Amazing Grace: The Journey of Seattle Prep's Star Player and Leader
From early-morning workouts with her father to a standout senior season, Grace Renners is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with – on the hardwood and in the classroom.
SEATTLE – JC Renners loves a good nickname. The father of Seattle Prep senior basketball standout Grace Renners has a few he’s particularly fond of.
The first one, Amazing Grace, is a bit more obvious – a nod to the classic song. The other, Power G, comes with a story that explains how Grace became the player she is today.
Years ago, as Grace was learning the game, she was playing 1-on-1 with JC. On a drive to the hoop, she pump-faked her father, a former professional athlete who played in the NFL, fought through the contact, and sent a clear message: She wasn’t about to be pushed around on the court by anyone – not her father and certainly not whoever she’s matched up against on any given night.
Instead of being upset when his daughter delivered that blow, JC was thrilled.
“He loves when I’m super aggressive on the court and standing my ground,” Grace said. “He’s my biggest supporter, and I’m super grateful for him.”
Grace has been playing basketball for as long as she can remember. Her father, now a personal trainer, was a multi-sport athlete growing up and introduced her to the game.
Now, the two of them have a routine that starts at 6 a.m. on every game day, heading to either St. Louise in Bellevue or L.A. Fitness to get shots up.
“It’s a great way to start the day,” she said. “Just to get my mind right.”
On weekends, JC, Grace, and her brother Brody are in the gym lifting weights and playing 1-on-1. Grace loves basketball and is even more appreciative that it’s something she can share with her family.
During another strong performance against Garfield last week, Renners wore a mask to protect cartilage she injured in practice after colliding with a teammate. And while she’s a warrior on the court, off the floor she’s humble and grateful for the opportunity to lead Seattle Prep in her final season.
So far this year, the Panthers are 10-4 and have won nine straight (10 of their last 11) heading into Saturday’s game at Roosevelt.
“The season’s going really well,” Grace said. “It’s been super fun, and we’ve been getting better and better every game.”
Against Arlington over the holiday break, Renners became the ninth player in school history to score more than 1,000 points in a career. She currently has more than 1,100 points, placing her in the fifth spot spot. There is one caveat – 261 of those points came when she was a freshman in Missouri.
Seattle Prep’s all-time leading scorer is Kari Luttinen, who finished her career with 1,395 points.
“It felt awesome,” Grace said. “It didn’t feel real. I’m just so thankful for my teammates who helped me do it, and my coaches.”
In her final season, Grace is getting the opportunity to play for someone who has competed at the highest level. First-year coach Talia Walton, who brings Final Four and WNBA experience to the Panthers, is helping Grace reap the benefits.
“It’s been amazing,” Grace said. “She holds everyone to such a high standard, and I’m super grateful for that. I feel like it’s getting me ready for the next level, which is awesome.”
While Renners is dominating on the court, she’s also excelling in the classroom. Next year, she will play for Cornell in the Ivy League, joining Lakeside’s Willa Chin. Garfield senior Sarah Lessig is also heading to the Ivy League and will play at Princeton.
Despite heading to the East Coast for college, Renners will still be surrounded by familiar faces.
For now, though, Grace is focused on Seattle Prep’s season, working toward an extended playoff run. For the remainder of the season, Power G is powering the Panthers.
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