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Q&A: Big Time Gophers Commit Carlie Wagner: "I grew up wanting to be a Gopher"
Big Time Gophers Commit Carlie Wagner: I grew up wanting to be a Gopher
By Chris Monter
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/240384?referrer_id=331171
Carlie Wagner scored a state tournament record 50 points to lead New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva to a 60-59 victory over Braham in the Class 2A championship Saturday. The junior guard made 21 of 43 shots and added 12 rebounds and three steals.
Wagner broke tournament records for most points in a game (50), most tournament points (129), most field-goal attempts in a game (43), most tournament field-goal attempts (110) and most field goals made (48). She also tied the record for most field goals made in a game (21). Wagner broke her own scoring record, set last year when she scored 48 points.
Wagner’s twin eighth grade sisters, Maddie and Marnie, scored eight of NRHEG’s other 10 points in the championship win.
Gopher Hole caught up with Wagner Tuesday to learn more about winning the state title and becoming a Gopher in 2014-15.
Gopher Hole: You obviously had a great tournament. What has the reaction been since winning the state tournament?
Carlie Wagner: It’s crazy. Words just can’t always describe it, because it is so much fun and all the experiences that I will never forget. It was so much fun.
Gopher Hole: How much do you think getting to the tournament last year helped you as a team and individually knowing what you were in for? How much do you think that helped you be a little more comfortable and have even more success?
Carlie Wagner: Yes, definitely. It was a little weight off the shoulders from last year, because last year doing it, we came into it really timid and not knowing what was going to happen and we were really new to it. This year, I felt that we were a lot more comfortable and could just play Panther basketball better than we could last year.
Gopher Hole: You play for the Minnesota Stars AAU program and most AAU teams have tryouts the Sunday after the State tournament. Has your team started doing anything yet?
Carlie Wagner: Actually, last Sunday, there was a practice, but I didn’t go it because of the state tournament and wanting to have a day off and rest. It has already started.
Gopher Hole: You have already committed to Minnesota. Is that another weight off your shoulder knowing that decision is already made?
Carlie Wagner: Yes. It really is. It is not in the back of your mind anymore. When you are playing, it is always in the back of your mind, but it is really nice to having it gone now and knowing where I am going and where my future is. It is a weight off the shoulders, for sure.
Gopher Hole: Do you still hear from other schools at all or have you heard from anyone after your great performance this past weekend?
Carlie Wagner: I am still getting some mail and stuff and people are trying to contact me, but I don’t talk to them really, because I am committed. I am not going to change my mind. Otherwise, not too much.
Gopher Hole: You have always been a Minnesota fan growing up. Is that one of the reason you committed because you knew where you wanted to go anyway and also be done with the recruiting process?
Carlie Wagner: Yes. It was in my heart that was where I really wanted to go. I grew up wanting to be a Gopher when I was little. You don’t actually think that it is going to happen, but the opportunity was there and I was going to take it because this is what I have always wanted.
Gopher Hole: Minnesota had the great run going to the Final Four several years ago, but have been up and down ever since. Their best player is Rachel Banham. Is she a player that you have looked up at as a player you are going to want to play with, even though, unfortunately, it is only one year because she is going to be a senior when you are a freshman?
Carlie Wagner: I’ll take what I can get with her. She is incredible. I love watching her. She, honestly, is like one of the best players that I have ever seen. Just so poised. She takes control of the game just so easily and I really look up to her and just admire her so much. I am really excited to get the chance to play with her.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many Gopher games this past season?
Carlie Wagner: I went to two of them this year.
Gopher Hole: Will you try to go to their postseason games like this Friday night or have you even thought about that?
Carlie Wagner: I haven’t thought about that yet, but I probably want to get up for a couple more. They are a lot of fun to watch.
Gopher Hole: What things are you going to be working on this AAU season and summer to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Carlie Wagner: I definitely want to work on my strength and getting stronger as a player. I really want to just become more court aware and see the floor better and be able to help my teammates out as much as I can.
Gopher Hole: Now that you have committed to Minnesota, have you talked to any girls that are your age or girls that you play AAU with about joining you at Minnesota?
Carlie Wagner: Benidle St. Margaret guard) Grace Coughlin from North Tartan (AAU) is playing for the Stars this year. I know her pretty well and she is a sweetheart. She is going to the “U”, too. She is in my grade class and I know her very well and I am excited to play with her because she is awesome and I love being around her.
Gopher Hole: How much do you think that is going to help you to develop that team chemistry since you are going to be playing together this year and hopefully in the future and get to know each other on and off the floor?
Carlie Wagner: I think that it is going to be really great because we are going to be playing ball together for a long time after this and it is just good to have a bonding relationship with your teammates. Just so you know each other on the court and it helps you out on the court knowing your friend like that. I can’t wait. I am really pumped.
Gopher Hole: You have two twin sisters who are eighth grader who played with you on the high school team. You have one more season together at the high school level. Have you even thought about what it might be like to play with them in college or has that even come up yet since they are so young?
Carlie Wagner: I guess that we really haven’t talked about it yet. They are pretty young. I have asked them about it a little about what they want to do when they are older.
