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Qynne Demler
The New Covenant Girls Basketball Team has been tough all season long. On January 7th, the Flames went toe-to-toe with Mount Cavalry, one of District 3’s best 1A teams, before losing by a slim margin. In the game, Qynne Demler scored 23 points while providing 5 rebounds and 2 steals to her team’s cause. As a result of her continued outstanding play that has helped lead New Covenant to one of the best records in District 3, the LebCoSports.com voters selected Demler as a LebCo Female Athlete of the Week.
Demler has not just had one good game or a good game every once in a while. The sophomore is a natural scorer who brings her A-game every night. Her point production this season comes as an encore campaign to her freshman year in which she set New Covenant’s single-season scoring record with 515 points (22.4 ppg). As a result, she was the only freshman to appear as a member of the LebCo All-County Girls Basketball Team. This season, she has upped her game and is currently averaging 24.2 points per game. She is currently the CCAC West’s leading scorer. In addition to her scoring, Demler is also averaging 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 steals. Coupled with the strong play of her teammates, New Covenant is currently 9-2 and in prime position to make another postseason appearance.
When it comes to her teammates, Demler knows that her performances are only possible because of them. Demler told LebCoSports.com, “I started off well this season. Though I’ve struggled in some games, I know the level of importance my teammates play in reaching our goals.”
Demler elaborated on the importance of having a strong team around her: “I want to continue to allow our teamwork to be our team’s strongest asset and to use everyone’s strengths to the best of their ability so we can have success throughout our season.”
Head coach Nicole Buffenmeyer spoke highly of Demler, stating: “The bulk of our offense rests on her shoulders, and it’s incredible to see someone who is only a sophomore handle this pressure with such poise. We only have a roster of 8, and I don’t have a sub for her position. Therefore, she’s playing every minute of every game. She’s not only carrying a lot of responsibility, but she’s doing so without a break.”
According to Buffenmeyer, the ability of Demler to play every minute of every game is the result of her allowing “herself to be pushed.”
Buffenmeyer also spoke highly of Demler’s character, stating, “It’s always a great opportunity to coach a player who can put up these kinds of stats, but with Qynne, it’s even better because she’s coachable, humble, and has an excellent attitude overall. So coaching Qynne is more than just fun; it’s a privilege because she has character to go with her talent.”
With such a strong combination of attributes, Buffenmeyer is surely not alone when she says, “I can’t wait to see how Qynne further develops as an athlete and person.”
While the sky is the limit for Demler, she will continue to work towards her potential with a strong support network at home. Demler is from a family full of athletes who encourage her and provide a level of understanding when it comes to the trials and tribulations that go with athletic competition. Her parents were both three-sport athletes, with her mother, Abigail, having played softball at LVC and her father, Brad, having coached basketball at multiple levels over the last twenty-plus years. Demler also has two younger brothers involved in sports, including Braden, who is set to begin appearing next season at the varsity level for New Covenant.
Beyond her nuclear family, Demler’s cousin, Olive Brandt, is also well-known on the LebCo basketball scene. Brandt, a junior, is one of the top scoring options for the Lebanon Cedars as they are hoping to win the Lancaster Lebanon League on their way to a deep postseason run. Demler considers Brandt to be her “best friend” and someone “enjoys looking up to and supporting.” Undoubtedly, the level of respect between the cousins is mutual, but it has the potential to create some scheduling conflicts later this season when both are set to play in playoff games on the same nights.
Beyond basketball, Demler plays soccer, helping to lead New Covenant to the CCAC Championship this past Fall. Much of that team was made up the same young women who are currently helping the basketball team reach new heights.
In the future, Demler hopes to use her experiences to “mentor younger kids to get involved in sports.” Her one wish is that in the future, “the sports program at New Covenant will continue to grow, and more kids will be able to have the same experience” she has had.
For now, Demler has a long way to go in her career at New Covenant, adding to her experiences and overall legacy as a star athlete. However, Demler’s main goal is to win alongside her teammates. In doing so, they continue to set a new standard at New Covenant and, in the process, extend their season to play as many games together as possible. We wish Demler and the Flames all the best as they finish the regular season and then set their sights on a long postseason run.
To follow New Covenant even more closely and to access their full stats, visit their MaxPreps page that is linked here.
Photos provided by New Covenant Athletics
Be on the lookout for a features about fellow LebCo Female Athlete of the Week Hayley Sheroky and Male Athlete of the Week Aaron Seidel
For a full list of this week’s nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: January 6 – 12
Previous Winners
Mya Doster (Week of December 2nd)
Olivia Shutter (Week of December 2nd)
Kaila Francis (Week of December 9th)
Liliana Harrison (Week of December 9th)
Lily Harchuska (Holidays)
Maddie Stout (Holidays)
Buzgon Davis
Kind Hearted Pet Resort
TJT Sports
ProSeal
Penn Realty
Ask4Noah.com
Recent Posts
- Athlete of the Week Voting: January 13 – 19
- LebCo Scholastic Sports Scoreboard: Week of January 20th
- LebCo Female Athlete of the Week: Qynne Demler (Week Ending January 12, 2025)
- District 3 Power Rankings Update – January 20, 2025
- LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Kane Kline (Week Ending January 5, 2024)
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