Full Show - 3/29/2025

Full show from the Donovan & Jorgenson Heating & Cooling Studio: Saturday, March 29th, 2025

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Varsity Varsity Blitz high school sports show,
presented by your local Pick and Save at Metro Market stores,
on Fox Sports nine twenty and your iHeartRadio app. We
are coming live from the Donovan and Jorganson Heating and
Cooling studios. Trust me, any issues you're having or if
you want to make sure your AC is going to
turn on and be good to go, go to Donovan

(00:23):
Jorgenson dot com. These are This is a company I've
used a lot and I'm a big fan of the
people that work there. When somebody comes out to work
on your HVAC system, it's one of the owners from
Donovan and Jorganson Heating and Cooling. At nine to twenty,
Alex Green from Wisconsin Lutheran State champion Alex Green is
going to be in studio. We're going to talk to

(00:43):
him and Isaiah Mellock, who is a senior at Wisconsin Lutheran.
We'll talk to them for a couple of segments. At
ten o'clock will introduce you to Sidney Kleink, she is
our current Electric Superhero.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Of the Week.

Speaker 1 (00:56):
And then at ten twenty, Ali star head Girls coach
at Lord's is going to join us and a friend
of hers that she played college basketball with, Kashamelenski, is
going to be in studio and we'll talk to them
a little bit about girls of high school basketball. Will
congratulate Alie Starr and if you've heard me the last
couple of weeks, I'm a big fan of hers because

(01:16):
she shows so much joy when she coaches basketball. And
we're going to have her in studio for a couple
of segments. Our first segment not a lot of joy
in talking about the death of an official that been
around for a long time, and Paul Eckert's life of

(01:36):
being in gymnasiums is incredible and on the field. And
we are joined in studio Bill Gromacki, Dennis Cloth who
lay and Lakeland Officials Association been around a long time.
I got a chance to speak out there a couple
months ago, and everybody's still talking to me.

Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, come a little closer to the microphone if you.

Speaker 3 (01:58):
Can't ask it for your check, Billy for our scholarship fund.
We had a great time. You did a very nice job.
I remember you not only at the banquet, but when
we invited you and you get into a little discussion
with a basketball official at albans AND's pizza plays.

Speaker 1 (02:17):
I was asked if I needed somebody to walk me
out to the farming lot. We had to call, you know,
I thought, I'll be I'll be okay.

Speaker 2 (02:26):
You know, Dennis, it's it's good to see you again, sir.

Speaker 1 (02:29):
And and I know that, uh, that that you and
Paul worked together a long time.

Speaker 2 (02:34):
And I said to you, I think Paul probably reft.

Speaker 1 (02:37):
One hundred of my basketball games, and you said, you know,
I probably did a thousand with him. For your look
for our community of high school athletics a huge loss.

Speaker 2 (02:49):
His passing was a shock to a lot of us.

Speaker 4 (02:53):
Yes, uh, he was probably my best friend from after
high school on. We lost track a few years he
was in the service. I went to college on Whitewater.
We got together again in sixty nine seventy and started
officiating basketball that winter and baseball that summer of seventy

(03:15):
and kept doing it. Because of a back injury. I
had to give it up after the twenty twenty one season,
so I think that's like fifty two years we officiated together.

Speaker 2 (03:27):
Did he ever do one of your games when you coached? Yes,
he did.

Speaker 1 (03:32):
Did he he never teached you up, did he No,
that did the whole walk of shame thing too, when
you're out.

Speaker 2 (03:37):
No.

Speaker 4 (03:37):
No, And my players were always made aware of the
fact that just tanned the ball to mister record or whatever,
and maybe the other team will make a mistake and
you know, question him about something they ought not. But
he worked hard and he was as fair as they come.

(04:00):
Didn't get any favors from him, but that's just the
way it was.

Speaker 2 (04:04):
No, he was by the he was by the book.

Speaker 1 (04:06):
What I loved about him and and I and I
tell officials this a lot. He was in the right
position and sold the call. And he would have a
conversation with you, but only to a point. He didn't
want to look. He was like, enough, you know what,
I made the call. If if it wasn't the right call,
you know, so be it. Let's go on, move on.

(04:27):
But I've heard enough from you. And he was pretty
direct and and there's a lot of respect for him
from coaches. When when you found out that he was
going to be one of the refs, you went, okay,
we'll be okay with that. I love the fact that
you guys are doing this this fundraiser tomorrow and the
money is going to be going to the scholarship fund.

Speaker 2 (04:49):
Correct? Correct?

Speaker 1 (04:51):
And can we talk a little bit about I know
Paul Newbar is a guy that that owns party, right Gary, Oh,
pauls on this station or I have said sorry about that.

Speaker 2 (05:03):
Gary.

Speaker 1 (05:04):
Gary and I sat next to each other at the
Wisconsin Luther and Westallis Central game and there was a
chair at the media table outside. He said, you mind
if I sit here? And I go no, because I've
only talked to you for a while. I've done a
couple of your games. We've done this and the fundraiser tomorrow.
If we can a billy to talk a little bit

(05:24):
about the time and what's going to happen tomorrow.

Speaker 3 (05:27):
All right, First of all, thanks Mike for allowing us
to get on the air. Dennis and I belong to
Lakeland Officials. I think it's one of the longest associations
in the state. We and our Milwaukee Officials Association are
probably only officiate association that represents three sports. We have basketball,

(05:54):
we have football, and we have baseball. A number of
other associations that have started up are just one sport only.
From Umpires Association, you mentioned Gary and then you have
just a couple, you know, some new basketball associations, but
Lakeland represents all three. So I mean, when you pay

(06:16):
your membership of forty five dollars, you'll become a part
of us and you get training in all three sports.
And that was the great news of the gentleman. Sitting
to my right, Dennis Cloth and with Paul. You don't
see that anymore, some guys who are actually doing three sports.

Speaker 1 (06:34):
And yeah, Gary was telling me, he said, look, I'm
mot of a football guy, but I do some basketball
as well. And I love the fact that, you know,
he opened this new facility, Party Time Golf, and it's
over on County Line Road in Colgate. It's right off
one sixty four and County Line Road and from from

(06:54):
one o'clock to six o'clock tomorrow, twenty five dollars ticket
includes drink ticket and snacks. Fifty dollars all you can golf,
drink tickets and snacks. And the proceeds for this is
going to go to this scholarship fund. And what I
really like, and I don't know if everybody understands what
you guys do with this, helping high school seniors advancing

(07:15):
their professional career. How long have you guys been doing
that part of this. As as far as giving money back.

Speaker 4 (07:23):
We started nineteen ninety eight, So this will be our
twenty seventh or twenty eighth year of giving scholarships. I
know the amount is pretty much in the excess of
two hundred thousand dollars of scholarships. Every Waukashak County high
school public or privates their seniors can apply, and we
have I got to throw in a plug. We have

(07:44):
one school outside of Waukeshat County, Germantown High School right
on the border of Monomine Falls in Germantown, and those
are the schools that apply, and we're currently taking applications
from those high school seniors. They need to be in
by the end of this month.

Speaker 1 (07:58):
Hey, I promise that we're We're going to have you
guys back in a couple of weeks and we will
what we'll do, or somebody from your organization, because I
want to have a longer conversation about getting people involved.
I think today if we can talk a little bit
more about the passing of Paul and the things that

(08:20):
that when when you think of him, Dennis Hue, you
did a lot of games with him, and he was
your best friend.

Speaker 2 (08:27):
What do you miss about him the most?

Speaker 4 (08:31):
I don't know where to start. Uh, just everything we were.

Speaker 5 (08:37):
We had a.

Speaker 4 (08:39):
Friendship, a trust, a loyalty that you know, some of
that goes away today it's uh, society has become what
are you going to do for me today or tomorrow?
And we didn't. We had a connection that was it
was just the best thing. It was like we understood.
It was almost unspoken, and sometimes when we were working

(09:01):
on the courts or the fields, we knew were the
other person was going to be. We had the same
philosophy about what you call and what you don't call.
But that's the officiating it. I have to say. One
of the best things about Paul though, was maybe that
people didn't see right away. I think about things when

(09:25):
we talked about family, his kids and grandkids, my kids
and grandkids. I tell you things like I had to
be in the hospital for various procedures and at times,
and so did my wife. Paul never failed. If we
had an overnight thing in the hospital, Paul never failed.
For my wife or I to see us every day

(09:45):
for at least a few minutes, if not longer. Than
that and sit there. Those are the things, you know,
A loyalty, a trust factor. He would help you if
I needed help with something around the house or whatever.
Would come early or stay late after we worked the
game and help and we just and we had fun.

(10:08):
We had fun with the coaches, we had fun with
the players.

Speaker 1 (10:12):
Tomorrow's event from one to six, we're gonna raise some money,
which is great. It's a celebration of his life. And
you know, I think that that's the way to look
at this. I know that that he has really missed.
And I've gotten a number of calls from officials saying, hey,
are you gonna come out there? And I'm going to
try to get out there tomorrow and I'm going and

(10:34):
remember when if I'm hitting golf balls, that stays in
that in that building. I don't want you boys telling
people Man McGivern, he's talking about.

Speaker 2 (10:42):
He can hit a golf ball. He can't hit a
golf ball.

Speaker 3 (10:44):
Golf simulators always make you look good anyways.

Speaker 5 (10:47):
Not me.

Speaker 2 (10:48):
If that can't make me look good, that tells you
how I hit it. But tomorrow is going to be.

Speaker 1 (10:53):
A lot of laughs, some tears for sure, And then
he would be so happy. I don't know if he'd
be happy that we're talking about him on the radio
and we're doing a celebration of life, but he'd be
happy that we're raising money for this scholarship fund, and
that for him, I think was a big part. And
he wanted more money to come in so that you
guys can then send more money out because he believed.

Speaker 2 (11:16):
So much in high school athletics.

Speaker 3 (11:18):
I think that's the best way to do it. I
think in the memory of how someone's life continues, that
when we go to the high schools and give out
these scholarships, you know, we give also the students recipient
a plaque and then on the plaques. We have a
number of sponsors we have had in the long term,
from Oberlin Filters, to the Avanovitch families, to Missus Vergein

(11:43):
and others, and if I miss them, I apologize. But
we're going to have a scholarship with Paul's name on it.
So we do go to a high school in Waukesha County,
let's say Germantown or count Moraine, it will be the
LOA Paul Eckert Scholarship, so his name we can continue
to you know.

Speaker 1 (12:04):
He believe somebody can't make it tomorrow, but they want
to somehow get involved in this, and they're feeling led
to to send a twenty dollars check or a fifty
dollars check for this. Is there a way Can they
go on the website and do that? Can they mail
a check? Give me an idea of people that can't
aren't available to come tomorrow, would still want.

Speaker 2 (12:24):
To be able to help out. How do they do that? Again?

Speaker 3 (12:29):
You know, everybody who comes through the door, the entry
fees are part and we'll go to the scholarships. We
have a number of events going on and you know,
to continue that growth. But if you are just wanting
to donate, you can go to our website, right Dennis
correct and it will give you an address and it
just made out to you know, like an association scholarship.

(12:54):
There's a PO box number and all the help that
you can get because the officials fund this, you know,
the guys give you game fees and when we first
started was a lot easier, but now we have to
go out and we have to solicit. But you know,
we want to give a thousand dollars scholarship to at

(13:17):
least ten ten recipients.

Speaker 1 (13:20):
And how do how are those guys, how are the
recipients selected they fill out the application or how does
that work?

Speaker 3 (13:28):
Our process and I'm sorry, our process go online?

Speaker 2 (13:32):
Everything is yeah.

Speaker 3 (13:33):
I mean, you know, they go to their they go
to their school counselors and they have our form. And
I think ours need is not only do you fill
out a form, you send that, you talk about yourself,
you do a resume yourself and you always get a
recommendation i e.

Speaker 2 (13:49):
A coach.

Speaker 3 (13:50):
And then we then sit and we you know, we
have over seventy five applicants this year long, and you
know we read them and they're really.

Speaker 2 (14:01):
That's a lot, do you know that.

Speaker 1 (14:02):
I mean, look, I do a number of shows like
The Nary Show or something where they're always looking they
have scholarship money and they can't find enough people to it.

Speaker 2 (14:12):
That's that's a lot. And I hope that you're really
proud of.

Speaker 3 (14:14):
That that we But then again, it shows us that
we're just not those guys in between the lines or
you know, on a field. You know, we care after
the fact that we see the importance of student athletes
and so we help them, right then us, I mean, yeah, we.

Speaker 4 (14:33):
Send that out to the guidance departments at those high
schools I mentioned, and they do a good job of
distributing it. And when we talked about reading it, we
have it. Usually in April, we have a night when
we get together at a local establishment that will give
us the back room to read these things. And that's
when things Paul shined in. We he and I would
often we either work with the boys groups of applications

(14:56):
or the girls groups, and we kind of switch from
year to year which one we take. But when Paul
read him, he would take a look at two things
especially stood out, And I think this speaks a little
bit to how Paul felt about things. He always looking
did they help with some officiating type stuff. Did they

(15:16):
do youth basketball? Did they work with a youth soccer team,
maybe work the lines in youth soccer? Did they line
judge for a volleyball match? Looking for something that would
lead to an officiating thing. And the last thing he
would look for Mike was that he would look for

(15:36):
especially people he thought had a need. If he saw
you were getting and this isn't we have people who
are getting great scholarships from somewhere else. Paul would kind
of sometimes look for the ones who maybe they were
just a little bit below that, but they really needed
to help, right, And that was part of his bag.
He thought that was great if we could help a

(15:57):
person like that.

