As high school seniors, Audrey McDonald, Kyleigh Jones and Kalynne Proctor averaged a combined 49 points and 15 rebounds per game. All three were All-State selections -¡- McDonald and Jones first team selections in Indiana and Proctor an honorable mention in Ohio.
However, Ball State University women's basketball coach Tracy Roller said the biggest reason the trio represents this year's freshman class has more to do with the simple number four.
"The things that people see are points and rebounds, but coaches see championships," Roller said. "There's four championships between [the three freshmen]. As a coach, you try to teach championship mentality. Everything is moving toward your ultimate goal. But when your freshmen already have that, there's no let down from the upperclassmen down to the freshmen."
Proctor, who averaged 12 points and eight rebounds during her senior season, won the Ohio title her freshman and junior year at Regina High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The forward said being in pressure conditions has helped prepare her for college competition.
"Being on championship teams in high school, I'm used to being in tough situations," Proctor said. "It's beneficial to already know how to win. You're so used to winning, and you don't want to lose. So once you have that mentality everything goes well after that."
While the Cardinals are heavy with upperclassmen - Ball State has four seniors and two juniors on this year's roster - the talent of the freshmen will allow them to see the floor early this season. McDonald, who averaged 14.3 points per game and led Kokomo High School to a 87-14 record [.861] throughout her career, said she's excited for the opportunity to play a substantial role early in her career.
"It's great to finally get here and be a part of this team," McDonald said. "We just want to help out this team anyway that we can. If they want me to be a scoring threat then I'll be a scoring threat. If they want me to play defense then I'll play defense. That's our goal as a freshman class - to come in, accept our roles and do what we can to help the team."
While Proctor and McDonald have received numerous reps in practice with the starters, Jones has been sidelined throughout the pre-season with a disappointing injury. Jones said the slow start has been frustrating, but she has managed to stay positive.
"It's frustrating, but at the same time I know I just have to come out and give it my all and try to get better," Jones said. "It's been hard but it's still fun to be here with the team and experience this atmosphere."
While the start of her collegiate career has been slow, Jones was explosive throughout her four years at Elwood High School in Elwood, Ind. The 5-8 combo guard was the all-time leading scorer in both boy's and girl's basketball with 1,698 career points and averaged 22.7 her final year of high school.
Roller said she expects that explosive scoring to continue when Jones is healthy and able to return to the floor.
"She's going to be a great player," Roller said. "Even though she hasn't been able to practice because of her injury, we know we have a great secret weapon whenever she can come out and practice."
As talented as the group is, all three provide different things to the team. Standing at 6-1, Proctor gives great size and depth to an already loaded position for the Cardinals - the post. McDonald is a deadly sharpshooter from the outside, setting Kokomo High School's career record for three-point field goals made (238) and attempted (579) and free throw percentage (.884). And while Jones can score in several ways offensively, she's also a fantastic perimeter defender, averaging 4.3 steals per game as a senior. McDonald said being a part of a talented and versatile group will help take the pressure off all three freshmen.
"From the get-go these girls looked like they had a ton of potential," McDonald said. "Obviously Kyleigh Jones is on the injured list, but Kalynne is looking good right now. I'm excited to get to play four years with these girls."
Perhaps the best news, however, is that the freshmen won't be on their own. While Roller said the trio is talented enough to earn major minutes, she added that the Cardinals won't be relying on the underclassmen as a primary source of production.
"The legacy of the seniors is to teach the juniors and sophomores how to lead when they leave," Roller said. "That's been passed down the eight years I've been here. It's the way you continue to have great teams."
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