ILLMAR — Coming off a 19-9 season with an appearance in the Section 8AAA championship, the newly inexperienced Willmar’s girls basketball team will look to surprise teams this season.
Brendan Hedtke takes over a Willmar Cardinals team that will have a new lineup and three players who saw significant playing time last season: Telilie Lange, Zoe Schroeder and Brielle Ogdahl.
The Cardinals enter the 2022-23 season without all five of their starters from 2021-22. They are a group that is familiar with each other, but one that hasn’t played big minutes on the varsity stage.
“This year’s team is a group that hasn’t had a lot of experience at the varsity level, but they are a group
Brown / West Central Tribune Willmar eighth-grader Brielle Ogdahl (3) looks to make a shot in the post against Redwood Valley’s Kendall Huhnerkoch during a first-round game of the WildCard Tournament Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, at New London.
who has played together a lot at other levels,” said Hedtke, who’s entering his first season as head coach. “Our team is a hardworking group that wants to compete and wants to win. They have the right attitude as a collective.”
With no returning starters and key losses led by Sammy Christoffer, Jada Reiman and Ella Shinn, Hedtke will have plenty of options to choose from for his rotation this season.
“With losing the entire starting lineup from last season, we have a lot of options in that sense this year. Nothing is going to be given to anyone,” Hedtke said. “Players will earn their spots and minutes. That should bring a lot of competitiveness and fire in practice.”
Leading the new-look Cardinals will be freshman guard Lange, senior center/power forward Schroeder and freshman forward Ogdahl.
Lange started four games and played in 26 total in 2021-22 as an eighthgrader. She averaged 2.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 14 minutes, 41 seconds per game.
Schroeder and Ogdahl each started
one game in 2021-22. Schroeder averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13:45 per game. Ogdahl played in all 28 games as an eighth-grader, averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15:59 per game.
“We have a great mix of upperclassmen who have been a part of this program for years and underclassmen that bring a ton of energy,” Hedtke said. “I think when you look at a team that loses their whole starting lineup and their four top scorers, you assume that it will be a team that struggles. I think we will surprise a lot of teams with the amount of talent we have.”
Tuesday, Dec 6, 2022
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM
Alexandria ..................................... Willmar High School
Thursday, Dec 8, 2022
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Alexandria Area HS Runestone Community Center
Friday, Dec 9, 2022
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Sartell Sartell High School
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2022
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:00 PM Away vs. St. Cloud Crush Municipal Athletic Center
Thursday, Dec 15, 2022
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet TBD Away vs. Fergus Falls Spidal’s Ski Resort
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 6:00 PM
St. Cloud Crush Willmar High School
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 6:00 PM
Rocori - River Lakes Willmar Civic Center
Saturday, Dec 17, 2022
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 2:30 PM Monticello Willmar High School
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 5:30 PM Delano Willmar Civic Center
Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet TBD
Multiple Schools Eagle Creek Golf Course
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 5:30 PM
Marshall Willmar Civic Center
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Orono Willmar High School
Tuesday, Dec 27, 2022
Basketball: Girls Varsity Invitational TBD
Multiple Schools Willmar High School Wednesday, Dec 28, 2022
Basketball: Girls Varsity Invitational TBD Multiple Schools ............................ Willmar High School
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet TBD Away vs. Brainerd ....................... Northland Arboretum
Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:00 PM
Away vs. Hutchinson Burich Arena
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM
Becker .......................................... Willmar High School
Thursday, Jan 5, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM
Away vs. Rocori Rocori High School
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Brainerd-Little Falls LF Exchange Arena
Friday, Jan 6, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:30 PM
Away vs. Detroit Lakes......... Detroit Lakes High School
Saturday, Jan 7, 2023
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet TBD Away vs. Mesabi East Schools Giants Ridge, Biwabik
Tuesday, Jan 10, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM
Fergus Falls Willmar High School
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Rocori River Lakes Paynesville Arena
Thursday, Jan 12, 2023
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet TBD Away vs. St. John`s Prep St. John’s University Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 5:30 PM Fergus Falls Willmar Civic Center
Friday, Jan 13, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:00 PM Away vs. Hutchinson Hutchinson High School Saturday, Jan 14, 2023
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 1:00 PM Away vs. Litchfield Litchfield Civic Arena Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 3:15 PM Mound Westonka Willmar High School Monday, Jan 16, 2023
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Willmar Civic Center Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet 7:15 PM Away vs. Alexandria Area HS ................... Andes Tower
Thursday, Jan 19, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Sauk Rapids-Rice Sauk Rapids-Rice H.S. Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Sartell/SRR Bernick’s Arena
Saturday, Jan 21, 2023
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet TBD
TBD Eagle Creek Golf Course
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 4:00 PM Away vs. Pequot Lakes Hallett Community Center
Tuesday, Jan 24, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM
Brainerd Willmar High School
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Alexandria Area HS Willmar Civic Center
Thursday, Jan 26, 2023
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Meet TBD
Away vs. Little Falls Camp Ripley
Nordic Skiing: Conference Championship 1:00 PM Away vs. Multiple Schools Brainerd - Northland Arboretum
Friday, Jan 27, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Alexandria Area HS Alexandria Area HS
Saturday, Jan 28, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 2:30 PM Away vs. New Ulm New Ulm High School
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 2:45 PM Mound Westonka Willmar Civic Center
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Marshall Willmar High School
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Fergus Falls... FF Roosevelt School - Hockey Arena
Thursday, Feb 2, 2023
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 5:30 PM
Brainerd-Little Falls Willmar Civic Center
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 6:00 PM Sartell Willmar High School
Friday, Feb 3, 2023
Hockey: Girls Varsity Game 6:00 PM Away vs. Benson Benson Civic Center
Monday, Feb 6, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:30 PM Away vs. Morris Area Morris Area Elementary School Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Section TBD Away vs. Multiple Schools Maplelag Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. St. Cloud Crush St. Cloud Tech H.S. Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023
Nordic Skiing: Girls Varsity Section TBD Away vs. Multiple Schools Maplelag Friday, Feb 10, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Rocori ........................................... Willmar High School
Wednesday, Feb 15 & 16, 2023
Nordic Skiing: State Tournament TBD Away vs. Multiple Schools Giants Ridge, Biwabik Thursday, Feb 16, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Away vs. Fergus Falls Fergus Falls High School
Monday, Feb 20, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 6:00 PM Big Lake Willmar High School
Friday, Feb 24, 2023
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game 7:15 PM Sauk Rapids-Rice Willmar High School
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NEW LONDON — The New London-Spicer girls basketball team had the kind of season a lot of teams would love to have, going 24-4 and winning the Wright County Conference West Division title with a 12-2 record in 2021-22..
