MOUNT VERNON — Sometimes the toughest challenges bring out the best in athletes. That has been the case for Fredericktown High School senior Mackenzie Logan this season.
Logan was the lone returning starter on a team that cruised through the Mid-Buckeye Conference last year, and this season has been a major adjustment for both Logan and the team.
“We were awesome last year; this year is different, but I still love this team,” said Logan. “We all get along very well and we all play together during the games. Our chemistry is very good, if it wasn’t the games could be a lot different. We work hard as a team and most of the time get the things done that we need to get done.”
Fredericktown head coach Dave Logan understands the adjustment Mackenzie has had to make this year, not only as her coach, but as her father. Mackenzie has been a vital part of the Freddies, both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
“Mackenzie was our only returning starter and we knew she was going to be the focus on what we were going to try to do on offense,” coach Logan said. “She gave us a solid presence in the post, which is not easy to find. It’s been critical for us. She really plays the position well.”
Logan is getting a lot of attention from other MBC teams and it is evident in the games that the other team’s goal is to shut her down. She is regularly double or even triple teamed in order to slow her down.
“She has had a pretty good offensive season,” said Dave Logan. “She gets a lot of double teams, but that can be good for us. She shares the ball and helps other people get opportunities to score when she isn’t open. She really helps her teammates out.”
“It’s been frustrating this year,” said Mackenzie. “I can’t even move, that’s a lot different than what I am used to. It’s been really tiring; I have been getting pushed around really hard by three different people at times. It’s tough. It’s been a harder season in that aspect, but at the same time, it has been more fun. It makes me better. I like to think of it that way.”
Despite the obvious frustration associated with other teams focusing on shutting her down, Logan is still ninth in area scoring, averaging 12.3 points per game. She is the second-ranked area athlete in field-goal percentage, shooting a blistering 56 percent from the field.
“Everyone on this team gives me the opportunity to score,” said Mackenzie. “I know that I have to rebound, and from there, I will get the opportunity to score. I’ve been trying to work on rebounding. Our defense has been really good; we are able to slow a lot of people down.”
While the offense catches the eye, it’s Mackenzie’s defense and presence on the boards that is truly impressive. She leads the area in rebounds with 124, averaging 8.9 rebounds a game, and is nearly averaging a double-double every time out. She is second in the area in blocked shots as well, averaging 2.1 a game. Her presence in the paint is intimidating to the opposition and crucial to the team’s success.
“Mackenzie is a good team player,” said coach Logan. “She does what she has to do to try to get us the win. She is a real important part of us having the opportunity to win. I think a post player is even more important to have on the defensive end, she really helps with rebounding, blocking shot and coming through on the help side. She is always going to play good defense and the team knows they can count on her for those things.”
Mackenzie will be moving on next year to play NCAA Division II basketball at Shepherd University in West Virginia. The adjustment will be hard, but she looks forward to the challenge.
“It’s sad that this is my last season,” Mackenzie said. “I never thought it would go this fast. College is going to be a lot different, but I am looking forward to it.”
There is still a lot of season left for the Fredericktown Freddies team as well. Both coach and player hope to finish the season out on a high note.
“Hopefully, we can win the last few games and end at .500,” said Mackenzie. “I’d like to win a game or two in the tournament; that would be awesome. I think this team is very capable of that.”
