by Warrior Award
Izzy Patarini of Midview
It’s tough to write about this one without getting a bit emotional. The first time I ever saw Izzy play I was blown away with her heart, hustle and determination. She was one of the toughest kids I have ever seen on both sides of the ball. She was IMPOSSIBLE not to pull for.
A few days later we got it approved via her head coach and we had her on the podcast and I was expecting this quiet or really stone-cold player. Simply by watching her play. What I got was anything but and she quickly became one of my all-time interviews. She was personable, knowledgeable, mature and came across as a leader. I loved that interview.
A few weeks later I learned of her families illness and it was heartbreaking. As a father of two young daughters myself, I know that special connection. It is a bond like no other I have ever had. Izzy dealt with so much this season and never let it stop her from being a great teammate, person and player. She is the definition of WARRIOR.
Emma Knick of Avon Lake who played with and against Izzy had this to say, “Playing with and against Izzy has been an honor. She makes every game more competitive with her skillset. Izzy has the ability to finish strong driving left and right-handed, and shoot mid-range jumpers and three-pointers. Izzy has it all. She is all-around one of the best athletes that I have been fortunate enough to play with and against. Izzy exhumes the standards that any coach would want a player to meet both physically and mentally.
Watching Izzy perform at her best despite all the challenges that she has gone through this year is inspiring to me and to those around her. For that, she is an unstoppable force. Izzy does all the little things in a game correctly that makes her a threat to any opponent. Playing with Izzy has been an honor and a privilege as she has so much to offer to any team. Wherever Izzy ends up down the road, I know for a fact that she will continue to inspire those around her simply by being herself. “
