By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer
Enid News and Eagle
ENID — No one can question Courtney Chelf’s dedication to Enid High School.
Not only does she lead the Pacers basketball team in scoring (12.8) and assists, but cheers on the Plainsmen as a member of the cheerleading squad. And she was a starter on the softball team. Is there anything she can’t do?
“I can’t do soccer,’’ she said with a chuckle.
That’s OK with Enid coach Layne Jones, who will be counting heavily on his rookie star when the Pacers (12-11) face No. 12 Owasso (14-7) at 6:30 tonight in an elimination game at the Class 6A regional tournament at Shawnee.
“She exceeded expectations for a freshman,’’ Jones said. “I haven’t seen a freshman do what she’s done for us. She’s definitely been a good addition to our program.’’
Chelf’s success was a result of her work ethic, said EHS assistant Robb Mills.
She spent numerous hours shooting in the gym with her father, Randy, and went to team camps at Frontier and Cache.
“She’s a really good athlete, but she’s worked at it,’’ Mills said.
Chelf is the younger sister of former EHS football stars Colton and Clint, who now are playing at Oklahoma State.
“It’s awesome being their sister,’’ she said. “They have been a very positive influence on me.’’
Chelf initially was “very nervous’’ making the jump from middle school to high school, where she had to adjust to a faster and more physical game.
“I did more than I thought I would,’’ Chelf said.
Chelf had a season-high 25 points in a 50-35 win over Oklahoma Christian School at the Deer Creek Edmond Tournament Jan. 22. She’s been in double figures 16 times this season.
Chelf fell in immediately with her older teammates, Mills said. Chelf played with many of her basketball teammates in softball.
“That made things easier,’’ Chelf said.
Chelf is known for her 3-point shooting and her ability to penetrate to the basket.
Her personality can be seen in her ever-present smile.
“Any time you see her you can tell she’s a pretty happy person,’’ Mills said.
She has been cheerleading since grade school. Doing both, she said, comes naturally.
“You have to be athletic to be a cheerleader,’’ Chelf said.
To do both, she has to be at school at 6:30 a.m. for cheerleading. She may not leave until after 5:30 p.m.
Her cheerleading athleticism shows in the flips she does on the court. She learned those in gymnastics as a grade schooler.
“I fell on a flip Friday, that was embarrassing,’’ she said.
While she enjoys both, basketball is her favorite activity.
“I love everything about basketball,’’ Chelf said.
The Pacers will try to avenge a 66-34 loss to Owasso at the Skiatook Tournament Jan. 8. Chelf was held to six points in that game.
“We’re going to have to break the press,’’ Chelf said.
Enid’s inability to break the press was the difference in the first game, Jones said. The Pacers led after the first period but trailed by eight at halftime.
“The pressure got to us in the second half,’’ Jones said.
The Lady Rams are led by New Mexico recruit Susan Toben, who had 27 points in the first meeting.
“If we can contain Toben and handle the pressure, we’ll give ourselves a chance,’’ Jones said.
The Enid-Owasso winner will play the Shawnee-Stillwater winner at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Chelf is followed in scoring by Rani Melvin (7.1), Haley Rasp (7.0), Ty Washington (5.6), Regan Crowl (4.7), Jayci Wehrenberg (4.2) and Bayli Jones (2.1).
The Pacers are trying to end a three-game losing streak.
