Student-Athlete of the Week: Rachel Noble

A rarity in most sports, Rachel Noble was a four-year varsity player on the Niwot girls basketball team.

The 2022 grad accumulated an impressive 80 career games played while scoring a total of 254 points in a Cougar uniform. She was also part of a tight-knit senior class that included Carly Toothaker, Jordyn Stewart, Maddi Tajchman and Grace Crall, who together helped Niwot (7-15) win its most games since the 2018-19 season.

"I loved my senior season," Noble said. "It wasn't anything on the record books for sure, but I thought my team grew a lot. I love each and every single person on that team, so I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

On a personal level, Noble also enjoyed significant growth during her final Niwot run. Her 27% shooting from the field was a career-high, and her 25% shooting percentage from 3-point range was second on the team. She also cut down her turnovers per game by nearly two.

"I've always been a pretty good shooter and this year I think really showcased it more than my other years," Noble said. "I did work on it harder than other things."

Her favorite part of the game, however, was passing the basketball and getting others involved.

"I love it, creating things and making things happen," Noble said. "I love watching my teammates get a good point or something like that."

The selfless player set up plenty of scoring opportunities last season with 17 assists - tied for second-most on the team.

As her senior class exits, the Cougars' soon-to-be sophomores appear primed to carry the torch next season. Noble said she developed a great relationship with both now-former freshmen Rose Pacheco, who averaged a team-best nine points, and Evelyn Melis. Thalia Almaraz was also mentioned by Noble as a rookie who deserves praise. "I'm going to miss them a lot," Noble said of her mentees.

Mentoring Noble for her final season was first-year head coach Jon Hill. Although they intersected for just one winter, Noble applauded the culture Hill was able to create. The new Niwot coach was likewise impressed by Noble's aforementioned ability to help her less-experienced teammates.

"She was a skilled player and she always took time to pay back to the program by mentoring and coaching younger players," Hill said.

Following a summer of traveling, which included a trip to Honduras, Noble plans on studying massage therapy at a specialty school in Longmont for one year. She hopes this will aid in her ultimate goal of becoming a chiropractor.

"I know how painful it is to be an athlete or a full-time worker and you're on your feet all day," Noble said. "I just want people to get some relief on occasion."