Speaker 2 (15:59):
Hey, who can come?

Speaker 1 (16:00):
So tomorrow again, let me set this up tomorrow from
one to six, and if you want to come out
and hit some balls, let's do that. If you want
to just come and be involved and have a drink
and some snacks and be part of this. It's a
celebration of life for Paul Eckert. He had been look,
he had given back so much to high school athletics.

(16:22):
Everybody's invited, right, family, friends, officials, players, coaches. You guys
don't mind coach and even me. I appreciate that. Yeah,
I don't have to wear a fake nose and glasses
to come to this thing. I'm going to try my best.
It's ten minutes from my house, which is great party time,
golf and golf simulators and a beautiful sports bar and

(16:45):
they've got great food there. I was there the other
day again trying to trying to figure out how to
shallow my golf club and I can't. I come over
the top and everything goes to the right. But I
am trying and I want to thank you're a new
bar Thank you, sir. I thank him for setting this
thing up and having it at that event. And it's
twenty five dollars ticket fifty. If you want to hit

(17:06):
a golf ball for you know, for five hours. I
don't think anybody wants to do that, but you can try.
And there's gonna be again some a lot of laughs,
a lot of pictures, and some tears. It was a
surprise he passed away. Suddenly he got done with a
volleyball match right correct.

Speaker 2 (17:24):
He was working, yes, working and came home and passed away.

Speaker 4 (17:29):
He was able to do what he loved to do
until the last hours of his life.

Speaker 2 (17:34):
Which is I think we It's something we all hope for.
But man, is he going to be missed.

Speaker 1 (17:40):
Yeah, you can be missed by a lot of people,
but certainly Dennis, you more than most. If you get
a chance tomorrow, if you can't, if you can get
out there, even if you're driving by and you want
to just drop off some cash, money's going to a
great cause. And Paul Ecker would be very proud that
we're raising money in his name to give back to

(18:01):
some of these high school seniors. And when you talk
about he would specifically look at times if there were
some kids that were in need that this scholarship would
mean more and help them.

Speaker 2 (18:13):
That that's what he was all about.

Speaker 1 (18:16):
And I'm not going to complain that he teed me
up because it was probably my fault, but I thought
a couple of times maybe.

Speaker 2 (18:21):
Not, maybe it was his fault. But I'm not going there, Dennis,
for sure.

Speaker 1 (18:25):
Hey, Billy, I'm gonna reach out to you a couple
of weeks if I could have either you or somebody
from the association, the Lakeland Officials Association, to come in
studio and let's talk about what you guys do to
get younger people involved. I would appreciate that tomorrow from
one to six. Again, if you go on on their
website you can get directions, but it's part party time

(18:49):
golf is look it up, Google it and stop out
if you can and shake some hands, and if you're
a coach, come out and be.

Speaker 2 (18:57):
Nice to these officials. Right to that.

Speaker 1 (19:00):
Dennis, it's really good to see you again. Thanks for
coming in, Billy. It's good to see you.

Speaker 2 (19:05):
With pleasures. I'll see you guys tomorrow, Thank.

Speaker 3 (19:07):
You so much for having us, and bring the super
producer with you.

Speaker 2 (19:12):
I've seen him golf ball. You don't want him anywhere
near that place.

Speaker 3 (19:16):
As you mentioned, there is a refreshment area.

Speaker 2 (19:19):
There you go.

Speaker 1 (19:20):
You know, yeah, And you know what, if he does
show up, I'll pick up the ticket.

Speaker 2 (19:24):
I got off that be on me really is mine
on YouTube? No, that's okay. We need you as the
banquet speaker. And I earned every minute of from the
heckling I got.

Speaker 3 (19:37):
Had jelly stains on your time.

Speaker 2 (19:39):
No, I haven't worn it TI in years, and I
know that's a lie. We're good.

Speaker 3 (19:44):
I mean you, you're right up there with Homer True
and Garry Augustine.

Speaker 2 (19:48):
Those guys I don't know. Come on now, hey, we're
gonna get I'm gonna get to a break.

Speaker 1 (19:53):
Other side of the break, Alex Screen and Isaiah Mella
from Wisconsin's two time state champion Wisconsin Luther basketball team
are gonna join us and we'll get to them on
the other side of the break. We'll continue throughout the
show to continue to highlight this event going on tomorrow,
Celebration of life for Paul Eckert, who is If you

(20:14):
played coach to anywhere near any high school athletics, he
probably either up to reft one of your games. And
if you go and you can google Lakeland Officials Association
to get more information on this event going on tomorrow
and will continue to promote it. This is the Varsity
Blitz High School Sports Show presented by your local Pick

(20:35):
and Save and Metro Market stores, only on Fox Sports
ninet twenty in your iHeart Radio app. Welcome back to
the Varsity Blitz High School Sports Show presented by your
local Pick and Save and Metro Market Stores. Coming from
the Donovan ne Jorgans and Heating and Cooling Studios again, guys, Tomorrow,
I'm gonna head out there. I'm gonna be out there

(20:56):
for a little while. I'm not exactly sure what time
I'll be there, but party, Party time, Golf County Line
Road in Colgate right off one sixty four from one
to six, guys. And it is a celebration of life
of Paul Eckert. And if you have been in a
gym or on a high school diamond football field, Paul

(21:17):
Eckert probably.

Speaker 2 (21:18):
Reft one of your games.

Speaker 1 (21:21):
And it's they're raising money for their scholarship fund and
it's going to be some laughing and some crying and
some telling stories and people laughing at some people hitting
a golf ball, including me. But we'll give that a
shot tomorrow from one to six again, Party time Golf
in Colgate. We are joined in studio and on the

(21:43):
phone by two times state champion. I'm gonna start with
with Alex screen because he's sitting next to me, two
times state champion from Wisconsin, Lutheran Alex, Congratulations.

Speaker 2 (21:57):
How you doing man? Two times?

Speaker 1 (21:58):
Not many people can say back to back state champion.
You guys don't like anything easy do Yeah? All one
point games? And congratulations? How you feeling about all this?

Speaker 5 (22:09):
Thank you? I'm feeling pretty good. Yeah, definitely nerve wracking
going through two back to back close games like that.

Speaker 1 (22:15):
But do you get do you get nervous at the
time or you just in the in in you know
you got the swide going, you're just playing ball that
it's something you've done a zillion times in your life.
Do you ever take a second to look up at
the clock and go, okay, bet we we were down
one with fourteen seconds ago.

Speaker 2 (22:32):
We need a bucket? Or do you get nervous?

Speaker 1 (22:34):
With that, or you just you just listen to coach Wallas,
you know, Coach Whiteside, great coaching staff, and let's just
go about our business get the job done.

Speaker 5 (22:43):
Uh yeah, we're in the moment, but we also see
like we're down not the most time left, so we
do got to go. So yeah, just trust them to
make the best decisis and you.

Speaker 1 (22:51):
Guys practice all those situations. How long have you and
Isaiah been playing basketball together?

Speaker 5 (22:56):
Since about we were ten years old in fifth grade?

Speaker 2 (22:58):
Yeah? Has he always given the ball up? Play like that?

Speaker 5 (23:00):
He gives a ball up?

Speaker 2 (23:01):
Nice man? I like, I really like his game. I do.
I wish he was in studio with us. I've I've
watched you guys play a lot.

Speaker 1 (23:10):
Isaiah Melach, how are you? I'm good man, Thanks for
a few minutes your time. I know you're out of town.
Is the weather nicer where you're at and where we're at?

Speaker 6 (23:22):
Oh yeah, it's beautiful. We've been having like eighty degree weather.

Speaker 1 (23:26):
Should we hang up on him or just you know what?
I'm not happy. You got a little you got a
little color. Now you got some tantia.

Speaker 6 (23:34):
Oh yeah, I'm I'm super pink.

Speaker 2 (23:36):
And you're supposed to be brown, aren't you Well? Eventually
I love that.

Speaker 1 (23:45):
Hey, Isaiah, you knew coming in you guys had a
chance to be pretty good. But when you lose a
player in the ability of Conker Nipple, who I look,
he might be a one and done kid at at Duke.
I think teams in your conference, the teams throughout the
state thought, Okay, they're getting moved up to Division one,

(24:06):
it's time for us to pay them back a little bit.
Did you know coming into this year that you guys
had a chance to repeat?

Speaker 6 (24:15):
I mean I thought so. I mean I had a
post on Twitter I said, we're gonna get the job
done like we did last year. It was just we
all knew that we wanted to be at state again,
so we all worked hard, and we put the extra
time after practice before practice, lifting, extra at prolane. We

(24:36):
just did a lot of extra stuff to be the
better team at the end of the day.

Speaker 1 (24:41):
Alex, how about you, did you know coming in or
were there some any doubts that are creeping in, because again,
when you're losing. Look, he's in the conversation for being
one of the best high school players ever to come
out of this state and you lose him and he's
the senior leader. He was a quiet leader, but he
led by example. And now you and Isaianah a couple

(25:03):
other seniors got to take that leadership role once last
year's state championship you cut the nuts down.

Speaker 2 (25:09):
You have the ball in your hand, right, the gold ball,
and now that you put it in the trophy case,
now it's your team. How did you feel coming into
this this year?

Speaker 5 (25:19):
I was confident that we would be good, but we
all knew collectively that it would just look different than
last year. So we knew we had to do things
differently from the way we practiced, the way we prepared,
like all that different stuff, and we put our trust
in each other and then eventually that got the job done.

Speaker 1 (25:33):
Hey, how much did you learn how to be a leader?
Because now, look you when you had the kind of
leaders you guys had the seniors last year. Some were vocal,
some were a little bit quiet and led by example.
But now you and Isaiana a couple other seniors, did
you have conversations about, look, we're the leaders now on
this team, how are we going to lead? Because you've

(25:54):
got some young guys on that team that needed to
some leadership and needed a little bit of time to
kind of figure out playing jv and playing freshman big
different than playing varsity. Did you guys have conversations you,
Isaiah and these other seniors about what this is gonna take.

Speaker 5 (26:13):
Yeah, we had conversations with Coach Wallace from the beginning
of the school year about how it wasn't just gonna
be one of us that took that role. It was
us collectively working together to fill in different areas where
con may have led in certain different ways.

Speaker 1 (26:28):
Hey, the difference between you and Isaiah as a leader,
Isaiah more vocal than you? Are you more vocal than him?
Who's quiet? Who's you know?

Speaker 2 (26:36):
Are you taking the bigs and leading them? And is
he taking the guards?

Speaker 7 (26:40):
Did?

Speaker 2 (26:40):
How do you guys do that?

Speaker 5 (26:41):
Isaiah is definitely more vocal, and I'm more lead by
example kind of.

Speaker 1 (26:45):
I've been to practices. I walked you down that because
I knew the answer of that one.

Speaker 2 (26:50):
Isaiah, you're oka being the vocal leader.

Speaker 6 (26:54):
Yeah, I'm awesome with that. I feel like I have
a pretty energetic spirit and I think that that's one
of my trungs.

Speaker 1 (27:00):
Hey, I gotta tell you, last year I came to
a practice early early in the season, and you were
coming off an injury, correct, Isaiah.

Speaker 6 (27:10):
Yeah, I had.

Speaker 2 (27:13):
The year before or in the off season.

Speaker 6 (27:17):
It was like right before the season ended for high.

Speaker 2 (27:20):
School, your softpenior year, you're no your sophomore year, yep.

Speaker 1 (27:26):
And so at the practice I was at, you were
not one hundred percent yet, and I I and Coach
Wallace was like, you see the kid over there, he's
getting close and when he gets back, he's a game changer.
And I go, really, he goes, yeah, coming off an injury,
we're gonna be better when we get him one hundred percent.
I go, you're gonna be better and he goes yep.

(27:49):
He said, we're gonna be a handful and we get
him back. And he talked to me about your about
what you bring to that team. And then the middle
of the season I got a chance to watch you play, Isaiah,
and everything he talked about, you know, defending, getting the
ball of the floor, get making sure we're in the
right positions, you know, sharing the ball, knocking down big shots,

(28:10):
doing all the things that that a lot of things
you don't see, you know, on the stat sheet. And
I became a big fan of yours. I know that
Alex is going to Concordia if you made any decisions
on what where you're gonna go play or if you
want to play next season.

Speaker 5 (28:25):
Isaiah, Uh, yeah, I love to.

Speaker 2 (28:30):
You'd love to play, but you haven't made a decision yet.

Speaker 6 (28:34):
No, I'm still gonna do a lot more research and
figure out the college that God.

Speaker 2 (28:39):
Has a plan, amen.

Speaker 1 (28:42):
I I look, and I told you this when we
talked if I was a college coach. Look, that whole
thing has changed now with Nil, It's all changed. And
when you when you hear the head coach from Saint
John's saying I'm not even recruiting high school kids anymore.
I'm recruiting the portal that that. I think that hurts
a guy like you, Isaiah, because I want college guys

(29:06):
that want a kid who's loyal, he's a really good
student athlete who's going to come in, keep his mouth shut,
and do all the work, put the sweat equity in.
I would be at your front door now. Actually, I'd
probably be in Florida right now because I'd want to
be in the sun with you. But I'd be knocking
on your door saying what would it take for you
to be part of our program. And I hope that

(29:29):
that whatever you're hoping and praying about happens. But I
want you to know that, from an old retired coach
thirty six years I coached watching you play, I would
be at your front door asking you what it would
take for you to join my team.

