It doesn’t matter to Valparaiso basketball player Kenzie Wassermann whether she’s a starter or a reserve.
The Vikings are regional champions again, and that’s all that matters to the 5-foot-7 senior guard/forward.
Last season, Wassermann was in the lineup to help Valparaiso win its first regional title since 2004. This season, she’s the first player off the bench.
“I’m used where I’m needed, and I’m still contributing in ways I need to be contributing,” she said. “Wherever I can be, I’m there.”
For Wassermann, who is averaging 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds as the Vikings (19-7) prepare to play top-ranked Hamilton Southeastern (26-0) in the semifinals of the Class 4A Frankfort Semistate on Saturday, that has primarily been on the defensive end. Valparaiso has allowed 31.4 points per game during its 10-game winning streak.
“Something that we work on a lot is defense,” Wassermann said. “That’s something that we really focus on. So hearing that a lot has made me really just devote myself to the defensive side to help our team the best I can.
“It’s not like I always score the most points, but as long as I can contribute on one side of the ball, I know that my teammates can finish it later. I just love this team.”
Wassermann has also grown since last season.
“My mental attitude has changed a lot,” she said. “I would get down on myself a lot last year and let that affect my next play. But between our team bond and how the coaches act with us, we are all just so much more mentally tough. We can get through hard things and continue playing. Even if we’re down in the game or predicted to lose, I feel a lot more mentally tough this year.”
Wassermann and 5-4 guard/forward Cady Ofman, the team’s only two seniors, are captains, along with star junior guard Lillian Barnes and junior guard Cadynce Clark. Since middle school, Ofman has seen the difference Wassermann can make.
“She’s just so tough,” Ofman said. “When she’s in the game, her defense, it really helps bring us to a higher level. And she’s just an amazing person.”
The feeling is mutual for Wasserman.
“I love her,” Wasserman said of Ofman. “The team would just not be the same without her. She’s like our mom of the team. She definitely puts us in our place when we need to be. But we love her.
“She’s a lot of the glue to our team. She uplifts us. She pushes us to be better. And she has really valuable minutes on the court too. She’s a really important piece of our team.”
The Vikings, who beat Hammond Central 55-37 in the regional championship game last week, have won three straight sectional titles — the one in 2023 was their first since 2005 — and Wassermann said their latest deep postseason run has brought them even closer together.
“That bond, it’s something special,” she said. “Our love for each other is a lot stronger this year. We’re a lot more connected. We have a lot better communication on and off the court. We do so many things outside of basketball. It helps us play as one.”
Wassermann also participates in Unified flag football, bowling and track. She got Ofman, who plans to continue playing basketball at Calumet College and study psychology, involved in those sports too. Wassermann intends to attend Valparaiso University and study in the physician assistant program.
“They’re such wonderful student-athletes, honor-roll kids,” first-year Vikings coach Kelly Kratz said. “They’re a great representation of what we do here. They’re involved in Unified activities here at the school, which is wonderful and beautiful. We’re really proud of these girls. We just love these two. We’re just so glad that they’re with us.
“I’m sad I only get them for one year, and I tell them this all the time. But we’re just so proud of them.”
Wasserman and Ofman have at least one more game with the Vikings to make an impact.
“They’re so valuable,” Kratz said. “There’s a leadership and the intangibles that they provide for our team that maybe doesn’t show up on the stats. But without them, we’re not successful.
“The accountability aspect, the motherly aspect, the maturity, all of those are so important, especially when you make it this far. Everybody’s tired, everybody’s mental cup is empty, and they’re a little bit drained. We have those two kids that keep us going.”
