While Koryn Greiwe’s numbers this season were similar to that of her freshman year, one number took a big leap.
Wins.
After going 10-13 a year ago, Columbus East improved to 16-8 this season. Greiwe was the driving force behind that and repeats as The Republic Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
"This year, the team really stepped up to help us get the wins that we did," Greiwe said. "We definitely worked hard in practice to get all the wins we did. We were focused every game, and the it showed throughout the year that we’re a team that has high expectations now. Each year, I think we’re getting better. We’re building energy each year."
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Following a freshman campaign in which she led the Olympians with 19.0 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals a game, Greiwe endured no sophomore slump. She led East with 21.2 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals and added 3.6 rebounds.
"I think I worked a lot for this year, and I think I proved that I did improve," Greiwe said. "All those achievements remind me that everything is paying off."
Just as she did her freshman year, Greiwe got off to a sizzling start. The fourth game of this season, in a 79-69 win against Brown County she scored a career-high 44 points, which is just one off the single-game school record.
For three weeks in November, Greiwe was the state’s leading scorer at around 32 points a game.
"She got off to that great start again," East coach Danny Brown said. "She adjusted as the year went on and got everybody involved around her. I think her ball-handling skills were even better. We put the ball in her hands so much. Getting other people involved got better. Defensively, she’s always been pretty tough. I think her outside shot is improving. She’s just an all-around special player."
As Brown pointed out, Greiwe drew plenty of defensive attention from opponents.
"She got everybody’s best shot," Brown said. "The best defensive plans were aimed at her. She was able to handle it with her physical toughness. Her mental acumen was better to the point where she could better handle it this year I think than the year before."
Greiwe is on pace to become the Olympians’ all-time leading scorer. She currently ranks 12th on the career list with 946 points.
"She’s had a lot thrown at her in two years, and the maturation process that I’ve seen kids go through, they get even more tough mentally their junior and senior years," Brown said. "If she does that, with the talented group we have around her, it’s going to be a special two years. She always wants to get better. No one works harder than her every day. She’s just scratching the surface I think of what she can be."
This fall, Greiwe can begin taking college visits. She is hoping to play at the Division I level and has been in contact with several coaches.
Greiwe plans to play for the Indiana Elite travel team this spring and summer. She has been working on ballhandling in her driveway and garage in hopes of improving her game even more for next season.
"I definitely want to be a Junior All-Star and get my shooting percentage higher and keep the same energy as we did this year and continue to be a great leader," Greiwe said. "Our team is young, so I’m excited to see what we can do in the future. If those achievements come, then I’ll be happy."
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The Republic All-Area Girls Basketball team
Koryn Greiwe, Columbus East: The sophomore led the Olympians with 21.2 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals and added 3.6 rebounds.
Gabby Dean, Columbus East: The freshman averaged 7.1 points and led the Olympians with 7.4 rebounds and 4.1 blocks.
Whitley Rankin, Columbus East: The senior averaged 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals.
Saige Stahl, Columbus East: The freshman averaged 7.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
Alexa McKinley, Columbus North: The junior led the Bull Dogs with 11.8 points and 3.4 assists and added 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
Sierra Norman, Columbus North: The senior averaged 9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals.
Kylah Lawson, Columbus North: The sophomore averaged 5.2 points and led the Bull Dogs with 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
Annie Anderson, Columbus North: The senior averaged 6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.4 steals.
Sydney Jaynes, Trinity Lutheran: The junior averaged 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds and led the Cougars with 4.1 assists.
Bailey Tabeling, Trinity Lutheran: The freshman led the Cougars with 21.4 points and 2.3 steals and added 3.2 assists.
Hannah Sabotin, Trinity Lutheran: The senior averaged 8.3 points and led the Cougars with 10.5 rebounds.
Allison Stogsdill, Brown County: The senior led the Eagles with 16.3 points and added 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals.
Addyson Kent, Jennings County: The junior averaged 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
Lily Ernstes, Jennings County: The sophomore led the Panthers with 14.8 points and 7.1 rebounds.
Destiney Ramey, Edinburgh: The senior led the Lancers with 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.5 steals and added 2.6 assists.
Kyliegh Parrott, Hauser: The freshman led the Jets with 12.0 points and added 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals.
Honorable mention
Brown County: Abby Fleetwood, Aubrey Hollander, Gracie Matlock. Columbus Christian: Madison Henderson, Kayla Jones. Columbus East: Leah Bachmann, Katie Dougherty. Columbus North: Lauren Barker, Madison White. Edinburgh: Annelise Lollar, Haven Link. Hauser: Bree Hadley, Mel Hasler. Jennings County: Kali Thompson. South Decatur: Lana Bell.
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