Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star games raise money for various charities

WISCONSIN DELLS - Several of Oshkosh and Fond du Lac's finest basketball standouts were invited to participate in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) 2024 All-Star Games held last month (June 26-27) at JustAgame Fieldhouse.

A total of 14 local athletes represented eight of the area's high schools and four of the five WIAA divisions with the Girls All-Star Games kicking things off on Wednesday and the Boys All-Star Games following up on Thursday.

The WBCA once again partnered with players and coaches participating in this year's All-Star Games to raise money for several charities from around the state.

Camp Hometown Heroes, Camp Wawbeek/Easter Seals of Wisconsin, Garding Against Cancer, MACC Fund, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin were amongst the charities that each received $20,000 from the fundraising efforts.

Participants from both regions, starting with the girls, included:

• Ava Hanson , Oshkosh North (D1 - North), UW-Platteville
• Paige Seckar , Oshkosh West (D1 - North), UW-Oshkosh
• Lauren Stettbacher , North Fond du Lac (D3 - South), FVTC
• Karsyn Bauman , Ripon (D3 - South), UW-Eau Claire
• Julia Koch , Omro (D3 - North), Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
• Gracie Gopalan , Waupun (D3 - South), Quinnipiac University
• Lindsey Nell , Winnebago Lutheran (D4 - South), Olivet Nazarene University
• Abby Cole , Winnebago Lutheran (D4 - South), Wisconsin Lutheran College
• Charley Mullen , Lourdes Academy (D5 - South), St. Norbert College

And for the boys:

• Stevie Clark , Oshkosh North (D1 - Black), Colgate University
• Sam Loehr , Winnebago Lutheran (D3 - Black), MSOE
• Keenan Rahn , Omro (D3 - Black), Ripon College
• Ryan Schoeni , Omro (D3 - White), UW-Oshkosh
• JJ McKellips , Lourdes Academy (D5 - White), UW-La Crosse

Lourdes Academy boys' coach Brett Baehman and Waupun girls' coach Tim Aalsma were both on hand as part of the coaching staff for their respective teams.

Aalsma said the part of the trip he enjoyed the most was seeing all of the camaraderie simply based upon the shared skill and love for the sport of basketball.

"It was a lot of fun seeing the non-basketball side of the girls," Aalsma said. "I think there were some genuine friendships that were created over the three days we were there."

There were also friendships reignited, in the case of Waupun's Gopalan and North Fondy's Stettbacher.

"This was a great opportunity to have some fun and play the game I love," Gopalan said.

"It was an unforgettable experience that I’m truly thankful for. I had a blast preparing for the game; we had a couple practices and team activities that were very memorable. It was also a great time meeting and bonding with teammates that I grew up playing against, and even played with at one point. Lauren (Stettbacher) and I grew up playing at North Fond du Lac, together, and to play my last-ever high school game with her was very special."

While there were new bonds forged amongst the competitors, others were relinquished after the final buzzers, as these games also marked the last time some of these elite athletes would don a basketball uniform.

A trio of decorated athletic careers came to an end as Stettbacher, Loehr, and Schoeni have each decided to chase their dreams outside of sports, instead focusing on their respective studies. Lauren will be attending Fox Valley Technical College to join their aviation program, Sam plans to pursue a degree in Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Ryan is currently undecided on a major but will be studying at UW-Oshkosh.

"The experience was fun, and it was cool to see a lot of good basketball being played," Schoeni said. "Lots of talent and it was an honor to be a part of the group selected."

Added Loehr: "I had a great experience being able to participate in this year's WBCA All-Star Game. I had a lot of fun meeting everyone, getting to hang out with my team, and then competing with them on Thursday. I am very grateful that I was selected to play in this year's game, and also for my time playing high school basketball."

As for the results from each contest: In the Division 1 girls' game, Hanson and Seckar each recorded four points, in limited playing time, for the North All-Stars in their 94-51 loss to the South.

In the Division 3 girls' game: Gopalan led the South All-Stars with nine points, including a three-pointer and a perfect 4-for-4 shooting at the free throw line, and Bauman followed with seven points in a 63-48 loss to the North All-Stars.

In the Division 4 girls' game: Nell had eight points, including 4-for-6 shooting at the charity stripe, and Cole contributed seven points for the South All-Stars in an 80-68 loss to the North.

And to round things out for the girls: Mullen recorded a first quarter three-pointer for the Division 5 South All-Stars in a 78-52 victory over the North.

As for the boys, Clark led the Division 1 All-Stars' Black team with 26 points in a 138-118 loss to the White team.

In the Division 3 game: Loehr drained five three-pointers for 15 points and Rahn followed with 14 for Team Black, while Schoeni had six points for Team White in a 144-114 victory in favor of the black shirts.

Finally, in the Division 5 game: McKellips led the White team with 22 points, including six made three-pointers, in a 133-110 loss to the Black team.

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Bauman said that being selected to the All-Star game and getting an opportunity to play a significant role for her team was something that she had worked hard toward earning over the course of her storied career at Ripon.

"Being selected to play in the All-Star Game was a huge honor," Bauman said.

