Hauser’s Ledger Gelfius drives to the basket against North Decatur FridayJan. 6 at Hauser High School.
HOPE — Ledger Gelfius didn’t have a huge varsity role as a freshman last year because of his time playing on the Hauser JV team.
Now a sophomore, Gelfius has become one of the vital pieces to the Jets boys basketball this year and for the next couple years. With Hauser being a really young team, Gelfius took a huge step this year in being a starter and one of the leaders of the team. The Jets currently are 8-9 as they head into the final month of the season.
“I’ve handled it pretty well. Whatever coach (Trent Moorhead) wants me to do, to do it to the best ability that I can. I think with the hard work and preparation, it’s been good,” Gelfius said. “Beginning of the season, I’ve always been nervous before I come into the games. Now, throughout the (season), I’m not nervous at all before the games, and it helps me do better, too.”
Gelfius is the team’s leading scorer at 13.9 points per game. He is second on the team in rebounds (4.1) and third on the team in assists (1.7) for the Jets.
“He went through a tough year last year just trying to find a rhythm, and he still did a great job for the JV,” Moorhead said. “The way he’s developed this year. He’s worked really hard. He’s developing into a leader for the team, which is fun to watch. Everything he gets this year, he will have earned, and he’s still doing that. I’m really proud of him.”
Ledger Gelfius
Things weren’t all smooth sailing for Gelfius. In his eighth-grade year, he decided to take a year off from basketball with the school team. However, he still continued to play AAU basketball.
Gelfius wanted to hone in on his craft at being a spot-up shooter. He spent a lot of time practicing his shot in hopes it would help him when he competes at the high school level.
“My confidence wasn’t strong at the time, so I thought that if I could take a year off and focus two to three hours a day on my skills, that would be better for next year,” Gelfius explained.
Gelfius also spent a lot of time over the summer and fall in open gyms practicing his shot even more. It’s paid off as he leads the team with 30 3-pointers so far this season and shoots 71% from the free-throw line. He’s put on a lot of size and muscle in the weight room, as well.
Moorhead said that it’s the great guards around Gelfius that can find him and get him spotted up for his shot.
Gelfius appreciates his teammates for creating the space needed in the open floor to take the shots when needed.
“I was working really hard in the offseason. I rely on my teammates, too, to help me get the ball,” Gelfius said. “If my shots aren’t going in, I’m doing something positive to help them get their shots. It was working really hard in the offseason and then taking what the defense gives me.”
Gelfius has been one of the leaders on the team this year. His play off the court is just as strong as it is on the court. He’s been leading the team in stretches and the ballhandling drills.
“He’s been phenomenal. He’s had an absolutely fantastic attitude. He leads us in stretches every day. It’s been fun to see him grow into it,” Moorhead said. “He’s an encourager. He pushes guys, but he knows how to communicate with teammates. He does it in a real positive way. That’s what we’re trying to build toward — a positive team-first culture, and Ledger has been one of the central figures in that. It’s making sure that we’re all in this together, and he’s done a great job.”
With the team comprised of mainly freshmen and sophomores, the future appears bright for the Jets. They’re out of the Mid-Hoosier Conference title race this year. They should be a favorite for the title the next few years. They could also contend for a sectional title the next few years, as well.
“In a few years, I see us going really far. I think everyone on the court sees us going far,” Gelfius said. “We’re not huge, but we’ve got some size. If you’re the freshman playing varsity, even if you’re not leading in all the stats, it’s still a really good experience for your play. We’ll be really good in a few years.”
One of the key attributes Moorhead sees in Gelfius is having a scorer’s mentality. Moorhead mentioned that Gelfius knows how to create and find his shot this year despite drawing the opposition’s best defender.
Moorhead also added that he’s been challenging Gelfius more on the defensive end because of Gelfius’ desire of becoming a total all-around player.
“He’s got no ceiling. He can be as good as he wants to be, and he wants to be really good. The defensive side of the ball, he already rebounds pretty well, but he’s got a nose for the basketball,” Moorhead said. “The sky is the limit for the kid because he wants to be good. He approaches it the right way, he approaches the game the right way, approaches his school work the right way, just proud of him for what he’s done this year and excited for what he is going to continue to do.”
