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The first thing you notice about Genevive Wedemeyer on the basketball court is the energy. Or the hard work. Or the defense. Or maybe it’s all of those things just rolled into one big thing. Whatever the case, you know you’re going to get it from Putnam Science Academy’s senior guard on the girls’ basketball team.
And the University of Alabama-Birmingham really liked that about her.
“I talked to them in the summer but then I didn’t play as well during AAU as we wanted me to, so that was obviously pretty frustrating,” Wedemeyer said. “During our open gyms in the fall, they came again to watch me play again, and they offered me, which showed me they wanted me for me. They saw my ups and downs but they still thought that I was a good fit for their program and I’m going to do great things.
“My energy and defense and being physical and always being there was not the problem. It was more like the finishing part of it all. I mean, I missed layups when they were watching during open gyms but they saw my reaction and that I didn’t give up and just kept playing hard.”
Wedemeyer took an official visit with the Blazers earlier this month, and committed quickly, essentially before she got on the plane back to Connecticut.
“There was a lot of excitement to finalize that decision,” said Wedemeyer, a native of Hamburg, Germany. “I had a good time getting to know the team, getting to know the coaches. Just knowing that I have a place to go and will develop as a person, not just as a basketball player, is an exciting feeling.”
Wedemeyer is the second Mustang in as many years to make Birmingham their college home, as Molly Moffitt, a teammate of Wedemeyer’s last year at PSA, is currently a Blazers freshman.
Mustangs coach Devin Hill isn’t naming team captains but said if he was, Wedemeyer would be one of them.
“I think she has taken some real big steps forward,” he said. “She’s definitely one of our ‘leaders.’ Gen brings a lot. When Gen’s not at practice, the team is totally different. You notice it. The energy, the defense. She is such a big part of what we’re trying to do.”
That, of course, is to win the first national championship in program history. PSA opened its season last weekend with two wins in three games at an event in Canada. The Mustangs play their home-opener tonight at 6, taking on CCRI.
“We have a lot of talent and we have a lot of people back from last year (when PSA finished fourth in the national tournament),” Wedemeyer said. “I think we’re all locked in and have that same focus. It’s going to be fun.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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