ONTARIO — Emily Yeager had no choice in the matter. Pounding a basketball and athletically loping downcourt was stamped hard into the Yeager DNA two decades ago.
The 5-foot-9 Ontario point guard, and Richland Bank Athlete of the Week, is carrying on a family tradition this year, one her father was known for on Mansfield courts more than 20 years ago. Jeremy Yeager was the point guard on a regional final St. Peter’s team in the 1990s.
On Friday night, Emily boosted the family legacy, cracking the 1,000-point barrier for the Warriors.
“I wasn’t supposed to know it, but I knew I was getting close,” said Yeager, who reached the milestone with a layup. “My coach didn’t want me distracted by it … Nashail (Shelby) assisted me.”
This is Emily’s fourth year as a varsity starter. The first two seasons she played at St. Peter’s. She transferred to Ontario as a junior and became a point guard for the first time earlier this season.
“It’s more difficult than I thought,” she noted. “You try to control the game.”
The Warriors’ standout, who also plays soccer, grew up as a shooter. It began by gunning away in the driveway, with her father rebounding. She played in the youth leagues with her father coaching.
But Jeremy found a seat in the stands about five years ago.
“I wanted to watch her instead of coach her,” Jeremy Yeager said. “(Getting 1,000 points) was probably the proudest moment (athletically) I’ve had with her.
“She has a hunger to have the ball in her hands.”
Admittedly, he did, too. A 6-3 perimeter player who was also a keeper on outstanding Spartans’ soccer teams, Jeremy took on the lead guard position when older teammates graduated.
Emily fed on that family tradition, and became a St. Peter’s ball girl as a youngster. She admired the Spartans who reached the Final Four during the Randa Payne era. Those exploits offered even more inspiration.
“I grew up as a shooter,” she said. “My Dad taught me to shoot.”
When she transferred after her sophomore season there was a bit of apprehension transitioning to a new program. But Emily credits her teammates for making it a smooth move.
“My teammates were so welcoming. We have so much fun together,” she said. “We argue and get on each other, but in the end it’s all fine. We’re just like family.”
The 1,000 points is a compilation of her total at both schools.
Although she flashes in soccer too, Emily said basketball has her passion. She’s hoping to attract the attention of a Division III program, and is looking at Muskingum and Bluffton.
As for her team, the Warriors are 3-2 heading into Tuesday night’s home game with Tiffin Columbian. Yeager said she’s hoping to pace coach Sarah Krichbaum’s Warriors to a district championship and a trip to the regionals.
“Mostly, I want our team to continue to grow as a family,” she said.
