Bargesser’s Preparation Drives Her to Greatness

Grass Lake High School basketball player Lexus Bargesser (1) attempts a shot over Hillary Griffin of Western High School during a game Tuesday at WHS. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

Grass Lake High School junior Lexus Bargesser and her brother spent all last spring – three months – running sprints and getting ready for track and field season.

The season never came due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Bargesser was ready if it did.

That kind of commitment is what makes the Warriors’ basketball player a top recruit in Michigan.

She has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the class of 2022 by some ranking services, has more than 30 Division 1 basketball offers, and has developed an all-around game that is helping the Warriors attain the No. 1 ranking in Division 3 girls’ basketball.

Bargesser scored 20 points for Grass Lake on an off-shooting night Tuesday. The Warriors were able to pull out a 54-48 win over Western thanks to some key defensive stops in the fourth quarter.

Grass Lake led by six points at halftime, but Western outscored the Warriors 16-10 to pull even. Bargesser and the Grass Lake defense held the Panthers to seven points in the final eight minutes of action.

Bargesser finished with 11 rebounds, five assists, and four steals on the night.

“My shooting percentage has gotten better, I shoot better from the midrange, and my game is now wide range,” Bargesser said in response to a self-critique of her improvement over the last two-plus years.

The once skinny freshman – who won state titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 track and field finals in 2019 – has bulked up.

Her commitment to staying in shape and working hard is paying off in basketball. She ran sprints at the middle school track with her brother for three months last spring – just in case there was a track and field season.

“I have been working out five days a week for a year,” Bargesser said. “That helps a lot on the basketball court.”

Bargesser passed 1,000 points for her career last week, but eyes higher aspirations.”

“One of my goals is to get to 2,000 points,” Bargesser said. “My teammates and coaches have helped me get here (1,000 points).”

She is considered in some recruiting circles as a 4-star athlete with D-1 offers from around the state and the nation.

“For me (her college choice), is wherever I find the best fit,” Bargesser said. “It doesn’t matter where.”

Bargesser has improved by challenging her two brothers on the family’s indoor training facility. It allows the trio to train any time – despite the Michigan weather.

“It (the indoor facility) has been awesome during the quarantine,” Bargesser said. “We played one-on-one all the time.

“My brothers have taught me a lot of things about the game.”