Melanie Osborne, Kate Thirolf, Katie Diao. These are the names of students that go down in history in RM’s girls’ basketball program. Despite only being in her junior year at RM, Katie Diao is still claiming the title of being one of RM’s top three girls basketball players. “I see Katie as being one of the greatest players in the history of RM,” Diao’s varsity girls basketball coach, Mike Oates said.
Since her freshman year at RM, Diao has played as starting point guard for RM’s varsity girls’ basketball team. Her incredible skill is apparent in every game. “She’s always able to get to her shot or to the rim, and it amazes me how she can find a way to score in any situation,”, freshman Gowri Chandrashekar said. Diao has proven her ability to impact the team since the beginning of her time at RM. Diao broke an RM record as a freshman, reaching over 300 total points scored and setting a new freshman varsity scoring record. Diao has received much recognition in the past two years, earning accolades like Montgomery County Newcomer and Player of the Year. Despite how impressive these titles are, they did not stop Diao from working to improve her game. “Instead of resting on her accomplishments, she’s gone out and she’s become a significantly better player than she was last year,” Coach Oakes said.
Diao’s skill is undeniable, however, her talent is not the only thing that makes an impact on the court. “I feel like she’s one person who everyone in the program, from when she was a freshman till now, everybody loves Katie and everybody respects Katie, and it’s not just because of her talent on the court, but because of the way she treats everybody regardless of ability level,” Oakes said. Diao’s positivity on and off the court doesn’t go unnoticed by her team. “Katie is very kind and encouraging. If someone is having a bad game, she talks to them and tries to help them feel better,” Chandrashekar said.
Last year, RM girls basketball had an incredibly successful season, making it to the state quarterfinals. Even as a sophomore, Diao played an integral part in the team’s success. Diao’s hard work and talent not only helped advance her team but also earned her offers from Cornell and Yale, two Division 1 Ivy League schools. Recently, Diao announced her commitment to Yale University and has expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
This year, Diao is playing an even more important role in leading the team. She is currently the sole captain, despite only being a junior. According to Coach Oakes, Diao is only the second non-senior to be captain in the 11 years of his coaching career at RM. “I really think she’s kind of earned that by being the best player on the team as a freshman and sophomore. But actually, more than that, just her commitment level to the program and just overall being a great teammate,” Oakes said. With five seniors leaving last year, the team is a much less experienced one this season. In light of that, Diao has stepped up as the most experienced player on the team and has helped newer players have a smooth transition into a varsity environment. “I like to think that I have developed a relationship with many [of the players who are new to varsity] off the court, which I hope allows our team to be a more welcoming environment,” Diao said.
The team has had its ups and downs this season, with an injury leaving Diao unable to play most of their games in December. However, the team has worked tirelessly to solve problems, make corrections, and continue to improve. With Diao returning and region and division play coming up, the team is looking to keep improving in hopes of repeating some of last season’s successes. This season, Diao not only hopes to win regions and divisions with the team but also hopes to create a positive and welcoming environment for everyone as captain.
