Round Lake’s Emma Franks disregarded the signs that pointed her toward basketball.
Even though both of her parents played the sport in high school and she was taller than most of her classmates, Emma Franks avoided it until sixth grade.
“I just wasn’t really interested in sports as a kid,” she said. “I kind of pushed it away. Both of my parents wanted me to play. It just wasn’t my thing. I didn’t think it would suit me or was for me.”
But Emma Franks is making basketball her thing. Less than four years after getting into the sport, the 5-foot-8 freshman forward/center is filling the stat sheet. She’s averaging 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals as the youngest starter for the Panthers (8-17, 2-6), who have six Northern Lake County Conference games left before the postseason begins.
“Emma is a very skilled player,” Round Lake senior forward Heydee Saucedo said. “She has been able to showcase her hard work by being aggressive in the post and on defense. She has shown a lot of resiliency by taking on the role of a starter on the varsity.”
Indeed, Emma Franks has increased her production as she has gotten adjusted to the speed and physicality of varsity basketball. She contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds, six steals, three assists and two blocks against Wheeling on Dec. 4, put up 18 points with eight rebounds and three steals against Grayslake North on Dec. 20, recorded another double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds along with five steals and four assists against Rockford East on Dec. 28, and had 15 points, four rebounds and two steals against Lake Forest Academy on Jan. 18.
“I’ve seen some low-post moves I used to do,” said Emma Franks’ father Fred, who played basketball at Rich South.
Not that Emma Franks will always be a frontcourt player.
“She is one of our best passers,” Hennig said. “She will be more of a guard at the next level.”
Emma Franks’ mother Stefany, who played basketball at Stevenson, has watched those skills develop quickly.
“Her basketball IQ has grown immensely in the last year — her ability to read the court, moving without the ball, cutting, seeing where there needs to be spacing, finding her teammate with a good pass to make the play, or sneaking up on defense to get a steal,” Stefany Franks said.
Hennig got an early glimpse of Emma Franks’ athleticism during flag football season in the fall. Hennig coaches that team, as well, and said Emma Franks became a go-to wide receiver, scoring 19 touchdowns to earn all-conference honors.
“Flag football helped build her confidence going into the basketball season,” Hennig said. “It also allowed me to get to know her better. She’s really funny but kind of quiet.
“She’s someone to build the program around. She has all the attributes to be a leader. Her basketball skills are pretty good that some of her older teammates look up to her as a leader in practice. I’m looking forward to seeing her grow.”
To further that development, Stefany Franks said she encourages Emma to maintain a positive mindset on the court.
“I tell her not to get down on yourself when you miss a shot or turn the ball over,” Stefany Franks said. “You can always find a way to contribute to the team, even if you’re having an off game. Just don’t give up. Go after missed shots and keep shooting even if the shots aren’t falling. Just try your hardest and lay it all down on the court.”
Emma Franks said she’s learning.
“I used to refuse to shoot an outside shot,” she said. “I definitely have gotten more confident in my outside shot. I have a lot left to improve on for my future, but I’m excited.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
