Katie Ottenbacher

Founder/Head Coach Great Lakes Grind

“If you’re not grinding, you’re not working.
If you’re not working, you’re not getting better”

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

The game looks different when you realize you’re running out of possessions and the clock is ticking.

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

At the end of the game spectators remember who kept playing for the team and who was playing for themselves!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

Proud of you @HalleHoops27 ! Never stop Grinding!

[Great Lakes Grind Basketball @GreatLakesGrind]

Another one of our “OGs” that joined us from the very start of Grind and trusted us with her growth!

It was an honor working with this young lady for the last two years, and we couldn’t be more excited or proud to help her share the announcement of her commitment to Kirtland College to continue her athletic and academic career!

Watching Hal grow as an athlete and as a young woman has been an absolute privilege!

Congratulations, Hal! ❤️We are—and always will be—so incredibly proud of you!

Go Firebirds!! @CoachOtt12 @JMcMurren00 @CoachEvanBell @MichHSBball @KampsKornerOHGB @TheMRR7 @KirtlandWBB @Rollpride1

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@HankampScott Yesssirrrr 👏🏻

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@CoachTomParks The best fuel!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

Reaching.

Looks like somebody finally got called for the foul!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@eadampeek Ever see a coach lie about size of the kid along with stats too!? That happens as well. Drives me crazy!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

Ignoring a mismatch in the game is only going to get exploited, the longer the game goes on.

SUB!!!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@justin_vahl I know this fight all too well! Never understood not letting kids into an empty gym that want to get better.
Or in some cases, some schools only allow certain athletes

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

Can’t wait to find our 2027 players!!

[Great Lakes Grind Basketball @GreatLakesGrind]

Calling all Northern Mi ladies!!! Want to join the grind!?!

Don’t miss tryouts! @JMcMurren00 @CoachOtt12 @CoachEvanBell @coachselvia @MichHSBball

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

A fun day with great kids!!!

[Great Lakes Grind Basketball @GreatLakesGrind]

23 eager middle schoolers joined the Grind today at our MS Youth Camp!

We challenged, we learned, and we grew — all while having a whole lot of fun along the way!

Every rep, every drill, every challenge is another opportunity to get better. The energy, effort, and willingness to learn today were 🔥!

Keep grinding. Keep growing. Keep showing up.
@JMcMurren00 @CoachOtt12 let’s keep grinding!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

The night before hosting a youth camp is like Christmas Eve — can’t wait to get in the gym with eager young ones ready to learn!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@lucymoyer27 @courtney_kust @CoachMorehouse @AustinRa10 @cadedenver @CoachEvanBell So proud of you Lu!!!!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@HalleHoops27 @MUCrusadersWBB Yeaaaaaa Hal!! So proud of you!

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

I was told two programs in our area is “dividing the talent” & neither will be successful outside of our area because we’re splitting up the best girls.

My goal isn’t to have the 10 best, it’s to develop 10 of the best.

We don’t need to collect talent. We need to develop it.

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@ChuckSmith414 HS’s don’t want true coaches. Depending on areas a lot of times it falls into the politics and the school choosing a convenient option, or as I was told this summer a “safe option”.

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

One of the hardest working athletes I’ve been fortunate to coach.

Hope is not only getting a great ball player, but an even better human! @AustinRa10 @CoachMorehouse @courtney_kust

[Great Lakes Grind Basketball @GreatLakesGrind]

We’ve had the privilege of working with this young lady for the last two years, and we couldn’t be more excited or proud to help her share the announcement of her commitment to Hope College to continue her athletic and academic career!

Congratulations, @lucymoyer27 We are—and always will be—so incredibly proud of you!

Go Dutchmen! @AustinRa10 @courtney_kust @CoachMorehouse @CoachEvanBell @coachselvia @MichHSBball @HankampScott @TheMRR7

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

Never too early to learn the full game! Let’s go @JMcMurren00

[Great Lakes Grind Basketball @GreatLakesGrind]

Kindergarteners… a pick-and-roll? Learning how to share the ball? Are you crazy right now!?

Nope. We’re just crazy about teaching them the game the right way from the very beginning.

We’re building more than just basketball skills. We’re teaching them how to pass, move, communicate, defend, make decisions, play together, and understand ALL aspects of the game.

Because it’s never too early to learn how to play basketball the right way.

Teach the game. Build the player. Grow the love. @JMcMurren00 @CoachOtt12

[Laila Shimek @LailaShimek]

Very grateful to receive an offer from @AdrianCollege!! I had a lovely tour from these amazing coaches, so thankful for the opportunity. @acwb_basketball @MichHSBball @PGHMichigan @pgh_Danyle @CoachEvanBell

[Katie Ottenbacher @CoachOtt12]

@LailaShimek @JMcMurren00 @AdrianCollege @acwb_basketball @MichHSBball @PGHMichigan @pgh_Danyle @CoachEvanBell Yesssss Cakes!!!! Well deserved!