basketball career and
her love for the game.
On Monday she recalled that as a very young child she began playing
basketball at the YMCA with her mom Kari Froebe as her
teacher/coach. She said she learned to love the game and became
invested in playing the game as much as possible.
The end result, Froebe along with some of her Class of 2024 Lady
Railers played basketball throughout their grade school, junior high
school and high school careers.
In the 2023 season, the Lady Railers fell one game short of winning
a state championship in IHSA Class 3A girls basketball. That was a
hard blow but one that drove the Ladies and in particular those
Class of 2024 gals to come back with a vengeance and only one thing
on their minds, a state championship.
In 2023 the Railer sports programs were in the Apollo
Conference, but at the beginning of the 2024 season, the school
switched to the Central State 8 conference. While some may have
wondered if this would have an impact on the season, the Lady
Railers, who had played a total of more than 40 games against gals
from various conferences in 2023 were not concerned about the
conference. Their only concern was beating every team within the
conference and coming out on top at the end of the season in March
2024.
The ladies took that vow to heart and went through the season
undefeated, and undoubtedly led into the championship by Froebe and
her fellow seniors.
During that season Kloe broke records and upped her personal bests
on several occasions. Here are the stats that LDN Sports Reporter
Teena Lowery reported in her coverage of the championship game.
Here is a quick rundown of Froebe’s 2024
state records:
Most Points, State Tournament Career: 127
Most Points, Title Game: 36
Most Field Goals, Title Game: 11
Most Field Goals Attempted, Title Game: 18
Most Free Throws Made, Title Game: 14
Most Free Throws Attempted, Tournament Career: 73
Most Free Throws Attempted, Title Game: 19
Most Assists, Tournament Career: 21
For her entire career as a Lady Railer, Froebe finishes with an
impressive 3,262 points.
Froebe’s outstanding performance in the 2024 season earned her the
title of Gatorade Player of the Year, and also Ms. Basketball of
Illinois.
Tuesday afternoon, Froebe and her parents Kent and
Kari were met at the YMCA by the organizations board of director
members and staff. The staff had set up a table with banners and an
oversized copy of the check that had been provided through Gatorade.
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Froebe went to the front of the room where she was
joined by her parents and the board and staff members of the YMCA
for a photo shoot of the check presentation.
Kloe Froebe video DSCN2112
Then she officially presented the check to YMCA Board Charman
Gilbert Gandenberger. He thanked her for her generosity.
Froebe then spoke saying that she had chosen the YMCA
because it was where she started playing basketball in the very gym
she was now standing in presenting the check. She said that since
that time she has grown so much. She added that she had chosen the
YMCA because she wanted to give back to where it all began. She also
said that she wanted to inspire younger ones to become part of the
game and learn and enjoy it as much as she had.
Springfield/Lincoln YMCA Executive Director Angie
Sowle said that she wanted to express appreciation to Kent and Kari
Froebe and all parents who encourage their children to get involved
in physical activities. She said she understood the sacrifices that
parents make to help see to it that their kids are involved and she
wanted to express specific appreciation to the Froebe’s for their
commitment to their daughter and the sport.
Also speaking was Joey Greenwood of the Lincoln YMCA who expressed
his appreciation to Froebe and said that she was a role model for
other young people growing up and it was appreciated.
Kent Froebe video DSCN2118
Kent Froebe was the last person to speak. He said that he and Kari
had four children and all four were active in basketball and all
four had began playing at the YMCA. He said that he had not expected
the nice set up for the presentation by he appreciated it greatly.
He added that when the family learned that Kloe could make a
donation to an area not for profit or charity Kloe and her parents
had sat down to discuss what they would do with the money. He said
based on their relationship with the YMCA, it just made good sense
to give the money to this organization.
Froebe will be graduating on Saturday May 11th. On June 6th she will
head to Colorado State where she will play basketball while earning
her degree. Her intention is to study law and become an attorney in
the future.
The money donated will go directly to the YMCA Strong Kids Fund
which supports children and families by providing financial
assistance, program subsidies, and community outreach. All donations
stay right here in our community to improve the lives of our
children and families. It allows individuals to participate in many
programs such as soccer, basketball, after school, and so much more.
[Nila Smith] |
