HEFTE, SEEGER MAKING ADJUSTMENT
THE TWO FORMER LOCAL PREP STARS ARE DOING MORE WATCHING THAN PLAYING FOR THE BADGERS.
Wisconsin State Journal
Madison
Dec 22, 1999
Authors: Jon Masson Sports reporter
Leah Hefte and Kristi Seeger came to the University of Wisconsin realizing
that their roles would be far different from their days as high school
basketball standouts.
Hefte, a 5-foot-11 freshman guard-forward from McFarland, and Seeger,a
6-0 freshman forward from Stoughton, were potent scorers and primary options
as high school players.
They are adjusting to college life while serving as reserves for the Badgers
(5-3), who will play Purdue on Dec. 30 after the breakfor exams and Christmas.
They are finding the college game to be faster and the players to be quicker
and more athletic.
"I just want to do whatever I can to help the team," said Hefte, who has
averaged 5.3 minutes per game after appearing in six of UW's games. "If
that means sitting on the bench and cheering, that's what I'll do. If it
means working hard in practice, that's what I'll do."
Hefte is 1-for-5 from the field this season. She scored her first, and
only, collegiate basket on a jumper in UW's 81-80 double- overtime victory
over Northeastern at Coca-Cola Classic on Nov. 28 in Piscataway, N.J.
Seeger has played in one game - against Rutgers in the same tournament
on Nov. 27. She recently was sidelined by a concussion, having been hit
in the head twice within five days, the second time after taking an elbow
to the head from teammate Nina Smith during practice Dec. 9. Seeger was
cleared medically to resume practice on Dec. 15.
"Every day you learn so much," Seeger said. "It's exciting to see how far
you've come since the first day when you're so scared. We didn't know what
to expect coming into it. Now I think we both know what our roles are on
the team and we are trying to work hard in practice . . . and we are waiting
our turn."
Seeger is a backup to small forward LaTonya Sims and to power forward Jessie
Stomski. Hefte plays behind Sims and off-guards Tamara Moore, Kelley Paulus
and Kyle Black.
"I've been real pleased with them," said UW coach Jane Albright, who had
no plans to redshirt either player. "They are doing everything they can
do. They are waiting in the wings (behind) some kids who have more experience.
They both came in in excellent shape. I think they have improved in our
system. I appreciate their patience."
Seeger and Hefte are part of Albright's freshman class, which includes
much-acclaimed center Nina Smith and point guard Candas Smith, a first-team
All-State selection from Madison West High School. Hefte and Nina Smith
are roommates.
"It's nice to come home and talk to someone about practice, who knows what
you are talking about and knows how you are feeling," Hefte said.
Hefte averaged 21.1 points per game as a senior, leading McFarland to an
undefeated season and the WIAA Division 2 state title. Hefte, a first-team
All-State selection and the Wisconsin State Journal's All- Area Player
of the Year, had a record-setting state tournament appearance. She scored
67 points in two games, including 34 in the championship game against Campbellsport.
Seeger, a third-team All-State pick, averaged 15.8 points and 9.4 rebounds
per game for Stoughton as a senior. She missed three games during the regular
season and her team's WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal loss to Watertown
due to walking pneumonia.
To meet the higher standards at the collegiate level, Hefte and Seeger
have worked on improving their conditioning and shooting, trying to make
sure their shots won't be blocked.
"We learn something every single day," Hefte said. "You are like a sponge,
intaking everything the coaches give you. Hopefully, as the year progresses,
we'll get in the flow a little more and get into the games a little more.
I just go in and try to do the best I can. I know I may not score, but
I try to do the little things to help the team." The two former local prep
stars are doing more watching than playing for the Badgers.