When Kara Bartels ended her high school basketball career at Zeeland West, she was at a crossroads.
he had a great career ducksBut she was not able to enjoy the game the way she used to.
But instead of giving up on his passion, he took a leap, signed with Lansing Community College and decided to see what happened.
bratels Finished a stellar season and earned second team All-American honors by the National Junior College Athletic Association.
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Bartels said, “At first I didn’t even want to play college basketball. Spending a year like this really made me realize how much I love the game.” “I was tired of playing all my life.”
Bartels was named the Michigan Community College Athletic Association West Player of the Year. He averaged 17.8 points per game as well as 9.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game.
She said, “The biggest adjustment is the shot clock. I enjoy it more. It’s more fast-paced, which I really like. It’s very fast. You have to be strong.”
Strength is something Bartels is working on. Standing over six feet tall with long and lean arms and legs, Bartels is adding more muscle as a college player.
“I still need to work on it more. But our coach made us go through conditioning and weights for a month straight in August without touching a single ball. It really helped me as a player,” he said. ” “My coaches let me play how I knew I could play. He encouraged me to dribble and drive the ball. He opened up a lot of opportunities to be successful.”
In high school, Bartels used his height to score and defend, but in college, he reached new levels.
“I was surprised because I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “Being able to be an offensive threat and a defensive threat. I like defense more and I think it’s better. Blocking shots is a lot of fun. So my offense had to catch up, and that’s what ultimately happened.”
“We looked at film from the beginning of the year and I improved a lot. There wasn’t a moment that clicked.”
But it happened, and now Bartels can move on to a bigger school after her sophomore year at LCC.
“It’s really prepared me for the years to come,” he said. I love my team very much. It played a huge role in why we performed so well. We all dated a long time and we like each other a lot. This was visible on the court.
But she knows the work is not finished.
“Outside shooting is the next step. If I can shoot outside, it’s harder for people to guard me. I’m just not going to drive to the basket.” He said. “This experience has taught me that I can work hard. I was really nervous to go to Lansing and join a new team and meet new people. I learned that I can adjust and it will be okay “
Contact Sports Editor Dan D’Addona Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or facebook @HollandSentinelSportS.
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