Minnewaska will be on the move this season

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

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.

Minnewaska ninth-grader Addyson Kath attempts to thwart a steal attempt by Albany sophomore Alyssa Sand after losing possession of the basketball on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Glenwood.

West Central Tribune file photo

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.

Minnewaska ninth-grader Sydney Dahl brings the ball up court against Albany on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Glenwood.

West Central Tribune file photo

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.”