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The trigger to take the big shot and the long shot has always been with Emma Rehkopf. But it wasn’t until mid-season that the Montcalm Community College Centurions freshman began making things click. 

At Belding High School, Rehkopf worked on and developed her skill for long-range shooting. She got so good at it that her skills and confidence in taking big shots got the attention of Centurions head coach Scott Pedigo. 

In her first year with the Centurions, the 5-foot-9-inch-tall guard averaged 8.7 points per game and was shooting 27.8% from the 3-point line. Leading up to MCC’s 115-46 win over Alpena Community College, Rehkopf had only scored a high of eight points in a game. But in that game, Rehkopf caught a spark that had eluded her up to that point. She ended up scoring 18 points, shooting 5-for-7 from the 3-point line. 

Rehkopf would go on to score in double digits nine out of the last 12 games, including scoring a career-high 27 points in MCC’s 100-58 win over North Central Michigan College Jan. 31.  

“I think we’re only scratching the surface with her,” Pedigo said. “She can be a four-year player at a university. Her shooting is going to get better, especially after what she’s learned.” 

Rehkopf believes she made that next step in development last season with the help and support of her teammates.  

“In the beginning of the season, I struggled with confidence at the start of this season,” she said. “I finally got confident in the middle of the season. Coach and my teammates were very supportive, and that really helped me.”  

Like any freshman player, it took time for Rehkopf to learn the team’s sophisticated system, Pedigo said. But he knew Rehkopf just needed a little bit of time to develop, both physically and mentally. 

“She got comfortable with what we were doing,” Pedigo said. “Her confidence grew; you could see it. The whole team had a big click in December so I think all of us started realizing what we could do and we built from there.” 

Bonding with her teammates happened quickly. Rehkopf believes because all of them were the same age as her, that helped. She also credited the team’s trip to North Carolina for a couple of games that really solidified their togetherness. 

“We flew there together, we went to dinner every night together and, of course, we practiced and played basketball together on that trip,” Rehkopf. “So there was a lot of team bonding right from the start.” 

Rehkopf said it was that tightness with the group that she was able to finally open up with her struggles and, from there, the support from her teammates got her through it. 

MCC finished 10-18 overall and 7-7 in the MCCAA North Conference, earning a spot in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Regional Tournament. Rehkopf was one of four freshmen who contributed to the team’s success this year. 

After a year of learning the fast play of community college basketball and picking up the team’s tempo and style, Rehkopf is expected to make that next step coming into her sophomore season. 

“It’s a long season, especially for freshmen,” Pedigo said. “But now that Emma’s mentally prepared, it becomes easier for her. This next season, she’s going to be older, faster and stronger. We’re going to see some great things out of her.” 

One thing he has noticed of Rehkopf outside of her shooting is her defensive skills, which he believes she does not get enough credit for. 

“Emma is a very good defender. She’s very underrated with that,” Pedigo said. “She gets a lot of steals and has length. Sometimes, she defends the opponent’s tougher players, which gave us opportunities to win games.” 

With Rehkopf and her now-sophomore teammates returning, the goal, she said, is to build on the success the team enjoyed last year. She knows she will have to make another step forward in development, this time as one of the leaders of the team, on and off the court. 

“I’m hoping to help bring energy and communication,” Rehkopf said.  

Communication, she said, is what she believes is key to helping lead the team alongside her sophomore teammates this next season. 

“I believe my communication is what makes me a good player. I’m always talking to my teammates on and off the floor,” she said. “I like bringing good energy to the floor. Even from the bench, it was fun. We all bonded, and we were all really supportive with each other.” 

As with every one of his players, freshmen or sophomores, Pedigo said Rehkopf will have to compete for a starting spot. But no matter what role she takes on, he knows he will be counting on her to continue to make the big shots. 

“She played a big part for us last year, and this team is going to continue to grow with her,” Pedigo said. “She’s a very good shooter and will continue that. There will be plenty of opportunities for her to shoot the ball.”