Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Audi Crooks celebrates a win for Bishop Garrigan at state last year.

ALGONA — Audi Crooks doesn’t care.

It doesn’t matter where she finishes on Iowa’s all-time scoring list or how many rebounds she pulls down to cement her legacy.

Simply put: she wants her story to be about Audi Crooks — the person, the teammate — and her character.

“It doesn’t matter to me, honestly,” Crooks said. “I want my legacy to be about me a person, not by how many times I put the ball in the hole. I want to be known as a good person, and a good teammate.

“Yes, it’s cool to finish in the Top-5 in scoring. I would enjoy it, but I would rather be known for what I do away from basketball. That’s my biggest goal.”

Crooks has Black and Gold running through and through her veins. She lives and breathes the Garrigan lifestyle.

For the Iowa State University commit it’s not just basketball. It’s school, music, track, volleyball — you name it. The community as a whole.

“I think it will be a bittersweet moment when I take this jersey off for the last time,” Crooks said. “They have been my family. Being a senior, I kind of took the leadership of the mom on the team and made good connections with underclassmen.”

Crooks may seem unstoppable on the court, but off of it, she likes to stay light-hearted.

“I think that’s it’s huge to be successful on the court, but when I’m not playing ball, I’m cracking jokes and playing around,” Crooks said. “I just want to pass those things and skills for girls that aspire to play basketball and set the bar and help these younger girls and help them move along.

“To have fun.”

The senior has been a dominant force for the past four seasons, which has helped cultivate a winning culture at Bishop Garrigan.

“It’s a huge accomplishment (four state trips),” Crooks said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing that us girls have worked hard for.

“It’s great to be able to go to state. Every night in practice we strive to be the best. It’s the culture of our program. We have one goal.”

On the court, the numbers speak for themselves. Crooks is currently fourth on the all-time five-player scoring charts (2,617) and fourth in rebounds (1,299).

Pocahontas Area graduate Elle Ruffridge (2.951), Rock Valley graduate Deb Remmerde (2,756) and Southeast Webster-Grand graduate Jennifer Jorgensen (2,708) are ahead of Crooks.

Ruffridge, a standout guard and the all-time scoring leader, hit 986 field goals — 158 less than Crooks (1,144). Ruffridge also made 466 three pointers. Remmerde made 353.

Crooks, a center, has five triples in her career.

Crooks is currently sitting at 772 points this season, which is the 11th-best total all-time. Remmerde (859) and Ruffridge (840) are the top two.

Crooks enters state as the all-time tournament rebounding leader with 120 in nine games. Stephanie Rich of Washington was the previous leader with 114.

Crooks has a chance to finish as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. She has 214 points in nine contests and is behind Ruffridge (250).

But Crooks knows she’s far from a one-player show.

“We’ve got a lot of good outside shooters,” Crooks said. “That helps me inside and takes away some of the double- or triple-teams.

“Off the court we are having fun, watching movies. These freshmen come in and they’re timid at first. We’re close now, though. We are all sisters.”

Crooks will always be a Golden Bear at heart.

“They welcomed me (at Garrigan) with open arms,” Crooks said. “It will be important for me to come back and make contact with the girls.

“I want to show my support, as I know they will show their support in Hilton.”