Jacy Zollar sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Gresham’s Drew Haffner and Bowler’s Reanne Kietlinski will have the opportunity to play alongside some of the top talent in Division 5 as part of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s All-Star Game this summer.
Haffner was selected to the North boys team and Kietlinski to the North girls team. Both teams will play the respective South teams.
“It is a huge honor to be selected for this team, especially since it is coaches that vote for the players that make the team,” Haffner said. “I watched my brother Christian and friend Neal (Cerveny) play in it, and saw Coach (Jeff) Zobeck coach it, and since attending those I have wanted to play in it.”
“I feel pretty rewarded and very privaleged that I have this opportunity,” Kietlinski said. “I’m very excited to see the best of Wisconsin and play with them.”
The game gives the players a chance to play more competitively with like-minded individuals.
“I’m excited to compete against very talented people and play with others who commit the same time and effort and passion that I have for the game,” Kietlinski said.
“I’m looking forward to the high level of competition,” Haffner added. “It is some of the best players in the state so it’s going to be a really fun, competitive game.”
Haffner and Kietlinski led their teams in successful seasons this year. Haffner and the Wildcats won the Central Wisconsin Conference-North title outright with a perfect record. Kietlinski and the Bowler girls team clinched the program’s first conference title and advanced to the regional final tournament game.
After strong performances in their final year, the two are excited to play one last high school game.
“With my season coming to an end, this is my last time representing my school and state and that means a lot to me to be able to have one last time and showcase everything,” Kietlinski said.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Haffner said. “I love basketball, and I don’t want it to be over.”
The event, which is held June 15-16 in Wisconsin Dells, includes games from all five divisions for both boys and girls. The event is centered around raising money for the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer.
Each athlete contributes to the MACC organization by personal fundraising efforts leading up to the game.
“I love that we get to play the game we love while contributing to something like the MACC Fund,” Kietlinski said. “It’s especially great that it’s the MACC organization, because there are some organizations that don’t really give much of the money raised directly to the cause and I know this one gives all of the money to the cause.
“It’s also a good feeling because I’m so busy with school and sports and other commitments that I don’t have a lot of time to do things that impact charities like this, so I’m glad that I’ll have that opportunity here.”
Donations can be made to either player’s fund on the wisbca.org website under the “Events” tab.