ALPENA โ Even though she continues to break countless soccer records, including all-time points and goals, Reese Wisniewski's passion lies between the baselines of the basketball court, and that's why she will be joining Alpena next season. That's why I'm committed to playing basketball in college.
Along with all of Alpena's football records, Wisniewski also broke several basketball records during his career as a Wildcat, including steals in a game, season and career.
Winiewski broke the single-game and single-season steals mark as a junior and eventually amassed enough records to achieve a triple-steal streak in his senior season.
During his senior year, Wisniewski did his best to lead Alpena to the regional finals.
The Wildcats relied on her every night as she led the team with 11.5 points, 3.8 assists, 103 steals, 122 deflections, 20 blocks and an overall field goal percentage of 55 percent per game.
“Reese (Winiewski) is a girl I've coached since I was a little girl, and she brought us her best game every day for years,” Alpena coach Laura Dubey said. . She added, “I know she will work hard to achieve her great things, so I'm excited to see what the future holds for her.”
Her athletic career at Alpena is coming to an end, but when she looks back on past memories and the best moments from her high school days, it's easy to see why college basketball remains an ambition.
Wisniewski highlighted the moment more than two years ago when his love for basketball was fully developed.
When I think back to the intense emotion I felt when we beat Traverse City Central to claim the district title, my competitive nature and the once-in-a-lifetime joy of being able to cut the net stand out among the other teams.
While these memories are priceless, Wisniewski hopes to relive them at the collegiate level by playing for Scotland.
The next four years will see Wisniewski competing at every level, but her past coaches and those around her have unwavering confidence in her abilities.
“Everyone says it's a tough adjustment being a freshman, but I'm going into the season with that mindset,” Wisniewski said. “I know it's going to be tough physically and mentally, so I'm ready to get on the court to prove I can play.”
Among the many college offers she received, Alma stood out for her personality and ease of connection with the players.
Everyone on the coaching staff and on campus seemed friendly and welcomed Wisniewski with open arms.
The smaller, high school-like campus offers a place that resembles home, a quality Wisniewski was looking for when choosing his new home.
โThe coaches were always supportive throughout the recruiting process and always showed a lot of interest in me. They believed in me because they valued my skills and my character, and they believed in me. “It was an easy choice for me,” she said.
Off the court, Wisniewski plans to further her teaching ambitions as she hopes to graduate with a degree in elementary education.
Once she completes her degree, she hopes to become a second grade teacher and inspire children with the same bright personality and charisma that she brings to the world.
As he continues this path of learning and has the opportunity to play basketball at the Division III level, Wisniewski would like to express his gratitude to everyone who made this journey possible.
โMost of all, I want to thank my parents because they have been with me through everything,โ Wisniewski said. โI would also like to thank my coaches, teammates, and friends who have supported me throughout my life.โ