Athlete Profile: Kendra Troxel

The Bonduel High School girls basketball team is eyeing another Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division title. For the senior class, which includes Kendra Troxel, it would be another accomplishment in what’s been a special four-year run.

Through 19 games this season, Troxel is averaging just under six points a game. She scored eight or more points on seven occasions, including a season-high 15 points against Iola-Scandinavia back on Jan. 13. Five of those eight-plus points games have come since Jan. 10.

Troxel also was averaging 3.1 rebounds a game, with a season-high eight boards against Menominee Indian on Dec. 2.

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: I first started playing basketball in first grade. Bonduel’s Little Dribblers program is what started my interest for the sport.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the basketball court, and why?

A: My favorite thing to do is celebrate on the court or bench with the team. The excitement that the whole team gets when a teammate makes a crazy move and ends up making it is unmatched. No matter how many times it happens, Hailey Zernicke’s up-and-under and Audrey Weier’s blocks will always get the team riled up.

Q: What has the game of basketball taught you over the years?

A: Basketball has taught me patience. Sometimes you need to wait for the play develop for it to be able to work. Similarly in life, you need to slow down and wait, and good things will come.

Q: You’ve been a part of some really great basketball teams since you got to high school. Just talk about what that journey has been like overall.

A: The journey has been a crazy ride. From battling injuries to celebrating the winning of high-end games, I will never forget some of these memories I’ve made with my teammates that act as family.

Q: With your team now leading the conference, what needs to happen the rest of the season to win it?

A: The team needs to stay determined and work hard. The team has seen the potential it has when we give our best effort. If the team plays like we know we can each game, the team will be successful in the long run.

Q: You also run cross-country in the fall and compete for the track and field team in the spring. How do those other sports help you out on the basketball court?

A: In cross-country and track we are taught about how important it is to be mentally tough. Without your mental toughness, your progress that you made in the race will diminish. Similarly, you have to do the same thing for basketball with getting down the court and playing to your best ability each possession.

Q: As a senior, how do you try to lead the rest of your team?

A: As a senior, I try to make practice fun. Practice can be brutal some days after a tough day of school, and trying to bring up the energy in the gym is what makes our team stronger together. Not everything needs to be serious; there’s always time for fun.

Q: Before a game starts, do you or the team have any routines or rituals you go through?

A: Usually before every home game the team has some sort of team bonding where we either go out to eat together or have a meal at one of the team members’ houses. Directly before the game one of our other seniors, Bella Delzer, leads the team in a prayer.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Bonduel girls basketball team?

A: My favorite memories are the bus rides home. After a big win, we blast music and sing our hearts out whether that’s to High School Musical or to the Pitch Perfect songs. No matter the genre, our team finds a way to sing at the top of our lungs and have a good time.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: Movie — “21 Jump Street” or “Need for Speed.” TV show — “In the Dark.” Musical artist — Morgan Wallen or Kanye West.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know?

A: One of my biggest fears are clowns.

Q:What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: I plan on going to St. Norbert College hoping to get a degree in the medical or sports science field as well as minoring in kinesiology. Other than that, I plan to live life and have fun.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Kendra Troxel

Sport: Girls basketball

Position: Small forward

School: Bonduel High School

Year: Senior