Being cut from her high school basketball team pushed Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel to pursue her basketball dreams in college - and into the NCAA Division III history books.
There is no shortage of top-end girls basketball talent in the Mississippi Athletic Conference this season.
Davenport North has two high D-I commits -- Divine Bourrage (LSU) and Journey Houston (Iowa). Pleasant Valley's Quinn Vice is off to Drake next year and Bettendorf junior Alyvia McCorkle is being eyed by D-I schools as well.
Nobody, however, has been more productive -- and won more games -- than Central DeWitt's Lauren Walker.
The 5-foot-8 senior ranks third in the state in scoring at 25 points per game for the Sabers, who shared the MAC (16-2) title with Pleasant Valley, and own an 18-4 overall record heading into Saturday night's region semifinal playoff game against Burlington (16-5).
"There are not many better players in Iowa than her," Central DeWitt coach Ron O'Brien said of his senior standout. "She does everything for us. She defends. She rebounds. She scores. She's a great leader.
"Lauren is a special player."
She also deflects credit when it comes her way.
"Since my freshman year, I've always had great support around me," Walker said. "My coaches, my community, my parents and especially my teammates, who believed in me so much that it drove me to be better for myself, but more importantly for our team."
Walker, who will play college basketball at NCAA Division II Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., next year, fell in love with the game early, giving her the first-in, last-out dedication needed to excel.
"I've worked on the game so much, but when it's fun and you love it, it's not really work," she said. "I guess for as long as I can remember, I wanted to be playing basketball."
Saber supporters have seen the fruits of her labors.
Walker has scored 542 points this season alone, becoming the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,557 points. She surpassed previous record-holder Lindsay Smith (1,467) earlier this month.
Walker does more than score, however.
She also ranks second on the Sabers in rebounding (5.0) and steals (2.3), and is third in assists (2.3).
"She's so well-rounded," O'Brien said. "Everyone sees the points, but she does a lot more than that."
She's also efficient, shooting 48.7% from 3-point range, 56.5% overall and 83% on free throws.
Points tend to get press, but Walker says the other end of the floor is equally important.
"I take a lot of pride in my defense," she said. "Obviously, it's fun to shoot 3s and score points, but I want to have the attitude of, 'So you think you're going to score on me?' And some games, and I've definitely had them, your shots aren't going in. So, what else can you do to help your team? How can you impact winning?"
Central DeWitt has won a lot the past four seasons, 66 victories combined, with the chance for more.
"I truly believe we can make a long run in the state tournament," she said. "We have every little piece you need."
Walker and reserve Alyssa Lippens are the only seniors on the Central DeWitt roster, but it's a deep squad with plenty of big-game experience.
Ava Putman fills up the stat sheet most nights. The 5-8 junior is averaging 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.6 steals.
Fellow 11th-grader Kinley Birt dishes out 4.2 assists per game and poured in 17 points in the Sabers' huge road win over Pleasant Valley.
Junior Clara LeConte (8 ppg) has returned after missing time with a concussion. Landre Ruggeberg (5 ppg) and 6-foot freshman Audey Fuglsang (3.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg) provide valuable production.
"Our teamwork is really, I think, one of our biggest strengths," Walker said. "We play so well together."
Central DeWitt split its last four games of the regular season, including an upset loss to Bettendorf at home on Feb. 14 to keep the Sabers from an outright MAC crown. They're hoping to regain their peak form when it matters most.
"It's been such a fun season; you just don't want it to end," said Walker, who plans to study pre-dental at Lewis, with designs on becoming a pediatric dentist. "You just try to be in the moment and enjoy every day ... and hopefully keep it going as long as possible."