The Wildcats return one of the top backcourts in Class AA in Avery Rich and Jaden Coahran and have enough experience back to make another run at conference and section titles.
However, the Wildcats missed the state tournament after qualifying in back-toback seasons and qualifying 17 other times since 1985. They lost to Montevideo 41-26 in the Section 3AA semifinals after impressive wins over Paynesville (7243) and Litchfield (51-30). WILDCATS: Page 6
Nov. 29 at West Central
Dec. 1 vs MORRIS/CHOKIO-ALBERTA
Dec. 6 at Eden Valley-Watkins
Dec. 9 vs. DELANO
Dec. 13 vs. MINNEWASKA Dec. 15 at Sauk Centre Dec. 20 vs. ALBANY
Dec. 22 vs. MONTEVIDEO
Dec. 27 tournament at Willmar Dec. 28 tournament at Willmar
Jan. 6 vs. WATERTOWN-MAYER
Jan. 10 at Rockford
Jan. 13 at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Jan. 17 vs. ANNANDALE
Jan. 19 at Dassel-Cokato
Jan. 23 vs. PAYNESVILLE
Jan. 24 at Glencoe-Silver Lake Jan. 27 at Litchfield
Jan. 31 at Watertown-Mayer Feb. 3 vs. ROCKFORD
Feb. 7 vs. HOWARD LAKEWAVERLY-WINSTED
Feb. 9 at Annandale
Feb. 14 vs. DASSEL-COKATO
Feb. 17 vs. GLENCOE-SILVER LAKE Feb.18 at Crosby-Ironton Feb. 21 vs. LITCHFIELD
Check the schools website for an updated events list
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Bet that it’s a motivator as NLS embarks upon the 2022-23 season.
The challenge will be replacing five seniors who all contributed: Izzy Schmiesing, Nyla Johnson, Ellie Hanson, Courtney Rich and Audrey Schneider. But, there are five regulars returning, including two All-West Central Tribune Area players.
Leading the way are Avery Rich and Coahran. Rich is a 5-foot-7 guard who averaged 17.3 points, 3.2 assists and 4.5 steals per game as junior. Also an all-conference selection, she’ll be considered one to the top seniors in Class AA this season.
Coahran is a 5-7 guard who averaged 10.2 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 apg and 2.7 ppg for the Wildcats as a junior. Another all-conference player, she’ll team up with Rich to give NLS one of the top backcourts in the area.
Three others return after seeing varsity time: Ellary Peterson (5-9, F); Laney Hanson (5-9, F); and Dakota Rich (5-7, G), who is Avery’s sister. Dakota Rich averaged 9.7 ppg last season. Hanson averaged 6.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg and Peterson contributed 4.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg.
Players to watch including sophomore Ava Carlson (5-9, F) and seniors Katelyn Tortorella (6-1, C), Kaylee Thorson (5-8, W) and Miller Holland (5-7, F).
Mike Dreier begins his 45th season as head coach. He has a career record of 1,009-187, the most wins of any girls basketball coach in state history. His assistants include Joey Dreier, his son, and Margaret Essler and Lynette Beuning, both long-time coaches in the program. ◀
BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune
GROVE CITY — An Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Falcons team that finished with a 4-22 record in 2021-22 will preach being the best version of themselves in hopes for a more successful season ahead.
Guard Elli Roememling leads a trio of junior veterans for ACGC. Roemeling earned AllCentral Minnesota Conference Second Team honors last season and will re-join forces with guard Mikaili Johnson and forward Grace Kaehler.
ACGC sophomore guard Mackenzie Powers and freshman center Ruby Klinger round out the returning starters.
Mentioned as players to watch by Falcons head coach Trever Heining, all four are underclassmen.
Those four underclassmen to keep eyes on are sophomore guards Brooke Schultz and Aaliyah Carlson, and freshman guards Taylor Frericks and Haven Weseman.
“We are excited to keep building off of last year. Towards the end of the year, we took better care of the ball and valued each possession,” Heining said. “We are excited
to keep growing our program and teaching the young ladies. We preached being the best version of yourself and coming to practice each day with a purpose. We are excited for the opportunity to compete each day.”
The Falcons averaged 41.6 points, 32.3 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game, shooting 34% from the field and 49% from the free-throw line in 2021-22.. ◀
Main Office 1025 E. Frontage Rd. Litchfield, MN 55355 320.693.2821
Atwater Location 16319 Hwy. 12 NE Atwater, MN 56209 320.974.8868 Litchfield Location 511 Polydome Dr. Litchfield, MN 55355 320.693.6014
Nov. 29 at Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
Dec. 2 at Montevideo
Dec. 6 at Maple Lake
Dec. 9 vs. PAYNESVILLE
Dec. 15 at Holdingford
Dec. 19 at Renville County West
Dec. 20 vs. YELLOW MEDICINE EAST
Dec. 22 vs. LITCHFIELD
Jan. 3 at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
Jan. 6 at Royalton
Jan. 9 vs. UPSALA
Jan. 12 at Kimball
Jan. 16 vs. MACCRAY
Jan. 17 at Eden Valley-Watkins
Jan. 20 vs. MAPLE LAKE
Jan. 23 at Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart
Jan. 26 at Paynesville
Jan. 31 vs. HOLDINGFORD
Feb. 3 vs. BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA
Feb. 4 at Benson
Feb. 6 at Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop
Feb. 9 vs. ROYALTON
Feb. 10 at Central Minnesota Christian
Feb. 14 vs. KIMBALL
Feb. 17 vs. EDEN VALLEY-WATKINS
Check the schools website for an updated events list
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BELGRADE — With an experienced varsity group of seven girls returning from last season, five of them being seniors, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa girls basketball will look to build on its 18-10 overall record from the 2021-22 season that was plagued with injuries.
BBE Jaguars is led by returning all-stater Abby Berge, who missed a chunk of last season with a leg fracture, as well as all-conference selection Tiyana Schwinghammer.
Not only are the Jaguars returning five seniors, they also return four starters. All four are seniors and players to watch in guards Berge, Harley Roering and Schwinghammer and post Allison Dingmann.
“The Jaguars are healthy, had a great summer, and are looking to have a more consistent 2022-23 season. The team will be led by a strong core of seniors,” BBE head coach Kristina Anderson said. “This team will use their length and quickness to create chaos on defense and look to play an uptempo type of transition offense.”
