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With last year’s struggles the Montcalm Community College Centurions women’s basketball program endured — mainly owing to a lack of players — this year’s team was most certainly going to rely on its incoming freshmen. 

With six new players added to head coach Scott Pedigo’s team, the Centurions suddenly had new life, and fresh legs. Two of those freshmen – Kendall Stout and Baylor Syrjala – made a massive impact right from the start. 

Out of the 22 games the Centurions have played so far this season, either Stout or Syrjala have led the team in scoring in 16 of those games and in rebounds in 12 games. Pedigo said their statistical output has been a pleasant surprise this season. 

“It was not our intention to have them be our go-to scorers,” Pedigo said. “We believe in feeding whoever is the hot shooter each night.” 

Pedigo said by the time the team’s preseason exhibition games were done, he knew he would be starting Syrjala at point guard and Stout at forward. Needless to say, Syrjala and Stout have kept that fire burning all season, helping the Centurions to a 4-5 MCCAA Northern Conference record and a 7-15 overall record, a vast improvement from last year.  

As a point guard coming from Lakeview High School, Syrjala has been relied upon as a field general for MCC’s offense, something she said she became comfortable with from the start. 

“I’ve been playing this sport since I was in second grade,” Syrjala said. “I think as a point guard, my dribbling is decent, but it could use work. But I feel I’m a strong asset with assisting and scoring.” 

Syrjala said in high school, she didn’t have as many big-scoring players as she does on the Centurions team, which has made this year fun for her. 

“I love this team,” she said. “There are so many different personalities, but we all love basketball and we all want to be there for each other and be better.” 

Syrjala has proven to be an all-around player for the Centurions, putting up impressive numbers in the scoring, rebounds and assists categories almost every night, leading in one or more of those statistics in 15 games so far this season.  

She was recently named MCCAA Northern Player of the Week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1), averaging almost 19 points a game in that three-game stretch, including a 22-point performance in the team’s 100-58 win over North Central Michigan, Saturday, Jan. 31. In that game, she was close to hitting a triple-double, getting six rebounds, eight steals and eight assists.  

Syrjala currently averages 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. 

While Syrjala’s role is to direct the offense from the top of the key, Stout is the muscle and grinder of the team, a player who isn’t shy to go inside to mix it up with the taller players. 

Like Syrjala, Stout has been playing basketball since she was in second grade. At Central Montcalm High School, she was promoted to the varsity level halfway through her freshman year, making All-Conference three years in a row, including First Team All-Conference her junior and senior year. 

Stout said she feeds off her teammates when it comes to competition and her personal goal this year is to improve her rebounding skills. 

“I tend to average about eight or less, but I think rebounds are a key component either offensively or defensively, and I’d like to improve there,” Stout said.  

Along with a strong inside game, Stout, who is currently averaging 13 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, has proven to be a threat outside the paint, as well. She is one of the top 3-point shooters in the MCCAA, ranking second in 3-pointers, averaging 2.2 3-pointers per game on 6.7 attempts. 

Pedigo said having both Syrjala and Stout playing so well has added a whole different look to his team.  

“They both play hard and are really good shooters,” he said. “I think they have a good connection with all the players and they are unselfish, too.” 

Since the beginning of the season, Pedigo has seen both players — along with the rest of the freshmen — steadily improve. He has been most impressed with Stout and Syrjala’s ability to adapt to the more physical collegiate game. 

“They are getting better handling the physical game and they are getting more comfortable with what we do,” he said. “They just need to continue playing with confidence. I think they will continue to get more the more they play.” 

One of the more interesting features of this year’s MCC team is that Stout was reunited with two of her former Central Montcalm teammates, freshman Karlie Bacon and sophomore Emily Putnam, who is her cousin. 

Stout’s decision to enroll at MCC was much for its closeness to home, but the opportunity to reunite with Putnam on the basketball court was highly enticing, as well. 

“It’s pretty nice to have her on the court with me,” Stout said of Putnam. “We have a lot of chemistry and it shows. What I enjoy most is the laughter we bring each other and give only positive words to each other and we’ve always got each other’s backs.  

Putnam said the team’s morale has improved much since last year and adding personalities like Stout and Syrjala’s have made much of the difference.   

“They both give very different but positive energy. Kendall gives goofy, fun energy. Baylor gives lots of welcoming reminders,” Putnam said. “They also get things flowing. They aren’t afraid to ask questions and are always willing to take the lead.” 

Putnam credits both players for being able to step up as freshmen, taking on leadership roles early in their careers. 

“They both have brought so much to our team. They both stepped up in many ways,” she said. “I’m most impressed with both of their leadership styles. I had no doubt that they would because they both were very strong leaders in high school, as well.” 

Pedigo agreed, stating that the two have earned their respect from their teammates. 

“I think they have gotten along well. I think this past summer allowed for that, and I think their work ethic gains the respect of the sophomores,” he said. 

Stout is studying to be a nurse. Having already earned a CNA during high school, she is taking pre-requisite classes now. Outside of basketball, she enjoys hunting turkey and deer. Stout is the daughter of Jerrud and Celeste Stout of Stanton. She also has an older brother named Dylan. 

Syrjala is studying physical therapy. Outside of basketball, she enjoys weightlifting, working out and shopping, as well as hanging out with friends and swimming. She is the daughter of Greg and Melissa Syrjala of Lakeview.