Speaker 6 (29:45):
I appreciate you saying that. I mean, that's just I
have a grin and a smile to thank you.

Speaker 2 (29:51):
Yeah, And I don't do that a lot.

Speaker 1 (29:53):
And I went up to Sean Cassidy and I go, man,
you got a nice recruiting class. He goes, you think,
I go, yeah, the guard from Kohler, the kid from
Martin Luther, the kid from Wisconons Luthan. You got guys
that are used to winning and have played for really
good coaches that are gonna walk in and have to
put the work in. Are you excited, Alex about that

(30:16):
next step, at that next part of your journey? And
I'm wondering, is there any nerves with it or are
you just you ready to go?

Speaker 5 (30:24):
It's definitely a new experience, so they're a little bit
of nerves. But this past Wednesday I went to my
friends open gym with them, and uh, it was just
a whole bunch of fun. Like the guys over there
are great.

Speaker 2 (30:34):
So what did you learn from that? Now?

Speaker 1 (30:37):
First of all, how long you've been at varsity it Wisconsin,
Luthor three years? So do you remember early in your
sophomore year we thought, well, these are grown men. They're quicker,
they're bigger, a little stronger, and then things start to
slow down. Did you feel the same way when you
went to that open gym at Concordia.

Speaker 5 (30:52):
Uh, there's definitely a difference, but it wasn't as big
as a leap from freshmen the sophomore year, as I
would say, from now into the open.

Speaker 2 (31:00):
Are you going to live on campus?

Speaker 5 (31:02):
Right?

Speaker 2 (31:02):
How's Pam gonna be with that?

Speaker 5 (31:05):
It's close enough to home where she can make every
home game, so she can't.

Speaker 2 (31:09):
But yeah, you know what, she's not making your breakfast,
she's not getting up for school, she's not driving to
clap making sure you're on time, saying honey, I love you,
be nice to hopefully some pretty girls say hi to
you today. Whatever she says to here in the morning,
you know, when you're getting off to school. Emotional time
for her, obviously, throughout this journey.

Speaker 5 (31:31):
Right.

Speaker 1 (31:32):
Yeah, she's not coming on the microphone. She's sitting over
there shaking her head. But I can tell I've been
through this. And my son went to Maranatha in Watertown,
so it was forty five minutes so I never missed
a game and it was great, and he came home
every weekend. My older daughter never came home. So let's
make sure if you need me to get him come

(31:53):
home for a weekend, you let me know on that. Isaia,
do you want to stay Isaiah? Do you want to
stay in the area or are you willing to to
move outside of the state of Wisconsin to go play basketball.

Speaker 6 (32:05):
I'm going to do whatever it takes to just play
at the highest level. I mean, it'll it'll think a
little bit because I'll be away from my family and
my friends and all that. But I'm willing to go
across the country just to play if thats what it takes.

Speaker 1 (32:20):
Hey, Alex, if I were to ask you, why do
you think Wisconsin Lutheran has had the kind of success
and not just the last two years, right, for a
lot of years. Last two years pretty special because it's
it's hard to win back to back. I did it
when I was at Dominican, Right, It's that that first
year is easier than the second year because you get

(32:41):
everybody's best shot the second year. But if somebody says
to you, why do you think that program has all
the success?

Speaker 2 (32:48):
What do you tell them?

Speaker 5 (32:50):
I would say is the time and effort that both
the coaches and athletes put in. And because we're there
in the summer doing summer lifts and summer shooting rounds.
But our coaching staff is just twenty four to seven
constantly checking in on guys asking how are we doing,
looking for new ways for us to get better. So
it's just been a blessing to be a part of that.

Speaker 1 (33:10):
Hey, Isaiah, do you know if coach Whiteside wanted a
head job, he could have had a head coaching job
fifteen times over. And I've had conversation with him and
he has a million dollar smile and he looks at me,
he goes, I'm really happy where I'm at. I you
know what, the faith side of it, the coaching side
of it, the kids, the families, you know, the Walls family,

(33:34):
and this staff. He goes, I don't I love it here?
Why would I go anywhere else? And I think he's
a big part of the winning tradition at Wisconsin Lutheran.

Speaker 2 (33:46):
Isaiah, would would you agree with me on that?

Speaker 6 (33:50):
Yeah, well, definitely got to have to agree with that.

Speaker 2 (33:52):
Hey, if somebody asks you why Wisconsin Lutheran has all
the success, what would you tell him?

Speaker 6 (34:00):
I would just say that Wisconsin has part and we
have the determination to be the best in the classroom,
on the court, on the field, just all around. Everyone
just wants to win and be the best that they can.
So I think it's just really special about the environment
we're Hey.

Speaker 1 (34:18):
The next segment, we're talking about some other seniors that
are part of this team that we couldn't get to
come in studio or beyond the call. But every bit
of part of winning state championships are these other seniors
the leadership. And we'll talk about those guys on the
other side of the break Alex, were you a multi
sport athlete?

Speaker 2 (34:34):
No, it was just the same football coach. Ever come
talk to you, Oh, I bet you. I would have
been at your door with breakfast in the morning. Do
you want to play football? No, I'll be back at lunchtime. Okay,
you just had no interest in it? No, not really
because you're had a good, good sized kid. Isaiah. Are
you a multi sport athlete?

Speaker 6 (34:57):
I am. I'm playing a baseball at spring.

Speaker 2 (35:00):
Why are you laughing about that?

Speaker 6 (35:04):
This is the first time I played baseball since like
eighth grade grade.

Speaker 1 (35:08):
Good for good for you? What made you decide to
go play baseball?

Speaker 6 (35:14):
I mean, I've always loved baseball growing up and watching it,
and I think it'd be fun to just pick it
up my senior year and just have follows up with
my guys and just big more memories before I graduate.

Speaker 1 (35:25):
Isaay, I did that at Mesmer. I went to Mesmer,
and I I played. I played my software year, and
then I played played football. I tore my I had
some knee surgeries in high school. Senior year, I decided
I'm going to go out for baseball, and I was
told he'll never keep you because you didn't play last year.

Speaker 2 (35:45):
Ended up making the team. I was.

Speaker 1 (35:47):
I had so much fun and I'm really happy that
you're doing it. It's going to be a blast.

Speaker 6 (35:53):
Oh yeah, I'm super excited. I mean, we might not
be the best team in the state, but we're all
gonna give our all.

Speaker 2 (36:01):
Do you have any idea what position you're gonna play.

Speaker 6 (36:05):
I mean, I expect myself to play the outfield.

Speaker 2 (36:08):
I mean, I'm so I go play baseball. Yeah, and
understand that guys throw curves and fastballs a little quicker
than you. You're used to, but you'll catch up to it.

Speaker 6 (36:21):
Oh, yeah, for sure.

Speaker 2 (36:23):
And stay with us. We're going to go to a break.

Speaker 1 (36:25):
Other side of the break, I want to talk to
back to back state championships. Yeah, if you watched this
team play. Yeah, last year in state finals they won
by one. You hit the shot. That was a good shot,
by the way, you know, after it went in, then
you realize what you did, right, Yeah, Con made a
nice pass. Yeah, yes he did. And this year semi

(36:46):
finals you won by one. State Finals you win by one.
The cardiac kids, man, we're gonna talk about a couple
other seniors that made this team go. I can tell
you firsthand, winning back to back state championships are.

Speaker 2 (36:58):
Very, very difficult. You guys are now graduating. I feel
a little bit bad for some of these young boys
because you know what, they're gonna be on everybody's radar.

Speaker 1 (37:07):
Everybody's gonna want to get a shot at next year's
Wisconsin Lutheran team. But right now, and we've got a
I think my producer's got a song that he'll play
coming out of the next break or coming into the
next break. But I'm sure you've heard we are the
champions a million times. But we're gonna play it again.
Wisconsin Lutheran Basketball Division two last year, Division one, this

(37:29):
year state champions. Alex Green and Isaiah Mellot are on
the Isaiah's on the phone. Alex and his mom are
in studio, and it's so nice to meet his mom,
very emotional over there, and I love that she's got
a love for a lot of love for her son.

Speaker 2 (37:44):
Here.

Speaker 1 (37:44):
This is the Varsity Blitz High School Sports Show presented
by your local Pick and Saban Metro Market stores on
Fox Sports nineteen twenty and your iHeartRadio app bad sick
of the song yet?

Speaker 2 (37:58):
No, Isaiah, you're sick of this song yet? No, not yet,
not yet. Welcome back to the Varsity Blitz High School
Sports Show presented by your local Pick and Save stores.

Speaker 1 (38:11):
Speaking of Picket save, our Pick and Save student Athlete
of the Week. He's in studio with me, almost three eight.
What's your three point three point seven gpa? Over at
Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Alex Green is our Pick and
Save student Athlete the Week. Alex, your motivation for being

(38:31):
such a good student athlete? Right, it's not your right
to play basketball, Wisconsin Lutheran. It's a privilege that you
earn by taking care of your business in the classroom.
Where do you Where did the motivation for being such
a good student athlete come from?

Speaker 5 (38:45):
Well, my mom is a teacher, so.

Speaker 2 (38:49):
She's smiling over there. You're lucky you're three to seven.
I love that.

Speaker 1 (38:55):
Congratulations on that obviously. Look, I have to tell the
story when we talked during the break and I said,
your grade point is what three seven? So this Pick
and Save student after the week, And you stood up
and shook my hand and I thought you thought you
were leaving, and I go, you're not going anywhere. You
said no, no, I thank you for that. At work, I go,

(39:15):
you're welcome, And I'm embarrassed at that. It surprised me
that you stood up and shook my hand for that.
So you know what, Pim, you did good. You did good.
We will meet at the Pick and Save next to
Wisconsin Lutheran in an evening or after school next week.

Speaker 2 (39:30):
You got to let me know when you're free.

Speaker 1 (39:32):
We'll invite your mom, invited, any your teammates, any friends,
family that will want to come.

Speaker 2 (39:36):
I get a beautiful plaque.

Speaker 1 (39:37):
We'll get some pictures in the floral department because there's
no beer wine there. So I was trying to do
it like that. Hey, Isaiah, when we talk about this
year's team, how many seniors were on the team?

Speaker 6 (39:51):
It was me, Josiah, Alex, Malcolm, and Ben so.

Speaker 2 (39:56):
Five five seniors and then some under classmans, some of
the Canipple boys, a Waltz kid they you know Zen's
is a junior.

Speaker 1 (40:05):
But can we talk about the other three seniors? Obviously,
these these guys were every big part of winning back
to back state championships. What a great class though, right?
Did all five of you guys play basketball together from
the time you were younger like you and Alex did?

Speaker 6 (40:24):
Oh yeah, Ben, Ben and just I were a part
of that group as well. Malcolm, I don't remember playing
with the middle in junior Vikings or any first AU program,
but I met him through high school.

Speaker 1 (40:37):
You know, Ben's grandfather I coached against and he down
at he was at Rassine Lutheran for a long time,
and all of a sudden, I started seeing him and
when I'm coming to watch you guys play, I'm like, coach,
what are you doing. He goes, that's my grandson. And
I said, look, he's he's six'. Eight he's not going
to jump off the stat page at.

Speaker 2 (40:58):
You but, man he's.

Speaker 1 (40:59):
Good and he, goes would you tell him that because
he doesn't think he could play at the next. LEVEL i, said,
oh you can play at the next, level and he,
GOES i tell him, that But i'm his. Grandfather you
need to talk to. Him and SO i talked to
him a little bit AND i, said, look give it a.
Shot give it a, shot and if it's not for,
you it's not for. You and he, said, Yeah i'm
just not.

Speaker 2 (41:18):
Sure AND i.

Speaker 1 (41:19):
THOUGHT i thought he added a. Lot he defended and he.
Rebounded really nice for you. Guys, Isaiah, YEAH i have to.

Speaker 6 (41:27):
AGREE i, mean he was a big. Guy helped us
in practice a. Ton it was hard to play. Against
he had some great buckets that stayed to help us.
WIN i, mean obviously yes by one. Point so those
two points are where those two or four points that
he had were instrumental for us to.

Speaker 2 (41:45):
Win, yeah one hundred. Percent, Hey alex in that group of.

Speaker 1 (41:50):
Seniors you, know when you're a sophomore on varsity and
you get the senior, day you, think, MAN i got
all this. TIME i don't need to worry about, that
and it comes so. Quick it's kind of cool to
have a group of five because there's a lot of
teams nowadays that you don't get five seniors because if
you're not starting and you're not in the top six or, seven,

(42:11):
man that's a lot of work to put. In and
these kids are, like, Look i'll just go make some,
Money i'll go get a job Or AND i love
the fact that all five of these guys hung in
there this year and the fact that you can, say,
look we're back to back state. Champions that senior class
meant a lot to this.

Speaker 2 (42:28):
Program, yeah when you talk to a kid Like ben
and And malcolm and these other, seniors this thing went
quick for. You, Hunt are you're gonna miss?

Speaker 5 (42:39):
It? Yeah? Absolutely what are you gonna? Miss?

Speaker 1 (42:42):
Not The february practices right gets to be long throughout the.
Year what do you think you're gonna miss the most
about being part of this?

Speaker 5 (42:50):
Program Every monday we have late practice starting at like five,
Thirty so we're stuck in a classroom with each other
for about two and a half hours after. School so
the jokes in there and then we have devotions with our.
Coaches like that type of stuff is what you remember?

