Winter was Sommer's time

DON FRAZIER * dfrazier@semissourian.com

Notre Dame senior Sommer McCauley was a first-team all-state selection this season after averaging 18 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian

Sommer McCauley's career at Notre Dame has been defined by winning.

Whether it was volleyball or basketball, McCauley's teams racked up wins. The senior played for volleyball teams that made two trips to the final four in and basketball teams that went to the state tournament three times.

Notre Dame girls basketball coach Grim said McCauley's winning attitude helped make her such a strong player.

"I think we're lucky to get some kids who have that attitude," Grim said. "They won't accept anything less than a win."

The Bulldogs came into this basketball season not expected to compete for a fourth straight trip to the final four. They had to replace three starters from last year, and another returning starter, Sierra Ellis, missed seven games due to injury.

Through all of the uncertainty and inexperience, McCauley led the Bulldogs to their fourth straight state quarterfinal appearance. They fell just short of a fourth straight trip to the final four, losing 58-55 in overtime to St. James. Notre Dame finished 20-9.

Grim said McCauley made her presence felt all over the court.

"She worked in the post, some point and outside some," he said. "She did a lot."

A tenacious player on both sides of the court, the 5-foot-7 McCauley averaged 18 points and 7.4 rebounds. McCauley shot 35.2 percent from 3-point range and finished the season shooting 51.7 percent from the field. She led the team in nearly every category except assists, where she finished second.

"I just wanted to step up and help my team," McCauley said. "I just really like to win."

McCauley's scoring drove the Bulldogs offense. With her ability to hit from long range and create her own shot off the dribble, McCauley was a tough player for any defender to handle.

"She's just so explosive," Grim said. "When she goes to the hole with the ball, they just can't stop her."

What makes McCauley so hard to defend is her patented jump stop. Few players utilize the jump stop as well as McCauley.

"It started off in street ball with the boys," McCauley said of her jump stop.

McCauley's leadership, while not vocal, was felt throughout the team. In the big games McCauley actions spoke volumes, as she led Notre Dame in scoring throughout the playoffs.

She scored 58 points over the Bulldogs' last three games of the season, leading the team in each game. As a junior, McCauley had several big games in the playoffs, including a shot that sent the Bulldogs into overtime in a quarterfinal game against Lutheran South. She also scored 28 points in last year's semifinal victory.

"When she puts her mind to it, she can do anything she wants to," Grim said.

McCauley earned first-team all-state honors this season, following a second-team nod last season.

"When you get a kid that's willing to work that hard for you," Grim said, "it's a blessing."

FIRST TEAM

Sommer McCauley, Notre Dame

Senior

Key stats: 18 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 51.7 field-goal percentage

Notes: McCauley was Notre Dame's offensive leader this season. The Bulldogs put the ball in McCauley's hands when they needed a basket. With an explosive first step matched by few in the area, McCauley did much of her offensive work off the drive. She led the Bulldogs in nearly every offensive category. McCauley could hit the outside shot when necessary, hitting more than 35 percent of her 3-point shots.

Ashley Bartels, Jackson

Senior

Key stats: 13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 57.8 field-goal percentage, 3.6 spg

Notes: Bartels moved into the post for her senior season and ended up leading a balanced team in scoring. Often facing taller defenders, Bartels used her strength to hit easy baskets or get to the line. Bartels' strong free-throw shooting (78 percent) gave the Indians a weapon in close games.

April Lorenz, Perryville

Senior

Key stats: 21 pts, 11.6 reb. 2 stls, 78.9 ft %

Notes: A dominant scorer throughout her career, Lorenz finished as Perryville's all-time leading scorer. Lorenz led Perryville to a 19-7 season, showing an ability to shoot from the outside as well as post up.

Megan McDonald, Central

Senior

Key stats: 16.5 ppg, 73.8 field-goal percentage

Notes: McDonald had to do everything on a young an inexperienced club. McDonald was charged with creating the majority of Central's offense, and also bringing the ball up the court. She was a threat of 3-point range and one of the top ball-handlers in the area.

Lauren Lueders, Saxony Lutheran

Sophomore

Key stats: 10 ppg, 7 apg

Notes: A dangerous 3-point shooter, Lueders made quite a splash in Saxony Lutheran's inaugural boys basketball season. Lueders scored 19 points against Chaffee in Saxony Lutheran's first varsity game and continued to play strong basketball throughout the season. Lueders showed she could create her own shot off the dribble, and could be deadly from outside.

SECOND TEAM

Katie Loos, sr., Jackson, 6.1 ppg, 4.8 apg, 82.3 free-throw percentage, 2.5 spg

Shea Smith, fr., Delta, 13.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg., 77 free-throw percentage

Cortney Glastetter, fr., Woodland, 17 ppg, 13 rpg, 2 spg

Kelly Essner, jr., Kelly, 14 ppg, 5 spg

Jennifer Hoots, sr., Scott County Central, 19 ppg, 8 rpg