Basketball ‘Lifer’: Senior Liz Helsper prepares for final stretch of athletic career

Senior Liz Helsper lived on the hardwood as a child.  She was the tallest girl in her class and found her gift on the Brookings, S.D., basketball courts: Scoring points and playing tough defense.

When Augustana came to her door, she agreed to play basketball, study biology and embark on a new journey that began in the third grade.

Finding a Gift

With an older sister, Nicole, a younger sister, Kaylin, and a younger brother, RJ, the Helspers  found their rivalry in sports.

"When we were younger, Nicole and I were attached at the hip," Helsper said.  "And we played a lot of basketball.  Lots of good memories elsewhere in my life, but basketball was a constant.  From all the YMCA camps to the summer tournaments, it was basketball almost all the time."

Helsper played with Nicole, who was one year older, on basketball teams throughout her childhood, which helped her develop talent unlike others her age.

"Playing with girls one grade older was a great experience," Helsper said.  "It definitely helped me get a lot better.  That development of talent was why I kept going with it."

Those memories of playing side by side have forged a close relationship between the two sisters, but have also helped them cheer for their younger siblings.

"As I get older, I've really appreciated my siblings much more," Helsper said.  "We had our rivalries, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Helsper and her family now attend RJ's games, and she cheers  on a younger brother who is deemed as "spoiled at times."

"Since he is the youngest, of course he gets what he wants," Helsper said.  "With him being the only boy though, we get to have a different perspective when we watch him play.  It's really fun to go to his sporting events."

That close sibling bond has been helped by her parents, Richard and Mary, both of whom played a role in the shaping of who Helsper is today.

"My dad took such an active role in the basketball world," Helsper said.  "He would go and practice with us and travel anywhere to let us play.  I have a lot of respect for him."

Helsper credits her mom for an outgoing personality.

"My mom definitely raised us to be socially outgoing and accepting of everyone," Helsper said.  "She's just like that.  She wants to talk to everyone.

Welcome to the Show

When fifth grade rolled around, Helsper began travelling on summer teams, gaining regional and national exposure, and setting in motion a whirlwind of late night drives, long weekend tournaments and countless hours in YMCA gyms.

Augustana senior Megan Doyle remembers playing Helsper during some tournaments, mentioning that her team was scared to play Helsper because "she was the stud on the team."

When she reached high school, Helsper joined a varsity squad and won the state tournament her freshman season.

During the summers before her junior and senior seasons, Helsper played with South Dakota Elite, an All-Star team that traveled around the region in search of the best competition.  The team featured Doyle, along with former South Dakota State University star Jill Young.  In 2006, the team won a National title in the Miss Basketball Showcase. 

In her career at Brookings High School, Helsper won the 2004 state tournament, the 2007 South Dakota Class AA Player of the Year award, and finished as a three-time member of the South Dakota State All-Tournament Team.

Growing Pains

When Helsper arrived at Augustana, she was thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury to then-starting guard Chelsea DeVille, and found herself often overwhelmed by the college basketball scene. 

"In that situation, it was really tough at times," Helsper said.  "It's emotionally tough because of the big transition between high school and college ball."

Helsper found respite in senior leaders Amy Puthoff and Brooke Olsen, who helped guide her through the stress  of college life.

"On and off the court they were very supportive," Helsper said.  "If I was struggling they were always there to talk to and help me out."

As Helsper began to understand the college game, she found comfort on the court and eventually finished the season with 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game averages.  A season-high 12 points against Northwestern highlighted the season.

Doyle remembers that game as a highlight of Helsper's career, but mostly for the defensive work against Deb Remmerde, who is known for her 133 consecutive made free throws record and as an area standout. 

"I remember when she shut down...Remmerde our freshman year," Doyle said.  "It was Remmerde's senior season and she was scoring a lot of points every game, but Liz came in and put forth 100 percent for the team, limiting Remmerde's shots that night."

That night looked to be the beginning of the college career Helsper dreamed of, but before the start of her sophomore season, she suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear that knocked her out for the season.

"That was probably one of the toughest points in my life," Helsper said.  "Just the toll it takes on you, emotionally, mentally and physically, it's draining.  Then having to work your way back, it's tough.  Wanting to be on the court so much but not being able to, especially when I had played the game for so long, was tough to swallow."

The Bright Side

Even with the loss of a season, Helsper continued to smile.

"I try not to let things bother me too much," Helsper said.  "I try to roll with the punches and keep myself focused on the big picture of life."