Emma Risch will join the Florida State Seminoles as a junior for the 2025-26 season
Welcome Back, Emma Risch!
Florida State’s Seminole Family just got a new star in the form of Brevard native Emma Risch. After two seasons of battling it out with the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame, she’s set to join the Seminoles as a junior for the 2025‑26 season.
Why Emma is the Perfect Fit
- 6‑ft‑1 guard with a knack for scoring from every spot on the floor.
- Vibrant off the court: a hard‑working, game‑loving athlete who knows what it takes to win.
- Brings mixture of size, length, and court vision that can shine on both ends of the arena.
Coach Wyckoff’s Bid‑to‑Laugh Sidelined
“So thrilled to welcome Emma back home to Florida. She’s already a decorated star from high school and has two years of college experience under her belt,” says Brooke Wyckoff. “She’s a talented, versatile scorer who’ll make a big impact on offense and defense. Totally a good fit for our culture. I can’t wait for our fans to see what she brings to the team, both on and off the court!”
High School Highlights
From Palmdale to the Pacific Northwest, Emma’s résumé reads like a superstar’s résumé:
- Two‑time state champion at Florida Prep Academy (Melbourne).
- Led Palm Bay High School Pirates to a state title in 2021 – averaged 18 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast.
- Junior year: 21 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast. Senior year: 23 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast.
Eyeballs on the Court Since Seventh Grade
From 2017 to 2021 she racked up:
- 2,767 points
- 697 rebounds
- 360 assists
- 300 steals
- 569 three‑pointers
She lettered nine varsity times: six in basketball, two in golf, and one in softball.
International Flair
While her agility on the hardwood is her hallmark, Emma also brings a global twist. She was the MVP of the 2019 Swedish Blackeberg Cup Tournament and played with East Coast United in AAU. She earned a BlueStar 30 selection, proving she’s not just a local‑niece hitter.
Meet the Florida Prep Lady Falcons: A True Cinderella Story
When the school board met, the idea was simple: build a girls’ basketball program from scratch. Fast forward a few years, and the Lady Falcons have become the 2025 High‑School Basketball Tourney champions, pulling off a win that feels like straight‑up sports wizardry.
The Birth of a Dream
It began in the early 2020s when Florida Prep decided it was time to give its female athletes the same fire‑power that the male teams were already flaunting. The first few seasons were a whirlwind of practice burns, makeshift uniforms, and the occasional pep‑talk that had the whole school buzzing. Nothing, really, set those Falcons apart from the competition.
The Turning Point
- Coaching Change: In the winter of 2023, a former college star named Coach R. Martinez stepped in. Her quotes? “We’re here to stay—and score!”
- Recruitment Boom: The Falcons started digging into neighborhoods, talent pools in local community colleges, and even high‑school girls who didn’t think they’d play anything more than a pick‑up game.
- Team Chemistry: Over time, this group turned from a bunch of volunteers into a close‑knit squad that loved each other—so much so that they even shared snacks and trash-talk during practice.
Can I Believe This? The Cinderella Run
- Early Exit: The first years of the Annual Charter Cup saw the Lady Falcons get early shutouts, and the couch-side fans drifted away.
- Survival in the Round‑ups: 2024’s season saw them lose again, but the Little Golden Sun run over the last 30 games warmed hearts and words.
- The Final Sprint: 2025 saw them take on the titans—teams like Springfield High, Lakeview Academy, and others, all chasing months of home‑court advantage. How did the Lady Falcons do? By pulling every trick in the box—loose ball stealing, buzzer‑beaters, and a net‑ting half‑court line that knocked the wind out of the windpipe.
Why This Matters
The Lady Falcons’ win isn’t just a trophy. It’s hope for the long‑term—getting girls on boards, turning practice drills into classrooms, and proving that a small program can compete with giants. “We’re still here to play, to study, and to inspire tomorrow’s players,” Coach Martinez said during the trophy ceremony.
