The hard work that Genesis Prep Academy senior Rachel Schroeder has put in, whether in the gym or the classroom, is bound to pay off really soon.

Just where, it’s still an unknown.

WHEN SCHROEDER joined the basketball team at Genesis Prep as a freshman, the history was slim to none.

In its first season as an Idaho High School Activities Association-sanctioned program (2015-16), the Jaguars’ season ended one game short of state when they fell short to Lakeside in the 1A Division II District 1 championship game.

Since then, the Jaguars have finished third (2017), second (2018) and fourth (2019) at state.

“It’s been really fun to see the program grow,” said Schroeder, a 5-foot-9 point guard. “It was nothing before I came here. It’s kind of crazy to look back at it now to see how much we’ve accomplished as a group.”

Practices while at the state tournament, whether on the campus of College of Idaho in Caldwell, or Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, were almost as memorable as the games Schroeder added.

“They were just super fun,” Schroeder said. “Getting to practice in those gyms and settings, it was a great experience to be in those places.”

Genesis Prep — which lost by two points to Butte County in the title game in 2018 — fell in its state opener this year to Nezperce, but came back to win the consolation title.

“It was really tough losing that first game,” Schroeder said of this year’s state tourney. “It was unexpected and we kind of thought, ‘where do we go now, and this isn’t what we really came down here for.’ But it ended up being a huge growing experience for myself, just to say that I’m going to finish (the season) well despite losing the first day.”

Schroeder has more than held her own going up against players from bigger schools for three seasons as a member of the North Idaho Elite AAU program.

As a junior, Schroeder was named co-North Star League MVP along with teammate Bella Murekatete in 2018. Schroeder was also named to the all-league team this year.

“She’s just grown in her confidence in putting all of her skills to work,” said Genesis Prep girls basketball coach Brandon Haas, who coached Schroeder the last two years. “She hasn’t shown it all off in the early years. But now, she’s showing it all off. She’s been doing a ton of work in the gym on her own time, with other coaches developing her skills.”

Haas added it has benefited the rest of her teammates as well.

“To have her perform all of that in a game, it has made her teammates more confident in themselves. Just the fact that she’s got full control of the ball, it has made the team better.”

And that extends into the classroom also.

“She’s great as a student,” Haas said. “You don’t want to use that word perfection, but it’s pretty close. She’s near a 4.4 grade point average, and basically, if there’s a question that somebody doesn’t have an answer to, she’s the tutor. She’s always respectful and present in class.”

SCHROEDER HAS her college destination narrowed down to either Walla Walla Community College or Whitworth University in Spokane.

“I still don’t know what I’m going to do,” Schroeder said. “Hopefully within the next two weeks I’ll make a decision. I really like the basketball program and coaching staff at Walla Walla. Their facilities are nice and so are their academics.”

Schroeder’s favorite subject in school is math.

“I really don’t like English,” said Schroeder, who has gone to Genesis Prep all the way through school, and is vice president of the school’s student council. “I like absolute answers. I’m really good at math, and just enjoy it.”

Schroeder will take the basketball court again today in the 16th annual Idaho High School All-Star Games today at North Idaho College. The girls game begins at 1 p.m., followed by the boys game at 3:30.

“I know some of the kids from playing against them, but not many from our team,” Schroeder said. “There’s a little bit of nerves, but I’m really excited to get to play in the game. It should be a fun experience. I’m really honored to get to play in it.”

“It just shows her dedication and loyalty to the game,” Haas said. “She could have gone to Post Falls (High School) and played there, but chose to stay at Genesis because she saw something special in the program and the team. She wanted to be part of that cornerstone and start something here. To get to the All-Star Game, that’s just a testament to her dedication to her team.”

She’ll also get another chance to play with Murekatete, who has signed to play at Washington State. Haas will coach the Region girls as well.

“We’ve literally done everything together since our freshman year,” said Schroeder of playing with Murekatete. “We’re going to be graduating soon, and not going to see each other every day. It’s going to be fun. I’m really looking forward to it and soaking up every moment.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.