How to Ring One Up For The MACC Fund
Mitchell and Joey are anything but done raising cash for this great cause. To make a donation toward childhood cancer research (don't wait to send that letter, their deadline is May 1), send checks or money orders (made out to WBCA/MACC Fund) to:
Joey Hartwig
1782 County Hwy B
South Wayne, WI 53587
Mitchell Erickson
8750, County Hwy G
Argyle, WI 53504
SOUTH WAYNE - Today, nobody could imagine a WBCA All-Star game without Black Hawk's Joey Hartwig and Darlington's Mitchell Erickson.
Three years ago, the now-senior forwards were just cutting their teeth on preps like all the other hoopsters.
"I definitely never expected it; I was just a sixth or seventh man coming off the bench" Hartwig admits.
Erickson didn't join the varsity squad until his junior year. Both having come into their own as their team's stat sheet stuffers, as well as role models on and off the floor, they'll both take the floor for their respective south squads June 21 at the UW Fieldhouse in Madison.
Hartwig will play in the Division 4 game and is carrying on a long tradition.
"It's just an honor," Hartwig said. "There have been a lot of great players in Black Hawk history that have played in this game."
That includes his cousin Josh, who played in 1999, although everyone knows him as "Tug" around southwestern Wisconsin.
Hartwig credits his coaches and the many opportunites they provide, particularly summer tournaments, to sharpen the skills.
Erickson similarly turns to the team concept when he explains how he came to be an All-Star.
"It just shows what our team is all about," Erickson said. "Nobody on our team were great scorers, we just all make each other better. It was an honor to be named and to be mentioned in the same breath as the guys on the roster."
He'll look forward to teaming with long-time competitors Ben Pickel of Cuba City, fellow post Jake Wiederholt of Fennimore and Quentin Tranberg of Iowa-Grant.
He's been balling with or against Pickel since fifth grade and all four athletes have been bringing out the best in each other in SWAL play throughout their prep careers.
Careers that none of these young men take for granted.
"The game isn't just for the players, it's cool to give something back to the MACC Fund," Erickson said. "Thinking about children with cancer and their families going to the hospital, it brings you back down to earth when you think about their life and the things we get to do every day."
Hartwig's mother is a cancer survivor from when he was very young and he proudly plays in her honor. He's also proud he's left a memorable impact on those that have watched him grow as he shares his favorite adage.
"You learn more about a person on the court of basketball than in a lifelong conversation," Hartwig said.
Three years ago, the now-senior forwards were just cutting their teeth on preps like all the other hoopsters.
"I definitely never expected it; I was just a sixth or seventh man coming off the bench" Hartwig admits.
Erickson didn't join the varsity squad until his junior year. Both having come into their own as their team's stat sheet stuffers, as well as role models on and off the floor, they'll both take the floor for their respective south squads June 21 at the UW Fieldhouse in Madison.
Hartwig will play in the Division 4 game and is carrying on a long tradition.
"It's just an honor," Hartwig said. "There have been a lot of great players in Black Hawk history that have played in this game."
That includes his cousin Josh, who played in 1999, although everyone knows him as "Tug" around southwestern Wisconsin.
Hartwig credits his coaches and the many opportunites they provide, particularly summer tournaments, to sharpen the skills.
Erickson similarly turns to the team concept when he explains how he came to be an All-Star.
"It just shows what our team is all about," Erickson said. "Nobody on our team were great scorers, we just all make each other better. It was an honor to be named and to be mentioned in the same breath as the guys on the roster."
He'll look forward to teaming with long-time competitors Ben Pickel of Cuba City, fellow post Jake Wiederholt of Fennimore and Quentin Tranberg of Iowa-Grant.
He's been balling with or against Pickel since fifth grade and all four athletes have been bringing out the best in each other in SWAL play throughout their prep careers.
Careers that none of these young men take for granted.
"The game isn't just for the players, it's cool to give something back to the MACC Fund," Erickson said. "Thinking about children with cancer and their families going to the hospital, it brings you back down to earth when you think about their life and the things we get to do every day."
Hartwig's mother is a cancer survivor from when he was very young and he proudly plays in her honor. He's also proud he's left a memorable impact on those that have watched him grow as he shares his favorite adage.
"You learn more about a person on the court of basketball than in a lifelong conversation," Hartwig said.