Berge, despite missing 10 games of the 2021-22 season due to a leg fracture, was a member of the AllState, All-Central Minnesota Conference and West Central Tribune All-Area First Team squads after averaging 23.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.0 steals and 2.8 assists per game. Schwinghammer was also part of the All-CMC team, leading the Jaguars with 290 points, 160 rebounds, 73 steals and 30 blocks in 2021-22.
Berge and Schwinghammer will lead the healthy Jaguars in hopes of a stronger 2022-23 campaign.
BBE was ranked in the top-10 for the majority of the 2021-22 season and reached the Section 5A-West finals.
“This team has unfinished business from last season and will be hungry to prove they can contend to be at the top of the conference and section,” said Anderson, who’s at the helm of the Jaguars program for an 11th season. “The balance of gritty defense and uptempo offense should make this team fun to watch. We are hoping our strength of schedule will prepare us for the end of the season, where we need to be playing our best.” ◀
BBE junior Abby Berge (middle) puts up a shot against a pair of Minneota defenders during the first half of a non-conference game on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Belgrade. Berge was fouled on the play.
BBE junior Allison Dingmann (13) puts up a shot in the paint while Minneota’s McKenzie Tolk puts her hands up to defend during the first half of a non-conference game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Belgrade.
BENSON — First-year head coach Renee Helgenset and her inexperienced Benson Braves girls basketball team have their eyes set on improvement for the 2022-23 season.
Only junior Kaylin Grube and eighth-grader Kaida Helgenset return from a 3-21 squad in 2021-22.
Benson returns this season without four key pieces in Mya Kurkosky, Adysen Himley, Madi Wrobleski and Marley Rush. All of them graduated following the 2021-22 season.
Both Grube and Helgenset come with the most prior
varsity experience on Benson’s young roster. The two return as the only starters on Benson’s team from the 2021-22 season.
“The majority of our athletes have had little or no prior varsity experience. As a result, we look forward to seeing individual and team improvement throughout the course of the season,” Helgenset said. “Many underclassmen will see the floor this winter and be able to help lead the future of the program.”
Benson finished the season with a 0-11 2021-22 in West Central
Conference play.
Benson earned wins over Dawson-Boyd and Lakeview in the regular-season and its third victory came in the postseason. The Braves dominated Ashby en route to a 56-35 victory in the first round of the Section 6A playoffs.
vs� MACCRAY Feb. 16 at Morris/Chokio-Alberta Feb. 20
OLIVIA — The BOLD Warriors girls basketball team have just enough talent back and just enough depth to believe that 2022-23 should be a really good year.
Led by Mari Ryberg and Lainey Braulick, the Warriors believe they will be contenders in the West Central Conference and in Section 2A.
Ryberg, a senior guard, led BOLD to a 15-12 record and third-place finish in the West Central Conference last season. Ryberg, 5-foot-11, averaged 14 points per game last season and is in her fourth year as a varsity starter.
Also back is Braulick, a 5-8 sophomore shooting guard already in her third season on the varsity. Braulick averaged 13.2 ppg and opened the 2022-23 season with point totals of 30 and 36 in victories over Sleepy Eye St.. Mary’s and Sleepy Eye Public.
The third returning starter is senior guard Lily Dean.
They’ll lead a group that figures to be contending in the conference and in Section 2A North.
“We expect to compete in our conference and our section,” BOLD head coach Brian Kingery said. “We have a nice mix of athletes.
“If we shoot well, good things are going to happen for us.”
Figuring in the rotation will be Mackenzie Visser, a 5-11 junior post who saw extensive action last season. Also playing a key role will be Rylee Boen, a 5-6 junior guard, and Anna Moorse, a 5-10 senior forward.
“It’s a nice group,” Kingery said. “We need to stay close together.”
BOLD heads into the season with a smallish roster that includes 10 varsity players and six on the JV. Kingery said he sees several seventh- and eighth-graders who may work their way into playing time, but certainly not for now.
The West Central Conference will be challenging. Montevideo is ranked ninth in the state in Class AA and is coming off a state tournament berth. Sauk Centre, which BOLD split with last season, is expected to be big and tough. Minnewaska, another team BOLD split with, is also a likely contender.
“West Central Area is in our conference this year and I expect them to be good as well,” Kingery said.
As for Section 2A-North, Mayer Lutheran and Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart are expected to be good. Good news for BOLD is that its victories over SESM and Sleepy Eye were over the top two teams in 2A-South last season. ◀
2022-23 Girls Basketball Schedule
Nov. 25 at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s
Nov. 26 vs. Sleepy Eye at SESM
Nov. 29 at Yellow Medicine East
Dec. 1 at Minnewaska
Dec. 6 vs. BENSON Dec. 8 vs. MELROSE
Dec. 16 at Montevideo
Dec. 19 vs. BUFFALO LAKEHECTOR-STEWART
Jan. 28 vs. RENVILLE COUNTY WEST
Jan. 31 at Benson
Feb. 2 at Melrose
Feb. 7 at West Central Feb. 9 vs. MACCRAY
Feb. 10 vs. MONTEVIDEO
Feb. 14 at Central Minnesota Christian
Dec. 22 vs. SPRINGFIELD
Jan. 6 vs. SAUK CENTRE
Jan. 10 at Minneota
Feb. 20 vs. MORRIS/CHOKIOALBERTA SOLUTIONS, SERVICE & SUPPORT EST. 1948
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Jan. 12 at Cedar Mountain Jan. 13 at Morris/Chokio-Alberta
Jan. 20 vs. WEST CENTRAL
Jan. 24 at Sauk Centre
Jan. 27 vs. MINNEWASKA
PRINSBURG — The Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays will look to use their size and toughness in hopes of making a deep playoffs run in the 2022-23 season.
At the helm for his first season as the Bluejays head coach, Brian Nelson takes over a CMCS team that found plenty of success in 2021-22 under Mike Mulder. Mulder was the 2022 Camden North Coach of the Year.
CMCS went 20-9 last season and hopes to compete for the top spot again, where the Bluejays finished 10-0 in conference play.
To be in a similar position as in 202122, CMCS will look to eighth-grade guard Sienna Duininck, junior forward Lauren Taatjes and senior forward Natasha Erickson to pave the way.
The Bluejays’ starting lineup will be without their top two scorers in Coco Duininck and Molly Mulder, who accounted for 57.3% of CMCS’ points in 2021-22.
