LQVP hopes to make another Camden North run

Lac qui Parle Valley’s Camryn Lee (15) and Central Minnesota Christian’s Molly Mulder (22) battle for rebounding position during a Camden Conference game Feb. 12, 2021 from Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg. Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

Eagles should contend again for division title

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

MADISON — The Lac qui Parle Valley girls basketball team had the kind of season that makes for some happy talking points at the post-season banquet.

The Eagles won the Camden Conference North Division with an 11-4 record, just enough to edge MACCRAY (10-5) and Central Minnesota Christian (10-6). LQPV finished 15-5 overall and made a nice run in the Section 3A playoffs, beating Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 58-51 and Lakeview 49-32 before running into mighty Minneota. The Vikings beat the Eagles 68-49 on their way to the state Class A title.

That squad lost three seniors: Macie Lund, Cassidie Olson and Alex Stitt. There’s enough returning letterwinners back and a good enough foundation to the program that LQPV should believe it can be a solid contender in the Camden North and Section 3A again.

Lac qui Parle Valley’s Taylor Shelstad lines up a 3-pointer during a Camden Conference game against Central Minnesota Christian on Feb. 12, 2021 from Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg.

Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

For starters, Camryn Lee, Taylor Shelstad, Addy Bonn, Tori Bungarden and Isabel Gerdes are all back. Lee is a junior center. Shelstad is a junior point guard with a good outside shot. Bonn is a senior shooting guard. Bungarden is a senior small forward. Gerdes is a sophomore point guard.

Also on the roster is junior point guard Rylee Lund and sophomores Kya Kranz, Kate Ulstad and Jayln Lee. Kranz is a center, Ulstad is a shooting forward.

The Eagles have gotten off to a 2-0 start. Coach Dylan Erickson’s squad opened with a 59-55 overtime thriller over Minnewaska in Madison, then steamrolled Ortonville 67-17 on the road.

They have a big game Dec. 7 at Central Minnesota Christian in Prinsburg, then play Dawson-Boyd and Benson before getting a match with a very good MACCRAY team Dec. 14.

Clockwise, frrom top left: Lac qui Parle Valley’s Addy Bonn gets a deflection during a Camden Conference game against Central Minnesota Christian on Feb. 12, 2021 from Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg.

Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune