Athlete Profile: Aubrey DeBauch

The Gillett Secondary School girls basketball team has enjoyed plenty of success over the past couple of seasons. Senior Aubrey DeBauch has been a big reason for the team’s triumphs over those years.

Through Dec. 27, the team has a 5-3 record and right in the thick of the Marinette & Oconto Conference title hunt, with DeBauch leading the team in several statistics.

She’s the team leader in points (14.5) and rebounds (11.4) per game. DeBauch also averages 2.1 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest.

As a junior and sophomore, DeBauch made the M&O first team. She was an honorable mention as a freshman.

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: I have loved the sport of basketball for as long as I can remember. I have been shooting hoops at home since I could pick up a ball and started playing on a team for the first time in third grade.

Q: What is your favorite part about the basketball season?

A: I don’t know if I specifically have a favorite part of basketball season, I enjoy all of it. But if I had to choose a favorite part it would have to be the games. I love the competition and working together with my teammates.

Q: What has basketball taught you over the years?

A: Over the years basketball has taught me a lot about teamwork. How to communicate, how to back up your teammates but also to have confidence that your teammates have your back. In basketball, I love how the team turns into a family.

Q: On a team with experience and having high expectations, how do you help the team stay focused on its goals and never get too high or too low after games?

A: Our team motto is one game at a time. We focus on the game in front of us, and our goal is to go 1-0 the whole season.

Q: After already surpassing 1,000 career points and owning the school rebound record, what kind of individual goals are you after this winter?

A: My individual goal for this season is to earn 1,000 career rebounds.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a game?

A: For an away game I always rest and listen to music on the bus. It doesn’t matter how long of a bus ride it is, I’ll still find a way to get that relaxation in.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Gillett girls basketball team?

A: My favorite memory on the Gillett girls basketball team would be competing in the sectional final game my freshman year. At the time it didn’t feel real, being that close to the state tournament. Now as a senior, I know what it takes to make it that late into the tournament and I believe the team this year is capable of that.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school basketball?

A: Everything, from the close games or blowouts to the tough practices and conditioning drills. Although some parts are more challenging than others, I’ll miss it all.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie, and musical artist?

A: TV show — “Criminal Minds.” Movie — “Happy Gilmore.” Musical artist — Luke Combs.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: My favorite snacks are pickles and olives.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: One of the greatest pieces of advice I have ever been told is the saying that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. I have taken this motto to heart and lived by it, always trying my best and working hard at everything I do.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After graduating high school I hope to excel as a student athlete in college. My goal is to major in biology while playing basketball in college, and then going on to veterinary school afterwards. My dream job would be being either a large animal vet, traveling around to different farms around the area, or an exotic animal veterinarian. Then, since family is so important to me, my goal would be to settle down and start a family of my own.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Aubrey DeBauch

Sport: Girls basketball

Position: Forward

School: Gillett Secondary School

Year: Senior