By Dan Ninham
Lexus Eagle Chasing was a 5-8, junior guard on the University of Minnesota-Morris basketball team this past season. She is enrolled with the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe.
Lexus was named to the First-Team UMAC (Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) All-Conference, finishing second overall in points per game with 17.3. She was also selected to the UMAC All-Defensive Team leading the UMAC in steals averaging 2.7 steals per game. Out of 10 games she reached double figures nine times, with four of those times being in the 20’s. She was also named Heartland Orthopedics Cougar Athlete of the Week.
“EC” is Lexus’ nickname at UMM. “In EC’s first two seasons with us, we had seniors both seasons who were really our leaders and who we counted on in big spots,” said Tim Grove, head women’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota-Morris.
“Coming into this past season, I told her that she is now our best player and that she was the one who needed to come up big in those big moments for us. I challenged her to play her best against the top teams in our league, knowing she would be at the top of their scouting reports and she did just that,” said Grove.
“EC has consistently shown the drive and willingness to work on her game and to improve her individual skills,” said Grove. “I have challenged her again to continue to improve as a player, and I have no doubt she will. Big things are still ahead of her here at the University of Minnesota Morris!”
“My parents have also been a positive influence on me as an athlete for my entire life,” said Lexus. “They’re my biggest supporters and number one fans. They give me great advice on what I need to work on to better myself.”
James Eagle Chasing, Lexus’ dad, said of his daughter: “As a family, we would walk or run this mile long trail. She always stayed in the front and if anybody got close to her, she would start to run so no one could pass her. As she grew older, we all started to realize that her ability and talent was the gifted type. She naturally was better at sports than most girls her age.”
Lexus believed she would get the opportunity to play varsity as an underclass player. The time didn’t happen as she wanted and chose to transfer. The change was for the better.
“Lexus changed schools after her sophomore year, thinking she would have a better chance of being a starter in basketball,” said James. “Unfortunately, she had a substitute role during her junior year. She knew that time was running out to show people what she could really do as a basketball player, which made her practice even more. As a senior, her coach allowed her to start and all her hard work came to light.”
“Since Lexus started playing sports, we noticed she began to accumulate fans,” said mom Lourdes Parker. “It started with softball. Parents would come up to us and praise her. They praised her on her speed and how good she was.”
“Not only has basketball showcased her talent and competitiveness but it has showcased her other qualities,” said Lourdes. “She has displayed compassion for her team and other teams. Her drive, and determination is seen on and off the court. She once spent the entire summer focused on her three pointers and would shoot 300 3-pointers a day.”
“I’m currently taking this spring season off because I injured my right elbow during practice,” said Lexus. “I am taking the time needed to heal so I don’t further injury myself.”
“This off-season I am going to improve all areas of my game,” said Lexus. “I plan on getting in the gym every day and I’m fortunate enough to be able to play for two more years. I’m staying in Morris most of the summer so I will be able to get in the gym as much as possible.”
“My goals for next season are to lead my team to a championship title,” said Lexus.
