Lowell senior point guard Aubrey Fleming is living in the moment. The 5-foot-4 Fleming, a three-sport athlete whose time with the Red Devils has been interrupted by injuries, is the youngest of six siblings who have attended the school and is acutely aware that the sand is pouring through the hourgl ass. “It’s hectic,” she said. “But it flew by. It’s already my senior season. I’m like, ‘Sheesh, there’s only two months left.’ But I’m enjoying it.” Lowell coach Kelly Chavez realizes it too. “She’s the baby of the bunch,” Chavez said. “She’s the last Fleming out.” But Chavez said Fleming is “on the incline right now.” Fleming suffered a concussion in preseason practice — she also suffered one over the summer to cut short her activities with the team — and she was limited in the Red Devils’ first two games of the season. “She started off a little slow, but she’s been progressing every game and working hard,” Chavez said. “She’s being a leader. She’s one of our captains this year. She prides herself on just being a good teammate and a good role model. That exudes when she’s on the court.” Fleming was averaging 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals before the Red Devils (7-1) lost to Crown Point on Tuesday. In the previous game against Hanover Central on Nov. 25, she scored a career-high 14 points, underscoring her upward trajectory. “I was really excited to play them because they’re our rival, and it was at Hanover, so I really wanted to win,” Fleming said. “The start of the season was a little rough for me. The first two games, I was nervous. My senior season, I wanted to play and do well. After the first two games, I gained all of my confidence back.” Fleming, who has been the girls tennis team’s No. 1 singles player each of the past two seasons and also plays volleyball, averaged 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists last season, helping the Red Devils win their first sectional title since 2000. That was particularly meaningful to Fleming after she missed most of her sophomore season with ankle sprains. To return to form, she had worked diligently during the summer, and she got to play with six seniors, most of whom had grown up with her. “I missed playing so much,” she said. “I feel like I improved a lot last year just because I didn’t really get to play my sophomore year.” This season, Fleming is one of only two seniors for the Red Devils, along with forward Hayden Blocker. Fleming, Blocker and junior guard Brooke Dawson are the team’s captains. “She’s always had a small group,” Chavez said. “It’s only her and Hayden Blocker as our two seniors. It’s always been a challenge for her to build around that base with just the two of them. It’s nice to see her finding her footing her senior year and really going out strong.” Fleming has welcomed the responsibility. “Me being a leader on the court has been really helpful,” she said. “Last year, I didn’t do it all the time. But this year, I know it’s my last year, so I’m going to give every quarter like it’s my last quarter because it is for some teams. I won’t face some teams again unless it’s sectionals. “I make sure to work hard every quarter because I know I’m not going to get that back.” Junior forward/center Gatlin Hanrath appreciates Fleming’s efforts. “She’s very great on and off the court,” Hanrath said. “Off the court, she’s always somebody that will check up on you no matter what. She’s a great friend. She’s always willing to help. If you need a ride somewhere, she’ll do it. If she’s going to Starbucks or Dunkin’, she’ll always ask you what you want. “On the court, she’s a great teammate. She always communicates. She always picks you up. She’s never down on herself — and if she is, she doesn’t show it. She’s really good at hiding her emotions on the court, which is a very good thing for a player. She’s very hardworking. She’s just a great player and a great person, on and off the court.” Fleming’s family has extensive experience on courts. All four of her older brothers played tennis throughout their Lowell careers and basketball at various points. Fleming’s sister Ava, a 2024 Lowell graduate, played both sports for four years. Fleming’s mother, Ginny, coaches Lowell’s eighth grade girls basketball team. “Her mom has been with me since I started the Runnin’ Red Devils, our feeder program,” Chavez said. “I started a group when I first came here, and she’s been the longest-standing coach with me. “Aubrey’s just a great kid. I’m really lucky to have her on the court. We already had her sister come through. It’s just so nice. I’ve been with them for so long. I’ve had her with me since fifth grade. It’s just been a progression with her, just developing as a player and just being a leader.” Fleming said being the youngest sibling has helped her become a “strong leader” for her teammates as they compete for a Northwest Crossroads Conference title and pursue a second straight sectional championship. “I’m not afraid to talk about an issue and approach it before something gets worse,” she said. “I’m not scared to talk to the girls or our coaches. “We’re all super close. Our friendships are good. We all work well together. We’re not afraid to give each other feedback, criticizing each other. Coach Kelly is really disciplined as a coach, and that’s really helpful. When we’re on the court, we know we better give 110%, or we’re going to be taken out. We all make sure we’re giving 100% all the time.” ...read more read less