Lake Central sophomore Ayla Krygier knows she belongs.
That’s not to say the 5-foot-11 forward didn’t believe she did last season. But there was an element of uncertainty in a new situation.
“It was surreal,” Krygier said. “Coming in as a freshman, I wasn’t expecting to be varsity right away. I wasn’t expecting to start right away. So I just really wanted to be able to contribute to the team what I could and just help in any way I could. It was a blessing to be starting as a freshman.
“It’s tough being a freshman on varsity. Everyone’s fighting for a position on the team. It was a little bit of a shock.”
It was for Lake Central coach Joe Huppenthal, too, at least to some degree.
“Where she was last year, (we) had no idea she’d end up starting for us,” Huppenthal said. “Did we feel like she was in the mix? Yes. But to start? I’ll say it to this day: Our senior Katelyn Zajeski — Ayla took her spot, and she handled it great. We had such great team chemistry, as good as any team I’ve ever coached. We have to build on it and get better.”
Krygier, who averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds last season, figures to be a key part of that process. The Indians (24-4) return an extremely talented roster — almost intact, and without a senior this season — after losing to Crown Point in a Class 4A regional championship game.
Bolstering her outlook, Krygier received her first Division I offer from Evansville last month. At least a half-dozen other college programs have expressed early interest.
“It’s amazing,” Krygier said of the offer. “These past however many years, I’ve been working on this game. My love for the game is unbelievable. Coming into this season with my first offer, it gives me an excitement to realize that all of this hard work I’m doing is paying off.
“I’m gaining this confidence. It’s really a dream come true. I’ve been working hard for this, and my teammates are helping. They’re very, very supportive and happy for me. I know it’s going to be a good year for us.”
Krygier is the youngest of four children — she has two sisters and a brother — and she credited her brother for sparking her interest in the sport.
“He’s really the main reason I started playing basketball,” she said.
Krygier recalled playing in the driveway with her brother and his friends, even though he initially was reluctant to let her play, given the four-year age difference.
“I was playing softball, and I thought, ‘I like this,'” she said. “I was like, ‘This is my game. I like this.’ It just kept going from there.”
Krygier has continued to expand her game.
“I was a lot in the post last year, and this year we’re transitioning to positionless basketball where anybody can play any spot,” she said.
“I’ve definitely worked on ballhandling over the summer to help my team. They know I can handle a guard position if I need to. If that’s what the team needs, I’m going to be there for them. And I know other people can handle the post.”
Huppenthal echoed that notion of Krygier making strides this season.
“Her development has continued to grow,” he said. “What I like about her now, she has a greater ability to shoot the basketball. She’s going to play a little bit inside-outside for us this year, which gives us a little bit of flexibility offensively. She’s one of our hardest workers.
“We’re happy she got the offer from Evansville, and as time goes on and she continues to improve her game, more are going to follow. We talk all the time about never being satisfied, and the sky’s the limit for her. She’s still like a little puppy. That’s the thing with Ayla and all of these kids — they’re so young still, and you can see the growth from last year to this year. She’s just a sophomore. There’s going to be bumps along the way, and there’s also going to be great things along the way.”