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Maddie Stout
During the first two weeks of the Winter season, ELCO senior Maddie Stout helped guide the Raiders to a strong 3-0 start, setting the tone as both a scorer and a leader. She opened the season by earning MVP honors at the Hamburg Tip-Off Tournament, scoring 20 points against Hamburg before pouring in 21 points in the championship victory over Northwestern Lehigh. Stout followed that performance with a gritty 12-point effort in a narrow win over Conrad Weiser, continuing to anchor ELCO during the early stretch of the season. Her impact during that span earned her recognition as LebCo Athlete of the Week.
That fast start was no accident. Stout credited her early success to the work she put in long before the season tipped off. “My recent performance was all based on my dedication and hard work over the offseason,” she said. “Going to the court every day to get up shots and going to AAU trainings really helped me mentally and physically prepare for my senior season.”
Now in her final year and serving as a team captain, Stout has embraced the responsibility that comes with leading a veteran Raiders squad with high expectations. “As a team, we have very high expectations and goals for this season,” she said. “Being a captain this year, I’m expected to have amazing leadership as well as being an even better teammate to help lead our team to success.”
Those leadership responsibilities align closely with her personal goals. Stout hopes to help ELCO capture a section championship and make a run to the state tournament, while also appreciating the final chapter of her high school career. “Most importantly, I want to make the most of my last season and have fun,” she added.
That motivation has been fueled in part by last season’s disappointment, when ELCO narrowly missed a trip to the state tournament. “Losing the game that would have put us into the first round of states last year was tough,” Stout said. “Coming into this season, my team and I are giving it our all and practicing harder than we ever have to be the ones who come out on top.”
Along the way, Stout is quick to recognize the support system that helped shape her into the player she is today. She credited her parents, AAU coaches, and trainers for their unwavering commitment to her development. “My parents have spent their whole lives helping me become the player I am today,” she said. “Whether it was driving to different states for AAU tournaments or spending money on hotels, they always made sure I had the opportunity to become the best person and player I can be.”
For Stout, however, the most meaningful part of athletics goes beyond the game itself. “I enjoy meeting new people who down the road have become some of my best friends,” she said. When she’s away from the court, she enjoys doing crafts and going shopping.
Looking ahead, Stout is committed to continuing her basketball career at Saint Thomas Aquinas College at the Division II level, where she plans to major in Kinesiology and Exercise Science with the goal of becoming a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. As part of the college’s Honors Program, she will also have the opportunity to study abroad at Oxford University.
Unfortunately, a knee injury following her hot start will impact her senior season, as an MRI confirmed a torn ACL. While her presence on the court will be missed, her leadership remains invaluable. Regardless of how many games she misses, Stout will continue to be a key piece of ELCO’s postseason aspirations.
Congratulations to Maddie on being named LebCo Athlete of the Week, and best of luck to her as she works toward a full recovery while continuing to lead the Raiders in a new role.
Photos provided by ELCO Athletics and Heather Daub
LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Ben Rhine
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