The library at Clare High School was packed on Wednesday afternoon. Family, friends, teammates, and coaches all piled in to witness Clare senior Lindsay Winter sign to play collegiate basketball at Michigan Technological University.
“I am excited,” Winter said shortly after signing the scholarship. “It was nice of everyone to come out for this. I appreciate everyone coming here and supporting me. They’ve all been through the ups and downs with me.”
Winter helped lead the Pioneers to the class ‘B’ state quarterfinals and the Jack Pine Conference championship last year. Next year, she will join the Lady Huskies program that goes deep in the Division II national tournament every year, including 2011, when it was national runner up.
“I just felt it was the school that gave me the best chance to succeed in both basketball and academically,” Winter said.
Winter has 1299 career points in her three-year varsity career, just 74 shy of the school record. She also has a chance to break school records in steals and assists.
“Obviously, our school and program are very proud of Lindsay,” Clare girls’ basketball head coach Matt Rodenbo said. “She has put numerous hours into becoming an outstanding player. Michigan Tech is getting not just a great player but also an outstanding student. Lindsay will excel at the next level, because she has a commitment to getting better that is unmatched. She is never satisfied.”
Winter has already had three practices in preparation for her upcoming senior season, a year in which she hopes her team can continue its recent string of success.
“Our first couple of practices have been good,” she said. “We have a lot of intensity. We’re looking forward to what’s to come.”