Vernon Hills senior forward Elyse Davis is used to turning pages and starting new chapters.
Davis, who is the sole captain for the Cougars this season, said reading books taught her how to become a better leader for a young team.
“It helps me understand by putting myself in other people’s shoes,” she said. “A lot of my teammates are 14 years old, 4 years younger than me. I try to understand their story and their perspective.”
Vernon Hills typically starts two freshmen and two sophomores alongside the 5-foot-9 Davis, a second-year starter who is averaging 6.5 points and 4.7 rebounds. So her impact can’t be measured only by statistics.
“Elyse has had to carry our culture over to the 10 new players this season,” Vernon Hills coach Paul Brettner said. “She has a high motor but is also a vocal leader. She’s been a coach on the court, directing the new players on where to be and what to do. She’s a big reason why we have been playing better as of late.”
Davis is also the top defender for the Cougars (9-20, 6-4), who are in third place in the Central Suburban North.
“She’s the most talkative player on defense,” Brettner said. “Her role this year is to do whatever the team needs, and she does it with a terrific attitude.”
Davis, who recorded 18 points and eight rebounds in a four-point conference loss to Highland Park on Dec. 6 and had 13 points and eight rebounds in a two-point loss to Warren on Dec. 9, has participated in multiple sports at Vernon Hills. She has played volleyball and softball, and she intends to join the track team for the spring season. So she has had a lot of opportunities to see other leaders at work.
“We have a brand-new team this year, so it has been a lot of growing together and trying to find out what works,” Davis said. “All of the girls are willing to work hard and learn how to be better. As a leader, I’ve learned that being that voice of calm and confidence helps all the girls get better, no matter how a game is going.”
Sophomore guard Keira Thomas, the Cougars’ leading scorer, praised Davis for her contributions.
“Elyse has helped me in so many ways as a friend and a teammate,” Thomas said. “She’s always someone I can count on and turn to if I need an answer. She has taught me so much on how to be a leader. I look up to her so much. So does everyone on the team.”
Amid her busy schedule, Davis finds time to read. Her mother, Amy Davis-Lemme, said it’s a “reset” for Davis, who estimated she read 20 books last year.
“It’s a great way to escape from the pressures of being a teenager and leader of the team,” Davis-Lemme said. “It’s a great time for her to disconnect, reset herself and come at leadership from a new direction.”
Davis, who said she has a 4.0 GPA, said her basketball career will likely come to an end after this season. But she’s excited to start a new journey.
“I think I’ve connected my life to a story,” Davis said. “Each day is a part of my story. Everything I’ve gone through, from all the hardships in sports, school or stress, it’s just a small part of my story, but it’s not the climax. I’ve not yet hit the biggest point of my life.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
