By John Raffel
The Vedrode family has been a prominent name in Alma athletics over the past several years in baseball and softball.
But Vedrode has also become a big name for the basketball teams. Senior Kendall Vedrode is on the girls’ team, and Konner is a 6’0″ sophomore guard for the boys’.
Their brother, Kyle, is now at Muskegon Community College on the baseball team.
Konner is averaging 15.8 points, 2.9 steals, and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 48.2 percent from the floor.
“Last year, Konner was moved up late in the season to be our backup point guard,” coach JT Cleveland said. “He did a nice job handling the ball and running our plays. This season, he has emerged as a reliable scorer and a much-improved defender. Konner has worked hard on his jump shot, moves to the basket, and finishes over defenders.
“We knew Konner was going to be good this year. The best surprise has been his exceptional play on the defensive end. Often, we have called on him to guard the best player on the opposing team. Konner handles the ball well, can shoot the three, and finishes over and around defenders incredibly well. He also has a knack for anticipating and creating steals on the ball and in the passing lanes.”
Konner indicated that he’s lived up to his expectations at the wing. “I can shoot the three ball, and I have a mid-range game,” he said. “If people close me higher, I can go to the basket. I can dribble and I can shoot.”
He scored 30 points against Millington, 29 in the season opener against Portland, and 24 against Hemlock.
“Against Ovid-Elsie, I hit a couple of big shots at the end of the game to close out that game,” Vedrode said. “It’s definitely been a team effort. We’ve had a lot of guys step up, even guys off the bench score in double digits. It’s always different guys stepping up. We’re definitely young.”
“Basketball is probably my second-best sport behind baseball,” Konner said. “We’re a baseball/softball family for sure. Softball is my sister’s big thing.”
But Konner has proven how talented he is in basketball.
“Defenses have tried to deny the ball and rotate early on Konner,” Cleveland said. “Three times he has had at least five assists when this happens. He also has developed a great pull-up jumper to avoid charges. Konner spent hours every day working on his ball-handling and shooting. He came in on the weekends this fall to shoot with the coaching staff. He prepared hard, and it has shown on the court.
“Konner has been vital to our success. We have had a rash of injuries, but Konner’s play has been consistent. He has stepped into the scorer and ball-hawking defender roles for us. Filling these roles has catapulted our team to new heights.”
Konner Vedrode plays everywhere in baseball and doesn’t focus on a position.
As for a post high school career, Konner is only a sophomore and “a terrific three-sport athlete, but if he desires to play collegiate basketball, there will be plenty of opportunities for him in the future,” Cleveland said. “Konner is the hardest-working player every day in practice. He gets after it every play and every drill. This attitude is a huge reason why he achieves at a high level so quickly, and why he will continue to improve in the future.”
Kendall Vedrode is in her third varsity basketball season. “It’s been a good season,” she said. “It started out rough, but we turned it around at Christmas break. We all came together and we’ve played as tough as we have.”
It’s been her best season. “I’m starting to drive more; it’s been a lot better season,” she said.
She’s averaging 10 points per game, similar to what she averaged in past years.
“I’m definitely taking more of a leadership position this year than I did last year,” Kendall said. “We upset Freeland last week, and that was a huge win for us, a confidence- booster for our team. They’re the second team in our conference.”
She acknowledged that she and Konner like basketball a lot, but that they especially have a passion for the ball diamond. In the spring, she’ll play her fourth varsity softball season.
She agreed that basketball keeps her in shape for softball, but admits that she will miss basketball. “I’ll miss the atmosphere, the fans, not having everyone there to support us,” she said.
Kyle Vedrode is focusing on his second year at Muskegon Community College and transfers to Northwood next year. At MCC, he’s a pitcher and third baseman. He had Tommy John surgery last year but is ready for this season. “Last year, we won the conference; we have a lot of expectations,” he said. “We have a real good pitching staff.”
Athletics has played a huge role in his family. It led to a lot of opportunities, “at least for me it did,” Kyle said. “I’m sure it will for my brother and sister.”