Learning curve high for LRCS' Cressman
AREA ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Bethany Cressman is still learning the game of basketball, but she's showing she is a fast learner.
The freshman post for the Lake Region Christian Hornets put her learning to the test in the Midwest Invitational Shootout Jan. 30 at Ankeny, Iowa.
She passed with flying colors as she was named the tournament's most valuable player after leading the Hornets to the title.
"She's a freshman, but as a ninth-grader, she's playing with the poise and experience that someone who is two years older would play with," said Hornets head coach Steve Ogren. "In a way we're grooming her to be a leader of this team. She's not there yet, but she is close for a freshman."
Cressman scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Hornets to a 34-33 victory over Siouxland in the championship game of the Shootout Jan. 30.
Bethany Cressman
Year: Freshman
School: Lake Region Christian
Sport: Basketball
Position: Post
Key stat: Named MVP of Midwest Invitational Shootout
In the semifinals, Cressman tallied 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Hornets knocked off Beth Eden 48-32.
Cressman started the tournament with an 11 point, 9-rebound performance against Fourth Baptist.
"I just got open and we were playing really well as a team," said Cressman. "I've been working on my post moves and getting open scoring down low, all those types of things."
Cressman's season totals include 176 points, 126 rebounds, 19 assists, 34 steals and five blocked shots, numbers that have surprised her coach and herself.
"I am surprised," she said. "I've gotten a lot of encouragement and support. We've had other people come in who taught myself and the other post players what moves we should do.
"As a team we've been playing well, too. That's been sort of a surprise, but a good surprise."
Said Ogren: "We knew Bethany had the talent, but to see it come to fruition is really exciting.
"Defensively, she is a decent defender, but there are still some things to learn there. Her strength is on the offensive end, but I've got three more years to work with her on that."
Ogren said the 5-foot-8 Cressman is a taller girl in the Minnesota Association of Christian Schools Conference, but she presents defenses with the triple threat of shooting the jump shot from the high post, passing down to the low post or driving with the basketball. What he likes best is her ability to learn.
"She's very teachable," said Ogren. "That's what makes her a pleasure to have on the team. I can't wait for the next few years to continue to teach her the game and watch her mature as a player."
Other notable performances:
Basketball: Autumn Ackerman, Pine River-Backus, finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds against Pequot Lakes.
Emily Lueck, Pequot Lakes, finished with 19 points against Pine River-Backus, 18 points and 13 rebounds against Hibbing.
Meredith Chaput, Aitkin, scored 30 points against Rush City and 21 against Ogilvie.
Jana Anderson, Crosby-Ironton, scored 21 points against Detroit Lakes.
Gymnastics: Rachelle LeBlanc, won the uneven bars and floor exercise on her way to winning the all-around against Sauk Rapids.
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.