The player who makes the biggest impact on a team’s success isn’t always the leading scorer, or a four-year starter, or some super stud. Sometimes it’s a player who was finally given the chance, and came through with a great game.

That’s how Andy Menne from the Etna Lions basketball team found himself with a new workout shirt a couple of weeks ago.

The interesting thing about Menne is that he has the sweetest shot on the Etna team. If you’re looking to show someone proper form for jump shooting, Menne’s the guy you’d choose from the Lions.

The problem is over the past three years, he hasn’t had much of a chance to show it. I can attest from first hand knowledge that there are more than a couple of people that thought more PT was in order, but the prior coach saw it differently. So, Menne continued to wait.

Then, he got his break. An injury to an Etna player opened up a spot on the starting five. The Lions’ new coach, Mike Pendley, spent the first few games of the season searching for the fifth starter, trying three or four different players. Based upon his play in the Rogue River Tournament, Menne was given a shot.

A few days later, his breakthrough game came against the Yreka Miners. Etna had already lost to Yreka earlier in the season. In the rematch, Coach Pendley gave Menne a job—contain one of Yreka’s most dangerous scorers. As it turned out, he not only contained the player, but outscored him as well. Menne had 10 points in the game, including a couple of in-your-face jumpers late in the game, and Etna won, 63-61.

A few days later, Menne had another double-digit scoring performance against U-Prep, a 47-45 win for the Lions.

Etna’s injured player is expected to be back sometime next week. It isn’t known for sure what the starting lineup will look like over the next few games, but Coach Pendley now knows that he has six starter-quality players to choose from, something the Etna Lions haven’t had in quite a while.

Mr. Menne, congratulations on stepping up your game and making the most of your opportunity. I’m looking forward to watching you hit the “J” the rest of the season.

The Impact Player Award is given on a monthly basis and goes to Siskiyou County high school athletes, male or female, that have had a significant impact on the success of their team. I select the players based on my own observations, often in consultation with the player’s coaches.

A total of four awards may be given each month and are not school specific; they can go to a player at any school that Siskiyou Youth covers. Winners receive Impact T-shirts that were designed by Golden Grotto. The T-shirts and award are cosponsored by SiskiyouYouth.com and NorCal Classic Hits radio, KCWH, 102.3/101.7