Long-range specialist - Seymour Tribune

February 12, 2015

On the hardwood, Mazie Caudill always looks for shots from behind the arc.

Her favorite part of basketball is being able to shoot 3-pointers, and she has made 3’s in several games this season to help the Seymour basketball team finish another winning season.

“I like shooting, pretty much from anywhere, but I guess I like shooting more from the wing,” Caudill said. “I like that the most, when we spread our offense out it pushes me down to the corners, and I’m OK with that. I like shooting on the right side.”

Ball-handling and shooting have played a big part of her game throughout her career.

Caudill began playing basketball in fifth grade at Immanuel Lutheran.

“When I was younger I’d pretty much be the only person that would drive to the basket and stuff,” Caudill said. “So I did that when I was younger. As I got older I started shooting more, and I’ve pretty much just worked on shooting. That kind of became my main thing.”

The senior said she thinks it’s easier for her to get shots against zone defenses.

“I like facing a zone because it opens up shooting a lot, but man is usually not an issue,” Caudill said.

During games, the Owls’ defense adapts to what’s thrown at them.

“I think it depends on the team that we play,” Caudill said. “Sometimes a zone works better because we don’t want to have somebody on the best player all night, and get them all tired and stuff. Personally, I like man because it’s more involved. I kind of like the responsibility for one person, and helping with other players.”

Caudill likes to play an up-tempo game involving pressing and fast breaks.

“I think when we press it kind of speeds the other team up and they start playing the way we want them to,” Caudill said. “I don’t mind being pressed, because if you know how to break a press then you get layups.”

The Owls won 15 games going into the sectional, and Caudill attributes the Owls’ success to experience.

“I think having more experience than the past couple years has helped,” Caudill said. “This summer we worked really hard, and we’ve figured it all out as the season has gone on.”

The Owls played in a summer league at Southport, plus in shootouts at Hanover College and Indiana State on top of winning the Seymour Tournament.

“You spend a lot of time together throughout the summer, so you kind of get familiar, you get closer to everybody, and it kind of helps us play together,” Caudill said. “Whenever you play 30 games in the summer it helps you. We also had practices and stuff.”

Caudill said she is looking forward to the Jeffersonville Sectional.

“I’m looking forward to hopefully winning a sectional game because I don’t think we have the past couple years,” Caudill said. “That would be really awesome, and hopefully win the sectional.”

This season, Caudill has found herself in a leadership role as a senior.

“I personally have just tried to support my teammates,” Caudill said. “Even if I’m not playing, I still want to be there for them and tell them what they can do, and be a good friend off the court.”

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Parents: Jason and Sarah Caudill

Siblings: Hayden, Charlie, Jack and Lucy

Organizations: National Honor Society

Sports: Basketball, four years; soccer, one year; softball, one year

Plans after high school: Attend Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Favorite away gym: Brownstown Central

Favorite food: Chicken

Favorite TV show: “The Walking Dead”

Favorite musician: Justin Timberlake

Favorite team: Indiana Hoosiers

Favorite book: “Nothing will be impossible without God.” Luke: 1:37

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Today

Brownstown Central (15-2) at Columbus East (10-8)