Welcome to this week’s rundown of the Ferris Sports Update, published April 3, 2024!
Kurt Westendorp
Rob Bentley is joined by today’s guest Head Coach, Women’s Basketball Kurt Westendorp to talk about the women’s overall basketball season. The women finished their season off in the final 4. Westendorp states “It’s really rewarding, when you can see the handwork, these ladies put in” Westendorp takes time to express how proud he is of their team and their hard work, which just proves how caring of a coach he is.
The team made it into the elite 8, practicing and preparing for the games. Unfortunately, an injury occurred but that is just a part of the game, and Mallory McCartney was able to push through her injury and play the next game. Coach Westendorp sends his props to TWU and how their team played but knows that his girls did an excellent job at representing Ferris State not just through basketball, but how they are as people and how Bulldogs act off campus. Sadly, they did not get to proceed past the final 4 after a loss to TWU 52-68, but our Bulldogs worked hard and gave it their all. We are proud of how far they were able to go this year. Coach Westendorp plans to come back next year bigger and better and have an amazing season and we know we can count on our Bulldogs to bring their all next year. This season the women finished with an amazing 26-6 overall. Make sure if you see or know a Lady Bulldog team member, you give them big congratulations on their hard work!
Andy Bronkema
Next up, Rob is joined by Men’s Basketball head coach Andy Bronkema. Andy begins by explaining just how much hard work goes into getting as good as they were this season. He talks about how they start right on the first day of school, just to get as much experience as needed. Next, he goes on about how “It’s a great year for basketball here in Big Rapids.”
The Men’s team made it to the Elite 8, having three wins in the regular season and securing six tournament wins in a row! Three of those being in the conference tournament, and the other three were in the national tournament. The bulldog’s season ended after the face-off with Minnesota State, but they gave it their all. Minnesota State was ranked as the number one seed and ultimately ended up winning the championship. According to coach Bronkema, “The game got away from us a little bit, and we couldn’t do our patented comeback.” He gives credit to the other team but explains how proud he is of his guys. He mentions how “the Elite Eight is a huge destination and incredible experience for the eight teams to make it to it.” The Bulldogs ended up down 32-51 at halftime and ended with a loss of 70-98. Coach Bronkema ends his segment by talking about the legacy that each of his six seniors are leaving, and how much hard work and an impact they’ve left behind on the team. “We’re motivated,” says Bronkema, as he explains how everyone is hungry, and motivated to improve their game and be the next guys up. Motivation is high, and big things are to come.
Mallory McCartney
Lastly, Rob is joined by Senior Women’s Basketball Player, Mallory McCartney. She starts by talking about how much this season meant to her and how her and her team’s hard work paid off. The Women’s Basketball team managed to make it to the semi-finals this season, a record for Ferris!
McCartney discusses how all the changes throughout her time on the team only motivated and strengthened her. She found that their games during the regular season helped prepare them for when they got to the regional tournament. They were the first team in Women’s Basketball history to make it to the Elite Eight. McCartney talks about that experience, saying that every part of it was so special, from hanging out at the hotels and eating at new places to playing against their next opponent. Despite just recovering from an injury, McCartney was determined to play in the semi-final game. While it was not the outcome they desired, it is an experience she will never forget. Over her time at Ferris, this team has become family to her, and she is sad to have to leave them next year. They wrap up by discussing the future, which for her, looks like focusing on finishing school and spending time with her team.
Stay tuned for another episode of Ferris Sports Update next week!