Freshman starter sparks St. Norbert

DE PERE - His signature blonde-tipped hair may draw some attention, but Izaiah Anderson isn't one to brag about his game. Especially on offense.

"I can't really shoot," said Anderson. "I have a hook shot, that's about jr. That's the only way I'm going to score. Rebounding is more of a hustle play."

Hustle is a commodity Anderson can traffic in. The kinetic freshman for St. Norbert leads the Green Knights in rebounding, an aspect of the game the Oshkosh North alum says he particularly enjoys, in addition to excelling at.

That rebounding, plus defense and even a hustle-basket every now and then, propelled Anderson into St. Norbert's starting lineup just three games into the season. It seems to have worked--the Green Knights are riding an 11-game winning streak and sit atop the Midwest Conference standings.  

"He's really made the difference for us defensively," said Green Knights head coach Gary Grzesk. "He's very long, rangy. He anticipates very well, he's a great defensive rebounder."

Being named a starter presented some issues. Anderson says he got the news after a game, but Grzesk had a different type of conversation with the player he was replacing: Paul Appleton, a returning starter out of Kimberly, and a senior. Grzesk admitted the prospect of replacing a senior with a true freshman can be touchy.

"It was definitely tough at the time, but I'm just trying to own that role," said Appleton.

Anderson was also put in something of an odd spot in starting over a team leader.

"I didn't think I deserved it yet," said Anderson. "That's why it was awkward, but things fell into place."

Grzesk said Appleton is actually playing some of the best basketball of his career coming off the bench, though there were some struggles at first. His veteran has also taken the move well.

"[Appleton] really handled it like you hope your seniors would," said Grzesk.

Appleton knows the change could have caused a locker room to simmer, but made it a point from day one to keep that from happening.

"Izaiah is one of my good buddies," said Appleton. "There was never a point where I would've been mad at him or anything. He's just doing a job and he's doing a heck of a job at it."

Anderson is happy things fell into place, as he's able to provide a young piece for St. Norbert to rely in for years to come.

"I wouldn't say [I am] 'satisfied' because I can work on a lot of things," said Anderson. "I'm just out there playing hard."