Jence Rhoads has received many honors in her athletic career.

This one, though, has a special place in her heart.

The Slippery Rock High graduate will be recognized by her school Feb. 9 when she is inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame.

“All of my favorite memories have to do with the sports I played and with the girls I played them with,” Rhoads said. “High school is an important time in a person’s life, and for my achievements to be remembered is a blessing.”

Rhoads’ achievements were many.

The 2007 graduate scored 2,170 points in her basketball career at Slippery Rock.

During her senior season she recorded seven triple-doubles and, with four freshmen starting along side her, led the Rockets to the PIAA quarterfinals.

Two of those freshmen were her sisters, Karly and Kourtney.

“The greatest memory I will cherish forever is having the opportunity to play with my sisters,” Rhoads said.

Rhoads starred for the Division I Vanderbilt University women’s basketball team for four years, graduating as the only player in school history with 1,100 points, 500 assists and 400 rebounds.

She is now playing professionally in Romania.

What is often forgotten about Rhoads’ legacy at Slippery Rock is how talented she was on the soccer field.

Rhoads also holds the school record with 105 goals scored in her career.

Her soccer coach at the time, Blair Gantz, marveled at how talented Rhoads was on the pitch.

Gantz said that if Rhoads would have focused her energies on soccer instead of basketball, she could have been a Division I college recruit in that sport.

“To have someone who plays only from August until November and be so talented is amazing,” Gantz said. “That says something about the type of athlete she is. You only get a few athletes who are able to do that, and to know someone like that, it’s great.”

Rhoads, too, has fond memories of her soccer career.

Slippery Rock upset WPIAL champion South Park in the first round of the state playoffs during her senior year. Rhoads’ long, curving shot just above the goalie’s outstretched arm and just below the cross bar ended the match in overtime.

Rhoads’ legend also included a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, shot with her off hand, in the third quarter to help the Rockets beat Sharon in the District 10 final in 2007.

“Yes, I made the left-handed buzzer beater, which was very exciting,” Rhoads said. “I will never forget the atmosphere in the gym from the amazing fan support, to the intense competition of the game. The feeling we had as a team when the final buzzer went off and we had won the game was one of the best feelings in the world. Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.”

Most of the goose bumps Rhoads gets now are from the extreme cold in Romania.

Rhoads is deep into the basketball season with Sepsi St. George in the Romanian League.

The point guard is averaging 12.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. She is leading the league in minutes played.

Because of her commitments overseas, Rhoads will not be able to return home for the induction ceremonies.

“(We’re) in fourth place and playing better every day,” Rhoads said. “We are looking to the Romanian Cup Final Four — the semifinals and finals are coming up soon. Also, I am looking forward to some warm weather. It’s still snowy and cold.”