IN CONTROL: When the Admirals were in need of a court general, sophomore Leah Cranmer took charge.
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Digital Sports
Female Athlete
of the Week
Leah Cranmer, Severn
basketball


When Severn basketball coach Chuck Miller  peered into the huddle in search of a crucial fill-in, he called upon Leah Cranmer.

And the sophomore epitimozed the Admirals' demonstrative nickname, for she was indeed a General on the attack.

Her number called, Cranmer stepped up, albeit, with an initial reluctance. Cranmer, nevertheless, produced results on the court.

The Admirals, of the IAAM's B-Conference, were in the midst of a fierce battle with Anne Arundel County public school foe Old Mill.

Starting point-guard Aura Payne had gone down with an injury midway through the third quarter, with the Admirals having a tough time handling the Patriots' pressure.

In need of someone to take over at the point, the inexperienced Cranmer's number was up.

The 10th-grader answered the call of duty with a superb effort, scoring 18 points during a 48-44 victory.

The win over then-No. 15 Old Mill pushed the Admirals into the Digital Sports Top 20, debuting at No. 16.

 “We were struggling against their press. Leah really picked us up. She became a true basketball player and leader that night," Miller said.

"She was already a good player," Miller said. "But she added confidence in that game to become a complete player.”

If that wasn’t enough, Cranmer's stellar play continued with double-digit scoring efforts in all three of last week's games -- all victories -- as the Admirals improved to 15-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 in the IAAM's B Conference.

On Tuesday, Cranmer scored 14 points in a 47-23 league win over Bryn Mawr. On Friday, she added 10 more in a 63-39 win over Chapelgate Christian.

And on Saturday, Cranmer followed up with 16 points as the Admirals posted a 55-32 win over St. Mary's of the A-Conference.

Looking to finish their season on a roll, the Admirals, in general, and, Miller, in particular, could perhaps earn a return trip to the B-Conference championship.

With her recent efforts, Leah Cranmer earns the Digital Sports Female Athlete of the Week.