Belanger sets a new standard

Senior Hannah Belanger already etched her name as the top girls’ scorer in Grafton High School basketball history this season.

Now, she has the overall title.

With 23 points on Saturday at Cedar Grove-Belgium, Belanger broke Jeff Sewell’s record of 1,644 career points.

While Belanger broke the girls’ record with an offensive rebound and putback while being fouled, this time knocked down a three-pointer, a more natural shot for the shooting guard.

“I was happy that it was an outside shot. It felt like me, like how I play,” Belanger said.

Belanger took a pass and paused behind the arc. She said coach Mike Grzesiak told her to “pull it,” and she did. It was all net.

Grzesiak instantly called a timeout to commemorate the achievement.

“It felt similar to when I broke the girls record. I was just caught in the moment. It was able to sink in at that time,” Belanger said.

Besides the type of shot, breaking this record was different in another way.

Belanger grew up inspired by watching 2008 graduate Rachel Hencke rack up 1,446 points to set the girls’ mark while winning a state title.

Belanger never saw Sewell play. He graduated in 1966 before going on to play for Marquette University and helped lead the team to the 1970 NIT title. Sewell died in 2012.

Neither record was on Belanger’s radar until she came close.

“It’s just a complete honor, actually. I would never have expected going into high school that I would accomplish this,” she said.

“Hopefully, it won’t be broken for a while.”

Grzesiak said that’s entirely possible.

“You pretty much need to start when you’re a freshman in high school, never miss a game due to injury, and average 15 to 20 points a night,” he said. “I think it will stand for a while.”

Belanger’s father and assistant coach Mark said he and Hannah didn’t shoot for breaking scoring records.

“Hopefully, she’ll sit back and remember it years from now and the hard work she put in. That’s something she can walk away with and be very proud of,” he said.

Just like after she broke the girls’ record, Belanger said she noticed the youths in the audience and hopes they can be inspired to work hard and achieve like she did.