SLIPPERY ROCK — Jenna Heitzenrater spends a lot of time with her 12-year-old American paint horse Colonel.

She's ridden since “I could sit up,” she said. She helps out at the property of her horse trainer aunt, Evon Montgomery, in Saxoburg, cleaning the barn and stables and taking care of the horses.

“I think I've always had a good work ethic,” Heitzenrater said. “I think I bring that to the basketball court. I've always stuck with things.”

But the 5-foot-10 lanky senior power forward, who was given the apt nickname of “Stretch” as a freshman by former Rocket standout Marissa Siebka, had serious doubts last season if she wanted to keep playing basketball for Slippery Rock.

She was stuck behind a slew of talent and played sparingly as a junior.

Every day in practice she went up against standout post player Sedona Campbell — and had the bruises to show for it.

She approached Slippery Rock girls basketball coach Amber Osborn after practice one day, crying.

“I won't beg anyone to stay, but I told her to look at the big picture,” Osborn said. “I told her, 'Your time is coming. You have to ride this out. You will be able to make a big impact next year.' She walked away crying and I wasn't sure what she was going to do.”

Heitzenrater decided to keep playing.

And, as Osborn predicted, she's making a big impact.

As one of two seniors on a very young roster, Heitzenrater has been a team leader and has provided an important lift to the Rockets, who just wrapped up another Region 5 title and will open up the District 10 5A playoffs against either Corry or Grove City at 4 p.m. Feb. 24.

Heitzenrater does a lot of things that don't necessarily show up in the box score.

She is averaging 3.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and two steals per game.

“I'm thankful I decided to keep playing,” Heitzenrater said. “I understand my role and I help the other players by setting screens and getting rebounds.”

Osborn calls her a “hoop protector” and a “swat sister,” along with another tall and lanky player, junior Emma McDermott. and

Heitzenrater has embraced that role.

She doesn't focus on the individual statistics she puts up, even though she's been recording bigger numbers as the season has gone along.

She's coming off a 14-rebound performance in the regular-season finale against Meadville.

“I just like to look at the big picture,” she said. “It's more about how the team is doing and if we're winning than what I'm doing individually.”

She's also taken her job as leader seriously, as well.

With three freshmen seeing ample playing time, Heitzenrater, fellow senior Macy McCall, who has just returned from a broken foot, and McDermott have meshed well with the younger players.

“It's easy to be a leader with these girls,” Heitzenrater said. “It was a little difficult getting into a groove with these girls at first, but once we did, it's been great.

“Everyone gets along so well together,” she added. “It's a perfect setup. Everyone has their strengths and everyone clicks and does very well together as a team. I'm proud to be a part of this team and I'm proud to be their teammate.”

Osborn is also pleased with what Heitzenrater has accomplished as a senior who is finally getting her chance to shine.

“There are no words to describe how proud I am of her,” Osborn said. “I think the best thing she's ever said and what sums her up is she told me, 'I never envisioned loving or being as close to a team as I feel about this one.' I know in years past, she didn't necessarily feel like she was part of the team. But she's a big part of this one.”