Grote
Senior forward Ella Grote will be counted on for a little more offensive production for the New Prague girls’ basketball team during the 2013-14 season.
Grote averaged a little more than five points as a junior. She scored a season-best 11 points on two different occasions.
She already topped that output this season with a 12-point performance in a 61-51 victory over Jordan in a nonconference matchup. She is averaging a little more than six points per game through the first two weeks.
The Trojans, coming off a 22-7 season in 2012-13, have won three of their first four games this year. They are ranked No. 12 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News.
The 5-8 Grote is also a member of the Trojans’ cross country and track teams. Here is a closer look at Grote:
Q: What is the best movie you’ve seen in the last year?
A: “The Heat.”
Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …
A: … “Holy Grail” by Jay Z and Justin Timberlake; “Brave” by Sara Bareilles; and “Umbrella” by Rihanna.
Q: What are your three favorite apps?
A: Flow; Netflix; and Pandora.
Q: Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me?
A: Hardworking; clumsy; and blonde.
Q: When did you get started playing basketball?
A: My parents signed me up to play basketball through community education in the fourth grade, and I fell in love with it.
Q: At my first varsity practice, I felt …
A: … extremely nervous. I was very intimidated when I had to play against the seniors.
Q: What did you work on most in the offseason?
A: I spent my summer before this season in the gym every week helping run youth basketball camps and working on my individual skills.
Q: What are your goals for the upcoming basketball season?
A: To win the section finals and go to the state tournament again.
Q: To get focused for a game or meet, I …
A: … visualize and listen to music.
Q: What is your favorite meal before a game or meet?
A: You can’t beat lasagna and garlic bread. It’s the best.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a basketball player?
A: Winning the Class 3A, Section 2 finals 54-52 over Mankato East and going to the state tournament last year.
Q: Who is your school’s biggest rival, and why?
A: The Red Wing Wingers. We have been rivals for years because we both have strong teams and enjoy playing each other.
Q: How do you balance school and sports during the year?
A: Let’s just say there are a lot of late nights and early mornings involved.
Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?
A: Either you’re in or you’re out. There’s no in-between.
RON HAGGSTROM