As he entered the final season of his basketball career, senior Michael Werzinger had one goal on his mind: lead the Owls to victory. Since he first stepped foot on the gym floor, Werzinger has had a passion like no other for the sport of basketball. “I’ve been playing basketball for my entire life, and I have been around [the] sport my whole childhood,” he reflected.
Throughout his career, Werzinger has had some especially fond experiences that he cherishes dearly. The most notable memories are of his travel tournaments on his Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team. “We would stay in a hotel and get to hang out and mess around all day [in between] games,” Werzinger reminisced. While AAU is essential for the improvement of one’s game, players often form strong bonds with their teammates and coaches alike, which can deepen one’s love for the game of basketball.
Werzinger had his best game of the season, on Dec. 20, as he racked up 13 points during a blowout win against Mineola. As a captain, Werzinger is looked up to by his teammates, including junior Cooper Cordes. “It’s a great feeling to have Mike as a role model,” Cordes explained. “Mike is a player who leads by example and keeps a positive attitude, which is something I look up to,” he added. Cordes feels he has a special connection with Werzinger that allows for a collaborative relationship. “Since Mike and I are both point guards, we always share similar ideas and learn from each other. Mike is unselfish, and during games and practices, he will give tips to me based on things that he sees.” Cordes feels especially confident in Werzinger’s “ability to balance having fun and competing.” Cordes added, “[Werzinger] knows when it’s time to have fun but can quickly lock in when it’s time to [work].”
“I think that I bring composure and leadership to the court,” Werzinger said when asked about his attributes. Werzinger finds it essential to lead his teammates in a calm and collected manner. “I try to keep cool during the game [so] I can effectively lead my teammates,” he furthered. Head Coach Brian Donaldson attested to this, complimenting how “[Werzinger] controls the flow of the game and helps guys to focus on the task required to win games.” Donaldson added, “Over the years, Mike has had the ability to be the calming presence, which allows him to play so freely.”
When asked about who his biggest supporters have been throughout his career, Werzinger said, without a doubt, his parents. “My biggest supporters are definitely my mom and dad; they have never missed a single one of my games, and they have always wanted to watch me,” Werzinger commented. Moreover, Werzinger elaborated on how his parents are always encouraging him to improve: “They show me support all the time, but I have definitely heard some harsh criticism from them.”
Werzinger is a star on and off the court, venerated both academically and athletically. “Over the three years I have coached Mike, he has grown tremendously as a student athlete,” Donaldson explained. “He is hard-working in both the classroom and on the court and has grown into his role as a leader of both the team and community,” he added. Furthermore, Donaldson’s confidence in Werzinger led him to be honored with the role of “Speaking Captain” for the year, “[H]e is a guy everyone on the team can aspire to when it comes to handling the big moments,” Donaldson said.
Although Werzinger does not plan to continue playing basketball after this season, he hopes to continue working until the season is over. When asked about what advice Werzinger has for younger players, he said, “Always keep working at your craft. There is always something you can do better as a player, and staying focused will make you a better overall basketball player.”
