Skip to main content

New All-time Leading Scorer at Granger

Jan 04, 2016 03:37PM ● By Bryan Scott

By Greg James

West Valley - When Granger basketball head coach Aaron Cousins arrived at the school in 2006, he made a list of all-time school records. He now has a new name on top of the school’s points list.

Senior Melisa Kadic took her place at the top of the school’s list of all-time leading scorers Dec. 3 in the team’s loss to Kearns. Kadic has scored 833 points in her four years at Granger.

“She is one of the hardest workers,” Cousins said as he watched Kadic shoot. “The boys are here starting their practice, and she wants to take extra shots. She always stays after practice 20-25 minutes just to work on her shot. That is why she is one of the best.”

Kadic began playing basketball competitively in eighth grade. Her junior high coach had to explain to Cousins when she tried out for the Lancers that she had a hearing impairment. “You need to talk loud to her,” is what everyone said. Her family had emigrated from Bosnia in 1997.When she was two or three years old, her parents realized she could not hear. She has not let that her disability deter her.

She attended a school for the deaf until junior high and then entered the public school system. 

“I think she has the potential to play at the next level. She definitely has the drive to do it. I think her effort is the best part of her game. You can never fault her for working hard. Whether it is on defense or offense, she is giving it her all. I think she is also beginning to understand what it means to be a leader,” Cousins said.

Kadic surpassed Amanda Orgill and Jessica Matheson on the school’s list of all-time scorers this season. Kadic is a three-year starter and played significant time as a freshman in 2012. 

“It doesn’t feel any different to be the all-time scorer. I just keep working,” Kadic said.

In 2006 when Cousins took over as the Lancers’ head coach, the team won four games and averaged 34.9 points per game. The team’s scoring average has steadily increased. Last season, the Lancers averaged 51.2 points per game and finished the year with a 14-8 record.

The Lancers have only had a winning record five times in the school’s 57-year history.

“I sure hope we will be in the mix. We have a long way to go. We need to focus on our effort and consistency. This region is tough. Every team is a good team with good qualities. It is going to be tough,” Cousins said.

Lizzy Peterson is shooting 40 percent from the field. She is averaging 9.6 points per game. Cousins also said the Maleni Tanaki, a student body officer, has become a strong post player for the team. Tanaki has averaged 6.2 rebounds per game this season.

Granger won their first two games of the season over Ogden and Cyprus, but then dropped four straight. Cousins said he likes the direction the team has taken over the last two weeks and expects them to bounce back.

“This team is fun to be around. They are teenage girls and they like each other and there is good team chemistry,” Cousins said.