The GCC Women's Basketball Team is proud to announce the signing of incoming freshman Annabelle Besonen for the 2023-2024 season. A native of Trout Creek, MI, Anna is an extremely successful student and multi-sport athlete who attended Watersmeet Township School. Anna is a 5'4" guard who excelled both with her Northland Elite AAU team, but also on her Watersmeet High School Team. A few of her high school basketball achievements include being named 1st Team All-Conference her senior year, 2nd Team All-Conference her junior year, Honorable Mention All-Conference her sophomore year and 2nd Team All-Conference her freshman year.
Her favorite basketball memory comes from Senior/Parents night for the 2022-2023 season. "Both our teams, boys and girls, took a win when emotions were running high because it was the girl's last regular season game with our seniors. Our team came together to play a game of basketball as a unit and held our opponent under 30 points. It was a great way to end the season and go out with a win."
She also played Volleyball where she was named All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2020 and, as a member of the Track & Field Team, she competed in the UP Track & Field Finals in 2022. Anna was also Head Media Coordinator, Head Scout and Safety Captain in Robotics and was Quiz-bowl Team Captain.
Once enrolled at GCC, she plans to major in Elementary Education. Besonen said she selected GCC because she would be able to continue her basketball career at the next level and since basketball has been such a big part of her life so far, it would be difficult to just quit playing. GCC's close proximity to home was also a factor in her decision as she will be able to easily travel between GCC and her home.
When asked what she was most excited about for her first season as a Samson, she said "I'm excited to have a team that's ready to put in the work and have a great season. I'm excited to meet new people and continue playing the sport I love, while continue my education and growing as a person. I can't wait to go to college and start a new path in my life as a Samson."
Quote from Coach Schreiner: "When I think of Annabelle joining us, here are the first things that come to mind: she's a good person from a good family, she works hard, and she loves basketball. It's tough to find a better combination than that. Annabelle has some connections with this team already, Coach KJ helped coach her in AAU and she played AAU with a couple of our other local players. The usually tends to make for an easier transition for players when they have some familiarity with the program. Lastly, we struggled with a lack of depth at the guard position last season. Having Annabelle commit helps us play a little more of the style of basketball that we'd like to get it."
Besonen is the first commit to the Samsons women's basketball team for the 2023-2024 season.