Speaker 2 (43:04):
Forever, isaiah how about? YOU i have to say the.

Speaker 6 (43:08):
SAME i mean the dinners At Walls house every home
game was just so full and, awesome and those memories
will keep, forever so that in the late practices have
to be the.

Speaker 2 (43:19):
Memories so do they think that the coaches want that
to be a study hall or just for you guys
to hang out and have funny and do a little team.

Speaker 5 (43:28):
Bonding we just hang, out AND i think it would be.

Speaker 6 (43:31):
BOTH i mean sometimes you will take as a take
it as a study, hall but some people just goof.
Around we go to pick and stay and get some
food sometimes and just stail in there and.

Speaker 1 (43:41):
EAT i need to get invited to one of those walls, dinners,
MAN i want to. KNOW i want to be a
fly on the wall to hear what the conversation is.

Speaker 5 (43:52):
In.

Speaker 2 (43:52):
That, Hey, isaiah with with with you as as.

Speaker 1 (43:56):
A, player where do you see Your are you more
of an off? GUARD i think of you as a point.

Speaker 2 (44:02):
Guard but you but there are times that you kind
of play the two and there are times you play the.

Speaker 1 (44:07):
Point at the next, level where do you see yourself
more as a shooting guard as a point?

Speaker 6 (44:14):
Guard AND i say myself as like a point guard
or shooting. GUARD i made my day classifies me as
a combo. GUARD i can FEEL i can do. Everything.

Speaker 2 (44:23):
YEAH i for for me as a, COACH I i
like your hands on the.

Speaker 1 (44:28):
Ball so for me as as as a coach WATCHING i, think,
MAN i like him as a point. Guard and THEN
i you, KNOW i watch you kind of like get
to the corner or get on the wing and then
attack the basket and kick and and for, me If
i'm looking at you at the next, Level i'm thinking
more of a point guard than an off guard BECAUSE

(44:50):
i WANT i want you to have your hands.

Speaker 2 (44:52):
On on the. Ball, alex how about?

Speaker 1 (44:54):
You where do you think you fit At CONCORDIA a
three or a?

Speaker 5 (44:59):
Four probably, yeah being a more versatile like wing four
kind of player.

Speaker 1 (45:04):
Because you didn't have to shoot the ball from outside
a lot a. Ton is that part of your? Game,
Yeah and you don't mind facing the. BASKET i was
a little surprised you. Had you had better handles THAN i.
Thought you've worked on. That, Defensively you're gonna be okay
at the next level being able to defend in in you,
know in the paint and certainly out on the wing

(45:24):
and in the corners and. Stuff, yep you guys played mostly,
man but you play a little bit of. ZONE i
don't think Coach cassidy plays much. Zone you're gonna have
to get in that stance a lot and and. Defend
you've had to go against guys bigger than you. Did
you go Against Ca nipple a lot and practice last. Year,
yeah because that gets you ready for the next level

(45:46):
because he can back you down a little bit and
he can take you outside footwork, quick quick enough enough
to be able to defend, threes you.

Speaker 5 (45:54):
Think, yeah At wisco we switched everything one through the.
Five so there have been times like with the the same,
Game i'll guard someone six ten and someone five.

Speaker 1 (46:03):
Ten so, YEAH i think that's going to help you
and benefits. You do you think that that you'll play next?
Year is there anybody talking red? Shirt you don't want red? SHIRT,
na that's a tough. Year, yeah do you know what
you want to go into, academically what you want to get?

Speaker 5 (46:19):
Into sports management or? Communications do you know?

Speaker 1 (46:23):
What there's two guys normally On, saturday a professor in
sports down With chillis and his boss who runs that,
department do shows here in the in the in the
in the building, here And i've Got i've got a
chance to get out and speak BECAUSE i was in
sports marketing sports.

Speaker 2 (46:41):
Management for a long.

Speaker 1 (46:42):
Time so when you're in one of those, classes don't
be SURPRISED i come walking.

Speaker 2 (46:46):
In bring me an. Apple i'll make sure you get
in A, Hey, isaiah with with the idea Of Wisconsin,
lutheran have they gotten you prepared do you think both,
academically socially and athletically for the next?

Speaker 6 (47:01):
LEVEL i think, THOUGH i, mean, UH wesco has a
really good schooling system and they've really just pushed me
to be the best of the next. Level and ALTHOUGH
i have been in a ton of at, classes runner,
CLASSES i still try my best and keep a GOOD.

Speaker 2 (47:16):
Gpo what's YOUR?

Speaker 1 (47:18):
GPA i had a boy not quite our pick And
save Student athlete of The week Like alex Green, is
but three five and you're not going to have any
trouble getting into wherever it is that you make that
decision to go. To, hey, GUYS i can't thank you,
enough you, know for you to take off some time

(47:40):
on vacation and come on this show And, alex for
you to come in, studio and for me to get
a chance to meet.

Speaker 2 (47:45):
Your, Mom. PAM i get it.

Speaker 1 (47:47):
NOW i understand why the coaching staff At Wisconsin luthor
raves about your son and they rave About, isaiah and
they talk about this senior class that led this team
to a back to back stage. Champampionship AND i get it.
Now when your son stands up and shakes my hand
and says thank you and looks being the. Eye you
don't get that with seventeen eighteen year old kids very.

(48:09):
Often AND i not only congratulate, you BUT i Congratulate Wisconsin.
Lutheran they both talk about their faith and how important
that part of their their life. Is AND i think
WHEN i talked About Wisconsin luthor getting you ready academically
and athletically and, SOCIALLY i need to throw in faith
based as, well because that's a big part of the

(48:31):
core of that school and that's pretty. Cool, hey be
a good ambassador for the school and understand if you
don't get great grades At, concordia your mom's coming after
you being a.

Speaker 2 (48:42):
Teachers she gave me the fist like she's gonna pound on.

Speaker 8 (48:46):
You be.

Speaker 2 (48:47):
Careful he's.

Speaker 1 (48:47):
Tough he should have played. FOOTBALL i can tell why
the coach is, like come, on, man come play. Football,
hey Congratulations, alex really good to see you. Again congratulations
back to backstate. Championships are you guys geting?

Speaker 2 (49:00):
Rings? Yeah who's designing?

Speaker 5 (49:02):
Them walls And whiteside have been talking with both of
us about different concepts and.

Speaker 2 (49:06):
Ideas so, man understand That walls is not wearing one
of those big playing. Ones how was last year's? Nice?
Yeah it?

Speaker 9 (49:14):
Was?

Speaker 2 (49:15):
Yeah. Crazy do you wear it?

Speaker 5 (49:16):
Much, no it's been in the box a.

Speaker 2 (49:18):
Lot i've got.

Speaker 1 (49:20):
It i've got six six of, them and weeks ago
for the second.

Speaker 2 (49:24):
TIME i just have. That but you know, what it's.
Great it's a great. Piece you.

Speaker 1 (49:28):
Guys five year, reunion ten year, reunion twenty. Year you
guys will have stories for the rest of your. Life
you guys will stand up in each other's weddings in the. Future, isaiah,
Congratulations thank you so, much, MAN i appreciate. It if
there's anything you need for, Me, isaiah you let me
know IF i can make any phone calls to any
coaches guys THAT i might know OR i don't. Know

(49:52):
i've had a lot of coaches from around the country
on this. Show IF i can make any phone calls for,
you please let me. Know And i'm going to make
sure The cassie lets me know how You're if you're
not practicing, hard he's gonna call me And i'll make
a call to. You we'll meet next week At Picking
save AND i thank them for sponsoring this and. Congratulations
alex is Our pick And save student now through the.

(50:14):
Week it's good to see, You. Pam thanks for coming, In.
Isaiah safe travels. Back when do you get back to.

Speaker 2 (50:19):
TOWN i think we'll.

Speaker 6 (50:22):
Be Back monday, morning first.

Speaker 5 (50:26):
Hour safe.

Speaker 2 (50:27):
Travels you know the boys at school are going to
make fun of that pink color that you're coming back to? School?

Speaker 6 (50:33):
Right oh well probably. Yeah flapping a couple of times
just to get my.

Speaker 2 (50:40):
Grill do me a favor when you get when you
get your baseball, SCHEDULE i can look. Online let me.
KNOW i love just popping in and watching some high school.
Baseball i'd love to come out and watch his team.
Play awesome. It he Is Isaiah melek And Alex, green
back to back state champion From Wisconsin Lutheran High. School,

(51:03):
Man it's always good to catch up with. Them.

Speaker 1 (51:05):
Alex you let me know what day next week works
for you And pam and anybody else that wants to join.
Us we're going to get to a. Break other side
of the. Break Sydney, klein she is our curd electric
superhero the, Week she's A wolverine From Waterford High, school
will join us in. Studio this is The Varsity Blitz
High School Sports, show presented by your Local pick And

(51:25):
save And Metro market, stores only On Fox sports ninet
twenty and Your iHeart radio. App welcome back to The
Varsity Blitz High School Sports, show presented as always by
your Local pick And save And Metro market. Stores coming
live from The donovan And Jorgensen heating And Cooling. STUDIOS
i want to Thank Alex green And Isaiah melech From

(51:46):
Wisconsin Lutheran High school and great ambassadors for their family
and their program and their, school and really good to
catch up with them after winning back to backstate. Championships
big smiles on both their. Faces this difficult thing to,
do and they got it. Done AND i want to
Thank pam for coming in With alex And isaiah for

(52:07):
coming on via cell phone Our Colonel electric.

Speaker 2 (52:11):
Superhero of the.

Speaker 1 (52:11):
Week let me tell you a little bit About Sydney
klein From waterford When Billy schmid AND i went down
to do a basketball game down there live on nine
to twenty when they Played. MCGWONAGA i was struggling trying
to figure out where we're going and where we're going
to put our, equipment and a girl was walking down
the hallway AND i, said excuse, me can you help?

Speaker 2 (52:32):
Me? Fine can?

Speaker 1 (52:32):
You and this girl was extremely, helpful and all of
a sudden she, SAID i have to go Because i'm
singing the national, anthem AND i, said come.

Speaker 2 (52:41):
BACK i need to talk to you AND i need
to say thank. You the athletic.

Speaker 1 (52:45):
Director and principal At, waterford WHO i had asked to
nominate A Kernel Electric superhero of the, week walked her
back in and, said, hey we want to introduce you
to a coernel electric.

Speaker 2 (52:57):
SUPERHERO i, SAID i know. Her she's already been very helpful.

Speaker 1 (53:01):
And it doesn't surprise me that she is eight going
to be nominated for this. Award Sidney, klein how are?
You thanks for coming and, Congratulations thank you so.

Speaker 10 (53:10):
Much i'm, great so excited to be.

Speaker 2 (53:12):
Here, well you know, what it was so fun to meet,
you and we picked A saturday that worked for. You you're, busy, yes,
Yeah you're not sitting around On saturday mornings trying to
figure out what to do watching, cartoons are? You?

Speaker 10 (53:25):
NO i have so much to do with, music with.

Speaker 9 (53:27):
Volleyball i'm just currently like always running, around BUT i
enjoy every minute of.

Speaker 2 (53:33):
It do you like? It first of, ALL i get so.
SURPRISED i didn't know where my sacks were WHEN i
was your.

Speaker 1 (53:41):
Age And i'm looking at your bio and if you
go on the Current Electric facebook page AND i say
this a lot with our. Superheroes we could spend an
hour with, you AND i can't get through all the
things that you have, done you are, doing and that
you want to. Do let me start with this part
that servant leadership heart that you have and the amount

(54:02):
of stuff that you do in The waterford.

Speaker 2 (54:04):
Community in the school is really.

Speaker 1 (54:06):
Impressive where do you think that servant leadership hart has come?

Speaker 2 (54:10):
From for?

Speaker 10 (54:10):
You i've just.

Speaker 9 (54:11):
Had so many great role models in my. LIFE i
think WHEN i was, YOUNGER i was definitely a lot
more to, myself kind of like that turtle in their.
Shell And i've just had so many great people in the,
community through different departments and aspects of, life really helped
pull that out of. Me AND i feel Like i've
really stepped into a new light and found myself through

(54:32):
other people helping. Me AND i want to be able
to fill that role for someone. ELSE i want to
be able to have that impact so WHEREVER i, can
whether that's in the music, department whether that's youth, sports
whether that's my own club, team like my. PEERS i
just want to be that light or be that influence
for someone.

Speaker 1 (54:50):
Else but then and those are, great but then you
start looking at some of the, organizations Right National Honor,
society The French Honor, Society Try Music Conor, Society Community
Leadership athletes And waterford all of the things that you're
there are people that jump to get involved in that,
stuff and there are people that get dragged into. It

(55:13):
And i've got to believe that you're one that jumps into.
It do you feel like when you are helping and
giving back and helping, people and not Only waterford community Southeast.
Wisconsin that you get more out of it than the
people that you're.

Speaker 9 (55:28):
HELPING i mean sometimes it's a very rewarding, experience but,
honestly like the biggest reward is just seeing how one
little thing or how one, phrase like one bit of,
encouragement one hour of service like helping set up tables
or something that seems so small to us like when
we're helping, out can make that much of a difference

(55:51):
for someone. Else AND i think that's probably the most rewarding,
part is just knowing how something as small as that
can make a positive difference for someone.

Speaker 1 (55:59):
Else big time, athlete, right you're going to rip in
to play. VOLLEYBALL i didn't realize you got a little
martial art thing behind, you, right tell me about.

