Lyv Lindeman of Delphos Jefferson shoots the ball against Miller City earlier this season.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
DELPHOS – Along with all the points and assists and things that can be measured, Lyv Lindeman brings toughness, tenacity, and determination to the basketball court.
That was never more evident than in her final high school game when she played through a significant ankle injury and scored 33 points in a 47-45 loss to Ottawa-Glandorf in a Division III district championship game this season.
The 5-7 guard finished her career as the all-time scoring leader in girls basketball at Delphos Jefferson with 1,792 points. She averaged 24.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.8 steals this season.
Jefferson has won or shared the last four Northwest Conference championships and Lindeman has been NWC Player of the Year three times. Next year she will play for Tiffin University, an NCAA Division II women’s basketball program.
Add it all up and she is the girls 2024 Player of the Year on The Lima News Dream Team.
Lindeman started all 99 games Jefferson played during her high school years but there were serious doubts she would be able to go in No. 99 against Ottawa-Glandorf.
“That O-G game, going into it, I was pretty nervous because I couldn’t walk up the stairs that morning. I honestly did not know if I was going to play that Saturday. I was just really blessed that I was able to go out there and play,” she said.
“I was a little nervous but once that ball went up at the jump ball it was almost all adrenaline that took over. So I wasn’t even thinking about that ankle. My main focus was doing the best I could for my team and get us a win, or at least try.”
Jefferson coach Denise Lindeman, who is Lyv’s mother, said, “When we had a shoot around earlier before the district championship game we thought for sure she was not playing. Before the game, she said, “Mom, I’m going to give it a shot.’ And, obviously, she did give it a shot and played one heck of a game for us.”
Lyv Lindeman finished third in the 100-meter hurdles and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles at the state track meet last season, but track has been put on hold for now because of the ankle injury.
“I’m still in recovery. I just got out of a boot. Now it’s just rehab and trying to get that ankle stronger in hopes of running again this season in track,” she said.
She has been able to do some workouts that don’t involve running to get ready for her first college basketball season at Tiffin.
“My goal in the summer is just to get stronger,” Lindeman said. “My dad (Bub Lindeman) has been helping me a lot in the weight room, especially with this injury. I’ve seen it as a gift from God to get stronger. Almost every workout has been focused on getting my arms stronger.
“A lot of college basketball is just being strong and tough out there. I know I’m not super tall so I have to develop other aspects of my game. My arms are getting a lot stronger, which also makes me a faster sprinter in the long run, especially at the collegiate level of track.”
While winning four consecutive league championships, winning 20 games or more in four consecutive seasons, and starting every game for four years are definite career highlights, there is another foursome that is her favorite memory.
That is playing along with her sister, Alycia, also a 1,000-point scorer, for two years while being coached by her mom and dad.
“My favorite memory, obviously, is playing with my sister. I would do anything to have that back, having the whole family there. It’s such a cherishable memory,” she said.
The other members of the girls Dream Team are: Lauryn Auchmuty (Columbus Grove), Karsyn Erford (Ottawa-Glandorf), Tatelyn Faraglia (Waynesfield-Goshen), Claire Foust (Bath), Grace Freiberger (Shawnee), Cali Gregory (Crestview), Rilynn Jones (Allen East), Katie Kaufman (Ottawa-Glandorf), Carly Thorbahn (Ottoville).
