Senior center Destinee Cross (15) anchors what’s expected to be strong interior play for Franklin College this season.
Submitted
Halfway through her college basketball career, the time has come for Bayleigh Torrance to graduate.
A backup for Franklin College women’s basketball teams in the past, Torrance’s penchant for compiling points and rebounds in a relatively limited amount of time will likely earn her a starting role this season.
“The sky is the limit for Bayleigh,” Grizzlies coach Dana Haggenjos said. “I think she likely will start for us because she’s definitely a kid who needs to be on the floor for us.”
The Grizzlies open the season at home Nov. 12 against Olivet.
Torrance, a 6-foot junior forward, underwent surgery in May to stabilize her right knee cap. It was the fourth surgery of Torrance’s hoops career dating back to high school, following two hip surgeries and a prior surgery on her right knee.
“This last one was, by far, the worst surgery I’ve had. I was on crutches for almost two months, but I’m back practicing with the team,” said Torrance, a Franklin Community High School graduate. “I haven’t really had a healthy basketball season since middle school. It’s been a long time.
“I am super excited for this season. Being able to possibly start is something I’m looking forward to.”
Torrance’s wingspan and tenacity complement the interior presence of 6-2 senior post Destinee Cross and 5-10 senior Jessica Nix, the team’s first- and third-leading scorers, respectively, during the pandemic-abbreviated 12-game season of 2021.
Playing an average of 15.8 minutes per game last season, Torrance still finished as the Grizzlies’ second-leading scorer (9.7) to go along with a norm of four rebounds. Cross (22.6 minutes) and Nix (22.8) started every game.
Torrance looks forward to being able to possibly increase her court time as her the season progresses and her conditioning improves. The opportunities promise to be more plentiful this time around with a traditional schedule of games, though the uncertainty of last season still had its benefits.
“With the limited games and practices, it made us closer as a team,” Torrance said. “I felt that while we were at practices, we worked harder and communicated better.”
Haggenjos expects inside play to be the strength of this squad.
“Destinee has been an anchor for us the last three years, and Bayleigh can play (center), too,” Haggenjos said. “CiCi Bailey and Jess also have played some post for us in the past.”
Sophomore Sarah O’Day, a transfer from Grace College, is expected to benefit the Grizzlies, particularly as a defender. Junior point guard Libby Baker, a former Whiteland player, is expected to contribute, though freshmen Misti Kimberlin and Jenna Louden will see minutes in the backcourt as well.
Adding depth to the frontcourt are two more freshmen, 6-2 Avery Phelps and 6-foot Jasmine Walker.
“(Last season) was something none of us ever had to go through, so it was a very different change of scenery. We definitely learned to overcome challenges,” Haggenjos said. “Our players are motivated, they’re energized and they’re ready to go.”
