Unsigned Hype: Danica Kocer(2019)
PGH got a chance to sit down with Brandon Valley’s Danica Kocer. A sharp shooting (45% from the 3) unsigned senior who is poised to end her high school career on a positive note. Danica is 2 time All State…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPGH got a chance to sit down with Brandon Valley’s Danica Kocer. A sharp shooting (45% from the 3) unsigned senior who is poised to end her high school career on a positive note. Danica is 2 time All State Team member, All Metro and ESD conferences member and Track & Field State Champion. What’s next? Capturing that basketball title, choosing a college and holding tight to all the memories she has made.
PGH: What’s up DK? How everything?
DK: “Everything is great, just trying to stay in shape for the basketball season”.
PGH: I hear that! So, what have you been working on? How was your summer?
DK: “I’ve been running cross county and doing basketball training at the same time. I like how I can still fit both into my schedule. This summer was great. I missed last year AAU season because of my injury. But being able to finish out my last AAU season with the same program and group of girls I started with was fun”.
PGH: That’s awesome. I know injuries can be nagging. Especially when your not at your full strength and capability.
Nike Nationals, ChicagoDK: “Being injury free and able to play ball this summer has really helped me feel more comfortable with my game. I spent a lot of time working on my driving ability and pull up jumper. I practiced and trained all summer long doing different finishing moves and expanding my 3 point range. Between AAU and cross county, I’m finally in my best shape ever”.
PGH: Going back to last year season through the summer and now the upcoming season. What are your expectations?
DK: “Last school year we finished 4th at state with a 15-9 record. I think we can definitely improve on that. That was the most losses we’ve had so far. I have high expectations for myself and school team. This will be the first time in two years that I will have time to prepare for the basketball season. My sophomore and junior year I was rehabilitating from a knee injury and couldn’t start working out or training until the season started. We only lost one senior last year, so I feel that our team has experience playing together. Most of us have been playing together since we were in grade school. So that helps build some continuity. I think also that now we have experience playing in the state tournament the last few years, we are excited to go prove what we can do. Three other teammates of mine played AAU with me and we went up against some talented teams this summer. It was by far the most challenging AAU season I’ve ever had”.
PGH: Really? What kind of challenges?
DK: “We always go up to the Twin Cities and play great teams. This year they had some Nike and Adidas teams come which was great competition. We also went to Chicago for Nike Nationals and played teams from New York, Las Vegas, California and St. Louis. We held our own, competed and made it to a few championship games during the summer. I think that experience definitely helped our teams overall growth”.
PGH: Nike Nationals is one of our favorite events to watch. So much talent around you. What’s this upcoming season going to look like for you?
DK: “I feel like as a senior you have a lot of challenges. The decision of picking my field of study and which college to attend is a big challenge. I have put a lot of thought into it. Also, just dealing with the emotions of senior year. Knowing that this is your last year I will get to play for my high school or with these girls is something I often think about. There are a lot of bittersweet moments being a senior, but I am excited about all the opportunities that are in my future”.
Photo Courtesy of Argus LeaderPGH: College? Recruitment? Hahaha
DK: “Yes, stressful”!
PGH: I bet!
DK: “I have visited several colleges and have a few more visits to do this fall. I want to make sure I choose what’s best for my future goals of going to medical school. So, I’m taking my time”.
Danica gets up and finishes lacing up her sneaks, then warms up with some ball handling drills. She looks around and asks “Who has the Aux”.? I’m starting to see a trend here with the ballers of this generation. They need their tunes, and bad. So whoever’s on the “Aux” and not playing the right tunes, kindly slide that thing over to somebody who will get the gym RIGHT!