Cornerstones for the future?
CLARION — Emily Hegedus was asked to do something almost completely foreign to her on the basketball court.
Instead of grousing about her new role as a sophomore on the Clarion University women's basketball team, she took it as a challenge.
“I was going to play anywhere coach wanted me to play,” Hegedus said.
The 5-foot-9 slasher was a star point guard for the Karns City girls basketball team. Her strength was getting to the hoop and either finishing or creating for her teammates.
Few could stop her from getting to the rim with the Gremlins.
But this season, Clarion coach Jana Ashley needed a post presence and she called on Hegedus to provide it.
“She is such a versatile player on the court and what is even better is her willingness to play any position and do whatever the team needs,” Ashley said. “You don't find many player willing to sacrifice playing a certain position to do what is best for the team.”
Hegedus did it gladly, even though the learning curve was a steep one.
Still, Hegedus grew more comfortable in her nomadic role this season for the Golden Knights and finished strong. She reached double digits in four of her last five games and averaged 8.7 points per game this season.
Hegedus is determined to get even better this offseason.
She's already begun.
Hegedus is embarking on a quest to take 300 shots a day from various spots on the court. Some will be jumpers. Some will be runners. Some with be dribble drives and others will be moves in the post.
“I know exactly what I need to work on,” Hegedus said.
That includes getting stronger and quicker.
“I struggled a little on defense because I need quicker feet,” Hegedus said. “And I have to finish through contact.”
Hegedus was also named captain this season — another role she doesn't take lightly.
“(It) was an honor that she earned over the last two years in our program,” Ashley said. “She holds herself accountable, doesn't complain and just finds a way to get it done. As she has become comfortable in our system and with the college game, her natural leadership qualities have begun to show more and more.”
For Hegedus, though, this season was a bittersweet one.
Clarion struggled, going 4-24 and 2-20 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
“I'm a big team player and not doing well as a team stinks,” Hegedus said. “I think what I've learned this season and through last season is you have to have determination, especially when things aren't going well. You can't get down on yourself or your teammates.”
One of Hegedus' teammates, A-C Valley grad and freshman guard Olivia Boocks, also made an impact for the Golden Knights.
Boocks was a weapon off the bench. She hit 30 3-pointers and had five double-digit scoring games as a reserve.
“Liv's game translates very well to the college level,” Ashley said. “Her athleticism, scoring ability and toughness made her an important part of our rotation coming off the bench.”
Like Hegedus, though, Boocks is far from satisfied.
“I feel like I could still improve a lot more,” she said. “I'm still not completely comfortable yet. This is a whole different level.”
Boocks admitted she was nervous and felt out of her element early in her freshman season.“It was a little rough for me,” she said. “I've always been on the court and I had to learn things to do off the court to help the team.“I think it's opened my eyes a lot,” she added. “I just told myself nothing was going to be given to me and I had to go in there and prove myself. I had to earn my playing time.”Ashley said Boocks will likely earn even more in the future.“Liv improved so much as the season progressed and she adjusted to the speed and defensive tactics of the college game,” Ashley said. “The experience she gained as a freshman will only make her that much tougher and more prepared going into next season.”Hegedus, Boocks and Ashley are hopeful better things are coming for the Clarion program.The entire team is back next season and a pair of freshmen could also make a quick impact.It also helps the team has access to a whole court.Last year when Tippin Gymnasium was under renovation, the team had to practice and play at the recreation center.“We were limited in time on the court and we had to share the court,” Hegedus said. “Sometimes we only had half the court and we couldn't practice our transition game. I think that definitely set us back.”With no such concerns this season, the belief is the program can begin to make strides.“No coach wants to go through a losing season, but as I have had a few days to reflect on the season, I am thankful for the adversity we faced because of how much our team has grown together from it,” Ashley said.“As far as I'm concerned, our record is 0-0 right now,” Ashley added. “We are focused on using everything we learned this year to have a big-time 20-21 season.”
