As winter approaches, Rensselaer is starting their new sports season. Girls Basketball is one of the sports offered in the winter at Rensselaer. The girls team is coached by Mr. Radtke. Mr. Radtke has been a head coach at Rensselaer for the past nine years. He has also been a basketball coach for twenty years. We interviewed Mr. Radtke and two of our senior basketball players, Taylor Vanmeter and Carly Drone.
Last season, the girls went 22-2, and they lost their first round of sectionals to West Lafayette. They had a winning streak of nineteen until they lost to Hamilton Heights on their 20th game; they picked up their winning streak back up with three wins, but unfortunately their next loss was their first round sectional game. They lost with a score of 37-44, to West Lafayette. Their offensive average was 62.3, and their defensive average was 36. This means they scored an average of 62 points a game, and they gave up 36 points per game.
The girls season will have their first practice on the 21st. Following that, they will have their first game of the season on November 9th. Coach Radtke well-prepares his athletes every season, and we are so excited to see how this season goes! The girls have been working hard in their offseason, and they will continue to go hard during the official season!
During the preseason, the girls have been in the weight room, and he states, “we have also beefed up our schedule to help prepare us for the postseason.” As the season is starting soon, the girls will have two hour practices after school and games during the week. Mr. Radtke believes that their goal is to “WIN A SECTIONAL.” Mr. Radtke also believes that some of the qualifications are that, “A player MUST work hard and give me Maximum EFFORT at all times.” In order to meet the qualifications, you must be a hard worker. Rensselaer has amazing players, and some top key returners, “Taylor Van Meter, Carly Drone, Kamri Rowland, Brodie Radtke, Courtney Matthew, Alivia Cain, Brooke Koebcke, Hope Hurley, and Crysta Johns.”
Taylor was asked about what inspired her to start playing. “I have been playing basketball all my life. My 2 older sisters and dad are the ones who have inspired me the most. I grew up watching them play and him coaching them.” She was then asked what her favorite memory of basketball was, and she responded, “My favorite basketball memory will always be my junior high school season, but being specific, it would be winning the IU Hoops Classic tournament last year.” With Taylor being a senior, she was asked if she wanted to continue playing after high school. Taylor states that, “I do plan on continuing my basketball career at the University of Indianapolis for the next 4 years.” We are so proud of Taylor, and we wish her the best of luck at the collegiate level.
Carly Drone was then asked the same questions. Carly has been playing basketball since she was little, and she said “looking up to others made me have an interest in playing basketball. I also made so many new friends through basketball.” Carly states that her favorite basketball memories are “definitely spending time with my teammates, breaking records, and winning the IU Hoops Classic.” Carly was asked if she’s made the decision to continue playing, and she says she doesn’t think so, “I love basketball, and I have gotten coaches interested in me, but I don’t think I want to play at the next level.”
Basketball is a very student-involved sport here at RCHS. We are so excited to see how many students show up and show out at this year’s games! We hope the girls have an amazing season, and we hope they accomplish their goal of winning a sectional!
