When Metea Valley freshman Jailyn Cutts arrived at the first day of summer camp, she was automatically assigned to the junior varsity group with all the other freshmen and sophomores.
She didn’t stay there long.
“We saw her shoot like five times, and we decided she’s going straight to varsity,” Metea Valley coach Nate Gehrt said. “Of course, summer camp is like a tryout, but we saw her skill level right away.”
Cutts, a 5-foot-9 forward, and point guard Payton Giannone were the only freshmen to make the varsity team. Giannone has started every game, while Cutts began the season as a reserve.
But when senior forward Sreehitha Duggirala suffered a sprained ankle last week, Cutts moved into the starting lineup. In her first start, she scored 12 points in Metea Valley’s 67-36 loss to DuPage Valley Conference leader Waubonsie Valley.
Cutts did even better in her third turn as a starter. She registered 13 points and nine rebounds, both career highs, as the visiting Mustangs shocked short-handed Neuqua Valley 43-36 in a DVC game in Naperville on Thursday.
Senior guard Arainna Hammons added 11 points and six rebounds while helping hold Neuqua Valley star junior guard Nalia Clifford to just three points as Metea Valley (7-17, 1-6) snapped a 21-game conference losing streak and ended a nine-game skid in the series that dated to 2020.
“Sreehi is one of our main key players, so I knew that I would definitely have to step up and try to fill in her spot while she’s out,” Cutts said. “That means I would have to become better as a player and try to be there for my teammates and bring us together to make sure we still have that composure during the games.”
Cutts didn’t lack for composure against the Wildcats (9-18, 2-5), who were playing without two injured starters, junior center Michayla Stone and sophomore guard Quinn Sigal.
Cutts led all players with five points in the first half, which ended in a 14-14 tie. In the second half, she didn’t wilt under the pressure.
“She handled it very well,” Giannone said. “Obviously, losing Sreehi was a big loss for us. But I’m so glad that I got to see (Cutts) step up and kind of take that starting position that she hadn’t had yet this season.”
Cutts helped the Mustangs, who took the lead for good on junior guard/forward Annie Burk’s 3-pointer with 3:12 left in the third quarter, outrebound Neuqua Valley 34-19.
“She’s pretty naturally skilled,” Gehrt said. “She is athletic, she’s long, and so she rebounds pretty well. She’s just a natural around the rim.
“We had to ease her into the lineup a little bit. She’s taken control lately and played very nicely and provided a nice spark for us.”
Cutts sparked the Mustangs at the free-throw line on Thursday. She made 6 of 8 attempts, including a pair that gave Metea Valley a 39-31 cushion with 3:00 remaining in the fourth quarter.
“I definitely have been working on my free throws,” she said. “Free throws win games, so that’s something you need to consistently work on.”
Cutts made an impact despite attempting just five shots, including one in the second half. That came with 35 seconds left, when she took a pass from senior forward Kelly Clish and scored on a layup for a 41-35 lead.
“The game is on the line, and I was like, ‘Just don’t miss the layup,’” Cutts said.
Giannone, who had nine points, five rebounds and three steals, was glad to see Cutts sink it.
“She played amazing tonight,” Giannone said. “She does a great job keeping her cool, and I think she especially did that very well tonight.
“I’m really proud of her to see her performing under pressure.”
Gehrt, who is in his first year as coach, thinks the Mustangs have a bright future with Giannone, Cutts and Burk, who had eight points and six rebounds.
“We’re still learning how to win,” Gehrt said. “We’ve had games that we should have won and kind of choked away. It’s going to come. I feel like we’re in a good place right now as we head into playoffs.”
After a decade of losing seasons, the Mustangs are eager to start a new chapter.
‘Well, it’s time for a change,” Cutts said. “It’s time to get some wins.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