Coco Duininck was the Camden North Most Valuable Player in 2021-22. She and Mulder were also a part of the Camden All-Conference team.
Sienna Duininck returns to the
Bluejays as a member of the Camden All-Conference team and one of two starters, who CMCS will heavily rely on. She ranked third in scoring behind Coco Duininck and Mulder with 249 points, averaging 8.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.2 assists per contest.
Taatjes comes as CMCS’ second returning starter. She scored 129 points on 49% shooting from the field, averaging 4.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 assists per game.
“Our strengths will be some size and length inside and we have toughness. Our weaknesses are that we don’t return many varsity minutes, which leaves us inexperienced,” Nelson said. “We hope to gain valuable experience and compete for a top spot in the Camden North Conference.” ◀
Nov. 29 at Montevideo Dec. 2 vs. MAYER LUTHERAN Dec. 3 vs. BUFFALO LAKEHECTOR-STEWART
Dec. 6 at Lac qui Parle Valley Dec. 9 vs. KERKHOVENMURDOCK-SUNBURG
Dec. 13 vs. DAWSON-BOYD Dec. 16 at Renville County West Dec. 20 vs. MACCRAY Dec. 22 vs. RUSSELL-TYLERRUTHTON
Jan. 3 at Ortonville Jan. 5 at Minneota
Jan. 9 vs. YELLOW MEDICINE EAST
Jan. 12 at Canby Jan. 17 vs. LAKEVIEW Jan. 20 at Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Jan. 24 at MACCRAY
Jan. 27 vs. LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
Jan. 28 at Southwest Minnesota Christian
Jan. 30 at Kerkhoven-MurdockSunburg
Feb. 2 at Dawson-Boyd
Feb. 6 vs. RENVILLE COUNTY WEST
Feb. 10 vs. ATWATER-COSMOSGROVE CITY
Feb. 14 vs. BOLD
Feb. 17 vs ORTONVILLE
WILLMAR — After a successful 2021-22 campaign that saw two losses, the Community Christian Eagles girls basketball team will look to secure the Christian Athletic League tournament title this season after finishing as the runners-up last season to the Rochester Defenders.
A strong nucleus returns virtually intact for the Eagles, led by senior Sophia Bollig, in a year when they finished second in the Christian Athletic League tournament.
As the Eagles push for the CAL title, they return their entire roster from 2021-22 and added one player in freshman guard/post Grace Strom.
“We are eagerly looking for a chance at redemption and a championship title this year in March,” CCS head coach Kaela Heer said. “We are changing our game up a bit to get the energy moving early in the game and set the team up for success.”
The only senior on the Eagles, veteran post Sophia Bollig, will lead the redemption tour. She is 41 points away from reaching 2,000 career varsity points.
Bollig scored a team-high 440 points with a 52.6 shooting percentage in 2021-22. She also tallied 341 rebounds, 103 steals, 27 blocked shots and 21 assists in 22 games.
“Sophia Bollig is a consistent scorer for our team. We can count on her for
15-plus points a game as well as 10-plus rebounds combined a game,” Heer said. “Add Hope Reid, her opposite post, and they are pretty much unstoppable in the paint.”
Reid, a freshman listed at 6-foott-2inches, trailed Bollig with 305 points on 43.9 shooting percentage last season. She also recorded 235 rebounds, 59 blocks, 35 steals and 21 assists in 22 games.
The Eagles have a five-person freshman class that will look to help bolster them in their 2022-23 campaign, where CCS already holds a 1-0 overall record.
CCS dominated Victory Christian en route to a 56-22 victory on Nov. 18.
Sophia’s sister, Gabbie Bollig, led the Eagles with 15 points.
“We are dependent on every player on our roster. Each player is a key part to our success — on the court and in practice,” Heer said. “Whether they see the court in games or majority that time in practice, they help push our team to their full potential.” ◀
Nov. 18 vs. VICTORY CHRISTIAN Nov. 29 at Fourth Baptist Christian Dec. 2-3 at Coulee Christian tournament Dec. 6 vs. MAPLEWOOD ACADEMY Dec. 13 at Lake Region Christian Dec. 16 at Cambridge Christian
Jan. 3 vs. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN Jan. 9 at Maplewood Academy Jan. 13 vs. South Metro at Bethany Global University Jan. 17 at St. John’s Prep Jan. 18 at St. Cloud Christian Jan. 26 vs. CAMBRIDGE CHRISTIAN Feb. 2 vs. ST. JOHN’S PREP Feb. 7 at Immanuel Lutheran Feb. 10 vs. SOUTH METRO Feb. 13 vs. LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN Feb. 14 vs. FOURTH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN Feb. 21 vs. ST. CLOUD CHRISTIAN
DAWSON — The Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks are in the midst of a rebuilding effort and head coach Rachel Hakanson has the hope that a lot of returning experience will improve the won-lost record in 2022-23.
The Dawson-Boyd girls basketball team loses one senior from a 1-26 team that gained valuable playing time under new head coach Rachel Hakanson.
“I am hopeful for all of our returning letterwinners as last year was a building year for us,” said Hakanson, who led the Blackjacks in her first season as head coach. “And I hope they can improve individually, as well as a team.”
Leading the way are senior forward Kate Dahl and senior guard Chelsie Husby. Also back are junior guards Alli Estling and Ayiana Hastad. DawsonBoyd lost one key senior, Laney Bartunek.
“I am looking to our two seniors, Kate and Chelsie, especially, to be leaders on and off the court,” Hakanson said. “They both can put points on the board for us and they work well together.”
Hakanson sees other positives.
“We have decent numbers in our junior class, who also help bring experience for us, as we were a younger team last year, and they saw a lot of
minutes,” Hakanson said. “Alli Estling was our point guard last year and is fun to watch, as she is aggressive and is finetuning her skills as a point guard.
“Last year was Ayiana Hastad’s first year playing since sixth grade and she made great improvements throughout last year, becoming one of our best defensive players. (She) is a versatile, natural athlete, so I am excited to see her continue to be a key players for us.”
Another player expected to contribute is junior center Hayley Anderson.
