SOUTH WAYNE - It's ironic how the ball bounces in basketball.
Black Hawk senior Melissa Wellnitz and her freshman sister Jen Wellnitz could have ended up playing basketball for Argyle or Clinton. When the Wellnitz family moved from Clinton into the Black Hawk School District several years ago, they considered the Argyle School District.
Black Hawk has been a perfect fit for the Wellnitz family. Melissa is gearing up to play in her third straight state tournament. Melissa has had the opportunity to play with three of her sisters: Aryn, Kim and now Jen. In Aryn's senior season, the Warriors lost to Sheboygan Christian in a sectional final 33-30 in 2008. Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan is 96-10 since 2008, with the Wellnitz sisters a big part of building the program. Argyle, meanwhile, is 18-69 in the last four seasons.
"I'm glad they went here and not to Argyle or somewhere else," Flanagan said. "You can't get that many good players from the same family very often. They are not just basketball players. They are multiple sport athletes."
Melissa started for the Warriors with Kim for two years and back-to-back runs to state together. Kim is now playing basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Melissa, who will play basketball at Edgewood College next year, is closing out her prep career with Jen at her side.
"I wouldn't want to go anywhere else," Melissa said. "Even in the education field, it has been great."
Melissa averages 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.9 steals per game this season. She's also the focal point of the Warriors' tenacious press defense.
"I figured we would be a good team," Melissa said. "I never imagined anything like this. As my dad always says, offense wins sometimes, defense wins championships."
Playing basketball together has seen some benefits for the sisters.
"We don't fight as much now that we are playing basketball," Melissa said of her younger sister. "Jen and I have been closer. She's always the first one when we come off the floor to tell me good job. She always tries to keep my confidence up."
Jen Wellnitz averages 9.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.1 steals per game.
"It's tough to step in and play at that level as a freshman," Flanagan said. "She has been huge. We wouldn't be where we are without her. She has a lot of athleticism. She's a competitive kid."
Jen was a manager on last year's Black Hawk team. She had a court side seat in the championship game when Newman Catholic beat Black Hawk 64-30. Now she's looking forward to making her mark in the tournament.
"It's sweet," Jen said of three straight trips to state. "I'm very excited. I can't wait until Thursday. It's always been my goal to get to state. I hope I can do it in my later years."
Jen is confident that everything has worked out for the best.
"I couldn't ask for a better team," Jen said. "I'm glad I'm with them instead of anyone else."
Jen has talked to Kim about losing the state title to Newman Catholic last year.
"She wishes she could replay the game," Jen said. "I want to do it (win) for her. Hopefully, we can do it this year."
Black Hawk senior Melissa Wellnitz and her freshman sister Jen Wellnitz could have ended up playing basketball for Argyle or Clinton. When the Wellnitz family moved from Clinton into the Black Hawk School District several years ago, they considered the Argyle School District.
Black Hawk has been a perfect fit for the Wellnitz family. Melissa is gearing up to play in her third straight state tournament. Melissa has had the opportunity to play with three of her sisters: Aryn, Kim and now Jen. In Aryn's senior season, the Warriors lost to Sheboygan Christian in a sectional final 33-30 in 2008. Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan is 96-10 since 2008, with the Wellnitz sisters a big part of building the program. Argyle, meanwhile, is 18-69 in the last four seasons.
"I'm glad they went here and not to Argyle or somewhere else," Flanagan said. "You can't get that many good players from the same family very often. They are not just basketball players. They are multiple sport athletes."
Melissa started for the Warriors with Kim for two years and back-to-back runs to state together. Kim is now playing basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Melissa, who will play basketball at Edgewood College next year, is closing out her prep career with Jen at her side.
"I wouldn't want to go anywhere else," Melissa said. "Even in the education field, it has been great."
Melissa averages 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.9 steals per game this season. She's also the focal point of the Warriors' tenacious press defense.
"I figured we would be a good team," Melissa said. "I never imagined anything like this. As my dad always says, offense wins sometimes, defense wins championships."
Playing basketball together has seen some benefits for the sisters.
"We don't fight as much now that we are playing basketball," Melissa said of her younger sister. "Jen and I have been closer. She's always the first one when we come off the floor to tell me good job. She always tries to keep my confidence up."
Jen Wellnitz averages 9.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.1 steals per game.
"It's tough to step in and play at that level as a freshman," Flanagan said. "She has been huge. We wouldn't be where we are without her. She has a lot of athleticism. She's a competitive kid."
Jen was a manager on last year's Black Hawk team. She had a court side seat in the championship game when Newman Catholic beat Black Hawk 64-30. Now she's looking forward to making her mark in the tournament.
"It's sweet," Jen said of three straight trips to state. "I'm very excited. I can't wait until Thursday. It's always been my goal to get to state. I hope I can do it in my later years."
Jen is confident that everything has worked out for the best.
"I couldn't ask for a better team," Jen said. "I'm glad I'm with them instead of anyone else."
Jen has talked to Kim about losing the state title to Newman Catholic last year.
"She wishes she could replay the game," Jen said. "I want to do it (win) for her. Hopefully, we can do it this year."
