A scholar-athlete, junior Holly Whittaker excels in her work, and does so with pride. As a three-year varsity player on the girls’ basketball team, she has been nothing less than stellar throughout the Padres season (10-2, 5-0 in MTAL).
The third-year varsity junior is recognized on the county level with the most field goals, or made shots, with 76 in just 12 games. Outside of her regular position, she is also on the leaderboard for blocks, with 10.
Whittaker leads the team by a landslide in points scored with 176. With this, Whittaker solidifies her role as a definite lead-by-example kind of player on the team.
With her determination and work ethic, it is no surprise that Whittaker’s name is seen at the very top of the stat highlights.
Holly let her talent loose earlier in the season against Stevenson on Jan. 7, scoring a career high 38 points—half of the points scored by her entire team with a final score of 76-42. Also included in this outstanding performance from Whittaker was a total of two blocks, six steals, four rebounds and 4-5 free throws made.
“Holly is not the most vocal player on the team, but she leads physically—she’s courageous,” proudly explains coach Tom Dooner about the junior shooting guard.
Dooner goes on to say that Whittaker’s love for the game is clearly noticeable, and is demonstrated by her efforts every time she steps onto the court.
Technically, Whittaker is a shooting guard, but she is able to play wherever she is needed to benefit the team. A true team player, she works diligently on the court and enjoys being around the girls on her team.
Whittaker says that her teammates have been extremely supportive every step of the way, which makes every season greater than the last.
Playing alongside her sister, Madelynn, throughout all three years has also been a major influence in Holly’s life, as she is always pushed to play to her full potential with her lifelong teammate.
“Side by side for 11 years, no one could ever replace my sister in always supporting me through everything,” Whittaker says.
Holly Whittaker has been a major asset to the team over the last three years and a huge factor in launching the team to a 5-0 MTAL record thus far. For this reason, it only makes sense that Holly Whittaker is a perfect fit to be the Padre of the Month.
Carmel hosts Greenfield tonight at 6:30 p.m.
-Lennie Rodriguez
