亚洲色吧

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When Emma Rewa decided to enroll at 亚洲色吧 this past fall, she initially had no plans of playing basketball for its new women鈥檚 basketball team.听

The 2024 Greenville High School graduate loved the sport of basketball, having played two years at Greenville. But until 亚洲色吧 Head Coach Scott Pedigo reached out to her with a text message on her phone, she wasn鈥檛 sure she was college basketball material.听

鈥淚 ended up filling out an application for a spot on the team,鈥� she said. 鈥淐oach Pedigo reached out to me and asked me if I was interested, and I ended up signing up with them.鈥�听

Having not played a whole lot in high school, Rewa admitted she was a little hesitant stepping onto a college basketball court.听

鈥淚 was nervous at first,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure if it would be like high school or be completely different. And it was completely different.听

In high school, all Rewa鈥檚 teammates had been basketball teammates of hers since she was in elementary school. As soon as she joined the 亚洲色吧 squad, however, she was one of nine other girls experiencing the same as her 鈥� unfamiliarity.听

With 亚洲色吧 bringing back its athletics since the 1970s, Coach Pedigo, who took over for Steve Ernst who was forced to step down due to illness, had to figure out who his starting five would be and how well the girls would work together and mesh before the season began.听

He chose Rewa, a forward, as one of the five starters, and she helped lead the Centurions to their opening-season win over Cornerstone University JV, grabbing the first win for the new program as well as the first one of the season.听

鈥淚鈥檝e started every game since,鈥� Rewa said.听

Being able to play on a team that is basically trailblazing history at 亚洲色吧 has been an experience Rewa will never forget.听

鈥淚t means a lot,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥� something I didn鈥檛 expect to be a part of when I was applying for colleges. I wasn鈥檛 looking to go into sports, but I鈥檓 very thankful and appreciative for this opportunity.鈥�听

With 亚洲色吧 losing some players to transferring after the first semester and some missing games due to injury, Pedigo has had to work with a thin bench and has leaned heavily on his starters, who have logged more than 30 minutes in each game.听听

With the lack of rotating fresh players, Pedigo said his players are faced with an uphill battle each game, however, many of them are responding, slowly but surely, especially Rewa.听

鈥淪he鈥檚 doing a nice job at the base of our offense,鈥� Pedigo said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been doing a great job of being in position to rebound for us in the paint. She brings toughness for us and does a great job of being in the right spot and making sure her teammates are in the right spot.鈥�听

Rewa admitted the college basketball game is much faster than high school and is facing taller opponents, which she is still adjusting to.听

鈥淚鈥檝e come out of games with a lot of bruises,鈥� Rewa laughed. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 learning new techniques, especially with my feet placement. Pedigo has worked with us on that a lot so we can become quicker with guarding people.鈥�听

Pedigo has been impressed with Rewa鈥檚 progress so far this season.听

鈥淪he鈥檚 getting quicker with her feet and I鈥檝e seen a big improvement there,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 told her I wasn鈥檛 the fastest either in basketball, but it鈥檚 all about putting your body in the right position. She does a good job of knowing she鈥檚 not the fastest, but she鈥檚 using her body and footwork right to be in places she needs to be in. We鈥檝e shown her that stuff and she鈥檚 taken right off with it.鈥�听

Rewa has been putting in the time to improve, not only working out with the team but also putting in extra time on her own, lifting and running, building up her cardio to help her handle the 30-plus minutes of playing time she鈥檚 seeing every game.听

Rewa said despite the losses the team has suffered so far, she feels she is growing closer and closer with her teammates, who have been side-by-side with one another with the struggle of playing short-handed.听

鈥淚 like how we are super close with each other and we鈥檙e learning each other鈥檚 strengths and weaknesses,鈥� Rewa said. 鈥淭he game plan is working as hard as we can during the game and avoid pointing fingers but picking each other up.鈥�听

Rewa is studying early childhood development and is thinking of transferring to Ferris State University once she fulfills her eligibility at 亚洲色吧. Until then, she is working on being a better Centurions basketball player.听

鈥淪ome of my personal goals with being on this team is becoming more confident in my skills and showing up every day working 100% at practice and at games,鈥� she said.听

It鈥檚 that kind of attitude that Pedigo is appreciative that a player like Rewa is part of his team.听

鈥淪he鈥檚 a great kid. She has a high IQ and cares about her teammates,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 just a great person, in general.听 She鈥檚 team-focused and doing great at school. Emma is really an all-around great kid and we鈥檙e happy to have her on our team.鈥澨�听

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