“I am looking for Hayley Anderson to step in and make a big impact for us,” Hakanson said. “I am also looking forward to seeing the other girls continue to improve and fill roles on our team so we can keep everyone fresh and utilize a deeper bench.” ◀
Nov. 29 vs. BENSON
Dec. 2 vs. KERKHOVEN-MURDOCKSUNBURG
Dec. 5 at Renville County West
Dec. 8 vs. LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
Dec. 13 at Central Minnesota Christian
Dec. 15 at Ortonville
Dec. 16 vs. MACCRAY
Dec. 19 vs. PIPESTONE
Dec. 22 vs. TRACY-MILROYBALATON
Jan. 5 at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton
Jan. 7 at Southwest Minnesota Christian
Jan. 9 vs. MINNEOTA
Jan. 12 at Yellow Medicine East
Jan. 13 vs. HERON LAKE-OKABENA/ FULDA
Jan. 17 vs. CANBY
Jan. 20 at Lakeview
Jan. 23 vs. ORTONVILLE
Jan. 24 at Kerkhoven-MurdockSunburg
Jan. 30 at Lac qui Parle Valley
Feb. 2 vs. CENTRAL MINNESOTA
Feb. 6 at MACCRAY
Feb. 9 vs. RENVILLE COUNTY WEST
Feb. 10 vs. LAKEVIEW
Feb. 13 vs. WABASSO
Check the schools website for a updated events list
Schedule sponsored by:
KERKHOVEN — Kerkhoven-MurdockSunburg enters its 2022-23 campaign with a seasoned, young varsity group.
Four starters return for the Fighting Saints girls basketball team, including all-conference performers Maddie Luft and Josie Gjerde.
The Fighting Saints’ core will look to build on their 10-15 overall record and 5-5 Camden Conference North Division record from the 2021-22 season.
Four of the Fighting Saints’ five starting lineup regulars will return in 2022-23. Those four are seniors Elsa and Josie Gjerde and sophomores Luft and Emily Wagner.
Key losses in KMS’ rotation are Hayley Demuth and Grace Collins.
“We have a lot of girls with varsity experience returning, but we will still be quite young on the floor at times,” KMS head coach Justin Johnson said. “This team has the potential to be very successful. We will need to discover who can play what role off the bench.”
Luft and Josie Gjerde will be at the forefront of the Fighting Saints’ effort. Both were named to the all-conference team after the 2021-22 season.
Luft, a forward listed at 6-foot-1, led the
Fighting Saints in points per game (8.7), rebounds per game (8.3) and blocks per game (3.0). She also notched 1.5 steals and 1.1 assists per contest. Johnson mentioned Luft gives KMS “much-needed length and can impact the game on both ends of the floor.”
Josie Gjerde, a 5-6 guard, averaged 8.3 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 2021-22. Johnson mentioned Gjerde is “a great decision-maker that will be our main ball-handler. She has excellent quickness and is the most consistent shooter.”
Other Fighting Saints to look out for include junior forward Julia Carlson and freshman guard Acelynn Hacker. ◀
Nov. 29 vs. ATWATER-COSMOS-GROVE CITY
December 2 at Dawson-Boyd
December 5 vs. MACCRAY
December 9 at Central Minnesota Christian December 13 vs. RENVILLE COUNTY WEST December 16 at Lac qui Parle Valley December 20 vs BROWERVILLE December 22 vs. LAKEVIEW
January 5 at Tracy-Milroy-Balaton
January 9 vs. RUSSELL-TYLER-RUTHTON
January 12 at Minneota
January 17 vs. YELLOW MEDICINE EAST January 20 at Canby
January 24 vs DAWSON-BOYD
January 27 at MACCRAY
January 30 vs. CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN February 2 at Renville County West
February 6 vs. LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
February 10 at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
February 14 vs. BRANDON-EVANSVILLE
February 16 at Ortonville
February 17 at at Wabasso
February 23 vs. CLINTON-GRACEVILLE-BEARDSLEY
Check the school’s website for an updated events list www.kms.k12.mn.us/
Schedule sponsored by:
MADISON — Expect the Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles to be competitive, with the ability to improve upon last year’s 12-4 Camden Conference North Division and 19-8 overall record.
Four starters return to the girls basketball team, including senior point guard Taylor Shelstad and senior post Camryn Lee, both all-area players during a 2020-21 season.
“We return four juniors with a bunch of experience,” said Dylan Erickson, who had a 34-13 career record through three seasons as LQPV’s head coach. “With our experience we have a nice complement of young players hungry to make an impact and find a role with this team.”
The optimism starts with the four returning starters, including Shelstad. She’s a 5-foot-10 senior guard who was an all-state honorable-mention last year. She earned West Central Tribune All-Area honors, was the team MVP and scored her 1,000th career point as a junior. She averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.3 steals per game.
Another all-area player is Lee, a 6-foot-1 senior post. Also back is Rylee Lund, a 5-4 senior guard and Ayanna Gipson, a 5-6 senior guard. That group will be the key to LQPV’s successes.
Shelstad will be in her fourth season as a starting point guard. Lee is a tough inside player who can also shoot 3-pointers. She averaged 16.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Lund, missed a large chunk of last year with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Gipson is a lockdown defensive player.
“Camryn Lee continues to grow her game and can dominate inside,” Erickson said.
Four players figure to contribute heavily in helping to replace
graduated seniors Tori Bungarden and Addy Bonn. They are Isabel Gerdes, a 5-4 junior guard, and Kya Kranz, a 5-11 junior post, as well as sophomore guards Jalyn Lee and Kayla Jahn.
“Isabel Gerdes is a tough guard who gives us another threat from the outside and is able to create for herself and others,” Erickson said. “Kya Kranz, Jalyn Lee and Kayla Jahn will step into bigger roles and provide muchneeded depth. Our bench will be a huge influence on how this season goes.” ◀
2022-2023 Girls Basketball Schedule
Nov. 29 at Minnewaska
Dec. 2 vs. RENVILLE COUNTY WEST
Dec. 6 vs. CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN Dec. 8 at Dawson-Boyd Dec. 9 vs MONTEVIDEO
Dec. 13 at MACCRAY
Dec. 16 vs. KERKHOVEN-MURDOCKSUNBURG
Dec. 22 vs. CANBY
Jan. 5 at Lakeview
Jan. 12 at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton
Jan. 13 vs. ORTONVILLE
Jan. 17 vs. MINNEOTA
Jan. 20 at Yellow Medicine East
Check the school’s website for an updated events list www.lqpv.org
Jan. 23 at Hancock
Jan. 24 at Renville County West
Jan. 27 at Central Minnesota Christian
Jan. 30 vs. DAWSON-BOYD
Feb. 2 vs. MACCRAY
Feb. 4 vs. PIPESTONE
Feb. 6 at Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
Feb. 9 vs. TRACY-MILROY-BALATON
Feb. 10 at Ortonville
Feb. 14 at Morris/Chokio-Alberta
Feb. 21 at Benson
Schedule sponsored by:
LITCHFIELD — Coming off back-toback 19-9 seasons, the Litchfield girls’ basketball team is hungry for more with plenty of experience.