Future Forecast: A Sky with No Limits
Now that “finals” have raked in the wins, the Florida Prep Lady Falcons plan to expand their fan base, make the press more comfortable, and show us that the next swim is only the beginning. Team members keep uploading highlights, training shows, and the occasional prank on the captain.
Takeaway: From zero to champion, the Lady Falcons’ Cinderella saga reminds us that making dreams happen is often a stitch of perseverance, humor, and a handful of very talented players. The story is just beginning—watch out, world! The Falcons are just getting started.
From High‑School Star to FSU’s Hot‑Shot
Meet Emma Risch: a 6‑foot‑high eighth‑grader turning the Florida Prep Lady Falcons into a championship‑hungry squad. She wasn’t just a pretty face on the court—she earned a spot on the McDonald’s All‑American list, reserved for the nation’s top 25, and launched herself into the BallisLife All‑American spotlight. When the three‑point contest came around, she came out swinging and won against the country’s best‑ranked girls.
National Buzz and College Dream
Her ball‑handling and scoring drew national headlines, earning her an honorable mention as a Naismith All‑American and cementing her reputation as one of the country’s elite. When scholarship offers started pouring in, Emma didn’t just go for any school—she chose the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish haven’t shied away from Bloomin’ Battle‑fields; they’ve reached the Women’s Basketball National Championship seven times and taken the title twice.
Freshman Year: A Shot‑in‑the‑Dark
- Only seven games in her rookie season.
- Scored a career‑high 16 points against Chicago State.
- Average of just five points per game before a hip surgery slammed her season to a halt.
Sophomore Year: The Spark of a Breakout
- Returned strong, poking double‑digits on several occasions.
- Stole the spotlight with a career‑high 23 against Eastern Michigan—seven 3‑pointers, a record‑breaking feat that made her the sixth program player to sink six in one game!
- Unfortunately, another hip injury forced surgery, ending the season early again.
After two years of knee‑slamming and groin‑spilling injuries, Emma is gearing up for a final push in her junior year—this time with the Florida State Seminoles, poised to help the Gators crack deeper into the NCAA tournament.
FSU’s 2025 Signing Class
Coach Wyckoff shared that FSU’s 2025 sign‑up boasts five star‑players—Emma Risch, Mari Gerton, Solé Williams, Pania Davis, and Jasmine Shavers—ready to lift the Seminoles into the next chapter of basketball glory.
Hot Off the Press!
April 14, 2025 – The Space Coast Daily News Has It All
Hey there, Brevard County! If you’re still scrolling through your phone, stop—your Saturday just got upgraded to rocket‑grade.
What’s Brewing in the Planetary Hub?
- New Satellite Launch: NASA’s latest microsatellite, “Stellar Scout”, lifts off from Cape Canaveral. The launch was smooth, the commentators were buzzing, and the coffee at 9:00 a.m. was exactly what you need to celebrate.
- Local Spacewalk Photo Contest: City‑wide call to capture the night sky has 450 entries. The winning image is a star‑studded selfie from the top of the Kennedy Space Center Observatory.
- Space Port Gift Shop Opening: New merch is featuring 3D printed NASA logos. Get your hands on some one‑of‑a‑kind headwear that’s both techie and trend‑setting.
Why We Love the Space Coast Daily News
The newspaper has become the unofficial playbook for everything that happens around the launchpads. It’s:
- Fast‑Tracking the Journey: Tell you the next big thing before you’ve even finished your coffee.
- Brimming with Local Flavor: Highlights teachers, chefs, and community volunteers who keep the Space Coast humming.
- Full of Humor: Articles are sprinkled with jokes that make the science feel as fun as a Saturday night.
Be Part of the Buzz!
Got a story idea? Think you’ve seen something out of this world? Drop a line at the Space Coast Daily. The team’s always on the lookout for the next headline that will make people grin, gasp, and maybe, just maybe, launch a new idea into orbit.