GROVE CITY — Steve Lamie would like to take the credit.

The Grove City College men's basketball coach wants to say he knew what Cody Fleeger could do at the college level all along.

But he can't.

“He forced himself on the floor,” Lamie said. “We almost played him reluctantly as a freshman.”

Every time Fleeger, a Butler High grad, stepped onto the floor, though, he made something good happen.

“Suddenly, we're thinking, ‘Why didn't we play him earlier,'” Lamie said.

That's not a problem now for Lamie or Fleeger, a junior who has developed into the Wolverines' most reliable defender and rebounder.

Only 6-feet-1, Fleeger leads the team with a little more than six rebounds per game. He also leads the team in minutes played.

“Pound for pound, he is probably our strongest player,” Lamie said. “And he doesn't get tired.”

Those traits have served him well.

The Golden Tornado's leading scorer as a senior, Fleeger went to Grove City with little idea of how he would fit in.

His role developed as a defensive stopper. Fleeger started just two games last season, but he moved into the starting lineup for good this season.

“Playing hard was always something that came easily to me,” Fleeger said. “Playing for (coach Joe Lewandowski at Butler), that's what he expected. It was second nature for me to come here and play with a chip on my shoulder.”

Fleeger's true gift has been rebounding.

Often giving away four inches inside, Fleeger has found a way to get the tough rebounds.

Fleeger merely shrugs it off as a natural gift and being in the right place.

Lamie sees more to it than that.

“If you look at his size, it's misleading,” Lamie said. “He's 6-1, if that, but the reason he's so good is his technique is perfect and then he brings with it intensity.”

Lamie often puts Fleeger on the opponent's best offensive player.

“We feel confident he can guard anyone on the floor, except for the center,” Lamie said. “He's the quintessential Grove City player. If I could make a mold, it would be of him.”

Now, Lamie is hoping Fleeger can regain some of the scoring form he had high school.

The last two years, Fleeger rarely was asked to provide scoring punch. This season, though, Lamie needs more.

Fleeger is off to a slow start, shooting 37 percent and averaging just over four points per contest.

“The biggest thing is the mindset,” Fleeger said. “I just feel like it is mostly mental. I know I can score. I play basketball all the time. I grew up as a scorer.”

Lamie said he has little doubt Fleeger can turn into a weapon on offense when left open.

“We're just need him to hit the open shot,” Lamie said.