NLS aims to go to state

Wildcats’ experience to lead winning tradition

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

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). Bet that it's a motivator as NLS embarks upon the 2022-23 season.

NLS sophomore Delaney Hanson (44) puts up a runner against Montevideo defenders Hailey Dirksen (32) and Keely Foley (30) during the first half of a non-conference game in Montevideo.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

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.

NLS junior Avery Rich, right, looks to drive by Willmar’s Sammy Christoffer during the championship of the WildCard Tournament Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at New London.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune