Girls Basketball Preview 2023-2024

Girls

l l a b t e k Bas

‘23-24

al tr n e C t s e W 18 ll a t a k o A comprehensive lo ason e s 4 -2 3 2 0 2 e th r fo s m a girls basketball te

wednesday, december 6,

2023

Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.

Wishing all area teams the best of luck this season!

Play hard and have fun!

WWW.CHRISTIANSONCPA.COM Willmar • 320.235.5937 | Litchfield • 320.373.1040 | Paynesville • 320.235.5937

GIRLS BASKETBALL

2 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

Index

Here’s where to find your team’s season preview:

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Willmar freshman Brielle Ogdahl, 3, rips a rebound away from Brainerd's Kylee Soens during a Central Lakes Conference game on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 at the Big Red Gym in Willmar.

Cards hope to pick up where they left off Willmar, which closed last year winning 7 of 9, returns 3 starters

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

WILLMAR — The Willmar girls basketball team feels it is heading in the right direction with a unique sense of versatility throughout its roster.

Willmar, which finished with an 11-17 overall record and was 6-8 in the Central Lakes Conference, won seven of its last nine contests to close out the 2022-23 season.

“After a rough start to our 202223 season, we started to find our groove in the middle of the year and we felt that we were playing

some good basketball down the stretch,” said Willmar head coach Brendan Hedtke, who enters his second season at the helm. “We gained a lot of good experience, both as players and coaches, last season that should lead to more confidence and success this year.”

The Cardinals return both of their All-CLC picks from a season ago. Those pair of players are sophomores Telilie Lange and Brielle Ogdahl. Both return to the varsity roster to serve as captains with senior forward Kenedee Salonek, who was an All-CLC Honorable Mention a season ago and rounds

out Willmar’s trio of returning starters.

Lange, a 5-foot-7-inch sophomore guard, averaged 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game and 2.0 steals per game and shot 42.6% from beyond the arc last season. She was an All-Area Third Team pick and was named Willmar’s most valuable player.

Ogdahl, a 6-0 sophomore forward, averaged 8.4 points and 8.4 rebounds with 31 blocks and just 24 fouls in 800 minutes of action in 2022-23.

Willmar Cardinals ��������������������������� J2 New London-Spicer Wildcats ���������� J5 ACGC Falcons ������������������������������������ J7 BBE Jaguars �������������������������������������� J8 Benson Braves ��������������������������������� J9 BOLD Warriors ���������������������������������J10 CMCS Bluejays ����������������������������������J11 CCS Eagles ���������������������������������������J12 Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks ���������������J13 KMS Fighting Saints ������������������������J14 LQPV Eagles ��������������������������������������J15 Litchfield Dragons �������������������������J16 MACCRAY Wolverines �����������������������J17 Minnewaska Lakers ������������������������J18 Montevideo Thunder Hawks �����������J19 Paynesville Bulldogs �������������������� J20 RCW Jaguars ������������������������������������J21 Yellow Medicine East Sting ���������� J23 Credits The West Central Tribune’s Girls Basketball Preview 2023-24 was written, edited and photographed by sports writers Michael Lyne and Joe Brown, sports editor Tom Elliott and photographer Macy Moore.

File photos by Matthew Curry.

CARDS: Page 3

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Supporting the Community and Area Athletes! Best of luck to all the 2023 Winter Sports Teams!

Corner of 1st St & Willmar Ave.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 3

CARDS From Page 2

“This season our offense should be more dynamic and harder to scout,” Hedtke said. “We should also be a lot quicker on the defensive end and be able to mix up our coverages throughout the games and throughout the season to throw off our opponents.”

Joining the mix as players to watch for the Cardinals are senior guards Maycee Gustafson and Adali Laidlaw, juniors in guard Kendall Hanson and forward Madison Norsten, sophomore forward/center Lyza Gustafson and freshmen Maddison Molacek and Isley Ripperger.

“We’re all excited to get going this year, both us as coaches and the girls,” Hedtke said. “We feel that we might still be a little underestimated coming into this year, but the girls are more focused than I’ve ever seen them and that is exciting.”

Key roster losses for Willmar include guards Allie Rosendahl and Deshawna Hodges and forward/center Zoe Schroeder. Jossyn Heck, currently a sophomore, will also not be back.

“We will miss our seniors from last year, but we also feel we have a handful of great options to fill those roles,” said Photos by Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune Hedtke, who will be assisted by Jason New London-Spicer senior guard Avery Rich (left) and Willmar junior guard Maycee Gustafson battle for possession of the Hulstein, Leah Brogdon, Tanner Soupir, Kendra Kvebak and Carrie Ogdahl. basketball during the WildCard championship on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Willmar High School.

