Girls Basketball Preview 2022-23

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

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.

Montevideo junior Avery Koenen (22) goes up for a layup attempt while NLS junior Jaden Coahran defends during a non-conference game at Montevideo. Koenen was fouled on the play.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

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.

Freshman Teagan Epema shoots a close-range basket while being heavily guarded by West Central Area athletes Tuesday, March 1, 2022, during a Section 3AA matchup at Willmar High School.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

“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.