EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Effingham St. Anthony girls basketball team kicked off their season with an unexpected twist. A mere two weeks before games were set to begin, the team found itself navigating a sudden coaching change.

Bart Wiedman, no stranger to the Bulldogs, stepped back into the head coach position after Aaron Rios resigned. Wiedman had a successful tenure with the team from 2011 to 2019, making his return a familiar yet fresh start for the program.

Adjusting to new leadership has been an adventure for the players. “It’s fun, it’s definitely an adjustment,” said one of the key players, Ruholl. “We’re getting used to new plays and different offenses. It’s been exciting to see how the team has adapted, and so far, we’re doing pretty well this year.”

Ruholl has not only been a significant offensive force but also a crucial player for Wiedman during this transition. Her ability to adapt has been instrumental as the team settles into a new rhythm under Wiedman’s guidance.

In addition to bringing a big scoring punch, Ruholl has been one of the players Wiedman has leaned on throughout the coaching change.

“You can’t find 2000 points just anywhere,” Wiedman said. “She’s a fantastic scorer, a great defender, a great teammate.” “But even better, she’s a better person, a great role model for kids.”