Speaker 9 (56:07):
That, well that comes from my. Dad so he has
a take windows school In. Burlington so me and my
sisters we're all involved in martial. Arts we all have
our second degree black. BELTS i started WHEN i was.
Three it's been basically All i've, known and that's definitely
taught me a.

Speaker 2 (56:23):
Lot, sir how are You i'm going to put the
MICROPHONE i didn't know that you owned a. Studio and
is she a good? Student? Yeah very? GOOD i bet,
YOU i, BET i bet she. Is how long have
you done? That i've done it for eighteen years? Old
what's the name of, It client's Black Belt academy OR
Ata Martial. Arts and you're a black belt, yes fourth
three black? Belt you. Are. Wow and you're a black

(56:45):
belt as?

Speaker 10 (56:46):
Well, yes, indeed and your sister, yes, yes my.

Speaker 2 (56:50):
Goodness good for you. Guys, wow you're proud of. Her
do you do you think that the martial arts background
has a lot to do with how disciplined she is
to be able to do all of these things in her.
LIFE i definitely think it's. Helped, yeah When i've talked to,
her AND i can tell you THAT i always wanted

(57:11):
to want to know what my kids were like when
they couldn't smell my. Cologne, Right i'm not in the
car with them, Now i'm not in the.

Speaker 1 (57:17):
ROOM i asked, everybody every, teacher every, coach every, boss
And i'd give them my, numbers And i'd say and
WHAT i found was when my kids knew that their
coaches and teachers had my phone, NUMBER i thought that
kept them in pretty, good BUT i always wanted to.
KNOW i can tell you THAT i had a chance

(57:38):
to deal with your daughter when you weren't, there and
your wife was not, there her mom was not. There
she was so, kind looked me right in the, eye
shook my, hands said thank you three or four, times
said are you sure?

Speaker 2 (57:51):
That, yep you're gonna Be you've been.

Speaker 1 (57:52):
Nominated we're going to select you as our current Elector
superhero The. Week and she has been so good at
getting me the STUFF i needed on, time making SURE
i was set for. Her what of the, drive all
of the things that you would be really proud of
when you're not with, her and when she can't smell your,
Cologne she's gonna be fine at. Ripping it's gonna be,
okay how are you doing with all?

Speaker 2 (58:14):
This it's she's the third third daughter going, away so
we'll have the empty, nest three daughter.

Speaker 1 (58:21):
Daughters, yeah all part of, all part Of Taekwondo's, yes
they have, Man, hey why?

Speaker 2 (58:30):
Ripping why? Ripping. Sydney by the, way we're talking To Sydney.
KLINE i should re set.

Speaker 1 (58:35):
This Sydney kleine is Our Colonel Lecture superhero The week
From Waterford High. School go on The Colonel Lecture facebook.
Page beautiful picture of. Her we can't get to all
the music and the clubs and all of the other
things she does coaching and. Working i'm wondering Why ripping
BECAUSE i hear nothing but good things about that.

Speaker 10 (58:54):
Campus but it's a fabulous.

Speaker 9 (58:56):
Campus it's a little bit of a smaller, community WHICH i.
LIKE i like that, security AND i think it's a
little easier to build. Connections i've heard great things from
my high school coach went. There she played volleyball and,
softball so she knows the. Coach SO i got a
little inside with some of the people there. Already i'm
already making, friends like building those. Bonds it's just a

(59:19):
very homey like community based.

Speaker 10 (59:22):
School AND i really.

Speaker 2 (59:23):
APPRECIATE a friend of mine's daughter he was.

Speaker 1 (59:25):
There he was the principal At Greendal martin Luther Doctor
jensen's now the principal At Milwaukee. Lutheran his daughter went
and played basketball, there AND i had her in studio
after she was done with playing and graduated FROM ripping and, said,
hey the decision to go to ripping because she she
had a choice choice of a number of schools to.

(59:46):
Play and she got this big smile and she, SAID
i would do it all over. AGAIN i loved the
people THAT i love the campus and it has got.
It it's gotten me set up for my next chapter
in my. Life and so. Congratulations far enough from home
but close enough to come.

Speaker 2 (01:00:04):
Home? Right your sisters have they? Are they on the
college as?

Speaker 9 (01:00:08):
Well one of my sisters is out of, college BUT
i have a sister who goes to U W.

Speaker 2 (01:00:12):
Superior right, now that's how? Long right it? Is that,
is do you know what you want to go into in?

Speaker 9 (01:00:17):
COLLEGE i would like to study education and psychology potential double.

Speaker 10 (01:00:21):
Major but do you.

Speaker 1 (01:00:23):
Know that the there is a similarity between those two,
yes and who what you are and and the servant
leadership park because you want to either teach or you
want to help. People and does that no surprises?

Speaker 5 (01:00:37):
There, huh no surprise at.

Speaker 1 (01:00:39):
All what what do your two other sisters? Do and
what what what is the one That superior going to school?

Speaker 10 (01:00:44):
For she also doing?

Speaker 2 (01:00:46):
PSYCHOLOGY i, believe, yes and your older, sister.

Speaker 10 (01:00:50):
She did say TO i, think, actually come to think of.

Speaker 5 (01:00:53):
It they have a thought after their mother mother is
a got a psychology.

Speaker 2 (01:00:57):
Degree, well maybe we. Should you don't think we need
a little one on one time for any, reason right
because you've been listening to my. Show there are a
few people that have that degree that, SAY i need
to talk to. You you got some. Issues. Mcgiffern talk about.
Volleyball for me a multi sport, ATHLETE i did.

Speaker 10 (01:01:18):
Soccer my freshman, year but REALLY i just locked in on.

Speaker 2 (01:01:21):
Volleyball what club do you play for right?

Speaker 10 (01:01:24):
NOW i play For Epic Volleyball. Club it's stationed In.

Speaker 1 (01:01:26):
Racine, YEAH i know a little bit about that. Club
what position are are you most comfortable on the volleyball?

Speaker 9 (01:01:32):
COORDINATE i typically play outside hitter OR. Ds, okay so
a little front, row little back, row.

Speaker 1 (01:01:37):
And and you'll continue that at at At. Rippin SO
i envy. YOU i envy you because you can carry a.
Tune but can.

Speaker 2 (01:01:47):
We talk about the whole music side of? It have
you always been musically? Inclined where did that? Start?

Speaker 10 (01:01:54):
Yes i've always loved.

Speaker 9 (01:01:55):
Music my older sisters did, music AND i always thought
it was the coolest. Things as soon AS i was allowed,
to like at, CHURCH i would join like the youth,
choir do like duets and solos with a couple friends,
there and then in fifth grade choir opens up at
the elementary schools for, us so THEN i hopped in right.
Away it's just been a, great great.

Speaker 10 (01:02:15):
Experience have you been in?

Speaker 9 (01:02:17):
MUSICALS i have, not sadly because of, volleyball BUT i
go out and support them BECAUSE i have so many
friends involved in the, musicals And i'm just at awe
WHENEVER i watch.

Speaker 1 (01:02:28):
Well and you're in different, Choirs, yes is your favorite
genre for?

Speaker 2 (01:02:34):
You?

Speaker 10 (01:02:35):
OH i don't.

Speaker 9 (01:02:35):
KNOW i know we have vocal, jazz which is why
we sang the national.

Speaker 2 (01:02:41):
Anthem you guys were really. Good by the, way did
you did anybody record? That did you go back and? Listen?

Speaker 5 (01:02:48):
How?

Speaker 1 (01:02:49):
Look do you know how MANY i coached basketball for
thirty six? Years do you know how many national ANTHEMS
i have heard in my? LIFE i can tell you
that That billy AND i talked about that was one
of the best we had ever.

Speaker 2 (01:03:02):
Heard and it was so. Good and you took off
from helping me and you took off, running AND i,
thought she's not going to get there in. Time and
you're a little quicker THAN i, thought by the, Way
thank goodness for. Volleyball but it was really really good
in whoever the teacher and leader of that, group please
let them know that we went on the air and
said this is as good as we have. Heard AND i,

(01:03:25):
say thank. You what part of the music side is your? Favorite?
Like is it?

Speaker 5 (01:03:31):
Performing is?

Speaker 2 (01:03:32):
It do you do? Solos are? YOU i do some?

Speaker 9 (01:03:35):
Solos we have A uso show coming, up SO i
have a solo AND i do a couple of small
parts like.

Speaker 10 (01:03:40):
That when is That april? Thirteenth is it at the?

Speaker 2 (01:03:44):
School?

Speaker 10 (01:03:44):
Yes it.

Speaker 2 (01:03:45):
Is hold on a, Second i'm not going to help.

Speaker 1 (01:03:48):
Her, YOU i Promise april, thirteenth and it's THE uso.

Speaker 10 (01:03:54):
Show yes it.

Speaker 9 (01:03:54):
Is so we have our jazz band and vocal jazz
will be performing some. Songs there's a dinner that goes
along with, it but you don't have to buy dinner.
Tickets you can just come for the.

Speaker 2 (01:04:02):
Concert and what give me one of the solos you're? Doing?

Speaker 9 (01:04:06):
Oh i'm doing don't cry. BABY i don't remember the, artist.

Speaker 2 (01:04:11):
But that's okay my.

Speaker 9 (01:04:13):
Solo and THEN i have a duet with one of
my best, Friends, heidifusick and we're doing a music music music.

Speaker 10 (01:04:17):
Medley so can you carry it to?

Speaker 1 (01:04:20):
No, no, No she didn't get that from your hold,
on do you want to think about?

Speaker 2 (01:04:25):
It because you started shaking your head BEFORE i even asked.
It it does not.

Speaker 1 (01:04:30):
Come from from your. Side your wife can carry. Definitely,
hey what you talked about your local? Church what church
do you belong?

Speaker 2 (01:04:39):
To where do you?

Speaker 10 (01:04:39):
Go lutheran?

Speaker 2 (01:04:40):
Church good for?

Speaker 1 (01:04:41):
You not afraid to talk about? It have you got
you sing in the? Choir not as.

Speaker 9 (01:04:47):
Much, recently but definitely WHEN i was, younger it was
a big part of my life AND i loved helping
out with the younger.

Speaker 10 (01:04:52):
Kids.

Speaker 2 (01:04:52):
There do you sleep at? All because, look we we
haven't gotten into. You, coach you? Coach you? Work where
do you?

Speaker 10 (01:05:00):
Work right?

Speaker 9 (01:05:01):
Now i'm assistant coaching At Waterford, wave so that's like
part of my. Work But i'm also lead instructor for
the new co ed rec volleyball department that we're doing
For Waterford. Reck so it's just a short we're just
it's the first, year so we're just doing a couple
of game.

Speaker 2 (01:05:19):
Days what is your?

Speaker 9 (01:05:20):
Grade point evers a four point.

Speaker 1 (01:05:23):
Four point two five working two, jobs, singing getting ready
for THE uso show that At Waterford High school And april,
thirteenth giving you a. Plug there any of the basketball
boys in. Choir we Had, jamison a few of the
seniors And, cayden a couple of head coach and a
few players in. Studio AND i have to tell you,
THIS I jamison was our pick and safe student after the,

(01:05:46):
week AND i live In pewaukee AND i had to
go down and it was a. Snowstorm it was like a,
blizzard AND i, thought it'll Be jamison And i'm on
a hand on the. Plaque i'm getting out of. Here
there had to be forty people from the community that
came to support him and to take. Pictures and his
grandfather talks more THAN i, do and he wanted to
keep talking because he really followed A tv SHOW i

(01:06:08):
used to, do and he was, LIKE i want to
talk about.

Speaker 2 (01:06:11):
This you're An Eagle. RIVER i, GO i want to get.

Speaker 1 (01:06:13):
Home it's a. Blizzard BUT i love The waterford. Community
when when any of the basketball boys in, CHOIR.

Speaker 10 (01:06:22):
I don't think, so not this.

Speaker 1 (01:06:24):
YEAR i, well if any of the kids that were
in that saying the national, anthem they're all in chore
because it was really really.

Speaker 2 (01:06:31):
Good do you get nervous before you.

Speaker 8 (01:06:33):
Perform not.

Speaker 9 (01:06:35):
REALLY i mean we all get like little, butterflies like
BUT i would say it's more excitement than. Nerves it's
just a great, opportunity especially when it's an ensemble or,
group just to display what we're doing and all the
hard work that we've put in and just support each.

Speaker 2 (01:06:49):
Other gonna be quiet in the, house, yeah definitely.

Speaker 1 (01:06:52):
Are you're gonna be, okay come so because your mom's
going to or your mom your wife's going to talk
about your feelings now and all that.

Speaker 2 (01:06:58):
Stuff you understand that we don't like doing, that so
hopefully you'll face time with the girls and stuff like.
That and rippons not so. Far, yeah the superreer is tough.

Speaker 5 (01:07:07):
Man, yeah superiors At Long.

Speaker 1 (01:07:09):
Drive, hey by the, way you get put in now
for a five thousand dollars Scholarship Kern. Electric The foundation
picks one winner and offers a five thousand dollars scholarship
to the school of your. Choice Sydney klein From. Waterford
be a good ambassador For waterford, community for the, school
and for your family and, guys you did really.

Speaker 2 (01:07:29):
Good.

Speaker 1 (01:07:30):
CONGRATULATIONS i WHEN i met her first time At, waterford
it did not surprise me when they brought her back
in and nominated her for.

Speaker 2 (01:07:37):
Our superhero The. Week. Gratulations, Thanks, yeah it's good to
see you. Again good going to get to a.

