Q-and-A with Lockport’s Nora Polaski

What does it mean to you to be a Porter?

Being a Porter is like being part of Lockport. And honestly, as a school we’re all connected, as one. It’s part of being a family.

Do you have any nicknames?

When my little brother was a baby, he couldn’t say Nora, so he called me “Ra-Ra.” It stuck in my family.

The team needs two free throws to win. Do you want to shoot them?

I’d think yes. I know I’d have the confidence to make them, but I also know that everybody on my team would have faith in me to make them.

What’s the funniest story you’ll tell about coach (Krista) Peterson?

After our game against Sandburg we all went back in the locker room, and she came and just looked at all of us and yelled out, “Yeah!” We all got excited and started jumping and screaming.

Do roller coasters thrill you or terrify you?

Thrill me. I love roller coasters. The Raging Bull at Six Flags, I could go on it all day and not get bored.

What opponent do you get the most cranked up to play?

Probably Sandburg. They’re our rivals and they get us really pumped. They’re a challenging team.

Your celebrity prom date?

That would be Channing Tatum. He’s my favorite, definitely.

Has anyone ever told you that you look like someone famous?

Actually, my friends sometimes call me “Donna,” from “That ’70s Show.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I hope to be married by then, maybe starting a family, and hopefully I want to go into something with special needs kids.

What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you on the court?

The two injuries I’ve had to my (right) eye. One time I got scratched and it was bleeding all over the place. The other time I got a cut below my eye and it felt like it was falling out of my head (laughing).

What hidden talent do you have that we just need to know about?

I snowboard, not super-good, but I’m pretty OK at it.

Were you happy or sad when the holidays ended?

In between. I didn’t want to go back to school because I love the holidays and spending time with my family. But at the same time I did miss school and with this being my senior year, I wanted to go back and see everyone.

What celebrity would you love to go shopping with?

Selena Gomez or Hillary Duff. I really like what their style is.

What teammate would you like to trade places with for one day?

Anna (Novak), because recently she cut everything not healthy out of her diet. I don’t know how that would be, so I’d kind of like to trade places with her. She also has four older sisters and a brother, so I think it would be kind of cool to see what a big family is like.

When you get mad, what happens next?

Usually when I get mad, I get quiet and kind of get short with my answers.

If you could change one thing about Lockport High School, what would it be?

The rule about no backpacks and no purses. I know it’s for safety reasons, but it would be easier to be able to carry your books in a bag.

What are your personal goals for basketball?

This year to finish off strong with for my team and hopefully be a positive influence for girls in future years. I also hope to play all through my four years in college.

The Latest
Antoine Perteet, 33, targeted victims on the dating app Grindr, according to Chicago police.
Glass-facade buildings can disorient birds in flight. The city is expected to update and revise rules for new developments and rehabbed buildings next month. But bird groups say the proposed guidelines need to be mandatory.
The man was shot in the left eye area in the 5700 block of South Christiana Avenue on the city’s Southwest Side.
Most women who seek abortions are women of color, especially Black women. Restricting access to mifepristone, as a case now before the Supreme Court seeks to do, would worsen racial health disparities.
The Bears have spent months studying the draft. They’ll spend the next one plotting what could happen.