LEADING PRESENCE

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For The Tribune

Since her freshman year, the Seymour girls’ basketball team has needed her presence on the court.

By her junior season, Maci Lubker helped the the Owls team win 17 games last season.

She said in order to top that win mark this season, the Owls need to step up on defense.

“Definitely concentrating on defense,” she listed as a key to more wins. “The coaches are really trying to push that to be our identity. We win with how we play defense. Our offense will carry over. We need to play as a team defensively and offensively.”

Lubker has been a three-year starter for the Owls and also played in several varsity games her freshman year.

“I kind of stepped in at point-guard when Paxton (DeHaven) got hurt my sophomore year,” Lubker said. “My junior I was kind of a point guard, so I kind of stuck with that, and they’re kind of mixing me around this year.”

Lubker said she does not feel comfortable shooting from the corner.

“I would rather play against a ‘man’ defense to get more driving opportunities, but if we’re lighting it up that night we might as well go against a zone,” she said.

Her career-high was 23 points at Jennings County last week, and she has been in the 20s three other games.

Lubker said the Owls spend a lot of time in practice working on the transition game.

“We really concentrate on (transition) during practice, with (Mikayla) Fee or Kayla (Griffin) running up the court, getting up there fast, and get the ball up so we can hopefully get a quick basket,” she said.

She also said she enjoys applying a press on defense.

Lubker has been a co-captain since her sophomore year.

“I had to step up at a younger age,” Lubker said. “I think everyone looks up to (Morgan Ritz and I). I like having that role. We’ve always been a close-knit group.

“You feel important when you go out there at the beginning of the games (and talk to the officials). We try to keep the team under control during games, and keep them calm during tough situations, so I love the responsibility.

She said having a positive attitude is important in all sports.

“You definitely want to keep a level head throughout the game,” Lubker said. “They always say sports is 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical. If you need to hit a layup and you’re wide open it’s all mental, concentrating. You have to focus throughout the game.

“You definitely have to focus throughout practice. You need to be ready to go and concentrate each day to improve. We’ve done that for the most part this year. We’ve been successful throughout the year so it has paid off.”

In the offseasons, Lubker traveled around the country playing on AAU teams.

“We traveled to St. Louis, Chicago, Georgia: we’ve been everywhere,” Lubker said. “In AAU, you don’t have much time to put in plays. You just have to go out there and play, and that’s also a great way to learn more about the game, and definitely stay in shape throughout the offseason. When we go to tournaments, we may play up to five games a day, so we’re constantly playing.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Maci Lubker

Parents: Mark and Deneen Lubker

Siblings: Landen

Sports: Basketball, four years; tennis, one year

Athletic highlights: All-conference honorable mention, invited to top-100 workouts

Organizations: Choir, National Honor Society

Plans after high school: Attend college, play basketball and major in nursing

Favorite food: Chips and salsa

Favorite TV show: “Friends”

Favorite movie: Adele

Favorite movie: “The Notebook”

Favorite team: Indiana University

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Q: What has it been like attending Seymour High School?

A: “I’ve definitely enjoyed it. I love the relationships with people I’ve been able to become friends with. I love my classes. They’ve given me a lot of opportunities throughout the school.

“Being a student here is awesome and I don’t want it to end. I love high school, and playing basketball has made it better. Sports are definitely big, and supporting each other’s teams is a big thing, also.”

Q: Do you enjoy playing in the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium?

A: “I love the atmosphere. It’s great. The crowd is awesome, our band is awesome.”

Q: Favorite away gym?

A: “Brownstown. I love the atmosphere there. I love how they dim the lights when we play. I just love the rivalry between us.”

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