Speaker 1 (01:07:42):
Break the other side of the, break the head girls
coach From Oshkosh lords.

Speaker 2 (01:07:47):
Is going to join us in.

Speaker 1 (01:07:48):
Studio this is The Varsity Blitz High School Sports show
presented by your Local pick And save In Metro market
stores On Fox sports nine twenty in Your iHeartRadio.

Speaker 2 (01:07:58):
App welcome back to the Erse Blitz High School Sports show.

Speaker 1 (01:08:01):
Presented by your Local pick And save And Metro Market.
Stores coming live from The donovan And Jorgenson heating And
Cooling Studios again in any issues you have with your
h factor and you turn that air conditioner on. Soon
any issues go To Donovan jorgenson dot, com the largest
employee OWNED hvac company in the state Of. Wisconsin so

(01:08:22):
two weeks AGO i started telling stories about my next,
guest AND i was on a three and a half
hour press conference with every girls basketball coach that had
qualified for. State AND i have to tell, You i've
never heard three and a half hours of more coach
speak in my.

Speaker 2 (01:08:41):
Life this is the greatest team we're ever going to.

Speaker 1 (01:08:43):
Play they got the best Big they run five, out
then they run four out and they throw in A ucla.
Screen they run a little flex and it gets a little,
bit you, know a little bit, boring but it's kind of.
Cool and Then Ali starr From oshkosh came on AND
i said this before. That my first initial emotion WAS

(01:09:05):
i was. Sad AND i was sad because she showed
so much joy as a basketball, coach AND i JUST i,
THOUGHT i don't know IF i, ever in thirty six
years coach in, basketball IF i ever showed the kind
of joy that this coach is showing about her, team her,
staff her, community her. School and when she had her

(01:09:29):
the net on on The zoom meeting and she, said,
LOOK i wore it to church today BECAUSE i Wanted
jesus to see the, NET i immediately, went, OKAY i
need to interview this.

Speaker 2 (01:09:39):
Woman and THEN i became a. Stalker AND i AFTER
i went back AND i was, like why AM i
not getting this woman to call me? Back AND i
started reading these. MESSAGES i THOUGHT i wouldn't call you back,
either you creepy old. Man But i'm.

Speaker 1 (01:09:53):
Not and you know, WHAT i Had ali on for
a couple of minutes on last week's show via, cell
and she happens to be in town with one of
her very good, friends AND i, said who you coming to?
Visit and it's not just, anybody it's, like you, know
All american leads TO u Tow oshkosh in every, category
multi sport.

Speaker 2 (01:10:14):
ATHLETE i, go, oh, NO i want. Her and she's
got three boys and who, knows maybe she'll be wearing
in that someday because she might be. Coaching i'm gonna
start here With.

Speaker 1 (01:10:24):
Allie, starr the head girls basketball coach At Oshkosh lords.
Coach is so nice to meet you in, person and,
AGAIN i want to thank.

Speaker 2 (01:10:33):
You it made me.

Speaker 1 (01:10:35):
Take a step back And i've asked a number of
my friends that are, coaches do you have joy coaching?
You you have started a conversation That i've had with
a lot of coaches now AND i thank you for.

Speaker 2 (01:10:47):
That how are, You, Oh.

Speaker 7 (01:10:48):
Mike i'm. Great thank you for having. Me this is
just such an honor to be. Here AND i you,
know you have shed light on something THAT i feel
like was invisible and SO i Actually i'm going to
take more pride and be LIKE i love this. GAME
i love what it gives. US i love the relationships
and the. Friendships obviously case to my, right it's, like,

(01:11:09):
yeah we'll get to. RIGHT i, said you're gonna want,
her and, yes you, know but.

Speaker 6 (01:11:19):
The.

Speaker 1 (01:11:19):
Neighborhood most people would say a seven, Iron i'm probably
a three wood BECAUSE i don't hit it very, far
but very.

Speaker 2 (01:11:26):
Close AND i promised we're going to get to. Her
WHAT i love about, That And i've watched it now
a couple of TIMES i sent. YOU i don't know
IF i sent you a copy of THE tv show
and you, did and AND i have the whole press
conference because it was when you made that. COMMENT i

(01:11:46):
sat up in my chair and we talked about another
SHOW i do Call faith in The. Zone SO i
immediately had perked my ears when you SAID i Wanted
jesus to see this the Nut and all of a,
SUDDEN i start taking notes And i'm, Like, OKAY i
need to figure out how to talk to. Her AND
i can tell you if you watch the whole press,
conference if you're a former, coach an old guy like,

(01:12:08):
me watching this and watching each individual, interview you would
even sit up when you came on because of the
JOY i don't Know Halle Buckets. BOWER i don't know.
HER i know about about her. Now and when you, said,
LOOK i don't call her, that the crowd calls her.
That and she is the all time. Leady my, favorite
one of my favorite lines in the interview is when you, said,

(01:12:28):
look she broke this all time scoring.

Speaker 1 (01:12:30):
Record AND i pulled her aside and, said keep, going
now kill.

Speaker 2 (01:12:34):
It, now set that. Number AND i, thought good for,
you because a lot of coaches are, like, well we
won't talk about, that we don't want to put more.
Pressure But Halle buckets borrow, you Cause bowers can shoot
a little. Bit and you went to her and, said,
look you broke, It now crush it so nobody can get. It, hey,
coach talk to me about this. Year and did you
know coming into the season you had a chance to

(01:12:57):
qualify for.

Speaker 7 (01:12:57):
State, well you, KNOW i Think, mike as a, coach
you always hope, right what's wild Is AND i had
a grandmother who knows a lot about the. Game delaney
Reading he's. Grandmother she's a. Stud you, Know dennis is
in his own, right you, know and the ranks at
uw osh. Gosh and she came up to me and she, goes,
all this was your least talented team and the last Two, yes, Yes, mike, huge, huge,

(01:13:23):
right a woman that knows the, game this was your
least talented, Team, ail she, said and they got. There
it's like wild to me that that, happened you, know
so for, us you, know the last two, Years, MIKE
i thought to, myself you, know there's a, chance there's a.
Chance and then this, YEAR i, thought you know, What
we're just going to show up AND I i'll tell,
you at the beginning of the, year the culture was

(01:13:44):
not WHAT i expected it to. Be, OKAY i think
we talked about this, briefly BUT i had seven freshmen
and seven, seniors and, so you, know the bridging that.
Gap they're a world. Apart mic one's getting ready for
this adulthood thing and trying to figure out what their
next step in life looks. Like the other is just
coming into this thing a little. Nervous, yeah eyes right,
open like what is this varsity or what is? This

(01:14:06):
in my? PROGRAM i like to run it as a.
Program the only time WHERE jv and varsity is when
they put on their. Jerseys they play at different. TIMES
i really want these young kids to feel what it
feels like to compete at a high level and expect
greatness and.

Speaker 1 (01:14:20):
Practice my last four years of coach was At Greendeal Martin. Luther,
yes and when when Coach wallersheim AND i came, in
it was a first year of school. Choice So Greendell
Martin luther was this lily white. Suburban they lost in
a lot in every, sport right they. Did and now
we got Some there were some kids from the city

(01:14:41):
that were coming in and the it was so difficult
in the, beginning and when you were in trouble the
first ope and, gym when we had all the white
players on one side and all The African american players
on the, other and we realized our job was bigger
than just putting and winning team.

Speaker 2 (01:14:57):
Together gim got to figure it. Out. Well then we
went to that First saturday when you get to do, scrimmaging,
right and we're going To, burlington and we're taking our own.
Cars and we pulled in ten minutes before we're, leaving
and we had a senior kid who had been at
school a while and three freshmen brothers got in in his,

(01:15:18):
car and then the other car was a kid from
the city and then a bunch of white kids got
and we looked at each other and, Said, okay here we.
Go now it's starting similar to having seven seniors seven.
Freshmen the seniors are worried about not wanty freshmen.

Speaker 1 (01:15:31):
Taken any of my, time and the fact if those
seven seniors would fully accept these freshmen and show them
what leadership looks, like the programs in a great spot
one hundred.

Speaker 7 (01:15:44):
Percent and that's what we sat. DOWN i, said, guys
something's going. ON i was so excited about this leadership
and right now things are falling, flat and you, know
they had some conversations about what it could. Be AND i,
go guys to, ME i love you AND i will
take any explanation you. Have, however right now All i'm
hearing is. Excuses and unless we start to use those

(01:16:06):
things as platforms and Like i'll just call, them, like you,
know things to jump off of to create an even better,
culture we are going to continue to be stuck in
the same routines and the same ruts that we already.

Speaker 1 (01:16:17):
Are, hey, coach before we get to our special, guests
because you're.

Speaker 2 (01:16:20):
Kind of going to be my co host now in a,
minute what is your background where did you? Play where'd
you go to high? School where'd you go to? College?

Speaker 7 (01:16:26):
OKAY i went to high school At Saint. JOSEPH'S i
think it's Called Saint Joseph's academy right, now but In, kenosha, Okay.
Okay loved my time. There played For Doc, knight The,
Answers Baby, lancers very. Proud it's a beautiful, place it's
a beautiful. Community it reminds it reminds me a lot of,
words and in, fact in a lot of. Ways that's
why THAT i was attracted to, that That catholic environment

(01:16:48):
there In oshkosh WHEN i moved up. There Jenny knight
played With Jenny knight and a lot of a lot
of great.

Speaker 2 (01:16:54):
Players so that's. Right that last name Is Royalty, area isn't.

Speaker 6 (01:16:58):
It?

Speaker 7 (01:16:58):
Yeah, yeah for sure there.

Speaker 5 (01:17:00):
Is you.

Speaker 7 (01:17:00):
Know SO i had a lot of great people pour
into me at a young. Age and THEN i went
To Bamidgie State university In, minnesota played there for a
couple of, YEARS i red shirted tour in acl whatever
and then found my way back TO u to be
Ash gosh by. Happenstance so by, HAPPENSTANCE i was actually
going To Stevens point AND i walked in the gym
and it just didn't feel like a good. FIT i

(01:17:21):
Love Shirley. EGNER i would have played for. HER i
would have run through a brick wall for. Her, however
the chemistry and the connectivity of the, team for whatever,
reason they had just won a national, CHAMPIONSHIP i, Think kay,
anyways and it just didn't feel right for. Me then
on the way, home my dad, says you know, what
let's take a peek At Ash, Gosh, LIKE i really
think you. KNOW i was planning on just going to Park.
Side my bonus sister was playing, there AND i was
just going to hook up and finish my last couple

(01:17:43):
of seasons. There AND i hit a boshcash AND i
Met Pam ruter And Chris schoonover And Kelly warnky and
this one to my, Right Kay, mklichak AND i was, like.

Speaker 1 (01:17:54):
Yeah this feels Righty hall of, FAME i gotta, say
fame from uw.

Speaker 2 (01:18:01):
Oscotch.

Speaker 1 (01:18:03):
KAY i gotta tell, you, right if we spent the
next segment and a half going through all the things
that you accomplished as a student, athlete we that's all
we would. Do and a girl can kind of come, home.
Right you went To Franklin High school and you Played
i'm gonna, Go i'm gonna get this, name miklicheck mcg

(01:18:24):
there we, Go, Shemalinsky. Shemalski AND i should know that
Because Perry svelisky is my great school baseball. Coach first of,
all multi sport athlete even at the college, level AND
i And i'm Gonna we're gonna have this, conversation, guys
BECAUSE i think we're losing girls in the basketball world to,
volleyball into other, sports and they, think, WELL i can't

(01:18:48):
play basketball all, YEAR i can't play basketball in the.
SUMMERTIME i can't BECAUSE i got a concentrat in. Volleyball
but you are a true multi Sport, Athletekay can we
talk a little bit about your decision to go From
franklin To.

Speaker 11 (01:18:59):
Oscotch, ABSOLUTELY i THINK i was faced, with you, know
a good amount of opportunities academically and athletically, speaking in
the sense OF i did love track and, FIELD i,
also you, know loved. BASKETBALL i never really pursued anything
that identified more with one sport than the. OTHER i

(01:19:20):
wasn't PLAYING aau all summer or you, know in Some
Special Track, club AND i honestly just my heart was so.
Torn upon, GRADUATION i just didn't feel LIKE i was
finished with either, sport and SO i opted to examine
schools within the area that would allow me the option
to DO. Boss, Yeah and there was definitely critique about that.

Speaker 10 (01:19:41):
Decision you, Know, uh.

Speaker 2 (01:19:42):
CAN i, ask, like who critique?

Speaker 4 (01:19:44):
That?

Speaker 1 (01:19:45):
So at what level could you have gone to play basketball?
At were You division one? Kid were You division?

Speaker 10 (01:19:51):
TWO i think there could have Been division two.

Speaker 11 (01:19:53):
OPPORTUNITIES i Think division one would have been more a
walk on type of, situation And i'd like to think
that my effort and grit and whatnot would have landed
me a spot there just to, stay not to be
booted off THE, tv you, know not necessarily. SCHOLARSHIP i
actually opted to go to U W O claire my
freshman year BECAUSE i wanted to play under Coach Lisa.
Stone the month before school, started she was offered A

(01:20:16):
division one job At Drake. University big time, Yes and she,
said you, KNOW i don't have any you, know input
on scholarships of Who i'm bringing, in but if you
want to try to walk, On AND i just again
was not ready to walk. Away from from both, sports
and SO i think the kickback came more from, again
you have your basketball fans that, think, go go do

(01:20:38):
what you can in, basketball and then you have the
track and field people who are, like you're just tapping
the surface of you, know being a. Heptatholic you, know
things like that WERE i, Did, Yeah, YES i did the.
EPTATHLON i was a middle distance runner in high. School
our mile relay won the state. Championship it was really,
exciting a, jumper three hundred yard. Hurdler and SO i

(01:21:00):
was good at many, things maybe not excelling at any
one particular. Thing and so that's a perfect mix for.

