Lauren Fortescue — basketball force at both Norristown Area and Plymouth Whitemarsh high schools — was a significant asset in propelling the Christopher Newport University team to the NCAA Division III title game. Maria McIlwain profiled Fortescue in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The ending wasn’t what Fortescue or her teammates wanted; the Captains from Newport News, Va., lost 57–52.

Nonetheless, the Norristown native was reminded that her skill has taken her far.

At Plymouth Whitemarsh, she helped lead the Colonials to consecutive undefeated Suburban One League seasons, and, in 2017, to its first PIAA tournament since 2005.

Her collegiate journey included a significant transfer, but all the change, she now sees, has only sharpened her.

“I think I’ve learned so many things along the way,” she said.

“I think the biggest part of me growing is that I’ve played different roles at those different schools. It helped me to learn a lot of characteristics that if I wasn’t at the right place at the right time, I don’t think I would be the person that I am today.

“So I’m just really grateful for not only growing as a player, but I also met my best friends along my whole journey as an athlete,” she concluded.

More on Lauren Fortescue and her academic and athletic evolution is in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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The Christopher Newport University post-game press conference after its loss in Dallas last week.