AMES, Iowa — Audi Crooks was a dominant player at Bishop Garrigan. Her most famous accolade was scoring 49 points in IGHSAU 1A State Championship Game, leading the Golden Bears to the title.
But there's certainly been an adjustment in competition level.
"In high school, it was usually a double team, a triple team. And sometimes that happens even here still on the Division One court," Crooks said. "It's nice to be able to be physical in the paint with a girl you know, taller than me, bigger than me, stronger than me. Like that's been an adjustment, but I think a good adjustment."
Crooks came off the bench to start the season, but she's been in the starting lineup the last three games. In those three games, she's averaging 17 points and six rebounds per game.
"I've become a lot more comfortable on the court," she said. "I've become a lot more comfortable against this level of competition. And just proving everything that I knew in my head was true, but also being able to actually put that out and produce for this team."
As Crooks continues to make a name for herself with the Cyclones, her coach says she's focused on one thing.
"It's funny you say the word 'growth' because that's her word," said Coach Bill Fennelly. "Like, she'll say to me, 'Coach, we're growing today. We're growing today.' Every day is a little bit of growth."
Iowa State plays No. 4 Iowa on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.