Big Time Gophers Commit Carlie Wagner: I grew up wanting to be a Gopher
By Chris Monter
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/240384?referrer_id=331171
Carlie Wagner scored a state tournament record 50 points to lead New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva to a 60-59 victory over Braham in the Class 2A championship Saturday. The junior guard made 21 of 43 shots and added 12 rebounds and three steals.
Wagner broke tournament records for most points in a game (50), most tournament points (129), most field-goal attempts in a game (43), most tournament field-goal attempts (110) and most field goals made (48). She also tied the record for most field goals made in a game (21). Wagner broke her own scoring record, set last year when she scored 48 points.
Wagner’s twin eighth grade sisters, Maddie and Marnie, scored eight of NRHEG’s other 10 points in the championship win.
Gopher Hole caught up with Wagner Tuesday to learn more about winning the state title and becoming a Gopher in 2014-15.
Gopher Hole: You obviously had a great tournament. What has the reaction been since winning the state tournament?
Carlie Wagner: It’s crazy. Words just can’t always describe it, because it is so much fun and all the experiences that I will never forget. It was so much fun.
Gopher Hole: How much do you think getting to the tournament last year helped you as a team and individually knowing what you were in for? How much do you think that helped you be a little more comfortable and have even more success?
Carlie Wagner: Yes, definitely. It was a little weight off the shoulders from last year, because last year doing it, we came into it really timid and not knowing what was going to happen and we were really new to it. This year, I felt that we were a lot more comfortable and could just play Panther basketball better than we could last year.
Gopher Hole: You play for the Minnesota Stars AAU program and most AAU teams have tryouts the Sunday after the State tournament. Has your team started doing anything yet?
Carlie Wagner: Actually, last Sunday, there was a practice, but I didn’t go it because of the state tournament and wanting to have a day off and rest. It has already started.
Gopher Hole: You have already committed to Minnesota. Is that another weight off your shoulder knowing that decision is already made?
Carlie Wagner: Yes. It really is. It is not in the back of your mind anymore. When you are playing, it is always in the back of your mind, but it is really nice to having it gone now and knowing where I am going and where my future is. It is a weight off the shoulders, for sure.
Gopher Hole: Do you still hear from other schools at all or have you heard from anyone after your great performance this past weekend?
Carlie Wagner: I am still getting some mail and stuff and people are trying to contact me, but I don’t talk to them really, because I am committed. I am not going to change my mind. Otherwise, not too much.
Gopher Hole: You have always been a Minnesota fan growing up. Is that one of the reason you committed because you knew where you wanted to go anyway and also be done with the recruiting process?
Carlie Wagner: Yes. It was in my heart that was where I really wanted to go. I grew up wanting to be a Gopher when I was little. You don’t actually think that it is going to happen, but the opportunity was there and I was going to take it because this is what I have always wanted.
Gopher Hole: Minnesota had the great run going to the Final Four several years ago, but have been up and down ever since. Their best player is Rachel Banham. Is she a player that you have looked up at as a player you are going to want to play with, even though, unfortunately, it is only one year because she is going to be a senior when you are a freshman?
Carlie Wagner: I’ll take what I can get with her. She is incredible. I love watching her. She, honestly, is like one of the best players that I have ever seen. Just so poised. She takes control of the game just so easily and I really look up to her and just admire her so much. I am really excited to get the chance to play with her.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many Gopher games this past season?
Carlie Wagner: I went to two of them this year.
Gopher Hole: Will you try to go to their postseason games like this Friday night or have you even thought about that?
Carlie Wagner: I haven’t thought about that yet, but I probably want to get up for a couple more. They are a lot of fun to watch.
Gopher Hole: What things are you going to be working on this AAU season and summer to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Carlie Wagner: I definitely want to work on my strength and getting stronger as a player. I really want to just become more court aware and see the floor better and be able to help my teammates out as much as I can.
Gopher Hole: Now that you have committed to Minnesota, have you talked to any girls that are your age or girls that you play AAU with about joining you at Minnesota?
Carlie Wagner: Benidle St. Margaret guard) Grace Coughlin from North Tartan (AAU) is playing for the Stars this year. I know her pretty well and she is a sweetheart. She is going to the “U”, too. She is in my grade class and I know her very well and I am excited to play with her because she is awesome and I love being around her.
Gopher Hole: How much do you think that is going to help you to develop that team chemistry since you are going to be playing together this year and hopefully in the future and get to know each other on and off the floor?
Carlie Wagner: I think that it is going to be really great because we are going to be playing ball together for a long time after this and it is just good to have a bonding relationship with your teammates. Just so you know each other on the court and it helps you out on the court knowing your friend like that. I can’t wait. I am really pumped.
Gopher Hole: You have two twin sisters who are eighth grader who played with you on the high school team. You have one more season together at the high school level. Have you even thought about what it might be like to play with them in college or has that even come up yet since they are so young?
Carlie Wagner: I guess that we really haven’t talked about it yet. They are pretty young. I have asked them about it a little about what they want to do when they are older.
