The Emma Kostelac-Lauer Interview (Mechanicsburg, PA)

May 24, 2023

The Emma Kostelac-Lauer Interview (Mechanicsburg, PA)

Name: Emma Kostelac-Lauer

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Height: 5-6

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

High School: Trinity (PA)

Graduation Class: 2026

AAU Club: Mid Penn Motion HGSL

GPA: 3.5

Status: Uncommitted

CAMP HILL, PA -- Emma Kostelac-Lauer is a 5-6 Combo Guard from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She's currently a freshman at Trinity High School, and runs with Mid Penn Motion in the Hoop Group Showcase League. Kostelac is also the granddaughter of longtime Trinity coach, Larry Kostelac Jr. Kostelac put together a stellar freshman campaign as she averaged 8 points per game, while collecting 80 rebounds, 36 assists and 35 steals to be named a Mid-Penn Capital All-Conference selection, Carlisle Sentinel's All-Sentinel Girls Basketball Team, and to PennLive's Big 15 and Off-the-Radar teams in helping guide the Shamrocks to a 19-11 record and deep postseason run in 4A.

Kostelac-Lauer is a natural competitor who doesn't shy away from anybody. You can say it's in her blood, but away from family ties she is beginning to write her own chapter. From excelling in the half court game as a lead guard, sharp off the catch-and-shoot, making the extra pass but most importantly stepping up as a leader, Kostelac-Lauer's basketball IQ is very high at her age. But, as soon as everything seemed to be going right this year, there was a bump in the road.

During one of her lacrosse games in early April, Kostelac-Lauer tore her ACL. Many people were shocked, as to any injury, about it but she has been in great care with her rehabilitation process. Although, there is no timely decision on when she will be back next year, Kostelac will look to work her way back in, but take any precaution necessary. Will Trinity be able to promptly adjust? Absolutely with the right people, but for now let's see what Kostelac-Lauer has to say.

I caught up with the 2026 prospect in an interview on her freshman campaign, family's basketball history and a discussion about the future.

Emma Kostelac-Lauer Interview

When did you first start playing basketball?

“I first started playing basketball in first grade. I grew up around basketball my whole childhood. Watching my grandpop’s team every week, and going to all the practices. My whole childhood I couldn’t wait ‘till I would be playing at Trinity. Basketball definitely has been my sport since I was little as I enjoy watching, playing, and loving the sport.”

Describe your game from the skill standpoint.

“In my opinion, my skill standpoint can always improve. if I had to name my top three best standpoints it would be high basketball IQ with my knowledge of the game, ability to see the floor and make the right decisions giving my teammates opportunities. It is clear that anyone who doesn’t know me and comes to see a game that I am a leader, and always play the game 100% unselfishly. Not only can my team count on me for distributing the ball, but handling the ball in high pressure situations and in clutch situations. My teammates can count on me to knock down any long range threes.”
“I am a lefty with a high shooting percentage.” She continued. “ I remain calm on the court, but I am a competitor who continuously gives my teammates whatever they need. Whether it’s a hype up, or redirecting them create opportunities for the team to succeed. In game time situations, I am also the girl who gets pulled to the side of the bench. For the coaches to talk to, so I can provide directions for my teammates.

How was life growing up in Mechanicsburg?

“Growing up in Mechanicsburg, I wasn’t allowed to play CYO until I was in fourth grade. It’s where my foundation for athletics was formed. I come from a family that is, and has been highly involved in CYO athletics. While I am from Mechanicsburg, my true roots began in the exact same location where I am currently playing varsity basketball and soccer. Starting at the age of 4, I was a gym rat tagging along with my grandpop to open gyms practices. Not only to watch, but to do the same drills the boys were doing. Through all of my success, the people that surround me have embraced my talents and for those that didn’t, they only provided me with more encouragement and determination. To ensure that I would live up to the expectations on the court of someone with the last name: Kostelac-Lauer.”

How was your first year experience at Trinity?

“I absolutely love everything about Trinity. I’m not going to lie, academically it is challenging for me, and something I have to work at every day. The village at Trinity has all of the support and dedicated staff that are ready, and willing to help me every day across all of my subjects. Without the academic support of Mr. Joe Spogli, we call him Spogs, my grades wouldn’t be where they are right now.”

“Socially there are a few people who make comments in regards to my last name. With special treatment across everything at Trinity, but my response to that is to tune them out and continue to thrive. I have formed special bonds with people across grade levels. You can catch me hanging out with various groups after school, before games, and on weekends where I’m not playing. It devastated me to be out of school for three weeks last month due to my injury, but I love Trinity and the culture so much.”

How was your freshman season?

“My freshman year of basketball started with me being extremely frustrated. For the first time in my life, I was on a team sitting on the bench for over 90% of the game. I continuously checked myself to make sure that I was giving 110% at every practice, so there would be no question to anyone that I deserve to be on the court. It wasn’t until the tenth game of the season that I was finally given the opportunity that I knew I deserved. But, also 110% earned it every day, and waited for my turn.”

