By: Nate Calvin
In a season of uncertainty, Fayette Lady Eagle Trista Fruchey reached a career milestone in a win over Hicksville on January 12th by eclipsing 1,000 points in her career.
“This accomplishment means that all the time, effort, and dedication towards the sport really paid off. It also showed the true support from others not only my teammates but in the community”, said Fruchey.
“It is definitely a really good feeling and accomplishment to have. One of the best parts is having other players reach out to you and congratulate you because I have spent many years playing against other talented girls and for them to be reaching out to say congrats is a great feeling.”
With everything that Trista and her teammates have had to deal with while trying to play during a pandemic is something that makes this even more special.
“The uncertainty of this year makes me realize the importance of each game even more. It also showed me how much I took it for granted in the previous years because I always knew we would have games”, commented Fruchey, who also plays volleyball and is also involved with the National Honor Society.
“It has also shown me how much I enjoy playing games and being a part of such a fun team. This year was a completely different atmosphere in the gym and during each game so we just had to enjoy as much as we could and keep our heads up.”
Head Coach Ryan Colegrove, who is year number two of his second stint with the Lady Eagles, has seen Trista grow as a player and leader.
“She gets double and triple teamed every night. This year her biggest improvement has been figuring out how to use her teammates to beat the double team.”
“We have been working on how she can find her open teammate, either on the opposite block for a layup or a kick out to the perimeter for an open three.”
“This unselfishness is making us a lot better as a team. She has also worked hard to improve her free throw shooting. This is huge because playing inside and drawing double teams, she gets fouled a lot.”
Colegrove continued, “She has become a great leader this year. We have had a very frustrating year with being quarantined four times. She has helped keep the other girls motivated and focused through all the craziness.”
Family is obviously very important to Trista, whose parents are Corey and Melanie Fruchey and she is the younger sister of Kelsey and Alexis Fruchey.
Her family has a very successful basketball pedigree which is something Trista feels has been a key to her success.
“I’d say the most helpful part to having family members with a basketball background is their knowledge towards the game. I’ve received many pointers on how to play better through my parents even if I really didn’t want any pointers from them. I’d say that it was beneficial in making me a better player.”
Trista has received plenty of recognition for her during her first three years as a Lady Eagle including …
Freshman Year: BBC – First Team, District 7 – 2nd Team, FHS – Eagle Award, FHS – Rebound Award, Village Reporter Athlete of the Week;
Sophomore Year: BBC – First Team, District 7 – 2nd Team, Dave White – Top 30 Girls 1st Team All-Basketball Friday, Village Reporter Athlete of the Week, FHS – Eagle Award
Junior Year: BBC First Team, District 7 – 1st Team, FHS – MVP Award, Swanton Welding and Machining Athlete of the Week, Village Reporter Athlete of the Week.
Trista will takeaway plenty of fond memories as her high school career comes to a close.
“One of my favorite memories was going to the Findlay Team camp over the summer. It was a lot of playing but also the down time with the girls was a lot of fun. Not to mention the food was amazing!”
“As a team we always are laughing about something almost every time we play a game and to me that’s really important and makes the atmosphere even better.”
“I will also take away with me all the close bonds I have made with not only my teammates and coaches but also girls from other schools through the years of playing.
After graduation, Trista wants to major in radiation therapy in college but has not determined her school of choice.
Trista credits her coaches and teammates with in achieving this accomplishment.
“It is important to know that none of this would have been possible without great coaches and great teammates. Basketball is a team sport and having such supportive and great teammates through the years have helped me accomplish 1,000 points.”
“My coaches invested the time and energy into not only me, but the team as well makes for it all to be possible. I was fortunate to have great coaches in my high school career.”
“Coach Colegrove has pushed me a lot this year and I am grateful to have a coach that puts the time and effort into making my teammates and I the best basketball players we can be.”
The biggest advice Trista would pass on to younger players is to keep having fun playing the game.
“I think the best piece of advice is to just play your game and have as much fun as you can. Coach Colegrove says before every game the most important thing is to have fun.”
In the time of playing, I was never thinking about the scoring but to just play and have fun. Putting the time in and pushing yourself also helps to achieve goals you may have as well.”
“I think it’s also really important to have people who will push you to make you better. I was lucky enough to have teammates and coaches that pushed me out of my comfort zone to make me a better player.”
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
