By Jon Styf
LocalSportsJournal.com
HART – Abby Hicks has seen a lot in her four years on the Hart varsity girls basketball team, from her varsity promotion late in her freshman year to last year’s trip to the Division 3 state finals.
One thing she soaked in was the leadership of players like Jayd Hovey and Aspen Boutell.
Hart’s Abby Hicks. Photo/Mia Milner
Now, it’s Hicks’ turn.
The Pirates’ senior knew she had to take on a more vocal role this season but also that she had to work hard and contribute any way she could to her team on offense, defense and in transition.
That seems to be clicking, shown in her recent triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 steals in a 61-49 win over Manistee that made her just the third player in school history to accomplish the feat.
“We have a lot of good players,” Hart coach Travis Rosema said. “Abby is kind of our straw that stirs the drink. Her energy, her passion just kind of gets everyone going and gets everyone together.”
Hicks averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and nearly five steals and assists per game last year. This year, those numbers have grown despite missing much of the offseason with a broken hand she suffered playing catcher just two weeks before district softball.
That didn’t stop Hicks from attending team camp at Indiana Wesleyan, where Hovey now plays, even though she couldn’t compete. Because she knows her role is bigger than that.
“I feel like I have had to step up vocally and as a leader on the court,” Hicks said.
Abby Hicks shoots in the lane during last season’s quarterfinal win. Photo/Joe Washington
Hart has had just two hiccups in an 8-2 start this year, a 20-point loss in the season opener against Grandville at a tournament in Petoskey and a loss at second-ranked Niles Brandywine where Hart held a fourth-quarter lead.
Hicks said playing so close with Niles Brandywine in early January has the team confident they can play with anyone and have a shot to make it deep in the playoffs again.
“I feel like our team can really make it far this year,” Hicks said. “I feel like we are so close and tight as a team. We’re friends on and off the court.”
Rosema said that Hicks’ leadership is her largest improvement this season and that he believes that will be key for the team as the season progresses.
Hart is scheduled to play at Ravenna at 7 p.m. Thursday before travelling to Holton for a 1:30 p.m. game on Saturday.
