Belanger rewrites record book

It was an atypical play for an atypical player that made history on Saturday night at Grafton High School.

Senior guard Hannah Belanger fought hard inside the lane for an offensive rebound, pulling the ball away from a defender. She quickly put the point-blank shot up while being fouled, and the ball bounced off the backboard and through the net.

That shot with three minutes, 2 seconds left in the first half against Kenosha Indian Trail broke Grafton’s all-time scoring record for girls previously held by Rachel Hencke.

“There’s not words to describe that moment. At the time, it’s just another play,” Belanger said.

Coach Mike Grzesiak called a timeout before the free throw so Belanger could enjoy a standing ovation from her teammates, coaches and the home crowd.

“When he called the timeout, it really was able to sink in and I got to process exactly what that meant, not just for my team but the whole school,” she said.

Belanger said she remembers watching Hencke, a 2008 graduate who scored 1,446 points in her career, along with standouts Sarah and Hannah Eichler.

“I would watch them and see how hard they worked,” she said.

Belanger hopes she has that same impact on the several children in the bleachers on Saturday.

“For those little kids to see how hard work can pay off in a high school game, I think it’s very nice,” she said.

The record came on the same day — Dec. 15 — that Belanger scored her 1,000th point a year ago and on a unique play for the 5-feet-8-inch star who doesn’t usually score while crashing the boards.

“I thought I’d get it on a three or something. Either way, I’m happy I got it,” she said.

Belanger credited her teammates for helping her reach the milestone.

“It wouldn’t be possible without the team I have and them sharing the ball,” she said.

For third-year coach Grzesiak, having Belanger is a dream.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to coach her. She’s probably the best kid I’ve coached in 12 years,” he said.

“She deserves it. Hardest-working kid I’ve coached. I love her to death. I wish I had more like her.”

Belanger’s father and high school assistant coach Mark has guided his daughter over the years, also coaching her in youth ball. He too remembers the title game runs with Hencke and the Eichlers.

“Hannah learned so much from those girls, how hard those teams worked and how they worked during the offseason, coming to practice and just busting their tail. She learned at a very young age how hard it was going to be,” he said.

After the ovation, a quick hug from Grzesiak and fist bump from her father, Belanger calmly drained the free throw, extending the Black Hawks’ lead to 25-11.

The Hawks took a 28-13 halftime lead and cruised on the way to a 63-37 victory.

Belanger finished with 29 points, including going 5-for-9 on three-pointers. Hailey Block had eight points, and Morgan Ruona and Ella Day had seven each.

Last Friday, the Black Hawks beat Nicolet, 68-56, on the road. Belanger had 28, and Julia Place had 14. The Hawks built a 41-20 halftime lead before hanging on.

On Dec. 11, the Hawks lost to Whitefish Bay, 48-41. Belanger had 17 points. Bay’s Ellie Clements scored 23.

The Hawks (3-3 in the North Shore Conference and 4-3 overall) were to host Cedarburg on Tuesday and play in a tournament at Kohler on Dec. 29.