Local prep standouts return home as seniors
In her freshman season at Wisconsin, 5’2” guard Ronnie Porter from St. Paul scored her season-high seven points against the Gophers. Last season as a senior she poured in a career-high 23 points vs. Minnesota.
The Como Park graduate, who scored 2,174 points, averaging nearly 23 points a game, a four-time all-conference performer and two-time all-stater, went from being a freshman walk-on to play 27 games as a full-time starter with two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention the last two seasons. Porter also led the Badgers in assists two consecutive seasons and among the team leaders in scoring, rebounding and steals.
“No regrets at all. I would do it all over again,” said Porter last Sunday after her fourth and final time playing as a visitor at Williams Arena. Despite her team’s 88-53 defeat to the host Gophers — Porter finished with nine points, three assists and a rebound — “It’s always great to come back home and play your hometown school,” the squad’s only Minnesotan pointed out afterwards. “I appreciate everyone that came out. You don’t get that crowd in Wisconsin, everybody who cheered anytime I did something.”
Originally recruited and signed by former UW coach Malisa Moseley, Porter opted to stay after the coach resigned after last season and play for first-year HC Robin Pingeton, her first non-Black coach. Porter’s high school coach was her mother, Olanda England.
“Coach P is an amazing woman,” noted the senior guard on Pingeton. “She showed me life outside basketball, and that was someone who I wanted to lead me in my last season. I think I made the best choice.”
Porter plans to graduate in May with a degree in social work, human development, and family studies.
Finally…
It was alumni weekend at Minnesota as many former MBB and WBB Gophers were recognized at halftime of both MBB and WBB contests on successive days. MSR talked to several of them.
“It’s always a sisterhood,” said Kim Bell (1998-2002).
Kathie Eiland-Madison (1976-78) added, “To come back with our teammates, particularly teammates of color” is exciting as well, added Kathie Eiland-Madison (1976-78).
“A good time to see players from different decades,” stressed Joe Coleman (2005-08).
“It’s just a blessing” to be recognized among so many former Gophers, concluded Bakary Konate (2015-18).
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
Former St. Thomas guard finds happiness with Huskers
Former St. Thomas guard finds happiness with Huskers
Kendall Blue made the most of his homecoming, hitting a late three at Williams Arena as Nebraska remained unbeaten in a historic season.