Photo Courtesy of Ryan Shelman Lone Tree Basketball

This winter, the Lone Tree Lady Lion basketball team turned to their lone senior leader to find success on the hard court and she didn’t disappoint. Upperclassman Riley Krueger was a key catalyst for the Lions and has been named a recipient of the E. Wayne Cooley “You Can” Award from the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.

On the floor, she finished with 162 points, 38 made threes, 70 rebounds, 43 steals and 35 assists. Krueger was in the top 20 in the Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division in scoring, three pointers made and steals. While the numbers highlight her statistical significance and versatility for the Lady Lions, her total impact on their success was immeasurable. This week, Lone Tree head girls basketball coach Ryan Shelman spoke with KCII sports about nominating Krueger, what she has meant to this year’s team, and why she embodies the Lion program and spirit of the award. “Riley means a lot. She was the leader on our team this year. She’s one of the hardest working girls that we have had at Lone Tree. She spends a lot of time in the gym. She’s worked on her shot. She’s very determined and coachable. The reason I nominated her for this award is that she was the lone senior on our team this year and I thought she provided a lot of leadership. I have been at Lone Tree now four years and she’s the only player that’s played all four years for me. Riley displays the qualities of determination, character and values of pursuing winning the right way, which is what the award stands for. She’s a good player, but she’s an even better kid. The girls on our team really looked up to her all season long. She’s a good person, and that’s going to make her successful moving forward. I know whatever path she picks she’s going to be successful because she has those characteristics you look for in a leader.”

The E. Wayne Cooley “You Can” Award is named after the longtime Executive Secretary of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and is given to those who illustrate the qualities of determination, character and the values of pursuing victory with honor. Krueger joins a list of decorated Lady Lions to have received the award previously including Kasey Chown, Josie Mullinnix and Natalie Patterson. Krueger and the Lady Lions enjoyed a 13-9 season this year, tying the program highwater mark for most wins since 2017.