Pretz signs with DMACC hoops

It was a big day for Columbus senior Kelsey Pretz on Friday.

The Wildcat, who earned two third-team All State selections for her play on the basketball court, officially signed to play college basketball with Des Moines Area Community College, helping set her future in motion.

?It?s exciting because a couple of weeks ago I wasn?t sure if I wanted to continue,? Pretz said. ?It?s very exciting and especially toward the end of the year.?

With the decision being tough, the senior said that after falling to West Branch in the second round of the playoffs, she knew that she couldn?t hang up her basketball cleats.

?I knew after we lost in the second round at districts,? Pretz said. ?I knew I had a passion for it, and I wanted a career in basketball.?

That passion is what DMACC head coach Steve Krafcisin  wanted to add to his team, and he said he knows he has as good a person as a basketball player.

?First you look at skill, if she?s good enough, but then you look at her passion,? Pretz said. ?She certainly has that and I like that. I want to be a part of that, and everyone has said great things about her. She?s humble, thankful, a teammate, and whenever you came and watched her play, you never got the sense that she?s a prima donna, and she certainly could have been.?

Pretz led the Wildcats in numerous stat categories this season, averaging 19.4 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game to go with 89 steals, 13 blocks, and a shooting percentage of 53.1 percent.

Pretz also finished second on the team with 49 assists.

The senior thinks that the style of play that made her successful at Columbus will carry over to the school she?ll start with in the fall.

?It?s close to our program at Columbus,? Pretz said. ?The defense is amazing, and shooting is my strong point. That?s part of their program, and their coaching staff is awesome. I love Coach (Krafcisin). I haven?t even started yet and I love the guy.?

She is also hoping to expand her role on the court, as Krafcisin said she?ll most likely be utilized in a No. 3, or small forward role, as opposed to the 5 position she was utilized in during high school.

?Next year I want to get stronger,? Pretz said. ?College ball is faster and more intense, but shooting more 3s is going to be my goal this year. I want to widen out my shooting.?

When looking back on her career, she had a few moments that stood out to her as the most memorable, but overall said that her final year as a Wildcat topped everything.

?My sophomore year was special because I got to play on the court with my sister, but my senior year was amazing,? Pretz said. ?There were only two (seniors), and we accomplished so much. I would say that was my favorite year.?