The Notre Dame boys’ basketball team, led by FRCC Coach of the Year, AJ Alexander, had their season come to an end this past Saturday, following a 70-61 loss at Ashwaubenon in the regional finals. The loss marked the end of five seniors’ high school careers: Hogan Anderson, Tim Turek, Danny Nennig, George Kress and Garrett Grzesk. 

Grzesk, who earned first-team all conference honors this year, will continue his basketball career for his dad, Gary, at St. Norbert College. 

“Playing for my dad is something I’ve always wanted to do as a kid,” Grzesk said. “I grew up watching all of his teams in the last 15 years or so, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that eventually.”

Grzesk finished his senior season averaging 13.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg (1st in the FRCC) and 3.0 apg, leading the team in all three categories. He also finished his career with 803 career points, joining the elite 800-point club, which only seven other Triton boys have achieved all time.

Another senior joined the 800-point club this season: George Kress. Kress finished his career with 860 career points, 5th all-time in program history. 

“Ever since freshman year, I would look at the scoring leaderboards in the gym thinking of how cool it would be to accompany them on the board,” Kress said. “I hope my name being up there inspires others to shoot for the same.”

On top of that, Kress took home FRCC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named second-team all conference. Despite all of these accomplishments, his basketball career will end here at Notre Dame, as he plans to attend Southern Methodist University.

“I am just focusing on my academics and my future going forward,” Kress said. “I’ve had my fun and I’m ready to start a new chapter.”

The Tritons will have major shoes to fill as the “five pillars of the program,” as Coach Alexander has called them, move onto new chapters. 

Juniors Chris Mitchell, Keegan King and Daniel Hornacek, who contributed big numbers to the team this season, will have the opportunity to step up in major ways as they fulfill leadership roles going forward.