The Dragons girls basketball team return four of their five starters from 2021-22, where their season came to an end in the Section 3AA-North playoffs.
All four returning players are seniors. Forward Kylie Michels and Greta Hansen, both honored as All-Wright County Conference members following the 2021-22 season, will look to lead the way for the Dragons. Guard Ryanna Steinhaus and forward Izzy Pennertz round out the returning seniors; both were all-conference honorable mentions last season.
“They are a great group of leaders that will be able to help the younger players feel comfortable,” Litchfield head coach Eric Hulterstrum said. “They believe that there is some unfinished business and are hungry for a longer postseason run.”
Despite the strong group of senior leaders, Hulterstrum will search for someone to take over the fifth starting spot in his Dragons’ lineup. That spot comes with big shoes to fill. “We will be trying to fill the void of
Maggie Boerema this year,” Hulterstrum said. “We have some younger players that are eager to try and fill the role.”
Boerema is currently in her freshman season with University of NorthwesternSt. Paul. The Eagles compete at the NCAA Division III level.
“There will be plenty of opportunities for players to grow and step up to the tough competition in the ‘WCC,’” Hulterstrum said. “We are looking to build off of what we were able to accomplish last year and push further into the postseason.” ◀
Nov. 29 at Hutchinson
Dec. 1 vs. PAYNESVILLE
Dec. 2 at Kimball
Dec. 13 at Morris/ChokioAlberta
Dec. 15 vs. EDEN VALLEYWATKINS
Dec. 20 vs. BELGRADEBROOTEN-ELROSA
Dec. 22 at Atwater-CosmosGrove City
Jan. 3 vs. MINNEWASKA
Jan. 6 at Howard Lake-WaverlyWinsted
Jan. 13 at Annandale
Jan. 17 vs. DASSEL-COKATO
Jan. 20 at Glencoe-Silver Lake
Jan. 24 vs. WATERTOWNMAYER
Jan. 27 vs NEW LONDON-SPICER
Jan. 31 at Rockford
Feb. 2 vs. HOWARD LAKEWAVERLY-WINSTED
Feb. 7 vs. ANNANDALE
Feb. 9 at Dassel-Cokato
Feb. 14 vs. GLENCOESILVER LAKE
Feb. 17 at Watertown-Mayer
Feb. 21 at New London-Spicer
Feb. 24 vs. ROCKFORD
Sponsored by CHRISTIANSON PLLP
www.christiansoncpa.com 194 S Litchfield Ave, Litchfield
DOOLEY’S PETROLEUM, INC. www.dooleypetro.com 1-800-520-2466
Wolverines girls basketball team are starting with a bit of clean slate in 2022-23 after losing roughly 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds from last season’s 14-14 squad.
The Wolverines return talented senior Sydney Thein and exciting freshman guard Brielle Janssen from a squad that lost four seniors.
Gone is Ella Bourne, a 1,000-point scorer, as well as Gabby Randt, Elsie Sumner and Brynn Lozinski. The four helped MACCRAY go deep into the Section 3A playoffs, earning wins over Canby (51-42) and Lac qui Parle Valley (48-47) before succumbing to Minneota (58-37). Minneota wound up finishing second in the state Class A tournament last year.
But the cupboard’s not bare.
Two starters return. One is Thein, a 5-foot-9 senior guard who is coming off an all-area volleyball season. She’s a future volleyball player for Division II Southwest
Minnesota State. Thein averaged 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game last season.
The other starter back is Janssen. She’s a 6-0 freshman guard who has Wolverines head coach Shaun Condon excited about the season.
“Brielle is an incredible athlete and will play point guard for us at 6-feet tall,” Condon said. “She played incredible in our run to the sub-section championship last year.”
Janssen averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 1.7 assists per game as an eighth-grader.
Two other players to watch are junior guards Annie Bourne and Ella Kienitz.
“Annie is a great shooter and she is a really good perimeter defender,” said Condon, who has a 63-61 career record in six seasons.
Bourne averaged 3.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Kienitz averaged 1.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
“Ella did well in her minutes last year,” Condon said. “She will hopefully make a big leap this year.” ◀
Nov. 29 vs. ORTONVILLE
Dec. 2 vs. BROWERVILLE
Dec. 5 at Kerkhoven-MurdockSunburg
Dec. 8 vs. RENVILLE COUNTY WEST
Dec. 13 vs. LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
Dec. 16 at Dawson-Boyd
Dec. 20 at Central Minnesota Christian
Dec. 22 vs. YELLOW MEDICINE
EAST
Jan. 5 at Canby
Jan. 9 vs. LAKEVIEW
Jan. 12 at Tracy-Milroy-Balaton
Jan. 16 at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City
Jan. 17 vs. RUSSELL-TYLERRUTHTON
Jan. 20 at Minneota
Jan. 24 vs. CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN
Jan. 26 at Ortonville
Jan. 27 vs. KERKHOVENMURDOCK-SUNBURG
Jan. 30 at Renville County West
Feb. 2 at Lac qui Parle Valley
Feb. 6 vs. DAWSON-BOYD
Feb. 9 at BOLD
Feb. 14 at Benson
Feb. 21 at Buffalo Lake-HectorStewart
GLENWOOD — The Minnewaska Lakers plan to play up-tempo. Transition from defense to offense will be the name of the game. Don’t blink or you’ll miss them.
“We’re fast,” said Sidney Schiffler, who begins her second season as Minnewaska’s head coach. “We can move.
“We’ll play defense with the expectation that’ll help our transition game. We’ll push the ball, press a lot defensively. And, they can shoot.”
The athleticism, and a promising 16-10 record last year, has the Minnesota Basketball news noticing Minnewaska. The Lakers are ranked 17th in the Class AA preseason poll.
Much of that is based on three returning starters with the hope of a fourth returning before the end of the regular season.
Brooke Kolstoe, Sydney Dahl and Megan Thorfinnson are the returnees ready to go. Addy Kath is recovering from hip surgery and hopes to be back in late January. Olivia Danielson, another potential starter, is out for the season after also undergoing hip surgery.
Kostoe is a 5-foot-11 senior forward who averaged 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season. Dahl is a 6-1 sophomore forward who averaged 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Thorfinsson is a 5-9 sophomore guard who averaged 8.0 points per game, shooting 40% from the field, including 30% from 3-point range.
