Janel Grimm Burgess will coach at her alma mater

MONTEZUMA — Janel Burgess is back home, and back with the girls' basketball program at her alma mater.

The former Montezuma and Iowa State star as Janel Grimm, Burgess has been named the new head coach at Montezuma.

'I am humbled and excited to return to Montezuma and lead the Bravettes on the basketball court,' Burgess said in a release by the school. 'MHS has always had a special place in my heart. The pride in the community and the tradition within the program is something special.'

Burgess takes over a program that has advanced the to regional finals the past two seasons and returns seven of its top eight girls. Over the past two seasons, the Bravettes have a record of 39-9.

Most recently, Burgess was the head women's coach at Grand Valley State. She spent eight seasons as the head coach, compiling a 137-84 mark. Her teams twice made the NCAA Division-II national tournament.

Prior to Grand Valley State, Burgess spent three years at Missouri State as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. She also has coached at Maine, Northern Illinois and Michigan State.

Burgess averaged more than 50 points per game in her time playing six-on-six at Montezuma. She went on to become a two-time all-Big 12 honoree at Iowa State, where she scored 1,449 career points.

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