Speaker 2 (01:21:08):
ABTATHLETE i met a athlete one that's. Unbelievable her name
Is jaden O'Brien From. DSHA i saw her brother playing.
BASKETBALL i actually went to watch my, grandson BUT i
had to light him up for something because he was
always late for stuff and he wasn't listening to his
mom my, daughter and SO i just went BECAUSE i
know he always comes next to me And i'd lit

(01:21:29):
him up a little.

Speaker 1 (01:21:29):
Bit and there was a kid playing out at center
court that had one arm he had cut off at
the elbow and he was the best, player not only
on the floor at the game he was, playing.

Speaker 2 (01:21:38):
But in the gym he was. Unbelievable. Wow and he's
now a freshman At Mowaka. Marquette and as he got
done with his, game he went and hugged a couple
of college age girls and they said good, game and they,
left AND i was leaving And i'm very, nosy AND i, said,
hey CAN i ask your questions at your? Brother? Yes
was he born like?

Speaker 6 (01:21:55):
That?

Speaker 2 (01:21:56):
Yes and he's a multi sport. ATHLETE i, go what?
Else does he play baseball and? Football what was he playing?

Speaker 1 (01:22:00):
Football she, said middle or outside linebacker and a few
movies gonna lights you. UP i, go what about? You she,
goes all of us O'Brian's are multi sport. ATHLETES i,
go what do you? Do she, goes, WELL i just
got back from The olympic. Trials she's an.

Speaker 2 (01:22:12):
Eight Time All american From Notre. Dame is?

Speaker 6 (01:22:15):
It?

Speaker 2 (01:22:15):
Wow?

Speaker 1 (01:22:16):
Yeah And i'm, like SO i had her in the
studio with her, mom because every INTERVIEW i did, THAT
i looked at she Thanked god and thanked her, mom
AND i, thought, wow so that's. Sports she was telling,
me that's that's a crazy sport to be good at.

Speaker 11 (01:22:30):
It, is AND i think it complicated things even more
when you are coming. In you, know track and field
for college athletes starts in. Full and blessed the track
and field coaches at Uw oshkosh because they they were
okay KNOWING i am in basketball From september to hopefully
end Of. February, right so these other track athletes have
been doing things since, fall and you're gonna not get

(01:22:53):
me Until. March So March April may to work on seven.
Events you, KNOW i had never thrown a. JAVELIN i
had never thrown a shot. PUT i was a triple
jumper in high, school not a long. Jumper SO i
had to learn. THAT i had to learn one hundred
and ten high hurdles BECAUSE i was only a three
hundred low. Hurdler lots of things that and this is
What i'm talking about and not wanting to give it.
UP i just felt like there was there was more

(01:23:15):
things to explore and, whatnot and so my parents supported,
me teammates supported, me.

Speaker 2 (01:23:20):
And let's go do. It, YEAH i love. That can
you still hit a?

Speaker 12 (01:23:23):
Jumper did pass you the? Ball and when we left,
earlier you said she never gave the ball. UP i
don't think she said that she were not doing faith
in the. Zone SO i get to lie a little
bit in this.

Speaker 11 (01:23:38):
INTERVIEW i think probably over half my Points i'd love
to get that stat probably came from passes From ali
out on the. PERIMETER I i actually coached my sixth
grade son's basketball, team and IF i could get them
to do a headfake with the, ball a ball fake
Like ali did from the, PERIMETER i keep, saying, honestly you,
guys if you just learn how to do this head

(01:23:58):
fake like she, did is an easy pass. Inside every
single time they fall for, it the whole defense will just.
Shift she made them believe it with her eyes in her.
Body it wasn't just some you, know like little half you,
know effort. Fake we're still working on. That it's a
work in, progress but one hundred. Percent and seeing the
floor in transition was one of her highlights as. Well

(01:24:19):
i'd like to THINK i ran the floor decently. Well
but you need a guard that has the, ball that
knows how to how to push it, up and she
she was clutch at.

Speaker 1 (01:24:28):
That, Okay so, again would we start to talk about
accomplishments to twenty two thousand and Four Jostin's trophy for
the Most outstanding student athlete IN Ncaa DIVISION iie women's
basketball Earned All american awards in a pair of sports
and helped you to be oshkash track and field when
a national, championship also earned recognition for excellence in the.

Speaker 2 (01:24:51):
Classroom not bad for a, saver you, Know i'm a
little surprised by.

Speaker 5 (01:24:55):
That.

Speaker 2 (01:24:56):
Guys we gotta get to a.

Speaker 1 (01:24:57):
Breakout this had the BREAK i want to talk a
a little bit about how you guys feel where we
are in the state of girls' basketball and if it's
as strong as it has ever, been or you guys
have concerns LIKE i.

Speaker 2 (01:25:11):
Do and we're going to get to. That on the
other side of the break we are.

Speaker 1 (01:25:14):
Joined, look you've listened to my, show and you know
what a FAN i am Of Ali, star the girls
coach basketball coach At Lord's, academy and one of her
really good friends who happens to live in the. Neighborhood and,
again big time student, athlete multi sport athlete from Uw
Oshkosh kay is in a studio with us as. Well

(01:25:37):
we'll get to the other side of the, break we'll
talk about the state of girls basketball and why we're
losing a bunch of girls to other. Sports and maybe we're.
Not maybe that's just What i'm, hearing but we'll find.
Out this is The Varsity Blitz High School Sports, show
presented by your Local pick And save In Metro market
stores only On Fox sports ninety twenty and Your iHeart radio.
App welcome back to The Varsity Blitz High School Sports,

(01:25:59):
show present it by your Local pick And save And
Metro Market. Stores coming live from The donovan To Jorgi
sinhaiti And Cooling. Studios if you guys could hear what
we talked about during the, break we. Have we have
fixed the entire, world not only girls, basketball but the entire.

Speaker 2 (01:26:15):
World i'm so excited to have my new best.

Speaker 1 (01:26:18):
FRIEND i told her THAT i love my, wife but
she's a close. Second i'm just telling you that she
is the head girls basketball coach At Lord's academy and,
oshkosh she Is Alie starr And, kay just do.

Speaker 7 (01:26:33):
IT i can't Shim aleski Formerly.

Speaker 11 (01:26:34):
Mikaelaijack there we.

Speaker 2 (01:26:36):
Go and if you're a if you knew no girls
sports From, franklin she was. Man she was a. Stud
how was the team back, then by the, way.

Speaker 11 (01:26:43):
Our basketball, Team, yeah we were, wonderful. WONDERFUL i had
the honor of playing With Christine, rathki who was just
such a standouts and really her freshman year being on,
varsity she started helping to turn that program. Around and,
really you.

Speaker 2 (01:26:58):
Played varsity all four.

Speaker 11 (01:26:59):
Years, NO i was a freshman on freshman AND i
was an alternate on my eighth grade. TEAM i just
honestly was maybe a slow, bloomer you, know a wreck
kid who just.

Speaker 10 (01:27:10):
Kind of came, up and some coaches gave me a.

Speaker 2 (01:27:12):
Shot and you Played varsiti as a. Sophomore they. Did,
yeah so the varsity coach had to be, Like, okay
who are you and what did you what did you?
DO i love. That so varsity basketball for three? Years
how many times did you? Play Oh? Creek and what's
your record against? Them because that is the.

Speaker 11 (01:27:29):
Best it was awesome and every now and ACTUALLY i
Coach Andy eaton was their big star And No creek
a great post, player AND i coach her nephew now
and SO i see her and it's really. FUN i
mean at least two conference games a, year AND i
MEAN i think we were six and oh.

Speaker 12 (01:27:46):
And THEN i don't, know Don't, well she's got her
book with her look at she had seventeen the first,
time or sophomore here now in.

Speaker 1 (01:27:55):
My my my old co host for my high school
football show was used to be the head football, coach
you Know Creek.

Speaker 2 (01:28:01):
Joe cookie's now In, Texas. Okay And joe said to
me one, time AND i thought he was a.

Speaker 1 (01:28:05):
Kidding he, said, listen if nobody can find, me IF
i just, disappear go to The Franklin police.

Speaker 2 (01:28:11):
Department they have me in the. Basement AND i started.
Laughing he, goes, No i'm, Serious LIKE i won't get,
GAS i won't get a, HAIRCUT i won't get an
ice cream. Cone In. Franklin they really don't like me.
Much it's a great.

Speaker 8 (01:28:23):
Rivalry, Hey, allie CAN i ask you the MORE i
And i've talked to girls basketball for a really long,
time WHAT i hear from coaches more and more nowadays
is the numbers are really really getting to be a
little bit.

Speaker 2 (01:28:38):
Scary do you see that in your?

Speaker 7 (01:28:39):
Program, So, mike that's such a powerful, Question and YES i.
DO i think it's so different than because REMEMBER i
coached for seven, years eight years ago actually ten years ago.
Now so to see the transition has been. Unreal. REALLY
i had to beg some of my plays to come,

(01:29:00):
out like beg like please, please please give me a,
month give me a. Month so, YEAH i mean it's.

Speaker 4 (01:29:06):
Real.

Speaker 1 (01:29:06):
MAN I I'm Scott, herrick the head coach At Pius
girls coach AT. PIS i ran into it a game
and we talked for a, while and he had just
gotten beat and to end this, season and we talked about,
it and he, said AND i, said what's the, difference
BECAUSE i keep hearing, this he, said, coach when when years,
ago IF i had a six am open gym to

(01:29:28):
get shots, Up i'd have thirty girls. There it's to
a point now THAT i don't Think i'm gonna open
the gym at six Because i'm.

Speaker 2 (01:29:35):
Hoping to get. Five and he, Said i'm getting.

Speaker 1 (01:29:38):
Nervous And i've been around a long, time So i'm,
OKAY i can you. Know but but what's getting me
nervous is we're losing girls to other, sports whether it's
softball or it's it's a lot, volleyball and in some.
Soccer and he, said AND i don't, KNOW i don't
have enough girls that they're their main. Sport and he,
goes the idea of being a mult ty sport athlete

(01:30:01):
is really going by the. Wayside he, goes all the
coaches you have on your, show, go, NO i love,
him all THE i sport, athletes they.

Speaker 2 (01:30:07):
Don't they're, Lying AND i, Go, OKAY i appreciate.

Speaker 7 (01:30:12):
That, WELL i actually. Do and here's WHY i SAY i, Do,
mike is BECAUSE i don't think most high school especially
young girls are significantly like great at all three of their.
Sports so WHAT i love is they get to be
a role. Player they get to know what it feels
like to play a role and not be a, stud
AND i think that serves them for. Life so If

(01:30:33):
i'm gonna be honest about like this sports, THING i
will put like an invitation to all the. Coaches we
have to make it. Enjoyable, now hard work is. Enjoyable
so don't get me. Wrong it's not like this like
we're gonna braad each other's hair and all the. Jazz.
Right this is like people used to say to, me,
ol you gotta make it, Fun AND i thought. Fun
fun is going to the. Mall fun is going to a.

(01:30:54):
Movie fun is hanging. OUT i do think we need
to consider the thought of making it. Fun and WHAT
i mean by that, is if we don't make it,
fun they have so many other social avenues mic they can,
Go they can text. Somebody we. Couldn't we our phone
was connected to the, wall, RIGHT i mean like we
were going many places and we're talking about so for

(01:31:18):
us a social we had to play a sport to
be social with our. Buddies we absolutely had to be.
Social that was our social. Time now they can be social.
Anywhere so if you don't make it, enjoyable if you
don't bring something beyond, basketball they won't play your.

Speaker 2 (01:31:32):
Sport, hey you, guys do you enjoy coaching your? Kids
because it's? Hard you know, What, look it's. HARD i
WHEN i started Coaching matthew in high, SCHOOL i read
a book Called Coaching Our Sons Coach tank From, dodgeville
AND i think it's still out there On. AMAZON i
highly recommend.

Speaker 1 (01:31:48):
It it was the good and the bad and the
ugly stories in the state Of wisconsin of families being
broken up because of, it and what and WHAT i
realized his sophomore year WHEN i started.

Speaker 2 (01:31:59):
Coaching, him AND i read that.

Speaker 1 (01:32:00):
Book it was between his sophomore and junior year THAT
i was the adult in the room AND i had
to make the. Change i'm not his coach twenty four to.
Seven and from that, book WHAT i got, was once
we got to the kitchen table after a practice or a,
game take the coach and hat, off put my parent head.

Speaker 2 (01:32:17):
On if you want to talk about, basketball he's got
to bring it. Up so after games where he wouldn't play,
well he would jump in his mom's car and they
would race me to get to the side, door And
i'd be standing there Because you're, LIKE i Just i'm.

Speaker 1 (01:32:27):
HUNGRY i want a piece of the. PIACH i go, not,
no not. Yet how many turnovers did you have? Today
are you ever get.

Speaker 2 (01:32:33):
To knocked down a? Shot you?

Speaker 1 (01:32:34):
Know why are you not getting this in this blah blah.
Blah and then we get to the kitchen, Table i'd,
say any pretty girls.

