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Jonas Emilsson

Is the St. Francis Browns senior girls’ basketball team march to the top of the rankings surprising?

Sure, the season is only two games old and a lot can happen by the time playoffs begin, but respect must be handed to the Browns after they won the Higher Hoops tournament in early December before defeating two perennial powerhouses, Western Canada and Sir Winston Churchill, to start the regular season.
Calgary High School Sports.

What’s even more impressive than their early success is the fact that the team only has two grade 12 players. The rest of the roster is made up grade 11 players facing senior competition for the first time.

One of those grade 12 players is Chelsey Bertsch, a 5’6” point guard that brings some instant energy and resounding leadership to a team that’s quickly separating themselves from the rest of the pack.

Knowing that the team is extremely green and sometimes susceptible to getting intimidated by more experienced teams, Bertsch has embraced the role of a leader to ensure that when push comes to shove, the Browns won’t be afraid to push back.

“My role is to kind of talk everybody through things and because this is my second year as a senior I know all the plays,” said Bertsch. “I just like to keep the spirit up because sometimes our team gets really down on ourselves easily.”
Calgary High School Sports

And when that happens, Bertsch relishes the opportunity to boost the Browns’ confidence, usually by asserting her uncanny ability to pick off a pass during the teams’ smothering full-court press or by fearlessly driving the ball into the paint for a difficult lay up.

According to Browns’ coaching staff, Bertsch’s ability to do everything so well is because of her all-around athleticism.

“She’s a real fire plug,” says Browns’ head coach Diane McClair. She’s very fit because she plays every sport in the school pretty much. She’s a real go-getter and she’s the key to our press. She anticipates really well and I think it’s because she plays so many sports, so she gets it.”

Bertsch’s athleticism makes her a natural at the point guard position for a team that plays an in-your-face defense and an aggressive, attacking style of offense.

“As a point guard my role is to see the entire court and see what the best pass to make at the right time and to call certain plays depending on what the defense is giving us,” says Bertsch.

And if the pass isn’t there, she’ll gladly attack the basket herself.

“She’s our best finisher,” said Browns’ assistant coach Alison Van de Laak. “When Chelsey gets the ball inside she’ll use her body to shield the defender from her so she can score the lay up or she’ll get on the line for foul shots.”

“She brings the energy and she understands the game and she gets the entire team going,” added McClair. “She’s quite the leader for us.”

Kram 5 with Chelsey Bertsch

What is your sneaker of choice? Nike Lebron V
Who is your favorite NBA player? Steve Nash
What is your favorite pre-game meal? Protein bar and a smoothie
What is your favorite TV show? Anything on the Food Network
What school is currently your biggest rival? Bishop O’Byrne