Q&A with Celeste Ratka

By Erik Buchinger

The Hortonville girls’ basketball team came one win away from the state tournament in the 2015-16 season, and the Polar Bears return talented players, including Division 1 college basketball commits Shay Frederick and Morgan Allen.

Head coach Celeste Ratka answered 10 questions about the upcoming season.

Year coaching the team: 1st.

Returning players (grade): Olivia Griesbach (Sr.), Mikayla Miller (Sr.), Whitney Baumann (Sr.), Claire Van Beek (Sr.), Morgan Allen (Sr.), Shay Frederick (Jr.), Alaina Sabourin (Jr.).

Players to watch (grade): Morgan Allen (Sr.), Shay Frederick (Sr.), Jordan Martin (Jr.).

Team goals/expectations: To learn how to seek excellence in everything that they do.

Team’s strengths: The team has displayed a complete “buy in” to a new system. Their eagerness to learn and become students of the game has been absolutely remarkable.

Team’s weaknesses: Since we are a brand new staff, we have a large learning curve to overcome. There is lots of new information to teach and concepts to adjust to.

Teams to beat in conference: Every game is important. Our approach to each and every team on our schedule will be the same.

Biggest games on the schedule: The next game on the schedule is most important and will require all of our focus and attention. Our preparation will be consistent regardless of our opponent.

What you want players to get out of this season: I want them to learn how to handle adversity and what it means to give your absolute best. My hope is that they will apply these skills throughout the rest of their lives.

Why fans should be excited for this team: Fans should be excited to see the growth throughout the season. Our team will strive to get better every day and put in the work to live with any result that may occur.