Posted: 4/4/07
Graff, a winner at NBHS and in college
 Marlayna Graff, a 2006 North Branch graduate, helped lead Anoka-Ramsey to the NCAA Division III junior college national championship March 17. The Rams beat Mohawk Valley Community College 52-44 on their home court. Graff lead the team in scoring and rebounding this season. |
By Steve Morris
A few weeks ago, you could call her tall and skinny. Now, you can call her a national champion. Marlayna Graff, a 2006 North Branch graduate, led the Anoka-Ramsey basketball team to the NCAA Junior College Division III national championship March 17.
Graff, who played a principal part in the Vikings state basketball tournament appearance in 2005, started all 30 games for Anoka-Ramsey and averaged nearly a double double in her rookie year. She led the team in scoring, ending the year averaging 10 points and nine rebounds a game. Graff had the potential to average more points and rebounds but didn't because many games she focused more on stopping the other team's big girl. Also, several games she sat out because they were ahead by so many points.
At 6'1, her main role was to park it under the basket and grab as many rebounds as possible. As the season progressed, she brought her game outside, where her coaches saw a glimmer of her potential. Graff said she plans to work hard on her game all summer long and hopefully expand to a more all-around player. With her height and her athleticism, other teams will have a challenge guarding her if she develops an outside game.
Aside from the team championship, she also won a number of accolades. She was named first team all-conference, first team all-region, first team all-tournament team and first team all-state.
The awards make Graff sound like she was born with a basketball in her crib. In fact, her basketball history doesn't fit the mold of a standout high school player turned dangerous college athlete. Graff didn't start playing basketball until the 7th grade and spent half her junior year of high school on the junior varsity team before North Branch coach Dan Schindler moved her to varsity. In three years, she grew three inches and quickly became a force to reckon with under the basket.
Her senior year she was named captain and steered the team to the section finals. Her senior year she grabbed 282 rebounds, good for 6th all-time for a single season at NBHS. She was also named to North Suburban all-conference honorable mention and all-state honorable mention.
Schindler is not at all shocked with Graff's success in the college game.
"I am not surprised Marlayna is doing so well in college. She is a great athlete who was getting better every game in high school. Her athleticism and work ethic were very good and she is one player that was still getting better when she graduated and had a lot of upside potential," he said.
The coaching staff at Anoka-Ramsey recruited Graff out of North Branch and knew she would be a good fit for their program. In high school, Graff was also recruited by Hibbing, Central Lakes, and Bethel. In the end, she decided to go with Anoka-Ramsey because she knew she could get more playing time.
Dave DeWitt, head coach of Anoka-Ramsey, said Graff's biggest asset to the team was her inside presence. Graff said she had a great first season playing under DeWitt and the other coaches.
"She's the only one that gave us any true size," DeWitt said. "She's a legitimate rebounder."
Graff is stronger that she looks. She said her size is her "secret weapon" on the court.
"People don't think I am strong, but I love going against bigger girls," she said. "I love challenges."
Anoka-Ramsey is a junior college and therefore Graff only has next season left playing for the Rams. Graff will graduate next May with her generals and does not have solid plans afterward. She said she is "keeping her options open." One of the things she is considering is going into modeling.
Whatever she decides to doing after Anoka-Ramsey, she will always remember her days at North Branch. Speaking of her senior year at NBHS, Graff said, "I loved that team ... I miss all of them."
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