214@100: Nobody forgets R.M.H.S.'s 'Big 3'

Although Rolling Meadows High School's "Big Three" - Jackie Kemph, Alexis Glasgow and Jenny Vliet - have graduated, their years in the basketball program left an impact on their coaches, former teammates and Mustang fans alike.

"I think they showed our current and future players that it takes more than talent to reach your goals," Coach Ryan Kirkorsky said. "You have to fully immerse yourself in the process, and there aren't any shortcuts."

When Division 1 players come through a program, there are bound to be lessons passed down to younger teammates. The trio not only changed the program, but "the girls made every individual player better as well," former teammate and senior Jamie Berry said. Not only did the experience have value to the players and coaches, but the students enjoyed every minute of it, as the girls led the team to the state title game two years in a row.

"I always looked forward to watching them play. It was a ton of fun and really cool to go down to state back-to-back years, and the whole school seemed to rally around them," senior Jeremy Leander said.

• 214@100 is a celebration of District 214's centennial; 100 people, places, things and events that have shaped the school district's unique history. To contribute an idea, send an email to district214@dailyherald.com.