Athlete – Houghton STAR

Recent addition to the women’s basketball team, Stephany Ellison, brings both athletic skill and a competitive attitude to the court.

Ellison began her college career at Eastern Kentucky University where she had been recruited by their Division I women’s soccer team. In hopes of “coming closer to home and in need of a change,” Ellison transferred to Houghton last year as a sophomore.

Ellison has continued in playing soccer but also competed on Houghton’s field and track team, running the 100 and 200. She had first joined track to become faster for soccer season and was struck by the rigor of the program. Ellison attributed track for “improving her running technique,” which has translated to all the sports she participates in.

Although her first love is soccer, Ellison has found motivation through basketball as well. She acknowledges that something particularly enjoyable about basketball is the proximity of the fans. Ellison “feeds off the crowd and the close atmosphere,” she says. Coming into the season Ellison was unsure what to expect but has found the “chemistry to be so much better than anticipated and has come to know the team so well.”

Captain Kristen Moose, senior, likewise identified an intimate dynamic on the team. Moose and Ellison played basketball at rival high schools and now as teammates look to each other for intensity on the court. Moose said that, “Stephany makes people better and it is an advantage to have her around.”

Ellison plays the position of point guard but is also a “key defender . . . hustles and works hard,” says Women’s basketball coach, Alicia Mucher.

One need only to look at Ellison’s statistics to see that she has “made the transition to basketball really well,” commented Mucher. Ellison is number one on assists and number two in the categories of points, 3-point FGs, free throws, and steals.

Mucher says that Ellison has not only showed initiative on the team but also “effort towards managing academics while contributing athletically.”

Ellison similarly comments that her “competitive edge” even follows her into the classroom and into her major, Inclusive Childhood Education.

In looking towards the future, Ellison has tried out for the Charlotte Eagles, a professional women’s soccer team in North Carolina and will be receiving a decision shortly. Yet in the meantime, Ellison is “really glad” to have been able to have the experience of playing on the women’s basketball team while being at Houghton.

Contemplating the past season in coaching Ellison, Mucher said that the “fact that we have her in our program is an asset, Stephany shows no fear and provides a fire to those around her.”

Junior captain Kristen Moose came to Houghton from Swain, New York to play basketball. Although she has had to sit out the past couple games due to illness, Moose continues to lead the women’s team.

“Moose is a quiet leader, she is not vocal, but she leads in her actions and her work ethic. Her teammates catch on to that and it motivates them to work hard too,” said Coach Alicia Mucher, “She is definitely an asset to a team and in a lot of ways she is a coach’s dream to have. Very coachable, listens, right now we just wish she were healthy.”

“I think her sickness has affected our team, but I think it has caused Moose to reflect on her role on our team more,” said freshman teammate Maggie Reynolds.Moose has been playing basketball since she was a little girl. She began playing with her dad, starting organized competition in elementary school. She competed in soccer and softball as well, but basketball won out as the more favored sport.

“Sometimes it’s probably a bad habit, but I tend to put basketball ahead of school. It probably isn’t the right thing,” Moose said, “But generally it is pretty easy to balance school with basketball.”
Moose is studying both physical education and health at Houghton. She aspires to be either a teacher or coach post-graduation. Her teammates and coach foresee her excelling in this field.
“Moose is definitely one of the hardest workers I have ever coached, if not the hardest worker. She has worked so much and put so much time into her individual development that she is really starting to reap some of those benefits,” said Mucher, “There is no question she is an outstanding basketball player.”

Last year, Moose received player of the year in the American Mideast Conference. This year, she leads the Empire 8 in points per game, averaging at 17. She leads the team in turnovers, field goals, three-pointers, assists, and free throws. She has earned player of the week twice this season as well.

“Moose is a very hard worker and that’s her style of play,” said Reynolds, “She does a good job pushing our team to excellence.”

“I just always want to be the best that I can be. I don’t ever want to look back and regret it,” said Moose, “The better I do individually, the more I can help the team out.”