For 40 years, the record of most points scored in a game has stood untouched, an achievement that served as a symbol for greatness in basketball at West Bend West High School.
This year, West senior Carson Bauer finally bested the seemingly unbeatable record by scoring 43 points in a single game. Bauer is not short of athletic achievements, having recently been selected to play in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 2 Boys Basketball State Team. Despite his plethora of accomplishments, one holds a particular significance to him. At a playoff game, Bauer scored the most points in a game, season and career, achieving the triple crown.
Scoring the most points in one game wasn’t just any victory for Bauer as the record was previously held by his coach, Bill Albrecht.
“That one means the most to me,” Bauer said.
Albrecht reacted with nothing but pride when his pupil beat his long-standing record after holding it for four decades.
“He put in so much hard work over the last four years to put himself in the position to break my record,” Albrecht said.
Both Albrecht and Ryan Matenaer, Bauer’s other coach, have provided Bauer with the means to be such a successful player. According to Albrecht, Bauer’s willingness to listen and be coached has aided him in improving as a player in both his technique and physicality during his time playing for West Bend West.
“They both shaped me into the player I am today,” Bauer said.
To his coaches, Bauer’s success is about more than just the numbers.
“I’m most proud of him not for his records, but rather for not bringing attention to himself on the court and playing both ends of the court, both offense and defense,” Albrecht said. “He represented West Bend Spartan Basketball very well for four seasons.”
Bauer’s experience as an athlete at West has provided him with valuable skills for his future in basketball as he plans on pursuing the sport at University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse.
“West Bend West has prepared me for my future by pushing me to the limits every day at practice and games,” Bauer said. “I’ve learned over the past four years that working hard in and out of the classroom gets you a long way.”
(Top image courtesy of Carson Bauer.)
The West Bend Current 
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