3 minute read
KMS banks on its athleticism for another big year
KMS eighth-grader Mamie Luft, left, looks to drive by a Hancock defender during the Section 6A-South championship game on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Minnewaska High School in Glenwood. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune
Fighting Saints returns a strong nucleus from a 22-7 team
BY MICHAEL LYNE | West Central Tribune
KERKHOVEN — The Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg girls basketball team will look for more of the same in 2023-24.
The Fighting Saints, who return two starters, were 22-7 overall and 14-4 in the Camden Conference last season. KMS made it to the Section 6A-South Championship before falling to Hancock.
“We did lose three starters but return a solid nucleus of girls, including two that we missed from season-ending knee injuries,” Fighting Saints fifth-year head coach Justin Johnson said. “We will be a very athletic team, making us tough to match up with most nights.”
KMS’ roster losses are All-Camden Conference pick Josie Gjerde, Elsa Gjerde and Julia Carlson. Juniors in guard Emily Wagner and guard/forward Savannah Petersen are back from their season-ending injuries.
Looking to lead the Fighting Saints to another strong campaign are All-Camden Conference team returnees Maddie Luft and Acelynn Hacker. Luft was also an All-Area Third Team pick.
Luft, a 6-foot-1 forward, averaged a double-double with 11.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. She also had averages of 6.0 blocks and 1.7 assists and steals per game.
Hacker, a 5-6 sophomore, averaged a team-best 15.1 points per game, adding on 4.7 steals, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest.
“Maddie gives us some much-needed length and she can impact the game on both ends of the floor,” Johnson said.
“Acelynn is very quick and anticipates so well on defense. She has a quick first step that allows her to get to the basket.”
Also highlighted as players to watch for the Fighting Saints are Wagner, Petersen, senior forwards Sophia Oerter and Anissa Demuth, junior forward Emily Zurn and freshman Mamie Luft.
Johnson’s coaching staff includes Ryan Luft, Samantha Gjerde and Cassandra Tensen. He has a 65-63 overall record in his five seasons at KMS.
