Ben Murphy
Contributing Writer

(Photo provided – Early injuries kept the Eaton Rapids’ Greyhounds on their toes as they fought their way to a 14-9 finish.)

Before the new season could ever really even get going, the Eaton Rapids girls basketball team had some major adversity thrown their way. The Lady Greyhounds reacted well to a pair of key injuries, playing the way to a solid season of 14-9 overall.

“We truly overcame so many doubts and obstacles to succeed this season,” coach Reyna Luplow said. “We started the season with two very serious ACL tears from two of our returning starters and main scorers. This caused us to rely on our underclassmen to do a lot for us, and they full-heartedly stepped up and took on the challenge. I’m just grateful for the opportunity day in and out to lead and coach these amazing student-athletes. They are a special group. I’m truly blessed.”

The Greyhounds were able to finish second place in the CAAC-White, with a solid 11-3 record in league play, finishing only behind a loaded Portland squad. 

“My favorite part was seeing this team come together and compete,” Luplow said. “We went to Portland our second time playing them and gave them a run for their money for three-quarters of the game. That right there showed the progress and grit we had grown to posess.”

They had their season ended in the first round of Division 2 district play, coming up short against Charlotte. 

“The toughest part about the year coming to an end is losing our senior, Kylie Alvarez,” Luplow said. “Though she had an ACL injury this season and could not play, she has been a vital part of the program for all four years that she has been in high school. She has been super helpful in my transition as head coach at Eaton Rapids by giving me a point guard I could trust. In the big scheme of things that is huge.”

With Alvarez’s absence from the court, that opened the door to a handful of other players to make their impact.

“Delaney Collins (freshman first team all-conference) was our leading scorer this season averaging 12.5 points a game and also 3.5 assists per game,” Luplow said. “To be a freshman and come in to lead a varsity team is no easy task. Delaney is one of the most high IQ freshmen I have ever coached, and she certainly proved it on the floor this season. Elle Lorente (junior, 1st team all-conference) was our sole returning leader and starter. She was phenomenal for us on and off the court this season. Elle averaged about 11 points a game and eight rebounds.However, her impact went far beyond the stat sheet. Whether it was a key three-point shot, an and-one or a block to get momentum going – we could constantly count on Elle to do big things for us.

“Addyson Schultz was our lockdown defender. She held some of the best scorers in the league to their lowest scoring games all season. Leading in deflections and steals, she brought great defense to create offense for us. Other key contributors were Devyn Winkelman, Cheyenne Drinkwater and Remie Ellis (honorable mention all-conference).”

All told, the year felt like a success; especially considering injuries like the ones they sustained can often derail a season.

“I’m very happy with the progress shown this season especially when the cards seemed to be stacked against us,” Luplow said. “This team learned what it means to be a team and compete together for one goal. That is a lesson that will carry with them for the rest of time.”

With the way this season went, there’s a belief that it can serve as a springboard for what’s to come in the future.

“My hope is we continue to grow as a team, get stronger, keep playing together and growing,” Luplow said. “The sky’s the limit next season; what we are capable of will directly result in the work we put in in the offseason. We have some big goals, so I’m excited for what could be.”