Gronewold continues basketball pipeline to John Wood

Illini West senior Randi Gronewold committed to play basketball for John Wood Community College last week. She is seated with her parents, Mike and Marla Gronewold. Standing is JWCC coach Norman Rodriguez (left) and Illini West coach Zach Keene.

Randi Gronewold remembered her first meeting with John Wood Community College coach Norman Rodriguez. That encounter and a tour of the campus made her decision to play basketball there an easy one.

Gronewold, a senior at Illini West High School, committed to play basketball at John Wood Community College in Quincy. She and Rodriguez had their eye on each other since her freshman season as a Carthage Bluegirl.

“I've had my eye on Randi since she played in, I believe it was a Monroe City tournament when she was a freshman,” said Rodriguez. “She got in a game near the end because it was a blowout. I remember thinking this is a girl I need to watch. You knew she had a love for the game and a tremendous amount of potential. You knew she was going to be a leader and elevate the rest of the team's play.”

Gronewold remembers a later meeting at a home game.

“He was here watching the Bostons (Rachelle and Raylene) play,” said Gronewold. “He told me I needed to learn to use my left hand. That was the first time I had met him. I remembered what he said.”

Gronewold is a natural fit in John Wood's offense.

“We try to run a wide open offense,” said Rodriguez. “Sometimes we have somebody who can post up low, which she can do. More often than not we like to run a high post offense and really spread the floor and attack the basket. She's going to give us the ability to do that.”

“I think the thing Coach Rodriguez will like is she's versatile,” said Illini West coach Zach Keene. “She can step outside and shoot that shot from the three-point line. She can go inside and post up. She gets up and down the floor a lot quicker than most post players do.

“Her size and quickness will provide big dividends for her.”

Gronewold leaves Illini West as the school's leading scorer and rebounder. She also scored the first points in the program's history at the Lady Streaks Classic in Galesburg.

“She can rebound like nobody's business,” said Rodriguez. “I haven't seen anybody in a long time who can rebound like she can. She has a natural knack and instinct to know where the ball is going to be. That will help us tremendously when we get into conference play which is always tough.”

Gronewold said she talked to some former players from Carthage who played at John Wood. They all gave the school a high recommendation.

“The girls told me it was a good school,” said Gronewold. “They all said Coach Rodriguez would take care of me.

“I looked at other places, but this one stood out. It's close to home and everything is brand new. That played a big part in my decision.”