CHEBOYGAN – Addison Ptasnik’s high school basketball career is ending soon.
But once she graduates, she’ll continue her basketball journey as a member of the Alpena Community College women’s basketball team.
Ptasnik, a senior point guard for the Cheboygan Chiefs, officially signed for ACC last week.
Ptasnik caught up with the Daily Tribune for a Q&A, discussing her decision to join ACC, some basketball memories, and more.
Q: You’ll be playing college hoops. What does it mean to you?
Ptasnik: It’s definitely a big accomplishment and something that I’m really excited about.
Q: How informative was Coach Karl Momrik during this recruiting process and how much are you looking forward to playing for him at ACC?
Ptasnik: I’m looking forward to it a lot. He’s great. He’s very open with everything, giving me all the details, and he’s going to be a good coach.
Q: Of all your teammates, who’s the toughest to go up against in practice and why?
Ptasnik: I’d have to say probably Cloee (Rupp), because she’s tall and she’s also a good shooter, and also when I go up against Liv (Patrick), she’s a really good defender.
Q: Who’s the funniest teammate you’ve ever played with?
Ptasnik: Probably Caleigh (Easter). She’s one of my closest friends. She’s hilarious.
Q: Was there ever an awkward moment you had on the court, but one you laughed about?
Ptasnik: I remember my sophomore year on (junior varsity), I got the ball on a breakaway, but it really wasn’t because I started going to the opposite hoop, so it was towards the other team’s hoop, and I think I had Amber Gahn running right next to me because we both thought it was our hoop, and everyone was yelling, and I was thinking they were cheering for me to go for the layup, but then I realized they were telling me not to because it wasn’t the right hoop.
Q: Team or individually, who’s the most difficult opponent you’ve gone up against?
Ptasnik: I think the Sault is difficult because as a whole team, we sometimes mentally think we can’t beat them so we’re not going to, but they’re definitely very beatable. It’s just a mental block, I think.
Q: Who’s a non-teammate or non-coach that you’ve always looked up to?
Ptasnik: Definitely my mom. She played basketball and she’s helped me while I’ve been growing up. She definitely helps me with my motivation, and she taught me a lot with shooting, and she introduced me to Coach (Ed) Jeannotte, because she liked him as a coach.
Q: I’m sure coach Walter Hanson helped you in this recruiting process. How much has playing for Hanson helped build you into a better player?
Ptasnik: Definitely a lot because when you go to an open gym, he’s always there to help you with anything. After practice, he’ll help you with shooting and all those things.
Q: What’s the one thing you’ve enjoyed most about playing in this program?
Ptasnik: Definitely not just practicing skills, but practicing coming together as a team and all the team bonding activities we do.
Q: What will you miss the most about playing in the Cheboygan program?
Ptasnik: The entire team and the games we play together, and the times before a game where we listen to a song to get us pumped up.
Q: What is the key to success at the college level?
Ptasnik: I think it’s maintaining practice and consistency and not stopping that because now I’m in college.
Q: What’s your advice to younger kids who might aspire to play college hoops one day?
Ptasnik: Just to not give up. I know it’s pretty basic, but when you think you’re really bad at something, you keep telling yourself that then you’re going to be bad at it, but if you’re like, “Well, I’m just going to get better,” then you will.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan’s Addison Ptasnik discusses decision to join ACC in Q&A
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
