After narrowly missing out on the Pioneer League title last month, seventh-grade basketball player Elliot Sigg is determined to lead her team to victory next season. The student at Iola Middle School finished just four points shy of clinching the championship, an experience that has fueled her motivation in the offseason.
Recognized as the November Allen County Area Athlete of the Month, Sigg earned this honor through votes from readers of the Iola Register. Her impressive performance during the season played a pivotal role in the Mustang’s journey to the championship game against Burlington.
“This is such an honor because it lets me know the community knows me, and that’s exciting,” Sigg remarked upon receiving the accolade. She was part of a formidable team that recorded a season record of 10-4 and finished as runner-up in the Pioneer League Championship.
As part of a potent offensive trio alongside teammates Abby Boeken and Cayleigh Rutherford, Sigg contributed significantly to the team’s success. Over the month of November, she scored more than 50 points, with standout performances including a critical ten-point contribution in the Pioneer League semifinal against Santa Fe Trail, six points in the regular season finale against Burlington, eight points against Anderson County, and twelve points in a matchup against Santa Fe Trail on November 6.
“We have played together for a long time, and we’re very close. We were great,” Sigg reflected on her team’s chemistry.
Sigg’s basketball lineage runs deep; her mother, Emily Sigg, is currently the head coach for the Iola High School girls basketball team. Following her promotion, she has been focused on rebuilding the program, which has inspired Elliot to push herself and her teammates.
Coming so close to the championship has motivated Sigg and her teammates to commit to extra practice over the summer. “All of us are going to put in a lot of work next year to prepare us for Burlington,” she stated.
With determination and a clear goal in mind, Sigg is ready to take on the challenges ahead. The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for her and the Mustang team as they strive for a league title.
