Saturday, October 12, 2024
By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Maddy Schreiber, a 2021 Kimberly High School graduate and current member of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball team, has already made a name for herself in the program.
Through 10 games, the freshman is averaging more than 25 minutes and eight points per game.
“I absolutely love it at Green Bay,” Schreiber said. “I love the team, atmosphere and how much everyone cares about us. We put in the hard work – we’re all friends.”
When asked if she knows beyond the shadow of a doubt if Green Bay is the right place for her, Schreiber had a quick response.
“Yes,” she laughed.
Schreiber is first on the team in field-goal percentage (47%), 3-point field goal percentage (40%) and rebounds per game (4.6).
She’s second among Phoenix players in free-throw percentage (87.5%), scoring per game (8.4) and total blocks (four).
“From my first game to now, it’s gotten easier playing (at the college level),” Schreiber said. “I’ve relaxed and gotten into the groove of things. Our team understands how to play together. Overall, I’ve had a good start, so I have to keep working hard. I have to give credit to my team.”
Schreiber said her biggest challenge 10 games into her college career has been moving positions.
“Coach has put me at a 2 or a 3, but now I’m also at a 4 to guard big,” she said. “Switching positions has been a challenge, so that’s something I need to keep working at.”
The Phoenix, led by Head Coach Kevin Borseth, are off to a 6-4 overall start and are 2-2 in the Horizon League.
“I absolutely love Coach,” Schreiber said. “Most people only see one side to him – the coaching side – but we all see the true self of him. There are great things about him in practice where we get chuckling. He has his coaching side and his fun side. I’m getting to know him much better. It’s been a great ride so far.”
After a strong game in Green Bay’s 63-53 victory over Wisconsin Dec. 12, Schreiber was named the Horizon League Freshman of the Week.
In that 10-point win, she scored eight points and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.
Schreiber also dished out three assists, shot 3-for-7 from the floor and 2-for-3 from beyond the 3-point line.
“That was a great honor,” she said. “I don’t have much to say about it. With Bailey (Butler) getting (the honor) the week before me, we know we have to put the effort in. The game is lots faster, and the girls are bigger and stronger. With the four freshmen we have this year, it’s a special class – we have some good years to come.”
Besides the 6-foot Schreiber and Butler, Callie Gehnke and Jenna Guyer are the other true freshmen on the roster.
Before coming to Green Bay, Schreiber was a standout player at Kimberly.
Playing in the rugged Fox Valley Association, she scored 1,482 career points in 96 games (15.4 points per game), including pumping in 19.5 points per game her senior year.
“I enjoyed playing there,” Schreiber, who started as a freshman, said. “It was an exciting time in my life, and I got to play around talented girls, some who are also playing at the next level.”
Playing close to home, Schreiber said her family sees her play often.
“My parents try to make it to every game,” she said. “With Kimberly also having its high school season now, not too many friends have come to watch me play yet, but some watch the live stream. I have a great support system back home.”
