Greski's Number Retired at Pope John XXIII High School

Melrosian Lauren Greski, who graduated from Pope John XXIII High School in Everett last spring, earned a rare honor last month when she became only the ninth Pope John athlete to have her number retired.

The school held Lauren Greski Night on Friday, Feb. 4, at which she was presented with her #15 basketball jersey and a banner honoring Greski was unveiled in the school gymnasiusm.

Greski earned 12 varsity letters at Pope John: four in volleyball, four in softball, and four in basketball. She earned all-star distinction in all three sports and she was league MVP in volleyball as a senior, as well as an All State Coaches Award winner. Greski's basketball prowess is impressive: four year starter, four year all-star, league MVP as a senior, four years qualified for state tournament, a 1,000 point scorer.

Pope John Athletic Director Jack Feraco said that "Lauren was the ultimate team player; she was able to play any of the five positions on the court. Lauren was a lock down defender who was skilled in playing passing lanes. She was often our best playmaker and was always our best finisher."

Greski always contributed what the team needed from her, Feraco said, whether scoring, rebounding, shot blocking, assists and leadership. She excelled in the clutch (she once scored 20 points in the fourth quarter of a game).

"Lauren was always ice from the free throw line, making six in a row in the final minutes of a tourney game in 2009," Feraco said. "Lauren finished with 1,079 points because she had a willingness to get better, to play through difficulties, to improve daily at practice."

Information provided by Pope John Athletic Director Jack Feraco was used in this report.