Rohlik’s Rolling
Wabasso girls basketball star Andrea Rohlik is having a memorable senior year, which includes reaching the 1,000 point mile earlier this seasonstoneBy Jenny Kirk jkirk@marshallindependent.com
WABASSO - Andrea Rohlik is making the best out of her senior basketball season at Wabasso High School.
So far, Rohlik has surpassed the 1,000 point milestone and helped lead the Rabbits to a 6-2 overall record.
"Andrea is a big part of our team," Wabasso head coach Neil Dolan said. "She's a tremendous worker. She's tough to stop and easy to coach. She's also one of the hardest workers on the team."
Rohlik, a 5-10 center, is averaging 17 points and 12.8 rebounds per game this season. She also averages 4.5 steals and 3.7 assists per game. Last year, Rohlik finished the regular season with a 13.6 point average.
"Andrea is a very well-rounded player," said Dolan. "She's always around the basket and is consistently one of our best rebounders. Height-wise, we don't have a big team, so Andrea's role is even more exaggerated because she's only 5-10."
After opening the season with an 81-51 victory over WWG, Wabasso defeated conference rival Sleepy Eye 76-40. With 10:49 remaining in the second half, Rohlik drove to the basket and scored her 1,000th career point for the Rabbits.
"I had this goal for a long time," said Rohlik. "I'm actually glad that the pressure is off now and I can just get back to concentrating on playing basketball and helping the team do well. We want to see how far we can go."
Against Sleepy Eye, Rohlik poured in 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds. But those numbers are shadowed by the historic moment that framed Rohlik's basketball career.
Fellow seniors Tori Altermatt, Chantel Salfer and Ashley Fennern have played hoops with Rohlik for many years and each brings their own talent to the floor every game.
"Andrea's a great leader," said Dolan. "We have four really good senior leaders. We preach teamwork and togetherness and the seniors bring it all together. As a coach, I couldn't ask for better kids to help lead you where you want to go. All four are good kids and hard workers. It's a pleasure to have them on the team."
Rohlik became the last Rabbit to join the 1,000 point scoring list since
Andrea Fennern, who tops the list with 2,331 career points in 2006.
In 2004, the Wabasso team won the state championship and in addition to Fennern, three other players hit the 1,000 point milestone.
"Jessica VanLoy, Ashley Prokosch and Katie Schumacher all made the list too," Dolan said. "This year's team is very comparible to that championship team. They have the same outstanding work ethic. The seniors were young when they watched the success of the 2004 team. I knew if these girls believed in the system, good things would happen."
While hitting the milestone individually rewards Rohlik, both she and Dolan know that the entire team has had a hand in her success. Fellow seniors Tori Altermatt, Chantel Salfer and Ashley Fennern have played hoops with Rohlik for many years and each brings their own talent to the floor every game.
"It was definitely a team effort that I was able to hit 1,000 points," said Rohlik. "It was really great to be able to share it with everyone, like the team and the fans."
As a team, the Rabbits are coming together and playing competitive basketball. Wabasso is 4-1 in the Tomahawk Conference and look to contend for the title. A showdown with current conference leader new Ulm Cathedral takes place on Jan. 9.
Wabasso took down last year's Tomahawk Champion Minnesota Valley Lutheran by a score of 47-37 on Dec. 15. Rohlik earned a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds in the game.
"Our conference race is wide open," said Dolan. "We'd like to finish in the top three. But our girls have even bigger goals and that is getting as far as we can in the playoffs. We take it one game at a time and build each week for subsection."
Rohlik has expanded her range in basketball and has become more difficult to defend in the process.
"I competed in an AAU basketball league this past spring," said Rohlik. "We were the Hurricanes. It was a huge experience and we competed against some teams from the cities. It was different than playing conference teams because we never knew anything about our opponents and couldn't prepare."
Most teams are aware that Rohlik has the ability to drive to the hoop, but she can also hit the three-pointer. In a game against Sleepy Eye St. Mary's, Rohlik nailed five from behind the arc en route to scoring 27 points and helping her team earn a 76-49 win.
"I had the chance to be a forward in the AAU league," said Rohlik. "I learned some different moves and now I feel like I can bring more options to the team. I was able to drive and shoot from the outside. Most teams know what I could do in the past, but defenders don't know I can shoot from the outside now too."
While Wabasso still has over half of its season remaining, Dolan is optimistic that the team will continue to be competitive and be a legitimate contender in the post-season.
"The girls and I have lofty goals," Dolan said. "The girls have had to learn a brand new system this year, but we are 6-2. I've always coached that if we work hard and play well, we have a chance. If the girls believe that, anything can happen."
Both of Wabasso's losses, to Cedar Mountain/Comfrey and RRC, came at the hands of undefeated teams.
"We're excited for rematches," said Dolan. "Two or three teams from our conference usually get to state. Last year it was MVL and CMC. Playing those kind of teams will help us get ready for the post-season."
Rohlik is pumped and ready to do whatever it takes to keep winning.
"I've never had a season like we're having," Rohlik said. "Our coach's belief in us is great, and in return, we believe in him. It's also nice to have community support. Our goal is always to get to state, and we know that anybody has a chance at section. We want to go out and prove that we can the team to beat."
