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Kale Wiertzema named head coach of Hills-Beaver Creek boys' basketball team

Lead Summary
By
Brennen Rupp

Kale Wiertzema is following in his dad’s footsteps. Literally.
Steve Wiertzema started his coaching career at Hills-Beaver Creek as the head coach of the girls’ basketball team. Then in 1991, the elder Wiertzema made the transition over to the boys’ side of things.
The younger Wiertzema started his head coaching career at his alma mater as the head coach of the girls’ basketball team.
Kale held that position for one year and then was the head coach at West Central High School for three years before returning to H-BC as the girls head coach for the past eight years.
Steve recently retired as head coach of the boys’ basketball team for 30 years, and he’s turning over the playbook to his son.
On Tuesday, June 15, Kale officially accepted an offer to become the next boys’ basketball coach at H-BC.
“It means a lot,” he said Tuesday.
“It’s always kind of been a dream of mine to take over for him. I grew up in the gym. Everybody wants to be like their dad, and I’ve had that opportunity.”
Under Kale’s guidance, the H-BC girls’ basketball team accumulated a record of 137-55 over the past eight seasons, including a 23-1 season in 2018-2019.
He said the decision to take the boys’ head coaching position was difficult.
“My dad started with the girls’ program as well,” Wiertzema said.
“It was a tough decision for him to leave and take over for the boys. He and I have had some conversations over the last few years. There is always one more group that you want to coach. You want to coach them. Then there is always one more group coming. Once he retired, I thought it was time to make the switch.”
Kale grew up in the H-BC basketball program and played for his dad from 2001-2005.
Now, 16 years later, he’ll begin to write the next chapter in his H-BC novel.
“The game of basketball has always been a big part of my life,” Wiertzema said.
“Taking over for him means a lot.”

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