"It was something that I really worked towards and hoped that I would have the opportunity to do, so I am so appreciative of the coaches that selected me to be on the D3 South team. While in the Dells, I had a great time both on and off the court. It was so cool to get to play with girls that I have been playing against since youth basketball tournaments, and in conference in high school; but then it was also so much fun to get the know them outside of basketball. Looking ahead to my next four years at UW-Eau Claire, I am so incredibly excited. To be able to play for Coach Englund and a school that has so much community support is really a dream come true."

Seckar also spoke enthusiastically about her experiences while in the Dells, pointing out that 'It's impossible to go to the Dells and not have fun, so (being there) made the week 10 times better.'

"Overall, it was a great week, and such a cool experience," Seckar said.

"Putting the basketball piece to the side, it was cool to get to know other good athletes around the state and just spend the week with people you normally wouldn't; but the basketball side was also a great experience. Learning how to quickly adjust to new coaching and playing styles is so important for college, so getting the chance to play for other coaches and with other players is always a good learning experience for athletes. At the end of the day it was an All-Star game, solely created so athletes can have one last fun high school sports experience before college."

Seckar also pointed out that the final numbers on the scoreboard are meaningless; rather, what's important is the purpose that both the event and game each serves.

"My team lost, but it's more about the experience than anything," Seckar said. "I had a good week and so did everyone else there. I think it's a great event, plus it's a fundraiser event, so you aren't there for yourself, you are playing for others."

Taking a final moment to reflect on her past four years at Oshkosh West, Seckar said she's used what knowledge and skills she gained in preparation for whatever comes ahead in her next four years at UW-Oshkosh.

"Although it was my last game as a high school athlete, representing Oshkosh and specifically Oshkosh West, it doesn't end there for me," Seckar said.

"I have become the player I am in the Oshkosh West gym, and I will carry all of that into college with me. Even though I won't be putting on a West jersey next year, I will carry those experiences and skills I gained onto a bigger stage at UW-O next season. I couldn't be more excited to continue my basketball career there, being a part of the success and support that surrounds their program, as well as having a fresh start in my career. A lot of good change will happen, and I can't wait to raise my game to the next level, having fun while doing it. Obstacles will arise at many different points, especially during my first season, but having my family and the community I grew up in to turn to will help me through those low points."

Rahn also said that he used the opportunity of playing against top-level competition to enhance his own basketball skills.

"The event was filled with talent, and it was a great experience to not only meet new people but to grow my game as a basketball player," Rahn said. "This experience, I'm hoping, will translate into playing at Ripon. I played with tons of college level talent, and it gave me insight on what to expect at the next level."

Gopalan also could hardly contain her eagerness for getting things started and carving out a new legacy for herself in college.

"I am beyond excited for my next chapter at Quinnipiac University," Gopalan said. "It’s an opportunity that I’ve dreamt of, as a young kid, and now I get to go pursue it. I chose Quinnipiac because I felt a family-oriented atmosphere the first time I stepped on campus. The coaches are nothing short of amazing and took a chance on me knowing I was a smaller guard. I can’t wait to elevate as a player and person and be a part of a great group of girls and coaches."

Nell and Clark both also expressed that they're particularly most looking forward to working with their new coaching staffs in the next chapters of their respective basketball careers. Clark additionally said that the charity aspect of the games is of personal importance to him.

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"I am so excited to play at Olivet next year, mostly because I get to play for such a great coaching staff," Nell said. "I’m excited to be part of such a tight-knit team. Just to have the opportunity to play college basketball is so cool, and I’m beyond excited to get to campus."

Added Clark: "Being with my team, and guys that I don’t see very often from other divisions, is always a plus. Raising money for the MACC fund is a very important thing to do. Personally, the three days that I was there went by fast, but just being surrounded by a great group of teammates and coaches made the experience even more fun. I’m looking forward to being at Colgate, and just being on that 'basketball schedule.' I’m also looking forward to playing for Coach Langel and the Colgate coaching staff, and to play for a top winning program in the country."

Finally, Koch was 'honored and grateful' to be selected as an All-Star, and for the opportunity to represent Omro at such a respected event. She credited the All-Stars' coaching staff they worked with for helping to build an immaculate team chemistry that helped lead them to one last victory.

"It truly meant everything," Koch said.

"My experience was incredible; I’m still talking about it today. And I give 100 percent credit to the coaches and teammates I had. Our coaches - Nick Mechelke, Jerry Reinke, and Mike Balliett - did an outstanding job making the week fun, but at the same time, also getting work in at the gym. Our team clicked so well; we got together and talked for hours at night. When it comes to All-Star games, everyone and every team has talent; but how the talent works together determines who will win. With how close our team got in two days, that’s how we were able to gain a win. The WBCA really does a great job putting (the event) on. This is an experience that sticks with you for some time."

Koch also mentioned that it motivated her to perform on the next big stage.

"This experience before college gave me the drive to compete again. Being in a game-like atmosphere brought all the feelings and competitiveness back, and it also gave me confidence and reminded me I have what it takes to compete at the next level."

To contact Lance LeQue, email him at LLeQue@gannett.com , or follow him on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, @LanceLeQue .

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This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star games raise money for various charities