In sticking to roots, Theryn Hallock making strong impression for MSU women's basketball
EAST LANSING − Theryn Hallock has made it a point to remain true to her roots.
The freshman guard has put an emphasis on playing the way she always has on the court while striving to become a contributor for the Michigan State women's basketball team.
That approach has helped Hallock make a strong early impression.
After showing some good things in a closed scrimmage against Louisville on Monday, Hallock followed that with a successful outing in the Spartans' 90-56 exhibition victory over Saginaw Valley at Breslin Center on Sunday.
In just over 16 minutes off the bench, Hallock had 13 points, four assists and three steals.
"I've just been trying to do my best as a point guard, and guard as a whole, just to get the ball to everybody and do my part," Hallock said. "With having good teammates behind my back, I know I can do the things I need to do. All I've got to do is keep on my ball pressure. I'm a little disappointed on the defensive side today, but it's only an exhibition game and we'll be getting better.
"I'm going to keep doing my thing and also keep doing my thing as a guard and pushing the ball up and down the floor and shooting the ball as I should and just be a good teammate."
Hallock, who was a Miss Basketball finalist, the Associated Press Division 1 basketball player of the year and the Gatorade girls soccer player of the year in the state while starring at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, has used her speed and agility and kept things simple.
"You see her speed when she gets going," MSU coach Suzy Merchant said. "I thought she was very effective against Louisvlle playing downhill. She took care of (the ball) a little bit better than on Monday at that scrimmage, but her effort is phenomenal. She's kind of a focus-and-finish-at-the-rim kind of kid. I was really impressed with her and I really have been.
"She's got some work to do in certain areas, but her effort and her energy (is good). She wants to learn. She just keeps it simple and plays really, really hard. Great effort usually gets you great results."
Hallock, whose father, Ty, played football at MSU and in the NFL, has impressed her older teammates with her work ethic and grit.
"She has that hard-work mentality that you can't really coach," MSU's Gabby Elliott said. "That's something that she brings to the table and it's a consistent thing. It's not an on and off. Theryn is here always willing to work and always willing to learn. It's something we need from our freshmen."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU women's basketball's Theryn Hallock making strong impression
