Christine Rathke played basketball at Franklin High School from 1997 to 2000. During her time, Rathke shattered several scoring records, many which still stand today, and brought a doormat team into the state spotlight in 1999 and 2000. Rathke led her undefeated squad to the state championship in 1999, and made a return appearance to Madison the following season. She earned CNI Newspapers Player of the Years honors in 1999 and 2000 as well as All-Area and All-State honorable mention.

         Today, Rathke holds the following records at Franklin High School: Most career points (1,561); most career field goals (534); most career assists (243); most career steals (259); most career free throws (271); most free throws in a season (91); most career three pointers (176); most three pointers in a season (62); and most three pointers in a game (8).

         After high school, Ratkhe attended Southeast Missouri State, playing two seasons for the Otahkians. During her freshman season, Ratkhe earned Most Outstanding Rookie honors, averaging 6.6 points while playing in all 27 games, starting one. She averaged 19 minutes a game, shooting 37 percent from behind the 3-point arc and 85 percent from the charity stripe.

         Before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside during the 2002-2003 season, Rathke made four appearances as a starter for the Otahkians during her sophomore season, playing in nine games and averaging 8.8 points a game. She also became one of the team’s best shooters.

         At UW-Parkside, Rathke played in 20 of the Rangers’ 23 games, averaging 11.2 points per game and 4.3 rebounds. She started in seven games, with her last coming on Feb. 15, 2003. It was the best of her collegiate career, as she scored 20 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and going 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.

         On Feb. 16, 2003, Ratkhe was killed in a car crash at about 1 p.m. on Ryan Road in Franklin. She was coming home from a Parkside Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to spend time with her family in Franklin. She died at age 20. Since that time, DJ’s Court Tourney has been played in Rathke’s honor.