How this Morton senior girls basketball player invested in herself and became a leader
PEORIA — Making 20,001 shots in the offseason has given Addy Engel a new sense of self-assurance.
“I think all of my preparation has just allowed me to play confidently,” the Morton senior said. “Confident in my abilities, knowing that I put in the work, so just proving what I can do on the floor.”
Her improvement has shown through in the season’s first few girls basketball games. The 5-foot-10 guard/forward has led the Potters in scoring six of their seven contests, putting in a career-high 29 points against Champaign Central last Friday.
Morton (4-3) now opens Mid-Illini Conference play on Friday against Canton at Alice Ingersoll Gymnasium.
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Becoming a leader
So, was this the role Bob Becker envisioned for his four-year varsity player? “Definitely,” the Morton coach said. “She took ownership of her development this summer.”
She and her teammate Ellie VanMeenen, who were both named all-tournament team as Morton finished second at its own Thanksgiving tourney, embarked on a shooting challenge on July 1. By the time school started in August, the pair had made roughly 13,000 shots, and decided they wanted to hit 20K.
Once Halloween arrived, Engel and VanMeenen hit their goal — and all their shots, sinking 160 makes a day.
“I know she’s going to have a big year,” Becker said of Engel. “She’s invested in it. She’s a heck of a player.”
Becker, though, wants Engel to fly under the radar this season. “Don’t mention her ever,” he said with a laugh.
Kidding aside, Becker lauds Engel as having valuable experience and being a great leader. He says the all-Mid-Illini Conference second-teamer displays a calming presence and ability to outwork nearly everyone.
Plus, she’s becoming a mentor to freshmen Abby VanMeenen and Paige Selke.
“They’re going to be huge pieces on our team,” Engel said.
Morton has already gotten a good look at their contributing first-year players. Those freshman — Abby VanMeene (five points, three rebounds) and Selke (six points, three rebounds) — played significant minutes in the defeat to Peoria High, which was last season’s Class 3A state third-place finisher.
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Tested by a tough schedule
A potential matchup between these two teams could happen in the sectional championship.
“This is probably the most pressure that we’re going to face,” Engel said following the 53-48 loss. “They’re a really good team, and I think that it will show us a lot of what we need to work on but also, I’m really happy with our effort tonight.
“I think we have a lot of areas to grow but we can be really good by the end.”
The Potters have once again put together a tough schedule.
Nonconference games against the Lions, Rock Island, PND, Macomb and Manual along with hosting Champaign Central, East St. Louis, Richwoods and Lincoln at the annual Morton Thanksgiving Tournament as well as heading to the State Farm Holiday Classic cap the 2023 campaign. Don’t forget an always difficult Mid-Illini slate mixed in there as well.
“We can compete with the best,” Becker said. “I do like our team, and I think that we’ll be dangerous come the end of the season. We’ve got some kids in the mix and they’re going to get better and better. I’m excited for our team. We’ll see if can keep moving in the right direction.
“We haven’t jelled yet. It’s going to get there, though. There’s good signs. We’re much better than we were.”
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Morton Potters girls basketball senior Addy Engel becomes team leader
