Warren’s Emma Ruhlman, center, celebrates with her teammates after winning the PIAA District 10 Class 5A championship earlier this month at Meadville High School. Times Observer File Photo

Editor’s note: Emma Ruhlman finished her Warren Dragons basketball career as the high school’s second all-time leading scorer with 1,448 points to go along with nearly 900 rebounds. A four-year starter, she played with all-time leading scorer Margo Loutzenhiser (1,618 career points) as a freshman, and senior Riley Childress (1,341 career points) all four years, helping lead the Warren’s girls basketball team to 80 wins over four seasons and three District 10 Class 5A championships.

A letter to my coaches, teammates, and community:

I’m going to start this out with an introduction. My name is Emma Ruhlman, and I am a senior basketball player at WAHS. I have grown up around the WAHS girls’ basketball program for almost my entire life … 14 years. My mom has been the girls coach at Warren since 2008. To say that I eat, breathe and bleed basketball is probably an understatement. I’ve had a basketball in my hands my entire life. Last week, my career as a Lady Dragon came to an end.

Fortunately, I will begin my collegiate career at Hillsdale College next year, but for now my high school career is over. It’s sad when you think about it, but it’s also extremely rewarding to think back to the great career I had, the friends I made and the memories that I will carry with me for life.

I would like this article to serve as a letter to all those who helped me and supported me throughout my years as a Dragon. My career has come to an end, but I hope my impact I have made here in Warren will last a lifetime.

The first people I would like to address are my coaches. I am beyond thankful for the time and work that each of you has sacrificed each season you have been a part of the staff. I have been extremely blessed to be surrounded by such positive role models as coaches and I will carry the lessons you have all taught me to the next chapter of my life.

Mom, you know how much your coaching has meant to me and the years I got to spend playing for you will forever have a special place in my heart. The time driving, and hard work you have sacrificed for me is a huge part of the reason I have become the player I am. I love you and I’m so thankful I got to play for your amazing program.

John and Jenny, I am so grateful for your help and keeping mom sane during the long seasons!

Johnny and Kristy, your willingness to compete with us at practice has helped us improve so much and I am so thankful for it. You guys are all the best.

Now, to my teammates. Not only did I have amazing teammates in my four years at WAHS, but I was also surrounded by my mom’s amazing players who served as my teammates when I was a little girl. They inspired me to become the player I am. None of what I accomplished could have been possible without my teammates and I’m so thankful for every single one of them. … Especially my two sisters, who I was blessed with being their teammate for my last two years of high school.

My teammates are extremely important to me and, as I leave you guys, I hope I have led you all by example. Work hard in every aspect of your life, cherish every time you get to be in the gym, and be a great teammate. I love you all.

Lastly, I want to extend a huge thank you to the Warren community. Your support throughout my career, and especially this past season, has been unforgettable.

The student support and community members has been at an all-time high in our sports, and to be able to show out every night for you guys has filled me with extreme joy. I feel that we women athletes are finally getting the support we deserve, and I hope we continue to. This is all thanks to our amazing community. I and my teammates and all WAHS athletes love you guys!

And, one more thing. … During my time at WAHS, I have gotten the special opportunity to work with many young female hoopers in the area. I’ve worked camps and workouts and to see their little faces in the crowd at our games has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I was that little girl, sitting in the stands dreaming of my chance and my shot to be on that court. I hope I have served as a role model for the next generation of girls basketball players in our area.

As I end out my career as a Lady Dragon, I want to leave the younger ones with a few pieces of advice:

1. Love the game. Basketball is so much fun and, if you go out and just play with love, I promise good things will happen.

2. Outwork everyone. Be the hardest worker in every aspect of your life.

3. Fall in love with the process. Becoming a great athlete takes a lot of time and winning championships takes a lot of work. Fall in love with doing all that work! The reward is pretty awesome.

The last piece of advice I have is this: Don’t take anything for granted. Time flies by and before you know it, you’re walking off the court in your last game ever. Seize every day.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I have so much appreciation for Warren, and I hope I have made an impact on this small town that I call home.

— Emma Ruhlman, WAHS girls basketball senior guard and a three-time District 10 champion