FGHS senior elevating game on big stages

By Mike Kays
Phoenix Sports Editor

July 10, 2009 12:51 am

—
Senior expenses being what they are, Carissa Crutchfield thought about a summer job once her junior year ended in May.
Yeah, Carissa. About that availability to flip burgers or sell widgets ... forget about it.
Basketball is on her schedule more than sleep. Two AAU teams, including one based in Dallas, an occasional meeting with a trainer and then oh, there’s a couple of team camps, including ones she went to with her Fort Gibson Lady Tiger squad.
“I really wanted to but June was pretty busy and then July is worse,” she said. “I got home Wednesday and I’m leaving again Sunday. That’s like the longest I’ll be at home this month.”
Such is the price for foregoing that discretionary income fund. The payoff appears in the bag, though, Crutchfield appears headed for a free college education, Division I style, thanks to her time on the hardwoods.
Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Kansas are among those schools showing intense interest in the 5-foot-6 guard who averaged 12.5 points, 9 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 4.5 assists for the Class 4A state semifinalists last season.
“I think she’s as relaxed as she’s ever been,” Fort Gibson coach Jerry Walker said. “She’s had the skills and the leadership but it really hasn’t been allowed to flourish as much as it does now. It’s her team. She’s a senior and she can be a more vocal leader. But she’s also going to have a lot of good help around her to take advantage of.”
With her FGHS teammates, she was the MVP at the OU team camp league, a group of teams which consisted of most of the strongest Class 4A teams in the state. At the University of Kansas camp, she earned a spot on the All-Star team at the camp’s end but had to come back home to take the ACT exam.
With a pair of AAU teams, she’s gone to other team camps and there’s tournament trips to Dallas, New Orleans, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee this month. She’s also been invited to a national showcase in Wichita, Kan.
One of those AAU teams is based in Dallas/Fort Worth. One of her teammates there is Britney Griner, the 6-7 Baylor commit who gained a reputation as a dunking specialist who averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots for Aldine Nimitz High School near Houston.
“I haven’t had to make a four-hour trip for practice with that one,” she said. “That would really be tough.”
All in all, it’s quite a stage, and Crutchfield is taking full advantage of it.
“Even after Texas got interested after seeing me in Dallas and I’m getting letters from North Carolina, I’m really looking at staying close to home,” Crutchfield said. “But my mom keeps telling me, ‘no, no, keep your options open’ so I don’t really know yet.”
Crutchfield admits she’s more relaxed as she looks forward to her senior season at FGHS.
“Seniors are naturally looked upon for leadership and stepping up our games,” she said. “Taylor Wilson was a great senior leader for us last year. I know that role is mine now and I want to be the best I can for my teammates.”
Her junior role was quarterbacking the team at point guard, but from there, she could effectively slash to the basket and create problems inside, boosting an inexperienced inside game. That will change somewhat.
“I’m going to be more of a shooter. I want to be able to make people be aware of that along with my driving ability, giving them something to think about but also opening up more opportunities for teammates,” she said.
Walker senses her overall game is going to reach new levels. He’s already heard about it this summer.
“One coach told me after watching her and his exact words were, ‘this is not a good thing for us,’ he said. “A lot of what she does best makes those around her look better. As good as she’s been, I’m looking for something even better from her now.”

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.