Bonduel's Troxel named CWC-East girls basketball Player of the Year

Bonduel’s Kara Troxel enjoyed a strong high school basketball career, helping guide the Bears to plenty of wins and various titles along the way.

The senior ended her career with her biggest individual feat yet after being named the Player of the Year in the Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division.

“Being named conference Player of the Year is a huge accomplishment, especially since it’s my senior season. All of my hard work has paid off,” said Troxel. “I couldn’t have done this or accomplish any of my other goals without the help of my teammates and coaches throughout my journey playing basketball.”

Troxel averaged 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.7 assists during Bonduel’s 10-0 run through the CWC-East.

After winning the conference title and finishing the regular season with a 20-0 record, Bonduel won a pair of playoffs games to claim its third straight regional title despite moving up to Division 3 to compete. The Bears season ended after a sectional semifinal loss to Westfield, which ended up qualifying for state.

“High school basketball has taught me a lot of things in life that I will never forget,” said Troxel, who plans on playing for Wisconsin Lutheran College in the future. “I’ll also remember and cherish all of my teammates, coaches, and all the fun times that we’ve had together.

“From the team bondings that were never long enough, to the late nights on the way home from games that included blaring music and tasty treats. I’m going to remember all the relationships that I’ve made. I’m going to miss this sport and the people a lot.”

Troxel was one of two conference players to be named to the first team unanimously, with junior teammate Allaina Robaidek being the other.

Robaidek averaged a team-leading 17.7 points to go along with 3.1 steals per conference game.

“It means a lot to succeed at something that I’ve put a lot of effort and work into,” said Robaidek. “This award will help motivate me to work harder knowing my dreams are in reach.”

Two other Bears also earned all-conference spots, with junior Kylie Hoffman making the second team and junior Brenna Hertzfeldt being named to the honorable mention list.

Hoffman did a bit of everything while on the court. She averaged a team-high 2.9 assists and 1.4 blocks per conference clash, while also pulling down 4.4 rebounds.

“This motivates me a lot actually and also gives me a quite a bit of confidence,” said Hoffman. “This wasn’t even a goal that I knew I had, but it sure will be a goal for me to make first team next year. It truly has been and honor to receive this type of recognition and I can’t wait for what is to come my senior year!”

Hertzfeldt averaged 5.3 points per contest for Bonduel. She was the team leader in rebounds, averaging 5.6 boards per game.

“It means a lot, because it shows me that all the work put in during the offseason actually pays off,” said Hertzfeldt. “It motivates me to work and push myself even harder next year.”

After the team’s perfect regular season and conference title, it was no surprise that Bonduel’s Jerry Reinke was tabbed the Coach of the Year.

“Being chosen by your coaching colleagues as Coach of the Year certainly is an honor but is more of a testament to our program in Bonduel,” said Reinke. “Our youth coaches have built a great foundation for our successes and our ladies have worked extremely hard to achieve that success. The award wouldn’t be possible without the help of knowledgeable assistant coaches along with a great group of Lady Bears.”

Menominee Indian

Junior Alezaha King was the lone Menominee Indian player named to an all-conference team. She was an honorable mention.

King averaged 11.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in conference play. She also averaged over one steal per contest.

King scored from all over the court, hitting 15 3-point shots, 25 2-point shots and 19 free throws.

“Well first off, I would like to say I pushed myself hard this season to become more comfortable on the court. I pushed myself at practice every day to become better not just for me but for my team, and I would give my all on the court on gamedays,” said King, who hopes to make the first or second team as a senior, and then play collegiately somewhere. “So I’m proud of the hard work and dedication that helped me achieve this accomplishment as a junior.”

Menominee Indian finished 1-9 in CWC-East play.

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