“She’s a real good shooter,” Schiffler said.
Expected to make contributions are senior guard Leslie Murken and junior guard Avery Fier. Jayda Kolstoe, Brooke’s sister and a 5-8 freshman forward, and Olivia Bleick, a 5-7 senior guard, are also expected to contribute.
Schiffler, a former College of St. Benedict player and captain, knows there will be some things to work out in order for the Lakers to be serious contenders in the West Central Conference and Section 3AA-North.
“I think it’s just going to be about players finding the roles that they can succeed in,” Schiffler said. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to play man-toman all the time, but we do have some experience and do have some players who can get after it.” ◀
Nov. 29 vs. LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
Dec. 1 vs. BOLD Dec. 6 at Montevideo Dec. 8 vs. SAUK CENTRE Dec. 13 at New London-Spicer Dec. 16 at Morris/Chokio-Alberta Dec. 17 vs. Breckenridge at Concordia-Moorhead Dec. 20 vs. PAYNESVILLE
Jan. 3 at Litchfield
Jan. 5 vs. WEST CENTRAL
Jan. 9 vs. EDEN VALLEY-WATKINS
Jan. 10 vs. BELGRADE-BROOTENELROSA
Jan. 12 vs. MELROSE
Jan. 17 at Barnesville
Jan. 19 at Benson
Jan. 27 at BOLD
Jan. 31 vs. MONTEVIDEO
Feb. 2 at Sauk Centre
Feb. 4 vs. REDWOOD VALLEY
Feb. 7 vs. BENSON
Feb. 10 vs. MORRIS/CHOKIO-ALBERTA
Feb. 13 vs. OSAKIS
Feb. 14 at Melrose
Feb. 16 at West Central
Feb. 21 at Albany
MONTEVIDEO — Buckle up Montevideo Thunder Hawk fans. This should be a memorable season.
The Thunder Hawks girls basketball team have three college-bound seniors leading a team that won conference and section championships, earning the school its first state tournament berth.
The Thunder Hawks are coming off the best season in school history, making their first state tournament, taking sixth in Class AA, winning the West Central Conference championship (likely for the first time) and posting a 26-5 record.
And guess what? They have the horses to possibly pull that off again — and maybe more.
“It should be fun,” Montevideo head coach Anthony Jackson admitted.
Three key, college-bound seniors return.
There is Avery Koenen, a 6-foot-3 post who has signed with Division I North Dakota State. She’s an all-stater and likely one of top players in the state this season.
There is Hailey Dirksen, a 6-0 wing/ post who has commited to Briar Cliff University, an NAIA school in Sioux City, Iowa.
And, there is Tenley Epema, a 5-9 guard who already has 1,000 career points. She is headed to the University of Jamestown, an NAIA school in North Dakota.
It’s a once-in-a-generation kind of talent that’s rare for a small school.
“These three seniors have been our core on the varsity court for some time,” said Jackson, who has a 40-11 record in his third year as head coach. “This is their final year together with hopefully many good memories.”
There are a couple of key roster losses. Point guard Keely Foley and post Kassey Pauling have graduated. Jackson believes that opens the door for Kiera Foley, Teagan Epema and Taylor Viessman. Foley is a 5-8 junior wing and Keely’s younger seister. Teagen, Tenley’s younger sister, is a 5-4 sophomore guard. Viessman is a 5-7 senior wing who missed much of last season with a knee injury. Her scrappy, defense-first play will be a great addition, Jackson said.
Players to watch include sophomore wing Hallie Helgeson, sophomore post Brooke Lindeman, sophomore guard Lily Eisenlohr and junior guard Taya Weber. ◀
Nov. 29 vs. CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN
Dec. 2 vs. ATWATER-COSMOSGROVE CITY
Dec. 6 vs. MINNEWASKA
Dec. 8 at Benson Dec. 9 at Lac qui Parle Valley Dec. 13 at West Central Dec. 16 vs. BOLD Dec. 20 at Pipestone Dec. 22 at New London-Spicer
Jan. 3 vs. MINNEOTA
Jan. 5 at Melrose
Jan. 7 vs. Luverne at Southwest Minnesota State
Jan. 9 at Redwood Valley
Jan. 10 vs. LAKEVIEW
Jan. 13 at Sauk Centre
Jan. 19 vs. MORRIS/CHOKIOALBERTA
Jan. 27 vs. WEST CENTRAL
Jan. 31 at Minnewaska
Feb. 3 vs. BENSON
Feb. 7 at Morris/Chokio-Alberta
Feb. 10 at BOLD
Feb. 14 vs. SAUK CENTRE
Feb. 16 vs. MELROSE
Feb. 21 vs. YELLOW MEDICINE EAST
PAYNESVILLE — After a 6-21 effort in 2021-22, the Paynesville girls basketball team believes from within that the Bulldogs’ can turn their tide toward success in 2022-23.
The Paynesville Bulldogs expect big things led by Katie Uhlenkamp and Emma Flanders as it tries to turn around a 6-21 season.
“We have a group of girls we believe in and buy into seeing success in Paynesville,” said Bulldogs head coach Jake Heimerman, who’s been at the helm of the Paynesville girls’ program for seven years. “(This group is) the best group, collectively, that we have seen in some time when it comes to dedication to the sport, time put in and leadership.”
The Bulldogs’ group is led by senior forward Uhlenkamp and junior forward Flanders. Both were named to the AllCentral Minnesota Conference second team following the 2021-22 season and come as returners to Paynesville’s starting lineup.
The Bulldogs lost three key players
— Aubrie Spanier, Madison Hentges and Mikayla Roberg — to graduation. Heimerman mentioned four players to keep an eye on as the season gets underway.
The first two are sophomore guards Rayna Spanier and Grace Roberg. Joining them were their fellow sophomores in guard KyliePauls and guard/forward Finley Anfinson.
