Ellis accepts leadership role for Seton Academy

SOUTH HOLLAND | Seton Academy senior Tiffany Ellis definitely doesn't shy away from her role as a senior and leader of the team.

Ellis will help lead the Sting into tonight's Class 2A Seton Academy Sectional opener against Collins Academy. The senior guard said she thrives in her role as vocal leader.

"I do like that role," Ellis said. "It gives me something to do. It makes me strive to be better than what I am. If somebody is looking at me, I need to strive better so they can be the best at what they do. It actually helps me more than it helps them. I love it."

Seton Academy can run the court with any team in the state at 2A, but  the Sting choose to concentrate on their defense. Ellis believes the key to Seton Academy's playoff chances will be at the defensive end of the floor.

"Basically our whole thing is run, run, run," Ellis said, "we have a good, good defense. We have a good match up defense, so it's very hard to break our defense. I think that's what can take us all the way, our defense."

Seton Academy coach Kevin Green has seen Ellis develop into the smartest player on the court for the Lady Sting.

"Since the second half of the season, Tiffany has truly been the captain to lead the team in practice and the game," Green said. "(Ebony) Bailey is our vocal leader, but Tiffany is our smartest player."

Ellis, a senior captain, battled an injury earlier in the season, and Green said when the senior guard returned, she immediately filled the role as leader and role model to the younger players.

"She started off as the captain and then got hurt and couldn't play a while," Green said. "I had to get another captain, and then when Tiffany came back, it seemed like she just sort of was the captain that all the younger girls look up to."

Ellis has adopted one of Green's philosophies when it comes to the Sting's sectional matchup with Collins Academy and any other opponent Seton might find itself up against the rest of the way.

"As our coach says, 'If we're in it, we're gonna win it'," Ellis said. "That's what we're going to do."