Speaker 5 (01:32:40):
Say hi to you?

Speaker 2 (01:32:40):
Today, nope not a, One and he. DIED i don't
want to talk. Basketball SO i hope that you enjoy.
THIS i envy that you're able to do, this but
understand that you guys are the adults in the, room
and there are times that your kids are going to
only want to listen to somebody else because that happened
to us a, lot and understand that that they're the children.

(01:33:00):
Here it's different if the kid really even, says, LOOK
i want to be. GREAT i want to be. Good
how you've got to help? Me and then you go
through some. ISSUES i can tell you that we've gotten
to the point we're watching videos from him in fourth
grade THAT i COACHES aau team And we're At Disney

(01:33:21):
world for the nationals And i'm, like, yeah, like how
did you miss that? Shot he's, LIKE i was in fourth?
Grade what are you talking? About SO i asked you
to please enjoy. This, Guys i'm going TO i should
have given your heads up on this, question BUT i
do this for on This faith in The zone, show
and you guys are perfect for this. QUESTION i want
you to give this a thought and give me an.

Speaker 1 (01:33:41):
Answer all the uniforms you've ever put on in your entire,
life from little league baseball to basketball to finishing at Uw,
oshkosh all the uniforms you've ever put on track and
field and. Basketball were you a multi sport?

Speaker 2 (01:33:56):
Athlete?

Speaker 1 (01:33:56):
No, yeah well, okay you can put all the uniform
in the, closet all the uniforms you've ever put, on
you get to pull one uniform out to get one
more game with that. Team what uniform is? It who
do you play?

Speaker 13 (01:34:09):
Against and why give that some thought because at the
end of this and we only have about maybe eight more,
Minutes but give that some thought as we go through, this,
guys the difference between playing basketball the grade school and
high school level when you guys were playing to what
you see, now.

Speaker 2 (01:34:29):
What are some of the. DIFFERENCES i can let me
start From.

Speaker 1 (01:34:32):
Mia WHAT i found at the end, is, guys because
of this phone that we, have there's so much out
there and they, know you, know, HEY i just Became
i'm just now number three in the state in. Shooting
three is before we get to a locker room after a,
game And i'm, like are you kidding?

Speaker 2 (01:34:49):
Me how do you? Know like why are you looking
at that? Stuff that kind of stuff has changed all
the videos that they can watch about, well coach told
me to do a, crossover blow my knee and do
it this, way but this guy's SAYING i should do
it this. Way and then, parents parents have gotten a
little bit, crazy not in, hand and that's not one
of the Reasons i've, retired but after thirty six YEARS

(01:35:12):
i had had enough a coach. Star in your, view
how much different is it now to when you were a.

Speaker 7 (01:35:18):
Kid, YEAH i, mean so WHAT i love about it
is it shows them what's. Possible, okay it shows them
like these kids work hard and there's other. Levels we
didn't know other levels unless we competed against, it, Right
so there's a beautiful plus to.

Speaker 5 (01:35:31):
This.

Speaker 7 (01:35:31):
Okay the disadvantage, Is, yeah every kid wants to be you,
know Stuph, curry and it's, like my, gosh do you
know Stuff curry doesn't start at the? Three he. Doesn't
he didn't start. There and, so you, know just the
fundamental ist PART i think with the. Parents WHAT i
always say to our parents, is, Hey i'm going to
get it. WRONG i am going to get it. Wrong
i'm going to make a wrong. Call i'm not going
to righte and make the right. PLAY i HAVE x

(01:35:52):
amount of. Seconds but how you respond WHEN i get
it wrong will make or break your kid's. Experience and
this is their. Experience and every, Year, mike we talk
about the percentages point zero zero zero three percent of
girls basketball will go on to play in the W.
Nba that's that's. Nothing, Nothing so what is this all?
For so we level set our program effective immediately BECAUSE

(01:36:15):
i say to, them they're gonna have crucial conversations with one.
Another our one rule in our program you don't talk
about each. Other you talk to each. Other we're going
to teach them how to have these uncomfortable conversations so
they can have a conversation with their husband someday or you,
know their boss or whatever. Like that's What that's WHY i.
COACH i DON'T i love to, win don't get me.
Wrong AND i love the. GAME i love what the

(01:36:35):
game gives people far more than any kind of record
or any kind of thing we could.

Speaker 2 (01:36:40):
Set do you know IF i was an a D
i'd hire. YOU i would think you know WHAT i
WOULD i would play for. YOU i would run through
the wall for. You and AND i love that. Reset
we're going to reset this. Program it's about these people
in our locker. Room and let's make sure that we're
good ambassadors for the school that's that's on the front

(01:37:00):
of the. Jersey and then we're a good teammate with
the name on the. Back really, quickly and.

Speaker 1 (01:37:05):
THEN i got to get you that question Because i'm
so excited about your. Answers you're looking at it's for
you difference you're coaching and you're coaching a boys, team
which is, fine it's. Great Actually i'm happy with. That
but you see a difference from when you were growing
up to what you're seeing in here and.

Speaker 11 (01:37:23):
Now, Absolutely AND i think it almost ties into your
former question about what is deterring kids girls in, particular
but kids from basketball maybe to other. Sports and part
of that is that some of the parents in, particular
it's just to keeping up with The joneses and putting
their kids in a million. Things and it's not just
basketball at the same time as baseball at the same
time as in noor, soccer whatever it, is but it

(01:37:45):
is you have to do these extra training sessions and
these extra, things and if you don't do, this then
you're going to fall behind and. Whatnot and SO i
do think that we didn't have all those. Opportunities we
showed up To saturday morning rerec and we played and
we fell in love with the. Game the game can
become a burden the kids at a fairly young, age
and it's not under their. Choice they're not begging to
be signed up for these. THINGS a lot of the,

(01:38:07):
PARENTS i feel are giving undue pressure to these. Kids
you have to do this to keep, up and sometimes
the kids just, SAY i don't want to do.

Speaker 2 (01:38:13):
IT i don't want to do.

Speaker 1 (01:38:14):
It it's the amazing, part how quick and how early
they get burned out a little. Bit and it's because
of of that kind of. Stuff, yes So i'm Miss
starman to ask, you, first all the uniforms you've ever
put on in.

Speaker 2 (01:38:29):
Your entire, life you get to pull one, out what
uniform is? It who do you play? Against and why uw?

Speaker 7 (01:38:35):
Ashcash my senior year with my, team that team was
by far when people ask, you what's the best team
you've ever played? On by, far one of the most
amazing Teams i've ever been a part. Of and we'd
probably Play steven's. Point she stole my, answer.

Speaker 10 (01:38:50):
Exact, thing Same steven's. Point if you've looked at.

Speaker 2 (01:38:54):
Each, OTHER i, thought, well you, know all the uniforms
they've ever put, OUT i love that that team was something. Special.

Speaker 11 (01:39:01):
Huh it was an amazing group AND i will say
that we are. Thrilled we just watched the final four
THAT u W oshcash played in and there were five
teams from the W c conference representing when we. Played
if you did not win your conference, tournament you did
not go to. Nationals and we.

Speaker 4 (01:39:17):
That was our.

Speaker 11 (01:39:18):
Game we. Lost we Lost stevens point. One they went
To NAA's and they. Won and so the fact that
you're so close but you don't get a bid because
at that time they gave one bid. AUTOMATIC i think
we all want another shot at that and went behind that.
Handful it was.

Speaker 7 (01:39:35):
We had beat him a couple times during the. YEAR
i mean that's the hard, part, right you play him
a Couple, yeah you play him during the year twice and, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:39:42):
Last question And i'll cut you guys. Loose WILL i
see you next year on.

Speaker 2 (01:39:46):
That press conference?

Speaker 5 (01:39:47):
Again?

Speaker 2 (01:39:47):
Coach what do you guys got coming? Back do you
want to call your shot or well you understand the
difference between between hunting and being, hunted because now you're
going to be hunted at bet you?

Speaker 5 (01:39:57):
Bet.

Speaker 7 (01:39:58):
WELL i got to tell you. This my my assistant
coach looked at. Me who IS i was just raving
about him last? Night Read Tye. River he's one of
the best coaches in his own. Right he could be
a head coach and an ASSISTANT i think that's, unique,
RIGHT i think it's unique to be able to do both,
exceptionally and he.

Speaker 2 (01:40:12):
Can by the, WAY i was, both AND i was
a better assistant. Coach do you want to know? Why
tell me? Loyalty?

Speaker 1 (01:40:18):
Yeah to this DAY i would throw myself in front
of a bus for the head coach At green Del Martin.
Luther i've really dislike assistant coaches that go after the
head coach. Job, right if you want a head, job
there's go somewhere.

Speaker 7 (01:40:31):
Else, Yes so, anyway that's him, Though that's What i'm that's.
Him read is. Remarkable and he looked at me and he, Goes,
ellie this team just made our job. Easier AND i,
said say, more and he. Goes these young girls are
so hungry right. Now they got to see what this
feels like and they believe because they saw. It they believe.
It they want to. Taste And i'm, like, oh, yeah get.

Speaker 2 (01:40:52):
It how much do you get them doing stuff in
the are they? Are? They are you in summer? Leagues are?
You you? Know we get what is? It i've? Contacted,
yeah you?

Speaker 7 (01:41:01):
Know and again we do like book studies and we
do stuff outside of it to, connect and, LIKE i
just want them to enjoy it so much that they
want to put time in the, gym, right and so
we WE i, said, hey you get a. Month and
THEN i said to my you know, SENIORS i, said we,
like let's run the show, now let's start to invite
remind we'll get back in the, gym you, know open
gyms and, yes summer league. Lifting there's a lot of

(01:41:21):
learning that's going to be done. Here we've you, know OUR,
iq our strong BASKETBALL iq has kind of left the
building to a, degree and we've got to pour into
these young people in a way we haven't in a long.
Time SO i get.

Speaker 2 (01:41:32):
Asked every once in a while to come run a
couple of drills and then speak to the. Team, Right
So i'm coming to Want, yeah this is. Great once
those young girls get tired of your voice for a,
minute call me. Up i'll make a little, Trip, Bucky
like we're putting this in.

Speaker 7 (01:41:49):
Sharpie this is. Happening.

Speaker 2 (01:41:50):
Okay wife shaking her head and she's, like she, said,
hey when you were, RETIRED i, SEE i thought you'd
be home a little bit. More, No i'm still running
some drills we're watching the, game And i'll pause it
and go back and pause and start taking some. Notes she's,
like what are you? DOING i don't know how they
got wide open at a bounds play like. That she, goes,
well why are you taking? NOTES i, go BECAUSE i

(01:42:11):
have my. Stuff she, was but you're retired AND i
am retired on.

Speaker 11 (01:42:16):
Always always a.

Speaker 2 (01:42:20):
Coach if you guys played one on, one who would
win the?

Speaker 13 (01:42:23):
Day oh.

Speaker 11 (01:42:25):
Tough you, know the hype might help me a lot
in the, beginning but then you KNOW i might get
tired and her quick little cat like speed my.

Speaker 2 (01:42:33):
TAKEOVER i don't know you're going to fall for.

Speaker 11 (01:42:34):
THAT i Hope i've seen it enough THAT i, Wouldn't
BUT i don't.

Speaker 7 (01:42:39):
Know she played, professionally so, like let we talk about
her college. Career but she played In denmark and Not Denmark.
Wisconsin i'm talking About, Denmark. Europe THEN i went to
visit her and SO i got to compete with some
of her. Practices and it's no joke over. There so
she is she is less out of it THAN i.
Am SO i don't. KNOW i, MEAN I I i

(01:43:00):
love playing with, her let's put it that. WAY i
love putting on the same jersey AS i wouldn't want
to play against.

Speaker 1 (01:43:05):
Tournament i'm always open you, guys play, defense rebound and.

Speaker 2 (01:43:09):
Kick, yeah trust, me you do not want me on that. Team,
GUYS i can't thank you. ENOUGH i. Can't i'm gonna
stay in.

Speaker 1 (01:43:19):
Touch you live a block, Away so during during the,
SUMMERTIME i talk about youth, SPORTS i talk about other.
Sports i'm going to ask you to come in and
maybe with your son to talk a little bit about
playing for his mom and talking about youth sports and
and if it's okay with, YOU i will reach out
And i'll just do it via cell. Phone now that

(01:43:41):
we know each, other you know That i'm Not i'm
so sorry.

Speaker 7 (01:43:45):
For DON'T i. SAID i. SAID i want the world
to KNOW i did not take it that. WAY i
know your soul was pure and beautiful and.

Speaker 2 (01:43:53):
Good oh my, GOSH i. WOULDN'T i would not do. It.
Guys thank you so.

Speaker 1 (01:43:59):
MUCH i really appreciate you guys and the time that
you've given. Us When i'm talking girls, basketball your top
of the. List and IF i need A hall Of
fame professional former professional basketball, PLAYER i am certainly going
to be reaching out to.

Speaker 2 (01:44:15):
You not bad again for a. Saver you, KNOW i
get the. Answer thing that The.

Speaker 11 (01:44:19):
SAVERS i kept the black and, gold you, know saber
to a, titan the change in the.

Speaker 2 (01:44:26):
Blood yes you, did but now you got to wear
some witnow. Gear from WHAT i, understood.

Speaker 11 (01:44:30):
Blue and gold it Is it's, Hard, yes that is.

Speaker 2 (01:44:32):
Hard. Guys thanks a, lot have a good. Weekend it's
good to see, you you.

Speaker 1 (01:44:36):
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