There is no “Most Growing Player Award” in the Patriot League, but Lehigh University sophomore guard Mackenzie Kramer is certainly running, if so.
As a freshman, Minnesota natives started with only two of the team’s 16 games. She scored an average of 8.7 points per game with 36% shooting during her first year’s campaign, which was hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. THe was more than two months late in the season and fans couldn’t attend
Second grade Mackenzie Kramer shoots three pointers against Loyola Maryland Greyhound at the Stable Arena on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Kramer is one of six female basketball players from Minnesota. (Sandra Douglas / B & W staff)
Also that year, first grade student athletes mostly settled on their hybrid-style college experience and adapted to the new team’s system. It was difficult to maintain the routine.
“I started to get into the flow with the team and then it was booming. It’s been a two-week quarantine,” Kramer said.
Kramer and her teammates have undergone five different quarantines isolated for a total of more than 70 days.
Kramer believes that these challenges helped build the resilience of the team. By the end of the season, tMountain Hawks defeated Boston University to win the 2021 Patriot League Championship.
“You start asking yourself,’Is it really worth it? Are you with your family during Christmas and all the time?'” Kramer said. “We are champions. When he won the ship, he saw the joy of coach (Sue) Troyan cutting off the net and it became clear that it was. “
Then, after losing to fourth-seeded West Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Kramer worked hard to improve the jumpers during the off-season.
The following season, when the schedule returned to normal and fans took their seats, Kramer added more than 7 points to the average score per game, leading the Mountain Hawks at 15.9. This is the third highest total in the Patriot League.
“She wasn’t happy with her role as a freshman, and she took the time to fix it,” Troyan said.
The increase in Kramer’s score is mainly due to her shooting. After scoring only 36% from the field and 34% from the 3-point line in the first year, Kramer improved to the league’s highest with 45% from the field and 40% from the long range. The second grade guard scored more than 20 points seven times and scored the highest 31 points in his career with Lehi’s 70-57 victory over Georgetown on December 21st.
Second grade Mackenzie Kramer leads a quick break in a home game with Delaware. Kramer is a Minnesota Population Health Department. (Provided by Lehi Sports)
“She is a great off-ball leader,” said senior guard Claire Steele. “She can navigate the defense well and create her own open look away from her ball.”
Kramer holds a record for Lehi’s single season with three pointers made in 95, knocking down five or more threes on six different occasions. She scored 3.2 three points per game and finished the 2021-22 season, ranking sixth in the nation.Kramer later The second team of the All Patriots League.
Outside the courtroom, Kramer excels in the classroom. The three Dean List members have been awarded the Patriot League Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and have been placed on the Patriot League All Academic Team.
Kramer admitted that Troyan had instilled leadership qualities in her and the rest of the team.
“She made me believe in myself, that’s what you absolutely want from your coach,” Kramer said. “She was a very nice role model.”
After 27 consecutive seasons as a female head coach, Troyan will move to the role of senior leader in the Lehi Athletics Department. Addie Micir, who has been an Associate Head Coach since 2019, will be appointed Head Coach. In addition to Troyan, the team loses three seniors on graduation from Steele, Emma Grottohaus and Megan Walker.
“Our bench has a lot of talent that we didn’t get that many opportunities,” Kramer said. “Don’t be surprised if a similar team comes out next year.”
