a clutch
during the Section 6AA championship March 7 in St.
After back-to-back losses, the Streeters rediscovered their mojo in time for the section playoffs.
are far higher this time, as the winner gets a berth in the state semifinals.
Dealing with high expectations is something Bergman is accustomed to after winning his 500th game earlier this season.
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
Sauk Centre girls basketball head coach Scott Bergman had a feeling. One of his counterparts — Nick Danielson of Minnewaska — had the same premonition.
The Streeters and Lakers split their regular-season games, and, because the teams combined for a record of 54-5 and are in different sections, the possibility of meeting in the first round of the state tournament was a
possibility. Unpredictability that is high school sports aside, both coaches were right.
“Our All-Conference meeting was about 10 days ago, and neither of us had qualified for state yet,” Bergman said. “Nick and I were visiting about, ‘Hey, why don’t we have the rubber game down in the cities?’ We
were joking around a bit, but, sure enough, here it comes.”
That scenario will unfold at the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis where the West Central Conference rivals will meet for the third time this season. The stakes
“We really thought that, early on, (we could be a great team), and there was nothing that happened that changed our minds,” said Bergman, who takes a 512-151 record into his team’s quarterfinal game. “One of the things this team had to deal with is being the favorite from the beginning of the year.”
The state tournament appearance is one the Streeters hoped was a strong possibility considering Albany’s threeyear stretch of dominance was likely over after being hit hard by graduation. The Streeters had plenty of talent returning, leaving them as an early-season section contender.
Season page 3
from page 2
Bergman’s Streeters won their first 17 games before a brief hiccup led to a shortlived two-game losing streak, including a 51-48 loss to the Lakers Jan. 31 in Glenwood.
The team’s familiarity with each other, along with a strong desire to end what was a five-year state tournament drought entering the season, both factored into Sauk Centre’s 27-2 season.
“As a team, we’ve all been through the hard losses, and we realized if we don’t play together and battle through the adversity, we aren’t going to get to where we want to be,” said Elly Herickhoff, junior post. “That brought us together as a team even more.”
The two straight losses, which included a 67-64 loss to Barnesville, were perhaps a wake-up call. Considering the timing, the situation was not taken lightly.
“It gets to that point where you’re about a month away from the postseason, and we started asking them two questions,” Bergman said. “‘Do you understand the opportunity that’s in front of you? You’re the favorite team in the section, which means we have a good chance of winning that.’ Also, I re-
takes the ball to the basket during the first half of the Streeters Section 6AA championship game against Milaca March 7 at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud. Sauk Centre plays Minnewaska in the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament quarterfinals.
member meeting as a team, and all of the players and coaches were there, just asking ‘Where do you want your season to end?’”
Apparently, the answer was nothing before the state tournament, as the Streeters won their past 10 games by an average of 26 points. That stretch includes a 60-37 win over Milaca in the Section 6AA semifinals March 7 at St. Cloud State University’s
Halenbeck Hall.
“Losing those two games brought us even closer together,”said Tory Jennissen, senior post.“We can’t just go into any game thinking we’re going to win just because we won so many earlier. As the season goes on, teams get better.”
Bergman equated the situation to when his high school playing career ended and added being the top seed
guarantees nothing.
“How many times do favorites actually pull through and win the section?” Bergman said. “There are many times where there’s upsets or something happens like a key injury or another dynamic that happens, and the favorite doesn’t pull through. This team did. They did great all year and played their best at the right time.”
Kortan, Jennissen
BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER
As freshmen, Sauk Centre High School multi-sport athletes Cierra Kortan and Tory Jennissen made their way into the history books, serving as key pieces to a Streeters volleyball team that captured its first-ever state championship in 2021.
That tournament run served as a precursor to the impressive careers the duo put together in maroon, and, fittingly, Kortan and Jennissen will once again be teaming up together in search of a state title — this time as seniors.
coach. “When you’re not a senior, you take it for granted. … This truly is it. Their focus has been really good, and they’re just wanting to push each other and encourage each other.”
