Berlin Patch/Subway Athlete Of The Week: Courtney Trzasko

As a sophomore Courtney Trzasko would enter the game for the Berlin girls basketball team and be counted on to shoot three-pointers to beat a zone defense.

This year, as a junior, Trzasko looks like a completely different player. She now has the ability to beat defenders off the dribble, handle the ball against pressure defense and play great defense and rebound all at the same time.

Trzasko made a big impact in helping the Redcoats win the Rocky Hill Erica Garrett Tournament. She played so well that she was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament.

For her efforts, she is this week's Berlin Patch-Farmington Ave. Subway Athlete of the Week.

So what has been the difference from last season to this season?

"I would just spend hours out in my driveway with my dad and shoot and work on my game," said the junior, who swims in the fall and plays AAU basketball in the spring and summer. "I went to camps over the summer and they work on you and want you to become a complete player. I also have great coaches who stay with me after practice and help me work on my shooting."

Trzasko had 13 points in helping Berlin to a win over Bristol Eastern. With the win, the Redcoats stayed unbeaten in their CCC division and improved to 7-2 on the season.

"We don't just expect to be good, we work hard every day to be good," she said. "We lose players every year and new players have to step up. We're a different team every year but if we keep working hard we'll be in good shape."

Trzasko is a member of UpBeat, is a class officer, the treasurer, for her junior class and a member of Habitat for Humanity. She is the daughter of Gary and Chris Trzasko.