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When Emma Rewa decided to enroll at Montcalm Community College this past fall, she initially had no plans of playing basketball for its new women’s basketball team. 

The 2024 Greenville High School graduate loved the sport of basketball, having played two years at Greenville. But until MCC Head Coach Scott Pedigo reached out to her with a text message on her phone, she wasn’t sure she was college basketball material. 

“I ended up filling out an application for a spot on the team,” she said. “Coach Pedigo reached out to me and asked me if I was interested, and I ended up signing up with them.” 

Having not played a whole lot in high school, Rewa admitted she was a little hesitant stepping onto a college basketball court. 

“I was nervous at first,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if it would be like high school or be completely different. And it was completely different. 

In high school, all Rewa’s teammates had been basketball teammates of hers since she was in elementary school. As soon as she joined the MCC squad, however, she was one of nine other girls experiencing the same as her – unfamiliarity. 

With MCC bringing back its athletics since the 1970s, Coach Pedigo, who took over for Steve Ernst who was forced to step down due to illness, had to figure out who his starting five would be and how well the girls would work together and mesh before the season began. 

He chose Rewa, a forward, as one of the five starters, and she helped lead the Centurions to their opening-season win over Cornerstone University JV, grabbing the first win for the new program as well as the first one of the season. 

“I’ve started every game since,” Rewa said. 

Being able to play on a team that is basically trailblazing history at MCC has been an experience Rewa will never forget. 

“It means a lot,” she said. “It’ something I didn’t expect to be a part of when I was applying for colleges. I wasn’t looking to go into sports, but I’m very thankful and appreciative for this opportunity.” 

With MCC losing some players to transferring after the first semester and some missing games due to injury, Pedigo has had to work with a thin bench and has leaned heavily on his starters, who have logged more than 30 minutes in each game.  

With the lack of rotating fresh players, Pedigo said his players are faced with an uphill battle each game, however, many of them are responding, slowly but surely, especially Rewa. 

“She’s doing a nice job at the base of our offense,” Pedigo said. “She’s been doing a great job of being in position to rebound for us in the paint. She brings toughness for us and does a great job of being in the right spot and making sure her teammates are in the right spot.” 

Rewa admitted the college basketball game is much faster than high school and is facing taller opponents, which she is still adjusting to. 

“I’ve come out of games with a lot of bruises,” Rewa laughed. “But I’m learning new techniques, especially with my feet placement. Pedigo has worked with us on that a lot so we can become quicker with guarding people.” 

Pedigo has been impressed with Rewa’s progress so far this season. 

“She’s getting quicker with her feet and I’ve seen a big improvement there,” he said. “I told her I wasn’t the fastest either in basketball, but it’s all about putting your body in the right position. She does a good job of knowing she’s not the fastest, but she’s using her body and footwork right to be in places she needs to be in. We’ve shown her that stuff and she’s taken right off with it.” 

Rewa has been putting in the time to improve, not only working out with the team but also putting in extra time on her own, lifting and running, building up her cardio to help her handle the 30-plus minutes of playing time she’s seeing every game. 

Rewa said despite the losses the team has suffered so far, she feels she is growing closer and closer with her teammates, who have been side-by-side with one another with the struggle of playing short-handed. 

“I like how we are super close with each other and we’re learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Rewa said. “The game plan is working as hard as we can during the game and avoid pointing fingers but picking each other up.” 

Rewa is studying early childhood development and is thinking of transferring to Ferris State University once she fulfills her eligibility at MCC. Until then, she is working on being a better Centurions basketball player. 

“Some of my personal goals with being on this team is becoming more confident in my skills and showing up every day working 100% at practice and at games,” she said. 

It’s that kind of attitude that Pedigo is appreciative that a player like Rewa is part of his team. 

“She’s a great kid. She has a high IQ and cares about her teammates,” he said. “She’s just a great person, in general.  She’s team-focused and doing great at school. Emma is really an all-around great kid and we’re happy to have her on our team.”  

Media inquiries, please contact:

Shelly Springborn
Director of Communications and Public Relations
shellys@montcalm.edu
989-560-0833