Sheboygan Lutheran girls basketball's Addy Verhagen, Faith Pape reflect on career records

SHEBOYGAN — There’s no telling where the season will end up for the Sheboygan Lutheran Crusaders girls basketball team, but there’s already been some historic moments.

Senior forward Faith Pape is now the program leader in career rebounds while junior point guard Addy Verhagen is the career leader in both assists and steals.

The previous records were 585, 311 and 193, respectively.

Verhagen also recently broke the 1,000 point plateau for her career and has her sights set on the scoring record as well.

Sheboygan Lutheran coach Tyler Thomas says the key to their success is very simple.

“Those girls both work super hard, especially in the offseason,” Thomas said. “They just work. They’re in the weight room, they shoot the ball a lot.”

The rebounding record Pape now holds was set back in 2004 while Verhagen’s new assist mark stood since 1997 and the steal record was just recently set in 2022.

“I think its a huge blessing to set a high standard throughout the program and being able to carry on our legacies,” Verhagen said. “Just setting the bar high for future players.”

Added Pape: “I think it's really important that we’re setting the example,” Pape said. “It's cool we’re getting to do this but we talk a lot about Christian leadership. Not only is this important but also leading by example in school too.”

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Basketball is just about in Verhagen’s blood, as her older brother Casey Verhagen was a 1,000 point scorer for the Crusaders while her father, Nick Verhagen, is now the boys basketball program’s all-time leader in wins as a coach.

“Being in a basketball family with my brother and my dad really pushed me to always get one step forward, keep pushing and pushing,” Verhagen said. “Never settle for less.”

She says that example has been the blueprint for her entire career while thanking God for granting her and her family their gifts on the court.

“I just worked hard all my life to build up my high school career and hopefully go on to college and maybe further,” Verhagen said. “We’re blessed to have an ability to play basketball, just keep working hard because we’re blessed with talents from the Lord.”

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Pape never envisioned the career she had growing up but like Verhagen, is thankful for the opportunity.

“I never thought about this really,” Pape said. “I just really enjoy the sport and what happens, happens.”

While Pape’s time as a Crusader will end this season, Verhagen still has unfinished business with an eye towards the all-time scoring mark.

“I think that’s probably a goal on her mind,” Thomas said. “I think she probably knows what the numbers are.”

Thomas was correct.

“I hope so but that’s a while away, 1,400, but we’ll see what the future holds,” Verhagen said. “Got to stay healthy, keep working hard. Stay humble.”

The exact record is 1,429 and the standout junior is just under 400 points away from breaking it. Should Verhagen stay healthy and score roughly her career average of 15.8 points per game the record will likely be hers.

Thomas is just happy to have strong leaders he can count on to help the program grow.

“These are girls that played before them and set a tone, we’re hoping Addy and Faith’s records set the tone for future junior Crusader kids,” Thomas said. “They set the example on the court and in the classroom.”

Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Sheboygan Lutheran girls basketball's Verhagen, Pape break records