KMS has depth, experience

KMS’ Julia Carlson (right) swarms RCW’s Holly Bratsch on defense during a Camden Conference game Feb. 1, 2021 at RCW High School in Renville. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Three starters return, plus there’s a roster-full of untested talent

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

KERKHOVEN— Things are looking up at Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg. The Fighting Saints expect to have their best team in Justin Johnson’s four seasons as head coach.

“This will be the deepest team we have had in the last four years,” Johnson said. “We have a mix of returning letterwinners along with some very young but athletic girls (who) we feel can help make an impact this season.”

Three starters are back from a team that went 6-14 last season, including 5-11 in the Camden Conference North Division. Grace Collins, Haley Demuth and Josie Gjerde all return. Collins is a 5-foot-10 senior forward. Collins is a 5-5 senior guard and Gjerde is a 5-5 junior guard who was an honorable-mention all-conference selection. Collins averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Demuth accounted for 6.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg and is a very good post defender, Johnson said. Gjerde averaged 6.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 3.0 steals per game.

“Josie is a great decision-maker (who) will be our main ball-handler,” Johnson said. “(She has) excellent quickness and (is our) most consistent shooter.”

But there are plenty of options to replace graduated starters Maret Gejrde and Lauren Krieger. Johnson seems anxious to list off all of them.

They include Julia Carlson, a 5-5 junior forward whose “toughness makes up for her lack of height as a post,” said Johnson, praising her shooting touch.

Shakira Olson is a 5-8 junior guard/forward who is a “very versatile player with great athleticism,” Johnson said.

And, there is Maddie Luft, a 6-1 ninth-grader who “gives us some much-needed length,” Johnson said. “(She) can impact the game on both ends of the floor.”

KMS opened with a 55-48 loss to Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and the early schedule is tough, with games against MACCRAY, Central Minnesota Christian and Browerville/Eagle Valley. Johnson remains optimistic.

“Our speed and athleticism will be our biggest strength this season,” Johnson said. “We need a few girls to get fully healthy yet, but we should put a very competitive team on the floor this season.”

Montevideo’s Avery Koenen hits a basket over the defense during a West Central Conference game against Minnewaska on Monday, March 8, 2021 from Montevideo High School.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

KMS’ Grace Collins (2) drives by an RCW defender during the first half of a Camden Conference game Feb. 1, 2021 at RCW High School in Renville. Right:

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune