Boys and Girls Teams Commemorate 2010-11 Seasons
By Dan Karpiel
Sports Writer
With the 2010-11 seasons in the books, the boys and girls basketball teams gathered at Berthoud High on Wednesday evening to commemorate their seasons.
The boys team finished the season 7-15 overall but despite the disappointing season record, Spartan Head Basketball Coach Pete Scheck had nothing but positive things to say about his team. Scheck remarked that Berthoud possessed “the intangibles of a great team,” and “all I have to do is coach them, I don’t need to worry about stroking egos or getting the guys to focus and play hard.”
Berthoud took time on Wednesday evening to recognize the team’s two graduating seniors, Cameron Botts and Josh Krokowski. Of his two seniors Scheck said, “From day one they worked their tails off, they were committed and they just do all the things that you want your players to do … along with that they’re just great people and very intelligent.” Botts was the Spartan’s starting center for 2010-11 season and led the team with 23 offensive rebounds. For a team that often found itself out-matched in the height department, Botts’ 6’3” frame proved invaluable.
Krokowski was one of five Spartans who was named First Team Academic All-State due to his astronomical 4.1 GPA. Krokowski said he learned an important lesson playing varsity basketball, “I didn’t get as much playing time as I wanted … but learning and being able to accept that things aren’t always going to go your way, the way you would have wanted them to, is important.” Krokowski is torn between studying either biochemistry or physics in college and hopes to attend the prestigious University of Chicago.
Two Spartan juniors – forward Greg Hutchins and guard Zach Ruebesam – were recognized with All Conference honors. Hutchins was chosen as an honorable mention while Ruebesam was a unanimous All Conference selection. Ruebesam led the Spartans in scoring with 330 points (15.7 PPG) as well as assists with 51 and finished second on the team with 49 steals. Coach Scheck said of Ruebesam, “He’s never going to hurt you, he not going to make mental mistakes, he’s going to make great decisions, he’s going to be a good leader. He does help to make the players around him better as well.” Ruebesam and Hutchins, as well as juniors Mic Nienaber and Luke Read, were recognized for their academic performance with selections to the academic all state team.
The Lady Spartans basketball team fared somewhat better than their male counterparts did this season. Berthoud finished the year with a 14-9 overall record, ultimately falling to Bishop Machebeuf in the state playoffs. “We were pleased about how we did … you always hope you would have done a little bit better but I was happy with the year,” said Head Coach Randy Earl.
Athletes of all stripes contend that the accolades they receive from their teammates are the most meaningful. Senior point guard Megan McGinn, who was chosen as an All Conference Honorable Mention, was voted by her teammates as Berthoud’s Most Valuable Player. McGinn could barely put into words how much being chosen team MVP means to her saying, “I don’t even know what to say. I’m so appreciative of that, just to be recognized by your teammates for the work that you put in is so amazing.” The team also selected junior Dillon Fagler as the best defensive player and named sophomore Lindsey Loberg the most improved player.
Berthoud senior forward Julia Perry was honored with an All Conference selection. “I think it’s pretty cool,” Perry said of her achievement and added, “I wasn’t expecting it at all so it was very nice.” Perry led Berthoud in both points and blocks and was second to Fagler in rebounds. Perry said the friendships she built with her teammates is something she ”wouldn’t trade for the world, I had so much fun with everyone and it was just really a great experience because of them.” She plans to attend Colorado State in the fall.
To a player, the Lady Spartans mentioned how their camaraderie both and off the court was a key ingredient to their success. “Basketball is great but the girls made it even better … the memories I made the last four years I will keep in my heart forever,” said senior Amy Loberg, who is going to move to Wisconsin and pursue a degree in Gerontology. McGinn explained the importance of team chemistry saying, “You really have to be close as a team, if you don’t get along on the court it shows and you won’t win as many games. You can’t put aside your problems, you have to address them and get over them,” sage words indeed and ones which are applicable to many aspects of life.
Underclass players for both boys and girls basketball have the opportunity of attending open gyms and joining club teams during the off-season. The 2011-12 high school basketball seasons will begin in early December.