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A Columbus senior basketball player has decided to play college basketball in Iowa’s capital city. Kelsey Pretz, an All-State, All-Region, and All-Conference basketball player for the Wildcats this season, signed a letter of intent Friday afternoon to play college basketball for the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Bears.

Pretz, who had interest from NAIA schools in Iowa and Nebraska, says she chose DMACC because she wasn’t sure about playing basketball for four more years. “I knew I wanted to continue playing basketball because I have a passion for it and love the sport and I think that developed through my junior and senior year,” Pretz said, “DMACC was just calling my name and it really fit me. I enjoyed the environment and the coaching staff.”

Pretz was awarded a Third Team All-State spot after leading the Wildcats in total points with 447, the third most in the SEISC North this season and the most points ever record in a single season at Columbus. She finished her career 938 points, the second most scored in school history. Columbus finished their season with a 16-7 record, falling to the West Branch Bears 77-51 in the district quarterfinal round.

Pretz isn’t the only KCII area girls’ basketball player who has committed to DMACC. WACO’s Aaliyah Brown also signed a letter of intent Friday afternoon to play for the Bears this winter.

The Bears are coached by Steve Krafcisin, who just finished his 10th season with the school. This past season the Bears went 19-13 overall, ending their season in the quarterfinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI Women’s Basketball Tournament.