Independent file photo Marshall’s Jordyn Hilgemann pushes the ball upcourt during their Jan. 16 game against Jackson County Central. Hilgemann has been a key contributor for the Tigers this season in her freshman year.

MARSHALL – Jordyn Hilgemann is a freshman at Marshall High School. This past fall she played an integral role in helping the Tigers reach the state tournament in volleyball.

Hilgemann has carried over that success to the hardwood. In her varsity debut Hilgemann scored 29 points and helped the Tigers defeat Southwest Minnesota Christian 83-79 in overtime.

Since that victory the Tigers have gone 12-4 and currently own a 13-4 record. Not a bad start for a team that starts one senior, one junior, two sophomores and Hilgemann. It’s a Tigers team that has just two seniors and four juniors on their roster.

“We just want to keep getting better,” Hilgemann said. “We are really young. If we keep getting better. With how young we are if we all just keep getting better we are going to be tough.”

The Tigers are coming off a 60-52 loss to 10th-ranked Waseca. Before falling to the Bluejays the Tigers were winners of seven straight. Hilgemann said the team’s greatest strength is the camaraderie they’ve built on and off the court.

“We’re a close knit team,” Hilgemann said. “We are all really close. We know each other really well. We all know what we like to do. We move the ball well.”

In the defeat Hilgemann scored a team-leading 19 points. In the team’s previous game against Jackson County Central, Hilgemann once again led the way for the Tigers by scoring 23 points in a 68-43 Marshall victory. Hilgemann said her greatest strength on the floor is her ability to get to the basket.

“I’d say driving is my greatest strength on the court,” Hilgemann said. “I’m able to get to the rim.”

In her varsity debut Hilgemann scored the first seven points for the Tigers in the second half. Strong starts in the second half have been the norm for Hilgemann this season.

“I really don’t know where it comes from,” Hilgemann said. “I think some of it has to do with me figuring out what they are trying to do and who I can go at.”

Hilgemann describes herself as a student of the game. If she’s not playing basketball she’s likely watching a game.

“I love watching basketball,” Hilgemann said. “I love being around the game. I just love everything about the game of basketball.”

Hilgemann said her love for the game of basketball stems from her family and her relationship with her brother.

“It has to do with my family,” Hilgemann said. “My brother has a lot to do with it. He’s one year older than me. We always play basketball in the backyard. I always want to beat him. I think that is a big reason why I’m so competitive. I’m a very competitive person. I just like competition. I like the fast pace of the game.”