Andersen’s growth leads the way for Mukwonago

Natalie Andersen’s emergence this season might have been a surprise to those who don’t see her on a regular basis, but Mukwonago coach Rick Kolinske saw this coming.

Check out his all-area nomination for the 6-foot junior forward from a year ago.

"Natalie is a game changer,” he wrote. “Her combination of length, speed and athleticism makes her a tough guard for a lot of teams. She is able to post smaller defenders and use her quickness against bigger defenders. She is one of the most athletic players that I have ever coached.”

What he saw then, we all saw much more of this season.

Andersen has continued to make strides. She went from a freshman averaging 4.5 points per game to scoring 10 points per game last season. This year she raised her average almost seven points and shared the conference player of the year award in the Classic 8 with Arrowhead senior Caitlyn Harper.

Andersen arrives at the state tournament fresh off a 28-point effort in the sectional final against Madison East and is averaging 25.8 points per game in the postseason.

Kolinske sees increased confidence in her play.

“It’s playing with that confidence that she’s doing now where she’s really taking over games," he said. “We’re excited to see her come out of her shell like that.”

Andersen is part of a talented core that also features junior Grace Beyer, a three-year starter who was the conference player of the year last season, and sophomore guard Angie Cera, a UW-Milwaukee recruit. Add junior guard Kat Lopez and sophomore forward Dru Henning and Mukwonago has one of the best starting fives around.

“One of the things we’ve been talking about all year is that it’s about the team and that it’s not about individual players,” Kolinske said. “That is something these players have really bought into. If they hadn’t, I don’t think we’d be in the situation we are today.”

Mukwonago at a glance

Coach: Rick Kolinske, fifth year. Record: 24-2, 15-1 Classic 8 (tied for first).

Key players: Natalie Andersen, 6-0, jr., F, 17.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.2 apg; Grace Beyer, 5-8, jr., G, 14.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4 apg; Angie Cera, 5-11, soph., G, 11.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg; Kat Lopez, 5-8, jr., G, 8.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.7 apg; Dru Henning, 5-10, soph., F, 8.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.5 apg.