Lauryn Dubbert of Beloit St. John’s-Tipton, a co-op team of both St. John’s Catholic High School in Beloit and Tipton Catholic High School in Tipton, is one of the top 1A girls’ basketball players in Kansas as she is in her third year as a starter as a junior for the Blujays.
It seems like we are covering a Dubbert sibling at St. Johns just about every year, probably because we have been. We’ve also pronounced the last name different probably ever other time we have said it on radio shows. She is the fourth and final member of her family to be featured on Faces in Kansas as her older brothers Trey, Davis and Kail have all been featured for various sports since we started SIK back in 2012. Now its Lauryn’s turn, the youngest of four siblings, that all her brothers have graduated from the small Catholic high school in Beloit, Kansas. Could it be the best for last? That’s an argument they can have in their small town of Beloit, Kansas.
Dubbert, a 5-foot-7 combo guard in the class of 2021, helped her team to a 18-3 mark last season and 36-8 mark over her first two seasons as a starter. She earned all-state honors in each of the last two seasons, averaging 16 points per game as a sophomore and 14 as a freshman. She also is around three steals and three assists per game in her career. Dubbert is a sharpshooting guard with 36 percent three-point percentage in her career.
Dubbert, like many small-town athletes, gets it done in multiple sports. She is a three-year starter on the volleyball team where she has earned all-league. She is also an all-state javelin thrower and pole vaulter in track and field. She is being recruited at the Division I level for javelin as she could approach the 140-foot mark this season. Her older brother Davis is currently a Division I decathlete at Wichita State. There is no off-season for Dubbert who also plays on the highly competitive Wheat State Elite when the high school basketball season isn’t going on.
Dubbert is also a weight room warrior, earning several lifting championships including a league champion in overall, squat, bench and clean. She set a new league record in the power clean.
Not only does she get it done in sports she also gets it done in the classroom with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Her favorite subject is Math.
It could be a solid season for the Blujays in 2019-2020 as they return three starters from last season and are off to a 4-1 mark with their loss to juggernaut Central Plains who is on the state’s longest winning streak and untouchable in the small school level in Kansas.. Along with Dubbert, Erica Brummer and Emily Eilert also return as starters from last season.
We caught up with Dubbert below in the latest Q&A edition of Faces in Kansas.
This feature is presented by Wheat State Elite. WSE and Dylan Evans are proud supporters of high school girls basketball in Kansas. Best of luck to our very own Lauryn Dubbert this season!
First Bank of Beloit is proud to support Blujay Athletics. Best of luck to all teams this season!
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Q&A w/ Dubbert
How did you get involved in basketball and sports?
I’ve grown up with 3 older brothers so everything was a competition. This relayed over to sports and always wanting to be the best at what I was doing whether it was volleyball, basketball, track or softball. Ever since I can remember my family spent the majority of our nights in our shed or driveway playing basketball while our parents would rebound for us and sometimes get in on the game. This resulted in me always having a love for the game.
What are your goals this season?
As a team my major goal is to make the state tournament and to become the best possible team we can be. A personal goal of mine is to increase my shooting percentage and become a more efficient rebounder.
Do you guys have a shot to make a run this year?
I think we have a shot at making a good run but it’ll take a lot of hard work because we lost 2 very talented 6ft posts and have a new coach coming in.
What makes you such a force as a player?
I think what makes me a force is the fast paced type of play I have. On defense my main asset is getting a lot of steals and pressuring the ball. On offense I tend to shoot a lot of 3’s and try to utilize transitions. I also use my strength to my advantage around the basket finishing. One of my underrated qualities is my passing ability and ability to see the open girl.
What’s the atmosphere like to play for your school and town?
Within the St. John’s-Tipton community there’s a lot of tradition in athletics which brings back a lot of alumni for our games. It’s fun to be able to play in front of them.
For anyone that hasn’t seen one of your games, why come to one?
This year we plan to push the pace of the game by getting in the other teams faces and always pressuring the ball which leads to more steals and a fast-paced game which Is fun to watch. We also have a great community that travels well with us which is always fun to play under.
Who are other key players on your team?
Erica Brummer and Emily Eilert are both returning starting guards and we look for our seniors and juniors who have come off the bench the past 2 years to have a bigger role this year. We also have a few freshman and sophomores that have shown great potential in the past and that will be crucial players coming off the bench.
Favorite thing about Basketball?
My favorite thing about basketball is the challenge and the style behind it. I like how there is always something to work on and all the time it takes to perfect a move or to have a good shot. I also just love the style of the game through the creativity and beauty of it. I love watching highlight reels of people making really cool plays then trying to recreate them.
Do you play any other sports, tell us about that, what other positions do you play?
I also do volleyball and track. I’ve been an all-around starter in volleyball all 3 years on a team with 2 state appearances. I play an outside hitter but have also been our leading digger/passer in the back row. In track I do pole vault, javelin, 100m hurdles, and 300m hurdles. My 2 best events are pole vault and javelin where I placed at state in both my first 2 years of high school.
What is it like to play for your coach?
We actually have a new coach this year so I can’t say what it’s like to play under her but from knowing her in the past, we have a very similar type of game style and I’m sure she will be a great fit for us. I enjoyed my 2 years under my old coach, Keith Kresin.
What did you and the team do in the off-season to become better?
As a team we played in a summer league once a week and spent time in the mornings in the weight room to get stronger. I also played AAU basketball in the spring and summer traveling to multiple states with Wheat State Elite. This helped me to become a stronger and faster player. It was a lot of fun to play with and against some very talented girls. This fall I also enjoyed improving my game at the open gyms in Emporia with the Wheat State coaches.
What interest are you seeing at the next level and what are your plans?
I’ve received interest from some Division 2 schools for basketball which is my plan for college as of now. But I’ve also received Division 1 interest for javelin. Right now I plan to study Business in college but am still trying to figure that out.
Favorite thing to do when you aren’t playing sports?
My favorite thing to do when I’m not playing sports is to spend time at home with my family or to go hang out at Sonic with my friends.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I’d like to be married and starting a family. I can see myself in a bigger city for a while with a job in business then eventually moving back to a smaller town and hopefully coaching a sport or two.
Favorite subject in school, what type of student are you, GPA?
I’d have to say math because the best feeling in school is when you’re spending a long time on a problem and you finally solve it and get it right. I currently have a 4.0
Who is your role model?
My oldest brother Trey has always been a big role model to me. Growing up he’s always showed me how hard work, dedication, and leadership can help you become a better person in everything you do. He’s always taking time to help me become a better basketball player and athlete. Trey has also been a great leader to me in our Catholic faith which is why I chose him to be my confirmation sponsor.
Best place to eat in your town or the surrounding area?
Plum Creek, it also happens to be where I work.
One thing the average person wouldn’t know about you?
I can say all 45 Presidents in order and I have been in Student Council since 6th grade and am now the secretary which I enjoy doing.
Anything else to add?
Being mentioned in Faces in Kansas has been a goal of mine for a while being that my 3 older brothers have all been featured and I’ve spent my whole life looking up to them.
