New London looks to continue success with Flease

NEW LONDON - New London opened the season Monday with a 39-22 win at Appleton East to stretch its winning streak to 43 games.

Nonetheless, the state’s longest winning streak isn’t on the minds of the Bulldogs girls basketball team right now. Maybe because New London is going through transition.

After New London won its second straight state title last season coach Troy Krause stepped down, leaving a huge void in a big-time program. In an effort to keep the program going New London hired a familiar face to replace Krause – Andrea Flease, who helped the Bulldogs reach their first two state tournaments in 2006 and 2007.

Flease played at New London not that long ago and one day hoped to return on the bench.

"My dream was to come back here and coach,” she said. “I didn't know it would come this soon. I have the opportunity so I had to take it."

Flease, who played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was a student assistant last season for the Pointers, wasn’t an unknown as a coach to the players.

"She always coached summer league for the past few years with us, so we all knew her,” said senior Brenna Heise, the only returning starter. “So it was an easy transition to have her as a coach."

Flease may not have a ton of coaching experience, but at the age of 24 she's been able to establish a rapport with her players quite easily.

"At first I thought maybe it could be a problem, because I'm more close in age,” Flease said. “But I think these girls really do understand respect and knowing that I'm the one in charge and they're going to listen. They've done a real good job of buying into what I'm saying."

"We can relate to her really easily,” Heise said. “She played high school basketball. She knows how we work and so we're learning how she works, so it's really nice having a younger girl with us."

Flease said her coaching style comes from Krause and UW-Stevens Point coach Shirley Egner. Based on the first game, defense will be a hallmark of Flease’s teams, just like it was for Krause.

After allowing 13 points to East in the first quarter, New London allowed a total of nine points the rest of the game. Flease said the players stepped up.

“I think they know what needs to be done,” Flease said. “Force ‘em baseline, really pressuring and getting the help defense there and we got it done.”

Flease was an all-round player durig her career and the players actually saw their coach play.

"She was crazy,” Heise said. “She was all over the place; she never got tired. She would play the entire game. It was awesome to watch."

Friday, the Bulldogs host Luxemburg-Casco in Flease’s first home game as a coach. With Flease leading the way, New London hopes to continue its success.

"I expect us to go real far,” Heise said. “Hopefully we'll finish at the top of the conference and then make a strong run to the postseason."

Follow Doug Ritchay on Twitter @dougritchay

doug.ritchay@wluk.com