Kortan and Jennissen have both been involved in hoops since elementary school, first being thrust in action together as teammates at the youth level. Both displayed incredible promise in their respective roles as guard and post, and, when they got older, their opportunities to shine at the varsity level came knocking.
“With Cierra, that sense came early,” Bergman said. “She started playing as an eighth grader and started as a ninth grader and had some big games as a ninth grader.”
Jennissen’s time came shortly thereafter.
“I remember the instance where
“When you reach that senior year, you finally get it a bit,” said Scott Bergman, Sauk Centre girls basketball head Kortan/Jennissen page 5
I thought Tory had a real chance to be special, and it was during the summer leading up to her sophomore year,” Bergman said. … “It takes tall girls a little longer to develop and gain that coordination they need to be effective, and, once Tory got that, we knew she was going to be a special player.”
Playing high school basketball together for four seasons has given both Kortan and Jennissen more than enough time to develop a strong bond on and off the court. That camaraderie makes what the Streeters accomplished this season all the more special and heartwarming.
“She is a super nice person, and that makes her easy to play with,” Kortan said.
Outside of playing different positions, Kortan and Jennissen are not remotely similar as players. Kortan’s finesse and outside shooting ability make her as dangerous of a scorer as anyone in the section, while Jennissen’s towering frame and top-level rebounding and post positioning make her a disruptive force under the basket. However, those stark differences have actually helped them build cohesion as teammates.
“I don’t think one can do it without the other,” Bergman said. “If you take Tory away, teams can really focus on Cierra, and, if you take Cierra away, teams can really pack it in against Tory. They compliment each other, and I think they need each other.”
Working in tandem to bring Sauk Centre to its team goals, Kor-tan and Jennissen have
doing so against Foley Feb. 20.
“When it happened, it was definitely a bump in the road,” Jennissen said of her injury. “I was not the happiest person. I tried getting into it faster than people would let me, and they pulled me back just so I could heal properly and so that I didn’t have problems later in the season.”
Kortan, meanwhile, had her sights set on becoming only the second Sauk Centre girls basketball player to reach 2,000 points. She reached that lofty mark against Melrose only one day after Jennissen’s milestone, and she became the Streeters’
What is one way the Streeters have built camaraderie as a team? Once a week, we have team dinners, where we get to bond with each other outside of the gym.
What is your favorite and least favorite drill in practice?
My least favorite drill is forest finishes because it’s a warm-up, and I’m never warm. My favorite drill is first eight free throws because it’s a fun way to end practice.
How has basketball helped you overcome adversity?
Dealing with adversity in basketball has made it easier to deal with it outside the sport. Basketball has taught me to be mentally strong and has reminded me how supported am in times of struggle. have used my skills of mental toughness and the feeling of knowing I am always supported to overcome whatever adversity life throws at me.
Who is your role model when it comes to basketball?
Kobe Bryant. I look up to how disciplined and willing he was to work in order to be the best.
What makes you excited to come into practice every day?
Coming in ready to work hard and having fun with my teammates while getting better, especially being blocked by Elly and TJ almost every day.
What is your go-to snack or drink before a game? To me, the big pregame meal I have the night before the game. My favorite meal is usually tacos.
What do you feel is the Streeters’ biggest strength and why? Us ladies do well working very hard at practices and enjoying every moment together as a team to get super close with each other. Another thing is encouraging each other even through the hard paths. We pick each other up, so no one is dragging behind.
When the Streeters arrive at state, what is the biggest thing you hope to see from your team? When we get down to state, I want to see excitement for being there but (also) the intensity to get on the court and do what we do best.
What do you appreciate most about playing under Coach Bergman? He is the most understanding person and coach. He is always willing to try anything us players think will work during our playing time. He knows what to do in every situation there is on and off the court. He has helped me so much with anything I have ever needed or had a question on. He is a very trustworthy person.
What motivates you to succeed in the sport of basketball? Ilike to work hard and always be the best I can be at any sport I am in. I genuinely love the sport of basketball, so that motivates me even more.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received during your career? Keep working hard because, in the end, your hard work will pay off.
