By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
DE PERE – When De Pere High School senior Ben Basten completes his spring baseball campaign, he will have played a combined 12 sports seasons for the Redbirds.
“It’s been a grind,” said Basten, who is the son of Neil and Julie Basten. “There were times it was difficult, but my parents pushed me to keep going. When the baseball season ends this spring, I’ll be proud to say I did it. I haven’t had much time off in my high school career.”
Basten is currently a valuable cog on the basketball team but also ran cross country at De Pere.
“Ben is one of those guys who is always smiling,” said De Pere head coach Brian Winchester. “The relationship I have with Ben is a blast. Even when we have our moments on the court, he snaps back quickly. He’s worked hard and put his time in during the summer.”
Basten, who plans to attend Marian University in Fond du Lac to study sports/recreational management and play basketball, has mutual respect for his coach.
“He’s intense, but I like it,” he said. “Coach knows what he’s doing and has a great feel for the game. He knows every player’s strengths and what to do in certain spots. I like playing for him.”
Basten said football would have been fun, but because basketball is his favorite of the three sports, he didn’t want to get hurt on the gridiron.
His most memorable sports moment is about current De Pere basketball varsity assistant coach Brian Pritzl.
“He was trying to jog backward, tripped over the volleyball line and fell all the way to halfcourt,” said Basten, who describes himself as funny, caring and unique. “I’ll never forget that. On the other end of it, my most embarrassing moment happened in baseball. We were doing batting practice, and I was attempted a bunt. I bunted the ball, but it didn’t go forward – it came back and hit me under the helmet in the face.”
When asked which teammate would make for a good reality television show, Basten didn’t hesitate.
“Senior Ethan Hohol is so funny,” he said. “If things are going bad at practice and I need a laugh, I look to him.”
Basten said sophomore Max Donaldson is the quietest teammate.
Basten’s dad attended Green Bay Preble, while his mom is from Two Rivers.
The Basten family has always been into athletics.
Christopher, Ben’s older brother, played baseball and is currently a junior at UW-Madison.
“My sister Caroline is 17 and a junior, and Katherine is 14 and a freshman,” Basten said. “Caroline does cross country and Katherine is into cross country and soccer. My dad played basketball and baseball.”
In his free time, Basten likes to watch movies and television, play video games and hang out with friends.
He also likes math, Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo, cookies and cream ice cream, pizza and Christmas.
Basten said he’d like to be remembered at De Pere as being athletic, nice and a hard worker in both academics and sports.