Why the state-ranked Elmwood girls basketball team is happy to face lofty expectations

PRINCEVILLE — A now-healthy all-stater and her transfer teammate are making a big impression in Elmwood.

Together Mae Herman and Tinley Lemmerman have the Trojans playing for the championship of the Lee Westerman Girls Princeville Holiday Tournament title. Elmwood faces host Princeville (13-4) at 10:30 a.m. Thursday for a shot at the first-ever bracketed version title of the 12-year event.

Herman’s late free throws sealed the 34-32 semifinal victory over Midland on Wednesday morning. Half of Lemmerman’s 10 shared game-high points came in the second half, building off a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to send the game into halftime.

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These two playing together for the first time hasn’t come without growing pains, but their chemistry is building.

“I feel like as the season goes on,” Lemmerman said, “we’ve been forming more of a connection on the court.”

Added Herman, “It’s been fun. Having Tinley has been a huge advantage for her transferring over to our team. … Someone who is just passionate about the game and really gives it all. It’s been great.”

Returning from injury

Following an all-state sophomore season, Herman sustained a left knee injury in May 2022, requiring her to have ACL reconstruction and meniscus surgery. She missed her junior campaign and spent the next 11 months of intense physical therapy rehabbing her knee to get medically cleared.

The 5-foot-8 senior guard doesn’t seem to have missed a beat. Two months after returning to competitive play, she picked up five junior college offers, deciding in August that Lincoln Land was the best fit for her.

“She’s stronger than she was ... her sophomore year,” Elmwood coach Gregg Meyers said. “She’s moving really well.”

Although sidelined the last week-and-half with strep throat, Herman is back to her usual form from two seasons ago. She scored 22 points in her season debut against Canton. That was the first of multiple 20-point games, including another 22-point output on 10-of-13 shooting in a victory over ROWVA/Williamsfield.

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With Herman and Lemmerman alternating playing the point guard spot, both players are not only scoring but are find their teammates, too. Lemmerman handed out five assists in the win over Midland.

“(Both of us handling the ball) creates openings in different areas for both us and the team,” Herman said. “… I’d say we have a lot of room for improvement, but I think we get (that chemistry down), it’s going to be pretty cool.”

Transfer from Illini Bluffs to Elmwood

As for Lemmerman, the 5-foot-6 junior guard went through the entire summer playing with Illini Bluffs before moving to Elmwood in August. She’s been adapting on the fly but has shown incredible versatility.

Meyers says Lemmerman has been a very welcomed addition, playing scrappy defense as well as adding another ballhandler and scorer on offense.

“We usually don’t get anybody who moves into Elmwood,” Meyers said, “so this been kind of like, ‘Wow. This is nice.’ She’s been great to have.”

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Plus, Elmwood is embracing a lofty ranking in the first poll by The Associated Press. The Trojans are No. 5 among Class 1A schools, boasting a 13-2 record. Elmwood lost to Canton, then rattled off 11 wins in a row before a loss to Illini Bluffs in the Monmouth United Tournament title game.

But that doesn’t mean talking about being one of the state’s best teams is taboo.

“I enjoy it,” Herman said. “It’s motivation. It’s like, ‘OK. We’re this good,’ so don’t let other teams scare you. We are who we are. We’re going to play how we play.”

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: IHSA basketball: Elmwood girls have state ranking, transfer, expectations