Cougar basketball seniors

As the MVNU basketball seasons come to a close, half a dozen seniors will play their finals games in a Cougar uniform.

The men’s basketball team features three seniors who all transferred into MVNU for the final years of their collegiate careers. On the other end of the spectrum are three Lady Cougars who spent all four years of their college basketball careers here at MVNU.

Both groups played this season on teams where their senior leadership was vital to the other young talent around them. While their efforts on the court were substantial, coaches say their impact will continue to show up in the years to come. Here those seniors reflect on their time here at MVNU.

Men’s Basketball

Bryan Redic played two seasons with the Cougars after transferring from Cedarville University. Redic has been a vocal leader for the Cougars on and off the floor, averaging over 12 points, four rebounds and three assists per game.

“MVNU has been a place where I have been able to grow, not only as a basketball player, but also as a leader and a man,” Redic said. “My development is attributable to the impact my coaches, my teammates and my teachers have had on my life.”

Coach Jared Ronai said the same talents Redic has shown in basketball will lead him to a bright future.

“He is such a well-rounded young man, and his attitude and leadership has been terrific this season,” Ronai said. “I know those skills will translate into the business world.”

Redic started every game he played in for MVNU and scored over 575 points during his time in the Cougar uniform.

Martell Medley played two seasons for the Cougars and led the team in scoring both seasons, pouring in over 850 points in his time at MVNU.

This year, Martell’s exceptional athleticism was on display night in and night out under Coach Ronai.

“Martell has grown leaps and bounds since the first conversation I had with him after I was hired,” Ronai said.

“I demand a lot out of our point guards and he definitely learned that firsthand. However, his attitude and eagerness to learn and improve never wavered. He is a terrific young man and we will miss him next year.”

Medley was a stat sheet filler, averaging almost 16 points, and adding one steal, four assists and five rebounds a game over his time at MVNU.

“I am happy to have played two good years at MVNU,” Medley said. “It has been a great experience.”

Trey Vaughan transferred into MVNU at the beginning of this academic year from Ohio Christian University.

In his one season with the Cougars, Vaughan started three games, but was consistently relied on as a vital and energetic player coming off the bench.

Vaughan earned a reputation as a sharp shooter at OCU but really made an impact for the Cougars in his relentless defensive effort in the full court press, hounding opposing ball handlers.

Vaughan also scored over 100 points for the Cougars this season, contributing in several key moments in close games. Coach Jared Ronai spoke highly of Vaughan.

“Trey’s growth since he stepped on campus here in September has been tremendous, especially off the basketball floor,” Ronai said. “He has been a joy to coach and I expect great things from him after he leaves this program.”

Women’s Basketball

Ainsleigh Krause played in 110 games for MVNU, scoring over 500 points in her career. A 5-foot-10 forward from Centerville, Ohio, Krause was a starter her junior and senior years.

Playing opposite high scorer Amy Daniels for most of her career, Krause was an excellent rebounder on the offensive and defensive end, and led the team this season in that category. Krause averaged seven and six points per game in her two years as a starter for the Cougars.

“One thing that stuck out to me while playing basketball here at MVNU was the trip we took to Florida my sophomore year,” Krause said. “I will always remember the friendships and memories that we made while playing on the team.”

Courtney Christie played in 108 games for the Lady Cougars and started her last two years for MVNU.

The 5-foot-7 guard from Miamisburg, Ohio, scored over 340 points and dished out 222 assists for the Lady Cougars in her four years.

Christie led the team in minutes played and assists this year.

Over the last two years Christie was a strong leader on the floor, as she mainly handled the point guard duties for the Lady Cougars.

“The highlight of my basketball years here at MVNU is the friendships I have formed,” said Christie. “From freshman to sophomore year I always have found my best friends to be on the women’s Cougar basketball team.”

Erica Cramer was set to be a starter her final two years at MVNU but missed the majority of her junior year due to an early-season injury. She played in just five games last year, averaging 14 points per game.

Cramer started the majority of her senior year, scoring over 150 points and averaging almost seven points a game.

Cramer also was a great free throw shooter for the Lady Cougars at 78 percent. She scored just under 400 points in her career at MVNU.

Photos courtesy of MVNU SID office.