PEORIA — Summer has provided Lexi Baer with a tremendous amount of growth.
The Peoria Notre Dame junior-to-be is not only developing her own game but is helping to continue build team chemistry established during the Irish’s run to the Class 2A girls basketball state championship in March. Baer stands 6-foot-2 with deadly range and Division-I programs nearly begging for her services.
The Irish wrapped up the Illinois Central College Summer League on Wednesday night, going 8-0 and beating Washington by a point in the de facto title game.
“This summer has been really fun,” Baer said, “and we’ve been all growing a lot and seeing what we can do this (upcoming) season.”
PND basketball: Every story from Peoria Notre Dame’s run to the Class 2A girls basketball championship
Individually, the two-time all-Big 12 Conference first-team selection, who averaged 11.8 points and 4.7 rebounds last season, is driven to become a more complete player. She says she’s been trying to create more off the dribble while attacking the basket and adding a more consistent pull-up jumper to her bag.
That’s not to say that she won’t continue her prolific 3-point shooting.
“I feel like I’m growing in that type of aspect,” the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association first-team all-stater said of improving her skills, “which is something I’ve been needing to do for my game because I’ve always been kind of a stand and shoot player but expanding (my game) will definitely help, and I feel like it can help our team too.”
Her game-high 18 points off a state-finals record six triples in the state semifinal provided a perfect amount of healthy swagger.
“Having such a good game on such a big stage,” Baer said, “it did help my confidence, I would say. I just think that knowing that I’m capable of playing to that level really helps.”
One facet of Baer’s game that has shown progression is her physicality, especially rebounding. During PND’s seven-game postseason run, she led the Irish in rebounding including seven rebounds in the semi victory.
PND coach Layne Langholf says Baer is “known as a shooter,” but has “really bought into being physical,” using her length to as a sizable defensive presence.
“We thought coming in,” Langholf said, “when she got here was, ‘Is she going to be physical enough to play our style of defense?’ And to her credit, she probably put more time and effort into getting better defensively than any aspect of the game offensively last year.
“She knew the expectation. She came into a program that kind of prides itself on half-court defense.”
College coaches also have taken notice of not only Baer, but also her teammates Emy Wardle and Kaitlin Cassidy, who have also garnered Division-I offers.
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Baer’s current tally of scholarship offers is at five: Bradley, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Butler, Murray State and DePaul. Although she’s enjoyed the recognition, she knows time is on her side following that first wave of interest for Baer.
“One thing that I’ve really enjoy about the recruitment process,” Baer said, “is making so many different relationships with all these coaches and getting to visit and see the differences between the colleges because in the end, it’s going to be a huge decision.
“I’m not even thinking about (making a commitment) yet. I have more time. … I do have two more years, and so it’s like I can keep building the relationships with the coaches and I know it’s not a rush. That’s definitely helped with the stress level of it.
For the rest of the summer, Baer will play for the Chicago-based Midwest Elite Meanstreets and continue to get exposure across the country. This will give her to an opportunity to polish her game, while playing some of the top competition.
But don’t get Baer wrong, she can’t wait for the season to begin.
“Being lucky enough to make it that far last year,” Baer said, “and having the team that we had to make it there last year helped us even more this season too to have another chance to get back.
“Honestly for a little bit, it didn’t even feel like the season really ended. It didn’t feel like the end. … That’s not our peak. We’re still going to be a really good team.”
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