Willmar head coach Brendan Hedtke claps during a game against Alexandria on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at Willmar High School.

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4 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Willmar Cardinal Girls Varsity Basketball 2023-2024 Saturday, December 2

Tuesday, January 9

Saturday, February 3

Game 3:45PM New Ulm Willmar High School

Game 7:15PM Hutchinson Willmar High School

Game 2:45PM Tartan

Tuesday, December 5

Friday, January 12

Game 6:00PM Brainerd Willmar High School

Game 7:15PM �������������������������������������������� Fergus Falls FF Kennedy School - Gold Gym

Friday, December 8

Saturday, January 13

Game��������������������������������������������� Alexandria Area HS Alexandria Area HS

Game 3:00PM ������������������������������ Mound Westonka Mound Westonka High School

Tuesday, February 13

Thursday, December 14

Monday, January 15

Sartell High School

Game 7:15PM St Cloud Crush Willmar High School

Game 7:15PM Morris Area Willmar High School

Thursday, February 15

Tuesday, December 19

Tuesday, January 16

Game 7:15PM Sartell Willmar High School

Game 7:15PM ����������������������������������������������������Marshall Marshall High School

Wednesday, December 27

Friday, January 19

Game 7:15PM Fergus Falls

Invitational TBD ����������������������������� Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School

Game 6:00PM�������������������������������������������������������Fridley Fridley High School

Willmar High School

Thursday, December 28

Tuesday, January 23

Invitational TBD ����������������������������� Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School

Game 7:15PM �������������������������������� Sauk Rapids-Rice Sauk Rapids-Rice HS

Thursday, January 4

Friday, January 26

Game 7:15PM �������������������������������������������������������� Rocori Rocori HS

Game 7:15PM ����������������������������������������������������Brainerd Brainerd HS

Saturday, January 6

Thursday, February 1

Game 2:45PM Detroit Lakes Willmar High School

Game 7:15PM Alexandria Area HS Willmar High School

Willmar High School

Friday, February 9 Game 7:15PM Rocori Willmar High School

Game 7:15PM �������������������������������������������������������� Sartell

Game 7:15PM ������������������������������������������������Monticello Monticello High School

Friday, February 16

Tuesday, February 20 Game 7:15PM �������������������������������������St� Cloud Crush St� Cloud Tech HS

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 5

NLS stays up-beat about a state repeat

Despite heavy losses, Wildcats return Dakota Rich, Delaney Hanson and Ava Carlson to lead the way

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

NEW LONDON — The New London-Spicer girls basketball team lost a handful of core pieces from its state tournament team from a season ago but returns a few more.

NLS, ranked No. 10 in the Minnesota Basketball News Class AA preseason poll, had a 30-2 overall record and was 13-0 record in Wright County Conference play in 2022-23. The Wildcats won the Class AA consolation championship.

The Wildcats graduated six seniors. That list includes Avery Rich, Jaden Coahran, Ellary Peterson, Kaylee Thorson, Katelynn Tortorella and Miller Holland.

NLS: Page 6

Photos by Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

New London-Spicer’s bench erupts after a made 3-pointer by sophomore guard Dakota Rich against Luverne in the Section 3AA championship on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.

NLS WILDCATS

Girls Basketball Schedule 2023-2024 Thursday, December 7 Friday, January 12 Game 7:15PM………………….Morris Area Game 7:15PM……………Glencoe-Silver Lake Morris Area Elementary School New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Tuesday, December 12 Saturday, January 13 Game 5:30PM………………Minnewaska Area Game 2:00PM………………….Crosby-Ironton Minnewaska Area High School New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Friday, December 15 Tuesday, January 16 Game 7:00PM………………….KMS Game 5:30PM………………….Annandale New London-Spicer High School Main Gym New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Tuesday, December 19 Thursday, January 18 Game 7:15PM………………….Litchfield Game 5:45PM...........Howard Lake-WaverlyNew London-Spicer High School Main Gym Winsted Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Thursday, December 21 Saturday, January 20 Game 5:30PM……………Eden Valley-Watkins New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Game 5:30PM………………….Sauk Centre Wednesday, December 27 New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Tuesday, January 23 Invitational 6:00PM............Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Game 5:30PM………………….Dassel-Cokato New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Thursday, December 28 Thursday, January 25 Invitational 6:00PM............Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Game 7:00PM………………Watertown-Mayer New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Friday, December 29 Friday, January 26 Invitational 6:00PM............Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Game 5:30PM………………….Montevideo 2024 Montevideo High School Friday, January 5 Tuesday, January 30 Game 7:15PM………………..….Rockford Area Game 7:15PM………………….Albany New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Albany High School

