Katie Cramer’s quite disposition helps to lead St. Joseph-Ogden Basketball
BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com
The benefits of being on a team run deeper than wearing a school-issued uniform.
This is a lesson St. Joseph-Ogden High School’s Katie Cramer learned as a fifth- and sixth-grade student-athlete when she was mentored by her dad, who played at Elmhurst College.
“My dad was my fifth- and sixth-grade basketball coach. He also coached me in the St. Joseph Youth basketball program during the winter,” Cramer said. “(He) has helped me improve my game throughout the years.”
She grew up knowing that something special happened on the Spartan court.
“I love the competitiveness of the program,” she said.
The senior shooting guard is no stranger to team success.
As a member of the St. Joseph Middle School program, Cramer played a part in the Panthers placing second in the IESA State Tournament. In 2019, she was part of the St. Joseph-Ogden team that placed third in the 2A IHSA state tournament.
But being a senior leader has required something extra.
“This year I am trying to be more of a vocal leader,” she said. “This is making me step out of my comfort zone because I am very quiet. I usually choose to lead by example.
“I try to bring positive energy each time I step on the court. I think that it is important to always be positive because it helps me and my teammates forget about mistakes that we may have made.”
Averaging 6.3 points per game, Cramer has reached a game-high of 14 points twice during the 2019-2020 season. She leads the Spartans with 25 three-point field goals, and has led the team in scoring six times.
As the end of January is in sight, the 16-6 Spartans continue to look at what they need to do to come out as champions of the Illini Prairie Conference and their 2A IHSA Regional.
“The team has definitely improved as a whole,” Cramer said. “Everyone is working very hard and we can always say we give 100-percent each game.”
Even more than the point totals at the end of each game, Cramer feels blessed to have been part of a program and community that fosters relationships and support.
“Our team chemistry is one of the best I have ever been a part of,” she said.
“The support we get from our community is great. I have lived in the SJO community my whole life. I am very appreciative to grow up in a school with challenging academics and competitive athletics.”
