Player profile: Recognizing athletic talent in Rebekah Dolan

Article and Photo by Madeline Dorobiala

A senior girls’ basketball captain from Grand Island High School is playing in her last winter season. Rebekah Dolan is a four-sport varsity athlete balancing soccer, flag football, basketball and football.

Dolan, a guard, is one of two captains on the Grand Island basketball team – but her hoops journey started long before she joined the Vikings. Dolan’s main sport was soccer. However, in seventh grade, she started playing church league basketball. In that same grade, she played in modified at her school; then in eighth grade, she played junior varsity.

At the end of her junior varsity season, she was called up to play in the varsity sectionals, a pivotal opportunity for an athlete.

Throughout her athletic high school career, Dolan has played on the varsity basketball team.

In 2025, she joined the boys football team and played as the kicker. That same year, Grand Island High School added flag football to its roster of sports. Dolan jumped on the opportunity.

“I feel like getting to learn from the older players on the team at such a young age really helped me develop and really helped me learn from them and to be able to grow into my own player,” Dolan said.

Along with balancing her four sports and her academics, Dolan takes care of herself. One of the ways she does so is by balancing her blood sugar levels, as she is diabetic.

Dolan uses her athletic opportunities to educate her teammates on diabetes, along with what actions diabetics must take to help themselves stay healthy. Dolan attended a conference in Florida last July, allowing her to make connections – including one with Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews.

On the court, Dolan consistently sticks to her opponent, disrupting plays from happening. Her eyes are always moving, and she’s ready to receive or make a pass. Dolan is a playmaker and is not afraid to break through her opponent’s defense to get to the basket. As of this writing, the senior leads Section VI in three pointers, is ranked No. 3 in scoring with 205 points, and has 51 steals.

Grand Island High School senior basketball star Rebekah Dolan.

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Coach Tracy Poole has been a mentor for Dolan since she was in sixth grade. Poole was her teacher and has seen Dolan grow in and out of the classroom. Poole said she has seen Dolan grow in confidence not just in shooting, but handling pressure on the court.

“She’s always working hard,” Poole said. “I just think her determination in and out of the classroom makes her a pretty unique kid.”

Dolan’s knowledge in the sport contributes a lot not only to her own ability, but to the team, as she is willing to help and share different play ideas.

Dolan works with the team’s other captain, senior shooting guard Kennady Ulrich, to bridge the connection between the team and the coaching staff. That bridge further extends into building a welcoming atmosphere for her team, ensuring everyone feels included.

“Leading with kindness, patience and making sure that everyone feels like they’re involved,” Dolan said. “I try to make sure that everyone gets the encouragement that they need.”

Dolan is quick to congratulate a teammate when they score. Her offensive skills, along with her leadership, help support the team. Dolan also looks for ways to improve her craft, staying after practice to take extra shots – even on snow days, she tries to find a gym to practice.

Her attitude and skill are noticed by not only the team’s coaching staff, but by her teammates as well.

Ulrich spoke highly of Dolan, describing her as a compassionate teammate. Much like Poole, Ulrich has a long history with Dolan.

“Whenever someone else makes a shot, we’re always the first people to look at each other and be like, ‘We’re doing good,’ ” Ulrich said.

“I’ve seen her applying for colleges and stuff and it’s been awesome to see,” Ulrich noted. “She had a coach come (recently to scout her).”

The captains have been playing alongside each other since Dolan started playing church league basketball. Even then, according to Ulrich, Dolan embodied the encouraging and uplifting nature she brings to the Vikings.

Camaraderie is a value that is important to the Vikings, and Dolan helps sustain that on and off the court.

“Genuine is a great word to describe Rebekah, she is very kind and very helpful,” Poole said. “She’s willing to help anyone.”

Dolan is undecided on where she wants to further her education. At this time, she doesn’t want to go far from home. However, she does know that she wants to continue her basketball career.