GROWING INTO A ROLE

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For The Tribune

Carley McCammon enjoys playing near the basket, but with injuries to teammates, she had to fill other roles for the Medora girls’ basketball team this winter.

“When I can, I play inside, but I tend to do both,” she said, and mentioned some nights she has brought the ball up the floor against a press. “I’ve had to help a little bit with the ball.

“Where I set up depends on who we’re playing that night. We look at their players, and their height and stuff. I love the chance when I get to post up. I’ve gotten to improve a lot on my post moves, and I like to have a chance to use them. I do like to have an outside shot, too, but Kailen (Flynn) helped us out a lot this season and allowed me to play other positions.”

McCammon is left-handed and said she liked to pivot to the left and take the ball to the basket.

“I love one of our plays where I play high post, and we reverse the ball and I cut over to the open spot, at the top of the key,” she said. “I get to the free throw line and I like that shot.”

Her career-high was scoring 24 against Washington Catholic her junior year.

She also had 20 against Bloomington Lighthouse, and this season scored 21 against Irvington Prep Academy in the Henryville Tipoff Tournament.

“I used to be one of the shorter people and I got used to being able to handle the ball, and I think that helped me, and after I grew I was still able to handle the ball as well as have some height,” she said.

“I like playing against man because we don’t see it a lot. Teams are more-and-more going to a 2-3 zone. I like when we play man-to-man because we have girls that are quick off the dribble, and we can create some scoring opportunities off of that.”

McCammon said she enjoyed playing full-court defense. “When we have the numbers, and no one is in foul trouble, we can have a pretty effective press. I really like our (half-court) zone. I like being down low.”

The senior began her basketball career in middle school, and played three years in high school, and was a full-time starter the past two years.

“We had a lot of talent my freshman year,” she said. “I think it helped (starting as a freshman), because ever since I was young, and my dad coming into our practices and transitioning in with all those girls, and playing with all that talent helped me improve. That’s why I improved so much that season.”

McCammon said that season she watched the older players on the team and how they led, and she tried to do that this season, along with the other seniors, Jadelyn Dean and Tara Richey.

“We’re in that position they’re in when we were freshman,” she said. “It’s kind of cool to see that transition and see those girls grow up. We had great girls this year.”

This past season, McCammon was named a captain.

“It’s a big honor to be able to do that,” she said. “Even though it’s a lot of responsibility, it’s rewarding. You go out there and kind of set the example. It’s kind of neat to see how everyone falls inline.”

McCammon said that having a strong mental game is a key to success.

“I would say mental is a really important part of sports,” she said. “Whenever you have an off game it’s usually more or you in your own head than anything else. You have to keep your cool and learn how to refocus and stay in the game.”

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Parents: Brad and Luanne McCammon

Sibling: Kelsey

Sports: basketball 3 years, track 1 year

Athletic awards: all-county, Indiana Elite North-South game junior-senior year

Organizations: Beta Club, Student Council, class president, Letter M Club

Plans after high school: attend college, study elementary education

Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo

Favorite TV show: “Parks and Recreation”

Favorite band: Maroon 5

Favorite movie: “Bridesmaids”

Favorite team: Indiana Pacers

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Q: What’s it like attending MHS?

A: “I can’t imagine going to school anywhere else and being in a big school. I love being here and being part of small atmosphere. It’s great because you get more one-on-one time with your teachers. The teachers and students are more involved and everybody kind of interacts with one another. I’ve definitely had an awesome experience playing here.”

Q: What was it like playing for your dad?

A: “Coaches have a tendency, if they have a child on the team, they tend to take it out harder on them. But I think it’s made me have stronger character because I’ve learned to accept criticism, I’ve gotten used to it, and I’ve learned to take it positively instead of being offended by it, and I’ve gotten used to it.”

Q: Did you have an advantage playing at home?

A: “We love the home games. Kenny (Flynn) does a great job of announcing and getting the crowd really into it. It’s cool to see the whole community come out and support us.”

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