Stevenson guard Sydney Rosland traces her competitive drive to two people in her family.
Rosland’s older brother, Ian, played several sports over the years. Their father, Mark, helped the St. Edward boys golf team finish third in Class A in 1991 and the boys basketball team reach the Class A state quarterfinals in 1992, and he played golf at Iowa from 1993 to 1997.
“I like to compete, and I like to win,” Sydney Rosland said. “It came from playing against my older brother and working with my dad.”
As she prepares for her senior season, Sydney Rosland said her father, in particular, has been instrumental in her success.
“My dad taught me how to play through pressure and also has developed my shot a lot,” she said. “Golf was not really for me, but he always worked with me in basketball.”
But Mark Rosland goes back further, pointing to his father, Roy, who was a professional bowler and was inducted into the Illinois Bowling Hall of Fame.
“My dad was a fierce competitor,” Mark Rosland said. “I think some of that descended to her. He’s influenced both of us in that capacity.
“I tell her to put in the work so she can trust herself when playing. If you prepare, you feel good and you have a chance to do well, and you don’t question yourself.”
Sydney Rosland has listened well. She was promoted to the varsity team for the postseason during her freshman season, when Stevenson won the Class 4A state title, and she became the starting shooting guard as a sophomore, providing strong defense and passing.
Rosland started nearly every game last season, sitting out three with a sprained ankle, as the Patriots (28-4, 14-0) won the North Suburban Conference title and reached a Class 4A sectional championship game.
“Last year, I really trusted Sydney to make the right play,” Stevenson coach Regan Carmichael said. “She was a very good passer and would get one to two rebounds per game. Her passing is so, so special. She was our best post entry passer last season.”
Rosland was important on the defensive end too.
“A lot of times we would stick her on the other team’s best player,” Carmichael said.
Carmichael noted that Rosland’s development this summer will strengthen the Patriots for next season, especially after losing forward Emory Klatt, a four-year starter who will play at DePaul, and guard Kendell Williams, a three-year starter. Rosland and guard Nisha Musunuri are Stevenson’s lone returning starters.
“As a shooter, she’s really grown,” Carmichael said of Rosland. “I’m really proud of how she has grown in her shot selection and stays with it. … Her shot is so smooth and pure. Her percentage is going to increase.”
Rosland has also been expanding her offensive game this summer.
“She’s getting to the basket, using her body to protect her on finishes and is really creative around the basket,” Carmichael said.
Carmichael is comfortable putting Rosland in different roles.
“She’s facilitating on offense,” Carmichael said. “We can trust her to run point, play the two or three.”
Musunuri has noticed a difference in Rosland too.
“She has put a lot of work into her game,” Musunuri said. “She can score at all levels while playing amazing defense.”
Rosland said her confidence has increased this summer.
“I’m really excited for this season,” she said. “This is the year I can prove who I am, show some individuality in how I play and have a bigger role. Last year, I was more catch-and-shoot. I’ve developed my ability to drive and get into the lane and finish through contact.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.