Player of the Week Profile: Erin Lamb (2021)

<p>It was Brett’s turn to write up the Player of the Week poll and, as is our habit, he emailed to ask if I had any recommendations. I emailed back to say that Erin Lamb, Stewartville, 6-1, 8th grader, scored 74 points in 3 games (29, 27 and 18) with 25 rebounds and 12 blocks. She also made 8-of-13 shots from beyond the arc.</p> <p>Brett wrote back, “Wait...6-1 eighth grader Erin Lamb made 8-13 three-pointers?” A few minutes later he added, “Wow. Just checked. She had 29 points and 5 treys against Byron and Yokie Lee. I need to see her play ASAP.”</p> <p>Well, the honest truth is neither of us has seen Erin Lamb yet. Brett just became a dad, so he’s been busy, shall we say. And, I’m sorry, but Stewartville isn’t within my normal range. I had planned to see her play in Northfield (Stew was #7 in the section on QRF, Northfield #2) but the official seeds moved Kasson-Mantorville to #2, so that’s where Erin’s season ended Wednesday night.</p> <p>Anyway, that was our introduction to Erin Lamb, except the part where we get to see her play. According to her coach Ryan Liffrig, when we do see her, here is what we are going to see. “Erin’s biggest strengths are that she is a great kid with a high set of moral values and is a great teammate,” coach said. “Erin is a highly effective scorer and can do it in many ways. Erin is a knock down shooter from anywhere on the floor and when her teammates pass it high she can get her feet set and shoot all in one motion while keeping the ball high.”</p> <p>“Erin also has a nice post game,” Liffrig continued, “and with her long strides and jump shot it sets up her shot fake into a step through, which is very effective. For a 6-1 8th grader Erin is a good ball handler and at times she will get a rebound and look for an outlet and if no one is open she will lead the break. Erin also has a great knack for blocking shots without making any contact and can do it with either hand.”</p> <p>Asked where Erin can improve her game, coach Liffrig said, “Erin is working on being strong with the basketball whether making a post move or snaring a rebound and is constantly working on quick post moves with either 1 dribble or 0 dribbles as teams are starting to send double teams at her. She is also working on becoming more physical as a rebounder and a defender.”</p> <p>For the record, her stats as an 8th grader playing varsity ball in Class AAA—17 ppg, 9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 1.5 steals, one assist, 3 deflections, 48 FG percentage, 70 FTR percentage.</p> <p>We also talked to Erin herself. When did she start playing ball?</p> <p>“I’m pretty sure I was born with a basketball in my hand. I fell in love with the game young, shooting in the driveway with my dad. I went to a couple summer camps and started playing with the Stewartville traveling team. My family and coaches definitely encouraged me and helped shape my game.”</p> <p>When did she first become aware that she might have a real knack for the game?” When I first made the varsity team, I was super excited. Playing varsity basketball had been a dream of mind ever since I was little. I didn’t think I would play much, but I was okay with that. I started to get some minutes, and then I ended up starting. I realized that I had a bigger role on my team that I thought.”</p> <p>Erin is also a volleyball player. Which is her favorite sport? “I LOVE everything about both sports. I love basketball during basketball season and I love volleyball during volleyball season. I believe that playing basketball makes me a better volleyball player, and being a volleyball player makes me a better basketball player. They complement each other very well, and I plan to play both for as long as I can.”</p> <p>We’ve heard how coach Liffrig describes her game. How does Erin describe her game? What does she do to help her team to win? “I am a good rim protector,” Erin said, “and good at finding a way to score the basketball. I can shoot inside or outside so I am not limited to just being down low. I am also long so it helps on defense to make it difficult to pass into the post. I am still working on all of the aspects of my game so I can be the best that I can be. I am focusing on boxing out and being strong with the ball/ripping it through when I get a rebound.”</p>