“Rayna Spanier and Roberg were spot starters as freshmen last season and only improved as the season went on,” Heimerman said. “All four had a strong off-season and have been part of an excellent and successful group within our program.” ◀
Nov. 29 vs. OSAKIS
Dec. 1 at Litchfield
Dec. 6 vs. HOLDINGFORD
Dec. 8 at Rocori
Dec. 9 at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City
Dec. 15 vs. ROYALTON
Dec. 16 at Howard Lake-WaverlyWinsted
Dec. 20 at Minnewaska
Jan. 3 vs. KIMBALL
Jan. 6 vs. EDEN VALLEY-WATKINS
Jan. 9 vs. MORRIS/CHOKIO-ALBERTA
Jan. 12 at Maple Lake
Jan. 17 vs. BELGRADE-BROOTENELROSA
Jan. 20 at Holdingford
Jan. 23 at New London-Spicer
Jan. 26 vs. ATWATER-COSMOSGROVE CITY
Jan. 30 vs. REDWOOD VALLEY
Jan. 31 at Royalton
Feb. 3 at Kimball
Feb. 6 vs. SWANVILLE
Feb. 9 at Eden Valley-Watkins
Feb. 10 vs. YELLOW MEDICINE EAST
Feb. 14 vs. MAPLE LAKE
Feb. 17 at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
Feb. 20 at Melrose
BY TOM ELLIOTT West Central Tribune
RENVILLE — The Renville County West Jaguars are aiming for improvement this season.
They are coming off a 3-24 season, but return four starters and are working on building a winning environment for the program, which is on its fifth coach in six seasons.
“Our No. 1 goal is making practices look like games,” said Derik Johnson, RCW’s coach and the school’s activities director. “If we’re practicing bad, we’re not going to have competitive games.”
Johnson took over early last season. It’s his second stint as girls basketball coach. He was the Jaguars’ coach for two seasons before moving to the AD’s job four years ago. He’s hoping to establish some continuity and a more optimistic approach as RCW heads
into the season without a senior on its roster.
He’s emphasizing the little things, the extra details, that make teams win more. He believes RCW’s volleyball team has adapted that approach and wants to incorporate it into the basketball program.
JAGUARS: Page 22
Dec. 1 at New Ulm Cathedral
Dec. 2 at Lac qui Parle Valley
Dec. 5 vs. DAWSON-BOYD
Dec. 8 at MACCRAY
Dec. 9 at Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart
Dec. 13 at Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
Dec. 16 vs. CENTRAL MINNESOTA
CHRISTIAN
Dec. 19 vs. ATWATER-COSMOSGROVE CITY
Dec. 20 at Ortonville
Dec. 22 vs. MINNEOTA
Jan. 3 vs. RED ROCK CENTRAL
Jan. 5 at Yellow Medicine East
Jan. 9 vs. CANBY Jan. 12 at Lakeview
Jan. 17 vs. TRACY-MILROY-BALATON
Jan. 20 at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton
Jan. 24 vs. LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
Jan. 28 at BOLD
Jan. 30 vs. MACCRAY
Feb. 2 vs. KERKHOVEN-MURDOCKSUNBURG
Feb. 6 at Central Minnesota Christian
Feb. 7 vs. ORTONVILLE
Feb. 9 at Dawson-Boyd
Feb. 13 vs. WESTBROOK-WALNUT-GROVE
Feb. 14 at Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda
Check the schools website for an updated events list
RENVILLE COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS www.rcw.k12.mn.us/ • 320-329-8368
COMMUNITY ELECTRIC communityelectric@communityelectricusa.com 320-329-8317
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BEET SUGAR COOPERATIVE www.smbsc.com/ • 320-329-8305
STEVE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING www.facebook.com/Steves-Hvac-121680514836475/ 320-329-3663
There’s some experience and some talent. There are four starters back including three juniors: Rachel Jakel, Emily Lippert and Layla Ridler. Jakel and Ridler are forwards. Lippert plays guard. Also back is Avery Roxbury, a 6-foot-1 sophomore center.
Johanna Braun, a sophomore point guard, saw a lot of varsity action last season.
Three ninth-graders are expected to make major contributions. All are guards. Holly Hinderks, Shelby Allex and Bailee McLagen will see lots of varsity time.
Johnson also sees his role as encouraging more students to play. There are 14 players out for basketball in grades 9-12. Needless to say, he’d like to see a lot more. Another goal for RCW is to play as many competitive games as possible. The Jaguars have been out of too many games by halftime. He thinks there’s enough talent to playing RCW a tougher game for opponents.
“It’ll be a litmus test for us,” Johnson said. ◀
GRANITE FALLS — The Yellow Medicine East girls basketball season holds much promise, mostly because of the return of three starters, including All-Camden Conference South Division players Ruby Bones and Hannah Stark.
Bones, Stark and Stella Schuler form the core of what the Sting hope to be a great season.
Bones and Stark plan to continue their athlete careers in college. Bones, a 6-foot senior forward, is headed to Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead for volleyball after this season. Bones averaged 12.3 points per game, shooting 43% from the field, with 6.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Stark, a 5-10 senior forward, is headed to Briar Cliff, an NAIA-affiliated college in Sioux City, Iowa. Stark averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. She shot 33% from 3-point range, making 44 of 131 attempts from long range.
Add in Schuler, a 5-6 senior guard who averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 rebounds a game, and it’s easy to see why the Sting have high hopes in 2022-23.
YME was 13-11 last season, going 7-9 in the Camden South. The biggest loss from that squad was Shelby Mortenson, who averaged 20.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. She’s now playing for the University of Minnesota-Morris, an NCAA Division III school.
Players to watch include freshman guard Hope Stark and senior guard Gracie Kleven.
“Hope works extremely hard and has put a lot of time in,” said Ryan Schultz, who begins his fifth season as YME’s head coach. “She is athletic and has a nice skill set. We expect her to have a good year.”
Hope Stark averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game last season.
“Gracie is an athletic senior who didn’t play last year, with a lot of potential,” Schultz said. “We expect her to have a nice role.” ◀
Nov. 29 vs. BOLD Dec. 2 vs. CANBY Dec. 5 at Minneota
Dec. 8 at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Dec. 13 vs.
TRACY-MILROY-BALATON
Dec. 16 vs. LAKEVIEW
Dec. 20 at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Dec. 22 at MACCRAY
Jan. 3 vs. BENSON
Jan. 5 vs.
RENVILLE COUNTY WEST
Jan. 9 at Central Minnesota Christian
Jan. 12 vs. DAWSON-BOYD
Jan. 16 vs. WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE
Jan. 17 at Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Jan. 19 at Red Rock Central
Jan. 20 vs. LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
Jan. 24 at Canby
Jan. 26 vs. WABASSO
Jan. 27 vs. MINNEOTA
Jan. 30 vs. RUSSELL-TYLER-RUTHTON
Feb. 2 at Tracy-Milroy-Balaton
Feb. 3 vs. ORTONVILLE
Feb. 6 at Lakeview
Feb. 10 at Paynesville
Feb. 21 at Montevideo
