By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The talent was top-notch.
Conference player of the year Madison Blair was the leading scorer, but Jenna Bouffiou, Shauna Malchine and Tiffany Stiewe made for a fearsome foursome.
Toss in four more seniors, and the experienced Lady Wolverines finished 23-3 and were a few minutes from advancing to the Division 2 state championship game in 2015.
The woman in charge was head coach Dena Brechtl, who inspired the girls to Waterford’s best season in 10 years.
For her efforts, Brechtl has been named the 2015 All-Western Racine County Coach of the Year.
In fact, the Waterford graduate recently sold her house in Burlington and is returning to the community she loves.
“This community means so much to both of us, as we are both WUHS grads,” Brechtl said about her and her husband. “We love giving back to the community that gave us so many opportunities and can’t wait to move in.”
Waterford Post Sports Editor Mike Ramczyk recently spoke with Brechtl about her passion for coaching and this year’s team.
MR: How fulfilling was 2015 for you, both personally and professionally?
DB: It was a remarkable year in so many ways. As a coach I obviously truly enjoyed the success the girls basketball program had and was able to make a nice tournament run. It obviously did not end the way I wanted it to, but the ride was awesome and there were so many high points along the way, including a great winning streak and conference championship.
As a teacher I was also honored in April as a recipient of the Herb Kohl Fellowship award. What an honor that was, as I spend a great deal of time preparing myself to not only be the best coach I can be each day, but also make a difference in each of my student’s lives.
In addition, my husband and I sold our house in Burlington and are now almost done building in Waterford. Our children (Jayce – 7, Aly and Kayla – 5) are almost just as excited as we are.
MR: Take me through your new season so far? How challenging has it been to replace such immense talent?
DB: Yes, without a doubt, replacing the talent has been tough. The seniors last year played the game day in and day out and knew the game very well. Their talent level was high and you always knew that on a given night at least one girl would be on. They had big goals and worked hard to reach them. They were leaders both on the court and off the court.
This year, I love the new challenge. I have a group of wonderful, hard-working young ladies that need my guidance in learning the game and becoming a competitive team. It is so rewarding to see them grow, and I get so excited over the small things sometimes.
MR: Looking back on last season, are you pleased with your team’s results? Do you have any regrets?
DB: I am very pleased. As stated earlier, I would have loved to climb one more step. We were right there and things just did not go our way. If I had one regret, it would be to change a couple of our press breaking and half-court defensive plans during the sectional final game. I felt like we let a few things go a little too long and made adjustments just a little too late. I am not one to blame refs, but they definitely did not help us out.
MR: Was it your first trip to a sectional final? How important was it for the program to reach that level? What will it take to return?
DB: I have went to a sectional final as a player and assistant. During both my junior and senior seasons we went to sectional finals and lost both of them. That definitely left a sour taste in my mouth, and I was ready to help this team get past a point that felt so disappointing to me back in 1999 and 2000.
In order to return to sectionals, we are going to need to get players to dedicate themselves to the game as much as many of the seniors did. They are going to need to work hard in the offseason and make some improvements. From there we will have to step up our competitive nature and gain confidence in our ability to compete with the best teams.
MR: In your personal opinion, what makes a good coach?
DB: Wow, tough one. I wish I knew what actually made a good coach, because I am one that loves to learn and would do just that. However, I do believe a good coach is one that views winning in more than wins and losses.
They put the team first but understand that every athlete is still an individual and might need you more than you will ever know. A good coach must not just teach the skills and strategy of the game, but also teaches athletes the skills they will need off the floor to be the most successful adult they can be. I love that part of my job. There are times I disappoint people, including my athletes, but there are so many times that I feel I have done something that guides them or helps them through good times or bad. It is so rewarding.
MR: Do you keep in touch with your seniors from last year? What do you remember the most about them? What do you miss?
DB: Yes, I definitely keep in touch. Many of them catch up with me when I am home and were babysitters for my children (and still do babysit when they are home). With the world of social media we communicate a great deal. They are all going to be very successful adults, and that is so fun to watch.
I will always remember not only their success on the court, but their growth in coming together as a team. That was the most rewarding part of coaching them. It took me quite a while to figure out how to get them to click and be on the same page, but once we did it was so exciting.
MR: In conclusion, what is the future of Waterford girls basketball? Do you plan on staying at the school for the rest of your career?
DB: I am not ever leaving Waterford. I love this place. There is no place I would rather be. This community has a huge spot in my heart and I love helping the students and athletes here. In terms of basketball, I love coaching and could not image my life without it. The job has become a tough one, as the season is not November to March but instead May to November with the youth program and off season stuff, but I have always liked challenges and have never been much of a quitter, so here I go.
My children are old enough now that they spend a lot of time with me in the gym and what better place for a kid to be than running around a big gym.
Meet Dena Brechtl
Favorite movie: “Blind Side”
Favorite song: “My Wish,” by Rascal Flatts
Basketball is: a passion of mine.
I coach basketball because: I love making a difference in the lives of so many young ladies. Every winter I have a family of one husband, one son, two young daughters and 15 teenage daughters.
Pregame ritual or meal? I can’t eat before a game. Before games I always call my husband, Adam, and see if he has any last-second advice for me and check in with the kiddos.
I then find and read a good quote (always try to find a new one), write on my play card, fill out my scorebook and chat with my assistant coaches about everything but basketball.
If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My grandmother, Nancy Hegemann, who unexpectedly passed away when I was 19. To this day I wish she was here to experience life with me.
She would adore my children and be so excited about the girls basketball team I was coaching each year. She was a big supporter of mine and always made me feel like a million bucks.
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