You can watch Richards’ Iyanah Crosby on the court, but be advised, it can be a challenge.
You might miss her as the 5-foot-10 senior guard/forward rotates around the perimeter, then drives for what’s usually a contested layup, one she’ll make more often than not.
That’s what you get with a basketball player who can bring up the ball or play down low. In other words, she can multitask with the best of them.
What’s her secret?
“Energy,” Crosby said. “Energy really helps me play better. When I get heated or have a lot of adrenaline, I play really good.
“It gets my teammates hyped, too, and we all play really good overall.”
Energy was the word of the day Saturday for Crosby, who she scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 52-41 nonconference victory over visiting Riverside-Brookfield.
The win avenged a 58-49 loss to the Bulldogs back on Dec. 29, and another defeat last season, when Crosby wasn’t feeling well.
Senior guard Mercedes Santiago confirmed that as Crosby goes, Richards goes.
“I feel like ‘Yanny’ is one of the players that plays off emotion,” Santiago said. “When she’s going crazy or when she’s in a good mood, I think it kind of reflects off everyone because she’s the leader of our team.”
Thus, that emotion is a catalyst for Richards (9-12), especially Saturday, with Santiago adding 12 points and four rebounds. It felt like Crosby was everywhere, and she likes that kind of responsibility.
“Being able to score from different areas and contribute to my team from different areas, it’s pretty sweet,” she said. “I like being an all-around player.”
Crosby started playing basketball in fifth grade, spurred on by her older brothers, Albert and Trevon Jones, both of whom played at Richards.
Sure, Crosby got started a little late compared to others, but once underway, there was no stopping her. She played AAU for Chicago Hoops.
“I don’t think I really thought about it,” she said of her humble beginnings. “I started taking it serious like I wanted to play.”
According to Richards coach Jeff Kortz, she played on the sophomore team as a freshman, then advanced to varsity the next season without a blip.
Saturday’s performance is just another example of where she’s come from — and where she’s going.
“She keeps rolling,” Kortz said. “She grows all the time. She keeps growing, and hopefully next year, she can keep playing and go to college and have fun.”
Crosby’s plan is to play basketball at the next level. She has an offer from Dominican in River Forest, and curiously, another from Rome City Institute.
Yes, that Rome, as in Italy. The school found her through Next College Student Athlete, a recruiting service.
Would she consider going overseas to play the game she loves?
“Yes, I think it’s pretty cool,” she said.
She doesn’t know how to speak Italian. Is she planning to learn?
“Probably,” she added with a laugh.
Recruiting started as a stressful process for Crosby, leaving her with wide-open eyes. But once she got into the swing of things, it got easier.
Today, she enjoys being in contact with college coaches. And she anticipates making a decision at the end of this season.
But there’s still a lot of basketball to be played, and the Bulldogs are in the thick of the South Suburban Red race along with Oak Lawn and Shepard.
“I don’t want to stress about it,” she said. “I’m having fun this season. It’s my last year. Senior night is next week. It’s kind of sad, but I’m making the best of it.”
With her typical energy, of course.
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
