JEFFERSON TWP — Casey Kretzer likes to keep busy.

Whether it's playing basketball, coaching it or even taking to the softball field in a surprising career move, the Knoch graduate is an expert at keeping a lot of plates spinning.

Toss in a demanding nursing program at Butler County Community College and Kretzer is putting her time management skills to the test.

“Yeah, sometimes it can be a lot,” Kretzer said.

That hasn't stopped Kretzer, a sophomore at BC3, from helping out with the Knoch girls basketball program while also playing point guard for the Pioneers.

Kretzer makes it to as many Knights' practices and games as she can.

“I just really like being able to come back and help the girls,” Kretzer said. “I like to think of myself as the 'cool, fun coach.' I feel like I can really relate to the girls due to me still being so young and having gone through the same situations as them.”

Kretzer, who played for Knoch girls basketball coach Chris Andreassi, asked her former coach if she could help out.

Andreassi jumped at the chance.

“It's nice having her,” Andreassi said. “She's a busy girl. If she has time, she's here.”

Kretzer said she tends to wait for the Knoch players to approach her for advice instead of offering it up unsolicited.

She said she also provides some tension-relieving comic relief.

“I'll jump in with a joke or something,” Kretzer said. “Anything to break the mood.

“I kind of see things from both sides now,” Kretzer added. “As a player, I know you sometimes make a pass because you think it's open, but it's not. As a coach on the bench, I can see that now. When a player comes to me and says, 'I thought it was open,' I can relate. I've been there.”

Kretzer is excited to work with the Knights, who have a young and talented team.

Knoch is 5-2 in the section heading into the second half.

“We have a chance at a really good seed for the playoffs,” Kretzer said. “Maddie (Boyer) is a really good player. Abby Shearer is so quick; she can get a steal and go. Lauren (Cihonski) is as tough as nails under there. When other teams push her a little bit, she gets that fire under her. Nevaeh (Ewing) can light it up if you don't pay attention to her.”

Even though Kretzer is only two seasons removed from playing for Knoch, she didn't share the court with many of the current Knights.

“It's strange, but, yeah, not too many of them,” Kretzer said.

Kretzer has taken a particular interest in freshman Nina Shaw.

The 5-foot-1 point guard is already a talented ball-handler and is ultra quick.

Kind of like a young Kretzer.

“She can dribble so fast and so low to the ground,” Kretzer said. “It's exciting to be able to work with her and see her grow as a player and a person.”

When basketball season is over, Kretzer will tackle another challenge.

Last year at BC3, Kretzer played softball again for the first time since junior high.

After she shook off the considerable rust, Kretzer had a strong season for the WPCC champion Pioneers, earning all conference honors at second base and shortstop.

“I was nervous; I hadn't played in over four years,” Kretzer said. “All the girls were really awesome and they were like, 'Hey, we get it. Knock off the rust.' I made some new friends.”

Kretzer didn't even expect to play basketball after high school. Now she's a two-sport star at the community college level.

“I'm just grateful I got the chance to play an extra two years,” Kretzer said. “And I got the chance to play softball again.”

As far as her experience on the bench with the Knoch girls basketball team, Kretzer just hopes she can make a difference, no matter how subtle.

“At the end of the day (I just hope I can) give a piece of advice to a player to think about and then use it to help themselves, or even just make a girl smile and be more confident in herself rather then doubt themselves and get upset,” she said