In the echoing gymnasium of Munising High School, Emersyn Crisp, affectionately known as Emmy, etched her name in the history of Mustang sporting greatness. With a flick of her wrist and constant determination, she ascended to an elite echelon, joining the exclusive 1000-point club—a feat achieved by few high school athletes. Yet, behind this moment of glory lies a tale not only of fortitude and community but also of family resilience amidst adversity.
Emmy, a senior at Munising High and co-captain of the Munising Mustang varsity girls team, has long been a stalwart presence on the basketball court. Her journey to 1000 points was not without its challenges. As a freshman, she faced limited playtime, managing 98 points. The cancellation of games due to the COVID-19 pandemic further hindered her progress and impacted her sophomore year play. Despite these obstacles, Emmy’s steadfast determination and skill propelled her forward. Starting with 528 points going into her 2024 senior year season, she added 530 points, showcasing her persistence and talent. This brought her total to 1058 career points, placing her just shy of Shane Petersen’s coveted record. Despite the setbacks, Emmy’s perseverance and dedication to her craft shines through, setting her apart as one of Munising High’s most remarkable athletes.
Throughout her senior year, Emmy’s consistency and steady performance were evident. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, she remained focused on her goal. “First off, she’s a great kid. Just a super positive attitude. You won’t find anybody saying anything bad about Emerson. She’s very kind. She’s soft-spoken. Combine that with a great work ethic, and you’ve got yourself a pretty good student-athlete,” said varsity Coach Matt Mattson, emphasizing Emmy’s commendable qualities both on and off the court.
Coach Matt Mattson reflected on the significance of Emmy’s achievement within Munising High’s basketball history, noting, “Emerson, I believe, probably has the highest girls’ mark for a year at 530. I know Frankie Mattson was over 400. Amanda Maxon had to be close to 400 or 500 in her couple of years of scoring.” He added, “Scoring 20.4 points a game for 26 games, totaling 530 points this season alone, that’s really impressive. Moreover, Emmy’s one 3-pointer this season emphasizes her knack for scoring with 2-point buckets and free throws—the old crafty way to accumulate points.” Coach Mattson reiterated Emmy’s position as one of Munising High’s most outstanding athletes. “Emerson had a fantastic senior season,” said Coach Mattson. “Her consistency and steady play are going to be tough to match.”
Off the court, Emmy’s family and friends describe her as simply a girl who loves her family and friends, is humble, positive, and isn’t unnecessarily vocal. On the court, however, she is an incredibly competitive athlete whose positivity and humility are a direct result of growing up in a family of three brothers and having parents who also embody the same qualities. Behind every great athlete stands a support system, and for Emmy, that is her family and her community.
“Emmy has two older brothers, and I believe they’ve always had a fairly competitive dynamic. I was quite competitive with my boys in everything around the house, and I think she absorbed that competitive spirit,” said Bill Crisp. “Losing to her older brothers pushed her to try even harder, and I believe they contributed to instilling that competitive attitude in her.”
However, Emmy’s journey transcends the confines of the basketball court. In a poignant revelation during the interview, Bill Crisp opens up about the family’s experience with tragedy. “Emmy’s brother, Quentin, was involved in a car accident in May of 2016; he was a senior,” said Bill Crisp. “We relocated to Ann Arbor for a year to be with him during his hospitalization.” Quentin’s accident left him paralyzed, resulting in paraplegia. Bill Crisp commends his wife’s unwavering dedication. “She is the best supporting partner I could ever have asked for. After Quentin’s accident, she devoted herself to his care, sacrificing so much for our family,” said Bill Crisp. “Her strength and resilience have been an inspiration to us all.” Bill notes that what helped the family through these challenging times, was being able to focus their energy into sports.
Despite facing adversity both on and off the court, Emmy has been buoyed by the constant support of her community. Munising, a closeknit town where everyone knows everyone else, rallied behind Emmy and her family, offering words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and gestures of solidarity. “Emmy’s not the most outgoing person; she doesn’t readily share her feelings. She truly values the small community, her coaches, and her teammates for enabling her to achieve that 1000 points,” said Bill Crisp. “She acknowledges that she didn’t do it alone; she had a supporting cast in her coaches, the town, and her teammates.”
Emmy credits former 2023 teammate and mentor Jenna Matson for pushing her to excel in basketball, providing invaluable feedback and advice. “Emmy’s resilience and determination have always been remarkable,” said Jenna Matson. “We won a district title her freshman year, she made a buzzer beater three to go into halftime. That was fun!”
Interestingly, sports didn’t capture Emmy’s interest from a young age. Instead, she found joy in activities like dance and ballet. However, after the family relocated, her parents encouraged her to explore sports, assuring her she could stop if she didn’t enjoy it. Thus, in middle school, Emmy traded her ballet slippers for basketball sneakers and never looked back. Reflecting on this transition, Emmy remarked, “I wasn’t sure about basketball at first, but once I started playing, I fell in love with the game.” Her enthusiasm for basketball even converted her father, who was passionate about football and wrestling, into a fan.
“Emmy is a leader by example. Her teammates love her. She’s not overly vocal, but she is someone that always brings it every day in practice,” said Chris Conklin, Mustang varsity assistant coach. “She never let setbacks or obstacles stand in her way. Instead, she used them as motivation to push herself even harder. You never have to worry about when she’s going to perform at a game because she’s got it.”
Going into her senior year, Emmy elevated her game to enhance her skills. Whether it was early morning practices, training at Advantage in Marquette, late-night workouts, or endless hours of film study, Emmy spared no effort in pursuit of her goal. She opted out of volleyball to concentrate on basketball and her quest to join the 1000-point club. Additionally, she participated in both the AAU ball summer program and Gladstone’s fall ball league. She worked tirelessly on perfecting her free throw. “I am incredibly grateful for the strong support of my family, teammates, coaches, and the Munising community,” said Emmy Crisp. “Their belief in me has fueled my determination and inspired me to push beyond my limits.”
Emmy’s impact stretches beyond the basketball court, resonating deeply within her team. Kate Mattson and Tessa Salo, her teammates and confidantes, hold Emmy in high regard not just as a friend but as a mentor and formidable athlete. “Emmy is a very good leader; she’s always positive with her teammates and about what we’re doing,” said Kate Mattson. “She reminds us that we’re just trying to do it one possession at a time, instead of looking towards the bigger goal. She leads by example, pushing us all to be our best.” Tessa Salo echoes Kate’s sentiment. “Emmy’s passion for basketball is infectious. She elevates the entire team,” said Tessa Salo. “In our second game against Brimley, we had a tough first half. But in the second half, Emmy came out and made sure that we all knew we could finish the game strong and win.” Together, they form a bond forged through countless hours of practice, games won and lost, and constant support for each other. It’s within this tightknit community that Emmy thrives, driven by the camaraderie and shared love for the game.
As Emmy Crisp’s high school basketball career draws to a close, it becomes evident that it’s not just an end but rather a transition to something greater. With her sights set on Northern Michigan University to pursue a degree in nursing. Despite her remarkable athletic feats, she harbors no desire to continue her basketball career at the collegiate level. Instead, her focus is squarely on her education and future in nursing. “After spending a lot of time in the hospital with my brother,” said Emmy Crisp. “I really want to help people, because I understand what it’s like to go through that.”This focus on education and her desire to help others is a natural characteristic, deeply embedded in her family’s values through generations of community service. As Emmy looks ahead to this new chapter, she carries with her the lessons learned, the support gained, and the indomitable spirit that has defined her life adventure thus far.