By Cynthia Scott

There was never a doubt in Breann Stottlerís mind that she wanted to continue playing basketball after high school. The Rush City standout, perennial all-conference honoree‚ and self-described ìgym ratî thrives on the hardwood, and she wasnít about to let a little thing like leaving high school get in the way of her passion for the game.

The only question was whether or not she has what it takes to play at the next level.

Consider the question answered. Stottler, a freshman at Mesabi Range Community College in Virginia, Minn., has worked her way into a starting position for the Lady Norse, who play in the Minnesota Community College Conference.

Stottler did not anticipate doing so well so quickly.

ìI did not expect to start. But I work my rear off in practice. For me to come out and start was really good. I was just amazed,î Stottler said.

Playing at the next level has brought numerous challenges. For one thing, she said, practices under Lady Norse Coach Dan Zbosnik are more intense than anything she experienced in high school or AAU summer league play.

ìWe have to be talking to each other at all times, and we run alot. Everything is more serious because everyone wants to be there,î she said.

Zbosnik, who calls Stottler ìBî, said she has stepped up to the challenges of college ball.

ìBreann brings great intensity and plays with high energy. Every time she takes to the floor I know what to expect from her. She loves to compete and places high expectations on her own performance.î

Stottler said the biggest difference between high school and junior college games is the 30-second shot clock.

ìIím used to having more time. Also, the speed of the game is really different,î she said.

Another challenge is the travel. Already this season the team has traveled as far north as Winnipeg and as far south as Worthington, which makes for long bus rides and late nights.

In spite of the new challenges, Stottler believes her game has improved.

ìOh yeah, itís definitely improved. I donít score as much as I used to, but I didnít expect to. My job is to dish the ball. I get a lot more different looks than in high school, and I play against a lot more athletic girls,î Stottler said.

One person who is not surprised at Stottlerís success is Stuart Lang, who coached her throughout her high school career at Rush City. Lang is now the head girlsí basketball coach at South St. Paul High School.

ìBreann is the most competitive girl I have ever coached,î Lang said. ìShe is excelling at Mesabi, mostly because she will never be outworked. Breann will accomplish whatever she wants in life because of her work ethic. If I could be so lucky as to have a player like Breann Stottler on my team every year, coaching would be easy,î Lang said.

Stottler, who is studying dental hygiene at the two-year college, said she loves college life, even though she misses her friends and parents, Brian and Julie Stottler. And, she admitted, ìsometimes itís really hard to go to classes.î

For now Stottler is focused on the rest of the Lady Norseís season, but her goal after Mesabi is to move on to play at a four-year college.

ìI would like to stay in Minnesota and play, but Iíll go wherever basketball takes me,î she said.

To see the full Lady Norse schedule, go to the college website at www.mr.mnscu.edu.

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