The gym was packed and the pressure was high, as Senior Heidi Rathmann took the varsity court for one of the first times in her high school career. Fueled by the atmosphere and her love for the game, she set the precedent for a historic career at Antioch Community High School. Rathmann made an immediate impact, highlighted by a 40-point performance in her freshman season, signaling the dominance and consistency that would define her years to come. Her dedication and passion for the game ultimately led her to break the school’s all-time scoring record, previously held by Ashley Reiser, class of 2017.

Rathmann will continue her academic and athletic career at Stetson University shortly after graduation. 

Senior Addie Webb and Rathmann have been varsity teammates since their freshman year and have grown together throughout their experience within the program. Webb believes Rathman consistently pushes everyone to improve every day in practice, both through her work ethic and competitive drive. She notes that competing against her in practice has made her a stronger player.

“When we do drills, I guard Heidi because she’s our best player which makes me a better defender,” Webb said. 

She also proves herself a dependable player, using her knowledge and experience to lead the girls to victory. Her adaptability on the court allows her to fill in any gaps on the court and make smart decisions under pressure. 

“You can always count on her to run the play, to be creative and make her own shot up,” Webb said. 

Beyond her performance on the court, Rathmann plays a key role in setting the team’s energy before games. Webb praises her for being able to hype up the team and calm down everyone’s nerves so they can play their best, bringing passion and fire into every game. 

“She’s a really energetic and bubbly person and encourages everyone to remember to have fun,” Webb said.

That leadership and consistency have been evident to head basketball coach Jamie D’Andrea, who has guided Rathmann through her development within the program. D’Andrea credits much of Rathmann’s success to the time she dedicates towards the sport, and her willingness to continually learn the game. 

“I think her game has very much improved over the years, because she’s become more of a student of the game,” D’Andrea said. “She’s fine tuned it really well over the years, and so she’s having one of her best seasons yet.” 

D’Andrea added that Rathmann’s growth extends beyond practice, pointing to the extra time she spends watching film and studying opponents as key factors in her consistent performance. 

Additionally, Rathmann credits her success to the amount of time put into basketball and her ability to set achievable goals each game, which help her improve every time she steps on the court. 

 “I try to always have a specific goal for each game based on what I’m trying to get better at, or what didn’t go well for me in a previous game,” Rathmann said.

All of her hard work and dedication came together in one defining moment for Rathmann and the ACHS program, when she broke the all-time scoring record of 1627 during a thanksgiving break tournament , solidifying the legacy she has built over four outstanding years.  

“I put a lot of time and effort into basketball and into the Antioch program,” Rathmann said. “So it’s kind of nice to have something to show for it.” 

Webb spoke on behalf of the team when reflecting on Rathman’s historic milestone. Breaking the school record was not just an individual accomplishment but a moment of celebration for the entire program.

“She’s come a long way, especially throughout high school,” Webb said. “I think that we were all just happy for her because she’s not only our teammate, but she is our friend.”

As her high school career comes to a close, Rathmann hopes her legacy extends beyond records and statistics. She emphasizes the numerous opportunities basketball provided that have made her a more rounded person and player. She highlights her internship with the Chicago Sky, where she gained valuable experience in operations, business, social media and marketing. 

“Angle Reese complimented my shoes and I felt like the coolest cat,” Rathmann said. 

Additionally, she mentions a cultural exchange trip to China, where she was a student  representative at Handan University. 

“I was able to talk about how fortunate I am that basketball brought me to experience such amazing things,” Rathmann said.  

Rathmann was shocked with how relaxed and slow-paced the Chinese culture was and she now implements these values into her everyday life. 

“I now try to enjoy the little things and be intentional with my time,” Rathmann said. 

 Rathmann hopes girls looking up to her will be inspired to work hard so they can experience all of the joys this sport has to offer. 

Her journey at ACHS has shown that basketball can open doors beyond the court, from internships with professional teams to international experiences, Rathmann hopes that young athletes see the possibilities that come with hard work and passion.

 “She’s inspiring a group of young ladies who are going to commit themselves to the game,” D’Andrea said.

That influence now extends beyond the small town of Antioch, as she takes the next steps in her career at Stetson University. Rathmann plans to carry forward everything she’s learned at Antioch and continue to grow her career, gaining new experiences and developing as a player and person.