Gibsonburg girls basketball's star freshman keeps her winning tradition alive
Elly Evarts wasted no time establishing herself at the varsity level.
The freshman averages 23 points for the Gibsonburg girls basketball team, which has won its first six games.
“Our consistency wearing teams down,” Evarts said. “We started kind of slow [in a few games] but we had the stamina to run and run. We don’t get fazed. We don’t get tired.”
The Golden Bears topped Tiffin Calvert, Hopewell-Loudon, Lakota, New Riegel and St. Joseph Central Catholic in the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division. Gibsonburg beat Elmwood to start the season.
Gibsonburg and Calvert were tied at 20-20 at the half in a 67-40 victory.
“Offensively, the goal is to be patient,” Evarts said. “Pass and cut. Look for the open shot. Defensively, aggressive, traps on the ball, hands active, talking. We’re going to hustle for rebounds. The first five games showed what we can do.
“The team played great and I can show off what I can do. We know how to play basketball.”
Evarts, who is 5-foot-8, already looks like one of the top players in the area. She scored 30 points against Calvert in her second game.
“I’ve expected this,” she said. “I’ve seen these girls and I knew I’d fit in. They accepted me to fit right in. We have to keep it rolling. Our confidence is high right now.”
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She also averages six rebounds, 4.6 steals and 3.2 assists. She scores at all levels, with 17 3-pointers and 18 of 23 free throws the first five games.
“I was face-guarded by Aubrey Vitte,” Evarts said of Lakota. “She’s the best defender I’ve faced. I knew it would happen, I didn’t expect it this heavy. I’m trying to figure out how to help the team. I watch Steph Curry. I just try to run around, keep running around.
“If I set a pick, the girl off the pick is open. I try to benefit the team, not necessarily score. The goals for myself are to be patient, score when I can and make smart decisions. Get better on defense. I’m getting bigger and stronger to finish and rebound.
"Get your points and play as a team. I want to get better and play at a high level. It’s a challenge.”
She’s been able to hit the ground running because she was prepared. After all, she’s famous.
Evarts was a national champ in the Punt, Pass, Kick football competition when she was 7 and advanced to the national finals twice in the Pitch, Hit, Run softball competition at 10 and 12.
And before she reached the high school level, her Gibsonburg middle school teams were unbeaten the last two years.
“Winning is kind of in the blood,” she said. “I’m not phased from middle school to high school. I’m used to face-guards and fouls. If they don’t call it, they don’t call it. Keep your head up and ignore the noise.
“I’m not nervous, I’m used to it.”
The main challenge thus far is slowing things down, particularly with the ball.
“The first scrimmage, I thought I was good at practice, I’m adjusting,” she said. “I had a few turnovers in the first quarter. I had to settle down.”
It’s also significant that Evarts plays for coach Bo Evarts – her father.
“Playing for my dad is great,” she said. “He knows what I can do. I know what I can do. He challenges me. He’s coached me all my life. It feels normal.”
Senior Jaz Morant, the only returning starter, immediately knew Evarts would have an impact. She saw a fearless game changer arrive for scrimmages before the season even started.
“She’s one of the best defenders in the league,” Evarts said. “She’ll shut down the best player. She’s a captain. She’s there for everybody. Her shot is softer and she’s finishing. Our team can all guard anybody."
Gibsonburg was 17-7 last season and took a major step up in the SBC River Division.
“Our future looks bright,” Evarts said. “This year. There are eighth-graders coming. Seventh-grade. We get along as a team. One game at a time. We communicate. I can drive and kick, they can shoot it. That’s how it rolls.”
mhorn@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Gibsonburg's Elly Evarts among top freshmen for OHSAA girls basketball
