Q&A with the Weisbrods: Father & son dynamic duo with the DeForest Norskies
DE FOREST, Wis. — With March Madness upon us, basketball teams at all levels are in the midst of what many people believe is the greatest sports month of the year. The DeForest Norskies are no exception. Through the games of February 15, the Norskies were an impressive 18-4 and 9-2 in the Badger East Conference, good enough for 2nd place. The team is led by Coach Craig Weisbrod and his son, 6-foot-4 and Northern Michigan recruit, senior guard Max. Check out their thoughts prior to their attempt to make an unprecedented third consecutive run to the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament March 17-19 at the Kohl Center (the team qualified in 2019-2020 but the tournament was cancelled).
Q&A WITH HEAD COACH CRAIG WEISBROD
You have been leading the program for over two decades. Big picture, what are your thoughts about your time here?聽
Craig: We are very proud of what we have accomplished here. We were fortunate to work with a lot of outstanding young men. They bought in and had a lot of success. We take pride in playing a stout non-conference schedule. We have provided our guys with some fantastic playing experiences.
We have won 7 out of 12 regional titles. 3 (including 2020) State Tournament appearances. Our guys play their best ball at the end of the year. It has been a blast watching them have success in the postseason.
Our youth program has really grown in the last 20 years. We have offered affordable quality instruction to the youth of DeForest.
I have been fortunate to work with a lot of outstanding people and coaches. Bill Lapp and Mitch Dann have been with me from the start. I have been lucky. Loyalty is a characteristic I value. I have also been fortunate to have some of my former players come back & coach. Eric Stewart, Mike Koltes, Matt Anderson, Brett Minick, Ryna Franz, Aaron Potter and Conner Ludeman to name a few. They value DeForest schools, had a great experience here and want to give back to our community.
This is a family operation. The Weisbrod family are all in. My family makes a lot of sacrifices so I can coach. My kids love all of the guys.They are at the house. We are fortunate. I can鈥檛 think of better role models for my kids to be around. My wife, Tamara rolls with whatever needs to be done.聽 I am very lucky I am able to do something I love for so long.
Goals for this season?聽
Craig: Make a return trip to the State Tournament and win the Conference Championship.聽 Get better as the season progresses. Have as much fun as possible. Our guys know #1 is 鈥渃ompete鈥� every night.
Other than son Max, players to watch?
Craig: Sr Forward, 6鈥�4″ Josh Jansen: He is leading us in rebounding, field goal % and is averaging 11ppg. Josh is having a great year. Sr. Guard, 5鈥�11″ Tim Frederickson: Tim has elevated his game and has become a fabulous leader. Averaging 11ppg. Jr Guard, 6鈥�2″ Brody Hartig: Brody has really been good and we are expecting a lot in the future from him. 11ppg.
All of the guys have done a great job stepping up this year. It is not a secret that we are still missing 2 starters (Nolan Hawk 15ppg, 7rpg & Deven Magli 10ppg & 6rpg) from last year鈥檚 team because of injury. It is unfortunate for those guys but it has also given opportunities for others. The best part is we may get them back yet.
Your plans for the future? Lots of trips to Northern Michigan?
Craig: Next year, enjoy my middle school children鈥檚 (Sam:7th grade & Luci:6th grade) athletic games & try to attend as many of Max鈥檚 Northern Michigan basketball games as possible.
How would you like to see Max’s college experience transpire? Comments on Northern Michigan as a school/program?聽
Craig: It is completely up to him.聽 It is going to be a blast to see what unfolds. Max is very Type A when it comes to basketball. He loves the game. But I think what takes him to the next level is he just loves to compete. That drive has led him to work and improve his individual basketball skills. It will be fun to see how he fits in and how he leads his team. I believe his game is made for college systems. He just needs to continue working on getting bigger, stronger, faster and the sky’s the limit basketball wise.
I also really enjoy Max as a person so it will be fascinating watching him evolve into a young adult. He is very capable of having success in the classroom and we鈥檒l see where that leads him. I also believe he will handle the social part as he is pretty easy going.
Northern Michigan is a good fit for Max. He has formed relationships with the guys on the team & the coaching staff. He has a comfort level with them. With all of the recruiting the biggest lesson we learned is “it鈥榮 nice to be wanted.鈥� The coaching staff is young and they care about their players. We are comfortable with Max being there. As much as I can鈥檛 wait to see how the next 4 years unfold for him, I can鈥檛 wait to see where his college experience leads him.
What is the best thing about coaching your son? Any challenges?聽
Craig: I feel like I was able to steal time with my son. I was able to get a front row seat to a lot of experiences that if I was not coaching, I would have missed out on. The practicing and working out were all great. For me, just being in the gym shooting and talking are some of my best memories. It is not always easy but it has been a lot of fun being able to coach my son as well as all his buddies.They are all family. It has been a pleasure.
Looking back on your career, what message do you have for the community?
Craig: Basketball is a sport that takes a lot of individual skill. I feel it is our job as parents to provide athletic experiences for our children, to encourage them. At some point they have to take it on and put the work in.聽 A wise man told me once: 鈥淭here is no magic pill to get better, nothing you can buy or that your parents can get for you. You have to put in the time.鈥� It is not easy. But it will be worth it. Athletics teach a lot of great lessons about what to do & what to not do. Just enjoy your kid鈥檚 experience so they can also. High School sports are awesome! Come on out and support them!
Q&A WITH SENIOR GUARD MAX WEISBROD
How did it feel to score your 1000th point?
Max: It felt great. Very rewarding. Fun 4 years.
Goals for this season?
Max: State Tournament.
How did playing football help you in basketball?聽
Max: It helps me be a better leader and tougher.
Favorite subjects in school?聽
Max: Phy Ed class.
Comment on your parents’ role in your development?聽
Max: They have always been supportive and help me with whatever I need.
What has it been like to have your Dad as your coach?
Max: It has been great. We can always bounce ideas off each other and it has made us closer
Teammate who had the biggest role in your development?聽
Max: Brody Hartig, we are always pushing each other to get better.
What attracted you to Northern Michigan? Freshman season goals? Long-term goals?
Max: I鈥檇 say my connection with Coach Matt and freshman point guard Brian Parzich. My Freshman season goals are to impact the game and to contribute to NMU鈥檚 success next year.聽Long term goal is to win a national championship.
Do you know what you will be studying yet at Northern Michigan?
Max: Business.
Advice for DeForest/Windsor kids who are coming up?
Max: Work hard and be dedicated to whatever you want to do.
MAX’S STATS
2021-2022: (as of February 10): 21 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 7.1 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, 50% field goals, 42% 3-point shots, 78% free throws.
- Most points scored in a game: 40 points (10 made 3-point shots).
- 1250 career points and DeForest High School鈥檚 All-Time Career Points Leader.
Max is a co-captain 鈥� along with seniors Nolan Hawk, UW-Whitewater football commit and Deven Magli, a UW-Madison preferred walk-on football commit 鈥� for DeForest. Max, Nolan and Deven have played basketball together since third grade, and football together throughout high school.
2020-2021: 18.4聽points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 7.3 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, 51% field goals, 42.6% 3-point shots, 86% free throws
Honors: Wisconsin State Journal鈥檚 2020-21 All-Area First Team, First-team selection for the Wisconsin, Basketball Coaches Association Division 2 All-State and Third-team All State Associated Press
2019-2020: 13.6 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, 2.7 steals per game, 51% field goals, 41% 3-point shots, 78% free throws
Honors: Badger Conference – 2nd Team All Conference; Wisconsin State Journal – All Area Honorable Mention
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