Young Okawville Rockets are soaring once again

One of the top10 players in metro-east girls basketball history while starring at Okawville High School in the mid 1990’s, Michelle Hasheider-Burianek has been a winner all of her life.

A three-time first team all-state selection who was Illinois’ Miss Basketball in 1994, Hasheider-Burianek was a key part of a Lady Rockets team that won a Class A state title and won an amazing 118 of 130 games during her four-year career.

Hasheider-Burianek also was a winner in college where as a freshman for then NCAA Division I power University of Colorado. She was a member of the all Big12 Conference all-freshman team.

And so now as the coach at Okawville, the sight of watching her young Lady Rockets team win just 15 of 35 games during the past two years has been tough — at least at times.

“It was tough at times. But I knew the kids were trying. They were trying the best that they can,” Hasheider-Burianek said. “We were young and we still are and I knew that everytime these kids took the floor they were giving me everything they had. That’s all I can ask.

“Knowing that they were trying so hard ... that’s what gets you as a coach through it. I’m not in this game for wins and losses. I’m here to teach these kids the game of basketball and to have fun with it. So when they have kids of their own some day they will want to teach them the game and get them to love it. That’s why I’m here. I love the game of basketball.

Currently 5-2 and riding a three-game winning streak, Hasheider-Burianek and the Lady Rockets are loving basketball a little more these days.

Junior Madison Hackstadt, a 6-foot junior, has developed into one of the top Class 1A players in southern Illinois, averaging 14.8 points per game, while junior Casean Tebbe is second, scoring at right around 8 points per game.

“Madison (Hackstadt) is having a great year and we’ve got several others who have picked up their games over the last year. We’re a lot stronger, but we need to get even stronger yet. We hit the weight room hard this summer and that hard work is starting to pay off,” Hasheider-Burianek said. “We’re coming along and I knew we would. The thing about this team is that they’re great kids and just a lot of fun to be around. As a coach, it’s very rewarding to see good kids who have worked hard, have some success.’”

Triad in early control

The Mississippi Valley Conference season may only be three games old, but the Triad Knights have zoomed to the head of the pack with wins over their three top rivals — including road wins at Mascoutah (55-46) and Civic Memorial (45-41). Triad also has a win over Highland (63-58).

Against Highland, senior Sophie Thompson outscored Bulldogs standout Amanda Ponce 24-20 in a battle of the top two players in the league, but the Knights also got double figure scoring from Hannah Johnson (14 points), Abby Burroughs (11 points) and Sam Woods (10).

Blade goes for a milestone

One of the most successful coaches in state history, Edwardsville’s Lori Blade will go after career win No. 600 on Thursday when the Tigers travel to Belleville West to take on the Maroons in a Southwestern Conference game beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers head coach since the 2002 season, Blade has compiled a remarkable 366-56 mark at Edwardsville after leading Carrollton to a record of 233-27 from 1994-2002.

Blade will be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on April 30 at Illinois State University in Normal.

Edwardsville is currently 5-1 and ranked first in the News-Democrat Large School basketball poll.

Edwardsville Holiday Classic

The seventh annual Edwardsville Girls Christmas Tournament will be held on Dec. 28-29 at Edwardsville High School.

In the field this year along with the host Tigers are DeKalb, Chicago Simeon, McHenry, Teutopolis, McCluer North, Jacksonville and Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin.

Candy Cane Classic

The week-long Gibault Candy Cane Classic begins on Monday at Gibault High School.

The annual tourney is one that kicks holiday tournaments in the metro-east.

First-round games on Monday will feature Columbia taking on Wood River at 6 p.m., followed by Gibault battling Waterloo at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Roxana will play Windsor (Mo.) at 6 p.m. followed by the Red Bud-Marquette game at 7:30 p.m.

Championship and consolation bracket semifinals are set for Wednesday and Thursday with the title game scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

(Note: News-Democrat sportswriter Norm Sanders also provided information for this story)

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 11:01 PM with the headline "Young Okawville Rockets are soaring once again."