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New Prague's Grote off to fast start

By Star Tribune, 12/10/13, 7:16PM CST

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Senior forward Ella Grote will be counted on for a little more offensive production for the New Prague girls’ basketball team.


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

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