Elk River’s Ava Kramer stepped up and took the lumps so her team’s record wouldn’t be bruised.
Kramer, a 5-foot-4 guard, fearlessly drove to the basket against a Maple Grove frontcourt averaging 6-feet in height and not afraid to foul.
“She’s not afraid of contact,” Elk River coach Reed Caouette said.
The sophomore overcame the size difference and the physical play to finish with 16 points and leading the Elks to a 60-55 victory over the Crimson in a Northwest Suburban Conference cross-division matchup Tuesday night at Elk River High School.
“Ava’s tough,” Caouette said. “She’s strong, and she’s not afraid to take it to the basket and make something happen."
Kramer’s courage helped her equal her career-high in scoring and carry Elk River on a night Maple Grove clamped down defensively on the Elks’ star forward and leading-scorer, Abi Scheid. Scheid finished with eight points.
Kramer took advantage of the Crimson game plan to double-team Scheid by tenaciously penetrating the defense, turning and twisting her way to the basket.
“That was a hard-fought game,” Caouette said. “Maple Grove was really good defensively against us.”
Caouette said he expects the Elks will face several of their fellow North Division teams employing the same type of physically tough defense that West Division leader Maple Grove used to slow Elk River as it heads into the second half of its Northwest Suburban Conference schedule.
Caouette also praised the Elks’ performance and how the team found a way to win while the Crimson stifled Scheid, who averages 18.6 points per game.
“(Maple Grove) did a good job of slowing down Abi,” Caouette said. “We had other kids step up and make plays.”
That includes Kramer, who nearly doubled her season scoring average (8.9 ppg) against Maple Grove. Kramer’s toughness extends to defensive end of the floor, as well, Caouette said.
“Defensively, Ava just has that attitude,” Caouette said. “She gets up and locks down on people.”
Kramer’s play on the court is predicated on staunch defiance, but her demeanor is quite different off the court. Teammate Gabi Haack described Kramer as soft-spoken and humorous.
“She doesn’t really say much,” said Haack, who had 16 points against the Crimson. “When she does, it’s really funny.”