At what point in the season did you feel this team was special? truly felt this team was special after our back-to-back losses against Minnewaska and Barnesville. We came into practice every day determined to get better and not let the losses get in our head. We learned how to battle through adversity, which felt really brought us together as a team and helped us play at our level the rest of the season. Coming together as a team to overcome adversity is what sets us apart and makes this team truly special.
What is the best sports game or event you have witnessed in person and why? Our game last Friday, Sauk Centre versus Milaca. I felt this game was an amazing experience, as the gym was packed and full of high energy. Securing our spot at state made this night even more memorable.
When did you first start playing basketball, and what did you like about it? I first started playing basketball in kindergarten. My favorite thing about it has always been the intensity of each play and the effort you can put in.
What is your pregame ritual? Belting out One Direction in the locker room and playing tag with Kahlen and Elly.
How long have you been dreaming about making it to the state tournament?
For as long as can remember. It has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl watching Sauk play in the state tournament.
What is your message to Streeters fans before embarking on your state tournament journey? Thank you for the support throughout the year. We would not be where we are today without the support from our awesome community.
attended the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament in four consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2018, including a state championship in 2018.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth following an excellent collegiate career, Thiesen’s ability to lead a team on and off the court has helped her make the transition into the next stage of her life: coaching.
Holding close to her heart the same passion for basketball she possessed as a player, she is now mentoring the next wave of successful Streeters as an assistant coach.
“I’m back around town, and it would have been my first year since I was very young that I didn’t have basketball, and that just didn’t seem right,” Thiesen said. “What could be a better opportunity than to be able to work with some of the girls who watched me play?” Thiesen’s return to the area comes after she spent a year working as an assistant coach for UMD. After realizing she was coming back to Sauk Centre, Streeters head coach Scott Bergman — who coached Thiesen throughout her entire high school career — did not hesitate to give her a call.
“She got a long-term subbing job, and the first day of that job was first day of practice,” Bergman said. “The stars kind of aligned there. Interestingly enough, she subbed for
Jordan Halvorson, and she was one of our former players, too. It came full circle there.”
The benefit of bringing Thiesen aboard was that Bergman did not need to go over the program’s standards; her experience as a Streeters athlete herself prepared her for the task ahead.
“I’ve had some of my players be part of our staff before and — Maesyn included — they know what I expect from players,” Bergman said.
Having only graduated from college a couple of years ago, Thiesen’s youthful energy and ability to relate with the players on a personal level has made her an excellent addition to the Streeters’ coaching staff. The Streeters’ players have had no trouble soaking up advice and information when it comes from someone who was in their shoes not too long ago.
“I can come from the side of, ‘I’ve been there, I know what you’re going through, here’s what I see,’” Thiesen said. “Having lived what they’re going through helps me translate the language or what they should be doing into terms or ways they understand and are experiencing on the court.”
Another way Thiesen has made an immediate impact on her hometown team is the lessons she has gained through performing in high-pressure environments. Winning the state championship requires composure and poise across the entire roster, and Bergman hopes his latest assistant coach can instill those traits in the younger Streeters.
“She’s a calming presence,” Bergman said. “That’s how she is. That’s how she was as a player. You never saw her get flustered or excited out on the court. You always felt good when the ball was in her hands.”
Thiesen page 9
Maesyn Thiesen (right) plays strong defense against Byron in the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament March 14, 2018, at Target Center in Minneapolis. Thiesen is back with the Streeters as an assistant coach.
from page 8
Sophomore guard Kahlen Suelflow has brought the ball up the court many times during the season, and has gained Bergman’s trust as a ball-handler and distributor that can create consistent offensive looks for the Streeters. Throughout the season, Thiesen has helped her build her confidence and gain skills as a guard that can translate to continued growth.
“During (a game against) Minnewaska, Lauryn Ankeny was posting me up like crazy,” Suelflow said.
“She (Thiesen) was like, ‘Kahlen, you can’t play her like a post. You’re a small guard. You’ve got to get out in front of her and play with her quickness. That was a great moment, because I had never really thought about that.”
As Sauk Centre’s talented bunch of hoopers head into the biggest game of their lives to this point, they have someone in their corner in Thiesen who has and will continue to support them in any way she can.
