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Optimism abounds for Minnewaska Lakers
Minnewaska sophomore forward Sydney Dahl takes a shot against New LondonSpicer on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at New London-Spicer High School in New London. Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune
With 4 starters back and a No. 20 preseason ranking, Minnewaska aims for more success
BY MICHAEL LYNE | West Central Tribune
GLENWOOD — The Minnewaska girls basketball team caught fire late last year and the Lakers will look to carry that momentum into the 2023-24 season.
Minnewaska, which finished with a 12-13 overall record and 6-6 record in the West Central Conference, won its final seven regular season games before falling to West Central Area in the Section 3AA-North quarterfinals. The Lakers enter the 2023-24 season ranked No. 20 in Class AA by Minnesota Basketball News.
Sidney Barker, formerly Sidney Schiffler, enters her third season as the Lakers’ head coach and she has a 28-23 overall record. She is assisted by Emily Roering, Makenzie Larsen and Josh Greene.
Minnewaska will be without its most valuable offensive player of the year entering the new season. That is Brooke Kolstoe, a 5-foot-8 forward, who graduated. She was an All-WCC Honorable Mention, who averaged 9.8 points per game.
Yet despite losing Kolstoe, the Lakers return plenty of good players.
Back for their junior seasons are 5-9 guard Megan Thorfinnson and 6-0 forward Sydney Dahl. Both were All-WCC selections. Thorfinnson was Minnewaska’s most valuable player and Dahl was the Lakers’ most valuable defensive player.
Thorfinnson’s per game averages over 25 games played were 11.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.2 blocks. Dahl, also across 25 games, averaged 9.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.7 steals and 1.2 assists per game.
“Megan is a crafty guard and a great outside shooter who can attack off the dribble to make plays,” Barker said. “Sydney is a versatile player who can shoot the outside shot and be a threat down in the paint as well.”
Thorfinnson and Dahl make up half of Minnewaska’s returning starters. Also back as returners are 5-7 senior guard Avery Fier and 5-10 junior forward/guard Addy Kath.
Others to look out for as the season gets underway for Minnewaska will be seen in its sophomore class. They are guards Lauryn Ankeny, Alia Randt and Olivia Danielson and post Jayda Kolstoe.
