Renzelmann finally set for his debut at South

GIRLS HOOPS PREVIEW

EMMA BELMORE (21) returns for North after making all-conference. – Photo by Lisa Reed

Like everyone at North and South, Garrett Renzelmann has been waiting and waiting for sports to start again.

Patience, however, only goes so far when it comes to making one’s debut as coach at his alma mater.

“This is the coaching job that I’ve wanted to have quite a while, and now I’ve been forced to wait an extra four or five months before we could start,” said Renzelmann, a 2004 graduate of South who was an assistant last season. “It was kind of driving me crazy. Thankfully, that time has passed and we’ve started the season. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Probably because the Redwings return four of their top five scorers who helped win six games last season after getting only one victory the previous year.

Halle Boldt, a four-year varsity player, made all-Fox River Classic Conference  honorable mention thanks to a team-best 10.1 points and 2.3 assists per outing last season. She also set the school record with 36 points in a game as a junior.

“The sky’s probably the limit for her,” Renzelmann said. “She’s come out very motivated to start. She was very antsy to get in the gym and get going. Very apparent the second that we came in she’s being a very vocal leader and leading by example. With her talent and dedication and drive, she can achieve pretty much anything she wants to.”

Other key athletes include senior Bjondina Bushi, who was second in scoring with 7.1 points. Senior Kaitlyn Stricker provided a spark as the first girl off the bench last year, and junior Maddie Ognacevic led the squad in rebounds with 7.6 per contest.

NORTH

Coach Keith Conway enters his second season and feels more comfortable. Returning four starters also helps.

“I knew the players pretty well last year as well, but I think the comfort level as the coach and knowing all that goes into being a head coach – inside and outside of practice – I’m much more aware of those things, which usually when you go into it, I don’t think you’re completely aware of everything,” he said. “Especially the things outside of practice.”

The Golden Raiders, who went 10-13 last season (7-11 in the Fox River Classic), features senior Emma Belmore.

She received all-conference honorable mention last year by contributing 8.8 points, 3.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. She was second in the league in three-point shooting (43.1%) as well.

“I feel Emma is one of the best point guards in the conference,” Conway said.

Other starters, also seniors, include Karsyn Bichler, Hannah Martin and Macy Schetter.

North’s first game is not until January, and even though league rivals like De Pere have already played nine times, Conway says he has the talent to compete with the top teams in the FRCC.

“We’re certainly behind the curve here with them having an extra six or seven weeks on us,” the coach said. “It just depends how much we can make up ground these next days.”