When the Lyle-Pacelli girls basketball team needs that extra push of motivation, they know exactly where to find it.

All season long LP junior Sarah Holtz has brought a bulk of energy to every game and she’s provided the life blood to a squad that plays with intensity every night.

“The thing I’m most proud of her is she’s always such a high energy kid,” LP head coach Justin Morris said of Holtz. “You never question her attitude or how hard she’s working and that holds everyone accountable.”

Holtz, who qualified for the Class A state long jump last season, brings a lot of athleticism to the table and she’s also worked on developing a solid jump shot to compliment her ability to get to the basket. Holtz said she’s able to find energy in every single game, because she doesn’t want anyone to see her at less than her best.

“Coach always makes a point that you want to represent who your are as a player every night and that’s kind of the mentality I go with,” Holtz said. “I don’t want somebody to come to one game and not have me play well and that’s what they think of me. I want to play well every night.”

Holtz has averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds a game during LP’s playoff run. Morris said she’s been crucial to the team all season long.

“She’s a flat out superstar,” Morris said. “She can do it all. She can rebound, she can run the floor, she can attack the rim and she can stretch the floor and shoot it.”

Holtz credited her teammates with helping her keep her energy up during the season and she’s ecstatic to be playing in the Class A state girls basketball tournament for the first time.

“It’s still a little bit surreal, but we’re starting to realize that we’re going to the state tournament and we’re going with hopes to win,” Holtz said. “We’ve moved on to the next step.”