“They were all in elementary school when I was in high school, so I’m starting to feel a little old, but it’s been super fun,” Thiesen said. ... “Just seeing them progress as players and people is such a fun thing.”
Nadia Stadsvold
Nora Thieschafer
Megan Broich
Kahlen Suelflow
Peyton Borgmann
Cierra Kortan
Maddy Schuster
Nya Thieschafer
Paige Determan
Anna Feltman
Sienna Klaphake
Elly Herickhoff
Megan Uphoff
Addison Sjogren
Tory Jennissen
Kaiya Nelson
Jenna Riley
Parents: Don and Kary Jennissen
What was your favorite memory of the season? Breaking a school record and getting my 1,000th point even when I was injured at the beginning of the season. What advice would you give younger Streeters basketball players? Work as hard as possible all the time because, if you don’t, you will regret it. Things will get hard, but just keep pushing through — you can do anything that is hard.
Do you love winning or hate losing more? I hate losing more because I just hate losing in general. I’m a competitive person. I always want to win everything, and (with) the love I have for this sport, I would never want to lose another game if I could control it. What is a life skill you learned playing basketball? That I can do hard things. During the basketball season, it will get hard with school and focusing on basketball; it may not seem like a lot, but it does get to be a lot and stressful at the same time. When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? The one thing that gives me satisfaction is when I get beaten up a little more than normal during a game and I get an and-one. One displeasure I have when I’m on the court is when my performance is poor; that frustrates me the most.
If you could replay any basketball game in your career, which would it be and why? I would want to replay one of the games that we lost, so we could have a rematch and get a win. What is the most exciting part about going to state? Just making it to state is very exciting, but also playing the first round of state and getting a team that we split with during the season is also exciting in many ways.
Parents: Jason and Michelle Kortan
What was your favorite memory of the season? Staying in the hotel for the Perham Tournament.
What advice would you give younger Streeters basketball players? Never give up; even if you fail more than once, your hard work will pay off.
Do you love winning or hate losing more? I hate losing more, because I am very competitive. What is a life skill you learned playing basketball? Work ethic and how to put time and energy into something you can get rewarded from.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? The most satisfaction would be an and-one and the most displeasure would probably be a turnover.
If you could replay any basketball game in your career, which would it be and why? Playing New London and defeating them my junior season. What is the most exciting part about going to state? Playing at The Barn and spending the last week of my career in a place I have always wanted to be at with my teammates.
Parents: Paul and Traci Klaphake
What was your favorite memory of the season? My favorite memory definitely has to be the Perham Tournament. It’s so fun to go up there and play and then to just hangout afterward. What advice would you give younger Streeters basketball players? Just appreciate every moment you have and work hard while you can.
Do you love winning or hate losing more? I definitely love winning more. There’s so much joy in getting to see your hard work come to life.
What is a life skill you learned playing basketball? Perseverance. There’s a lot of ups and downs, and it takes a lot of strength to get through that.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? Getting a steal definitely gives me the most satisfaction. Conversely, a missed defensive board makes me the most annoyed.
If you could replay any basketball game in your career, which would it be and why? I’d love to replay playing Minnewaska the first time. It was a super intense and exciting atmosphere, and I just enjoyed the physicality of it.
What is the most exciting part about going to state? It’s really exciting to see something we’ve dreamed about for years come into fruition. I’m excited to work hard down there and spend time with the girls.
Parents: Jeff and Kim Schuster
What was your favorite memory of the season? My favorite memory from this season was the day we scrimmaged Mayer Lutheran before sections. We got a charter bus, drove to Mayer Lutheran and scrimmaged, went to Chipotle and finally got to go to the boys game in Spectrum. It was such a fun day that brought everyone closer before sections.
What advice would you give younger Streeters basketball players? When in doubt, work hard. Give your all each and every day because, before you know it, you’re playing your final minutes of your career.
Do you love winning or hate losing more? Although many people say losing isn’t always bad and is a way to learn and grow, I still hate it nonetheless. I am super competitive, and nothing is worse than getting beat.
