ALMA, Mich. (WJRT) - Alma's Gracie Mellinger has been showing up in a time of need.
Last week, her team faced Garber in a down to wire matchup.
The point guard threw up a layup with the And 1 to get the win for Alma in the last few seconds.
"I couldn't see the basket, I kind of just tossed it in and then I heard the crowd just go crazy and I remember just smacking the ground. I was so happy because that definitely was not one of my better games, so getting that felt like I push through when I needed to," said Mellinger.
This big play against Garber by Alma's Gracie Mellinger wasn't a surprise. The junior has held this confidence since the first time she stepped on the hardwood as a freshman on varsity.
"She's definitely someone who wants the ball in her hands at the end of the game especially if it's close," said Alaina Sunken, head coach of Alma.
And the natural competitive drive dates back to her childhood when she would play with her siblings.
"I try and get one of the small balls and they were like 'no' you have to use a normal ball," said Mellinger.
So, Gracie isn't afraid of the next challenge in front of her because she actually has all of the answers already.
"I just take it play by play, try to force it inside. I know here my advantages is, getting to the line and shooting free throws," said Mellinger.
Last year, Gracie was top ten at the line in the state, shooting at 82%
This year she hasn't even missed a 4th quarter free throw, she averages 18 points, and her speed is so insane she is almost impossible to face guard.
"Gracie is passionate. She has to win. So, for her to step up is really big," said Kaleigh Johnston, teammate of Mellinger.
As the team looks for a season with 17 wins for the first time in program history and a district, Gracie's leadership is a possible x-factor to making it happen.
"She's more confident in her leadership abilities. I think it's only going to help her teammates around her to help lead them to," said Sunken.
"Honestly, middle school and elementary school, I was like my one goal is to play in college and I've just carried that with my a tried getting better every year," said Mellinger.
