The 2016-17 girls basketball season is barely a month old, and already, Vannessa Garrelts has put herself in Marian Central Catholic's (MCC) record book.
Garrelts, a 5-foot-5 junior point guard for the Hurricanes, torched the nets for 33 points in MCC's 55-41 win over Alden-Hebron on Nov. 29 at home. That output by her broke the old program record for most points in a game, set in 1989 by Patti Wightman, when she scored 31 points in a game.
Garrelts told the McHenry Times in an email interview that she would like to break as many records as possible. However, she has other goals that take precedence.
“At the beginning of the year, my teammates and I chose goals for all of us to strive and achieve," Garrelts said. "I will always strive to achieve the team goal above one of my own goals because my teammates come first."
After nine games, according to www.maxpreps.com, the Hurricanes had a 5-4 record, and Garrelts was the driving force, with her 18.4-points-per-game average, according to statistics from Head Coach Anthony Powe. Her scoring average is up over last season, when she notched 16 points a game to go with five assists and four steals per contest.
Powe told the McHenry Times what makes Garrelts a great player, praising her work ethic and drive to improve her game, as well as her high basketball IQ.
“She is a team-first player, a leader, and does everything with passion and humility,” Powe said. “She pushes her teammates to improve and be their best always. Vannessa always does it the right way without shortcuts.”
Basketball has been a part of her family's life for years, Garrelts said. She and her siblings were coached by their father, Stephen, in grade school. Garrelts' interest in sports only grew over the years, but with busy family schedules, she had to pare the sports she played. Garrelts went full-time with the sport that always has been her favorite.
“I love the game of basketball," Garrelts said. "It is as simple as that. The sport makes me grow as a person on and off the court, and I can easily say basketball has had a huge impact in my life. I am a very competitive person, so just the speed of the game, the contact and intensity are all attractive to me.”
Garrelts was made team captain last season as a sophomore, which she considered an honor from her teammates.
“From them choosing me as a captain, I knew I had to step up to the plate, and that is really what a varsity sport makes you do,” she said.
Garrelts said she wants to play NCAA Division I basketball once her playing days at Marian Central are over. As for right now, Garrelts said she thinks she is doing good this season, but that she believes there is room to improve.
“Overall, I am happy with where I am at, but just because I am happy doesn't mean I am satisfied,” she said.
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