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Versluys will take over at Westminster Christian

Fred Versluys is no stranger to Westminster Christian girls basketball games.

But now Versluys will be watching those games from the other side of the gym.

No, he hasn't decided to take his talented junior daughter Maddie to another school. What he has decided to do is become the Warriors' new head coach, athletic director Rick Palmer announced Wednesday.

Versluys takes over for Ken Flickinger, who stepped down after nine seasons to accept a non-coaching position in Colorado. Flickinger was 112-123 in his nine seasons.

"I'm excited about it," said Versluys, a 1989 Larkin graduate and a 1993 Judson University alum who starred in basketball and baseball at both schools. "Knowing the quality job Ken did, I want to continue that."

Versluys admitted he got a little prodding from Maddie to consider the job.

"I got a little nudge," he said. "She just came to me and asked me if it would be something I'd consider. It was something to pray about and think about. Rick had asked me if I'd consider it and I'm excited for the opportunity."

Versluys is no rookie coach. The elementary school principal at Westminster the past three years, he's also been the school's eighth grade boys basketball coach and he's been involved in coaching several of his daughter's travel teams over the years. He also coached for a few seasons at Downers Grove Christian School, where he was principal for 13 years, and in District 300 after graduating from Judson and teaching at Dundee-Crown.

Now, he gets an opportunity to take over a program that has became ultra competitive on the Class 1A level, going 26-5 and advancing to the Elite Eight two years ago. Even last year, when bumped up to Class 2A, Westminster went 21-5. Flickinger's last four teams went 83-31.

But eight seniors from last year have graduated, leaving Maddie Versluys (15.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg) and juniors Savannah Dutcher and Emma Kovachevich the only returnees.

"One of the things I enjoy most is player development," Fred Versluys said. "I coached them quite a bit over the summer and the No. 1 thing they have is great attitudes.

"It will be a young team and we'll have to take some baby steps but we have a nice core group and we'll develop them along the way."

St. Edward seeking coach: St. Edward is seeking a freshman girls basketball coach for the upcoming season. Interested parties can contact head coach Michelle Dawson via email at mcdawson2232@att.net, or by calling the school's athletic office at (847) 741-7535.

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