“There isn’t a girl in the area that wants it more than I do. When I’m in the zone and on the court, I don’t care how old or how tall you are. I do care that I remain true to myself as a player, and playmaker that every time I step foot on the hardwood, the best has yet to come for me. Freshman year definitely ended on a high note as we as a team made it far. We went further deep into playoffs than anyone expected off of our record. Having that experience playing deep in the postseason as a freshman gave me a taste of what you can see from me in the future.”

Editor's note: Young players, don't run away from your problems when things get hard within the sport. Take the time to analyze, reflect and find a solution to help you better understand why things are the way they are. Most importantly, try to fix your playing time by doing the little things to bump you up in the rotation, and or asking for ways to improve with your head coach.

Being the granddaughter of Larry Kostelac, the last name runs deep within the area. Now writing your own story as you entered high school ball, how’s the experience been for you?

“Let me walk you through it Reese. There is no denying that my grandpop is the reason for my high basketball IQ, and love for the game. At times it can be challenging to have a local basketball goat as your grandfather. There are always people that continuously make comments regards to my last name being the only reason I am on the court. This is where I apply not only the fundamental basketball skills that my grandpa has instilled in me, but also what it means to have thick skin, and let people talk while I continue to work at and outside of practice. To create my own story, and earn my own name as the 'Kostelac girl' in the area.”

“My grandpop has been at Trinity as the varsity head coach for 39 years and counting. In addition to that my god father and uncle, Larry Kostelac III has been his assistant since graduating college. In the entire Kostelac family, several of my aunts, and uncles from the Kostelac and Kindler family have played key roles on varsity basketball teams. Both girls and boys who have won state championships. I couldn’t be more proud to come from this family everyday. Every game my aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, cousins are all super supportive and remain my biggest fans. They know I will get the job done. I will use what my family has instilled in me to write my own story, and to prove that the best Kostelac has yet to come in the class of 2026.”

You went down last month to open the AAU season. How has your rehabilitation process been going so far?

“This injury is definitely no joke. It is physically and mentally draining most days. There is a good and bad outcome. Obviously you never ever want this to happen to you, but you can definitely come out stronger from this. This first week is awful. You don’t really want to do anything, and have no appetite to do literally, well, anything. PT is something that is not exciting to do, but you have to do it. You have to have a good mindset in all of this to get through it. The best thing I think you can do for yourself is to set mini goals for yourself. I am lucky enough to have these people around me to get through this hard time. Especially my mom. My mom pushes me to be the best I can be. I have a great physical therapist, and athletic trainer who push me in getting stronger and stronger each day.”

Who's your favorite basketball player and why?

“Definitely by far Michael Jordan. He plays with his tongue out just like I do, which I always found funny *laughs*. When the game is on the line, his teams have always gone to him.”

Who would you also consider another role model?

“Since fourth grade, my AAU coach Bill Haertsch has influenced and built me into the player that I am. Not only on the offensive side of the court, but he is the sole reason that I can, and will defend anyone in the area as I am confident in the fundamentals he has installed in me throughout the past six years. His coaching style speaks to my needs as a player. He is tough, and he has no problems of telling me what I need to do, and or what areas I need to work on to improve my game. I am a player who thrives on tough coaching and being pushed. I know I will only get better if I’m comfortable in uncomfortable situations, willing to except criticism and change my game. To better myself as the player I desire to be past high school.”

As you’re now at the age where you’re starting to look for college opportunities, what do you ideally look for in a college?

"My dream schools would be UNC or Miami. In reality, I want to play high level basketball somewhere warmer, and better weather than PA most definitely. I want to go to a bigger school somewhere people know. Anywhere is honestly great to play high level basketball, so regardless it would just be a dream come true!"

I know things are up in the air right now, but what are some expectations for your sophomore year?

"My goals for my sophomore season is to come back so much stronger. That is definitely the main goal. I would really hope I could come back for my school season, but it’s really just a waiting game right now. I am definitely planning on still going to every game, practice and supporting my teammates and helping them though I’m not going to be on the court. Going into my AAU season I definitely want to make up for missing a year, and making sure that I put in so much work. To be able to leave it all on court every game."

Thank you Emma for taking the time to talk with me. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation? Any last words?

"This was definitely a fun experience to do with you. I appreciate your time. I would say if I had any words of encouragement, the hard work definitely pays off. If you put your mind to something, you are so capable of doing it. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Being a freshman in high school, or at the college stage playing across all levels. If you know you're capable of playing, you will thrive."

"For setbacks," She continued. "If you're overcoming an injury, please keep people around. Injuries mentally drain you, and you're going to need those people. If you don’t, it will be so much harder. Set mini goals for yourself as it may not seem like a big thing towards other people, but trust me they will help so much. Lastly, trust yourself with everything you do during recovery because nobody knows what you're going through. Be strong because the pain won't be forever, and you'll continue to get stronger every week."