Fort Madison, IA- The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ basketball team had one of their best seasons in their program’s history this past winter, an exclamation mark to former head coach Tony Johnson’s career. Stepping up this season will be Shawn Hopper.
Johnson stepped down in March after contemplating if he had the time to both tend to his business and coach the team. After nine years, he decided that he did not have the energy to continue coaching.
Hopper, aged 52, was coaching the junior high basketball teams two years ago before catapulting his way to an assistant coach for Johnson this last season. Now, he takes over the program that has seen great success under Johnson’s rule.
In his nine seasons at the helm, Johnson collected a 134-96 record with six winning seasons, which tripled the program’s amount.
Last year, with the help of Mary Kate Bendlage’s record-breaking senior season, the Crusaders finished as the SEISC South Division and Shootout champions with a 20-3 record, falling to Montezuma in the regional semifinal.
Hopper inherits a team that graduated three starters: Bendlage, Natalie Randolph, and Reagan Holvoet. The trio provided an average of nearly 39 points and 17 rebounds per game.
Nevertheless, the team has plenty of experience returning in starters Anna Bendlage and Teagen Snaadt, who will be seniors, along with Presley Myers and Adalyn Kruse.
Hopper does not plan on changing the philosophy of the team with a pressure defense leading into quick buckets in transition. The transition has certainly been quick for Hopper, but he knows Johnson will be there if he needs him,
“…I’m sure I’ll have Tony on speed dial in case I have any questions.”
The regular season will start on December 3rd for the Crusaders with a home matchup against Central Lee.