Sponsored by: Rambow Inc West Central Tribune 1000 Rambow Pkwy To Subscribe call 320-235-1154 New London, MN 56273 • 320-354-2570 or visit www.wctrib.com https://rambow.com

Friday, February 2 Game 7:00PM………………….Litchfield Litchfield High School Tuesday, February 6 Game 5:30PM………Glencoe-Silver Lake Glencoe-Silver Lake High School Friday, February 9 Game 6:00PM………………….Annandale Annandale High School Tuesday, February 13 Game 7:15PM……Howard Lake-WaverlyWinsted New London-Spicer High School Main Gym Friday, February 16 Game 5:30PM………………….Dassel-Cokato Dassel-Cokato High School Tuesday, February 20 Game 7:00PM………………….Watertown-Mayer Watertown-Mayer High School Friday, February 23 Game 5:30PM………………….Rockford Area Rockford High School

Check the schools website for an updated events list

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

6 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

New London-Spicer junior guard Dakota Rich pulls up from the midrange and takes a shot over West Central junior Macy Grosz on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at New London.

New London-Spicer junior forward Delaney Hanson takes a 3-point shot against Minnehaha Academy in the Class AA quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

NLS From Page 5

Avery Rich was an All-Area First Team pick and Jaden Coahran was an All-Area Second Team member. Avery Rich averaged 17.0 points, 5.3 steals and 4.2 assists per game and Coahran averaged 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest.

NLS will look toward its three returning starters to help push it back into contention for the state tournament. Those three are Dakota Rich, Delaney Hanson and Ava Carlson.

Dakota Rich is back after a 2022-23 season where she was honored as an AllWright County West pick. The 5-foot-8inch junior guard averaged 13.4 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game as a sophomore.

Wildcats head coach Mike Dreier, who enters his 46th season as NLS’ head coach, knows Dakota Rich will have to help drive the team’s offense as one of its main ball-handlers.

“She’ll have to be and be one of the main shooters,” said Dreier, who is assisted by Joey Dreier, Margaret Essler and Lynnette Beuning. “The people coming back have to take a big step up in their production. Last year it was Avery (Rich), Jaden (Coahran) and Ellary (Peterson) that people would pay attention to. Now they are getting that attention.”

Hanson and Carlson each return as AllWright County West Honorable Mentions.

Hanson is a 5-10 senior forward who posted averages of 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals per contest.

Carlson is a 5-10 junior forward who scored averages of 5.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

NLS has four players each in their junior and sophomore classes noted as players to watch.

That list includes: juniors Piper Barney (5-11, forward), Jadyn Proehl (5-10, forward), Aly Wendlandt (5-8, guard) and Maren Munsch (5-6, guard); sophomores Ayla Caskey (5-8, guard), Katelyn Delzer (5-11, forward), Taylor Munsch (5-8, guard) and Roxanne Klein (6-0, center) “Their attitudes seem excellent,” Dreier said of his Wildcats’ demeanors following their season-opening victory over West Central Area on Nov. 28. “If they stay upbeat, work hard and play together. You never know what could happen.”

New London-Spicer head coach Mike Dreier yells on the sideline against Minnehaha Academy in the Class AA quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 7

ACGC FALCONS

Girls Varsity Basketball 2023-24 Tuesday, December 5

Game 7:00PM ....................Eden Valley-Watkins Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Game 7:00PM ......................... Eden Valley-Watkins Eden Valley Watkins High School

Game 7:30PM ........................................... MACCRAY MACCRAY High School

Game 7:00PM ...................................Maple Lake Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Game 7:00PM ......................................... Maple Lake Maple Lake High School

Game 5:45PM ......................................... Benson Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Game 7:00PM ..........................Paynesville Area Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Game 7:00PM ..............................................Litchfield Litchfield High School

Game 7:15PM ...................Renville County West Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Friday, December 8

Friday, December 15

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

ACGC freshman Ruby Klinger looks for an open shot at the basket while being heavily defended during a game at Benson High School on Saturday, February 4, 2023.

Almost everyone’s back for ACGC Falcons Five starters return, including 3 key seniors, under new head coach Jacklyn Frericks

starters from a season ago, three of which

BY MICHAEL LYNE are seniors Elli Roemeling, Grace Kaehler West Central Tribune and Mikaili Johnson. ACGC graduated no GROVE CITY — After serving as an assistant coach for three seasons in the players.

Roemeling, a 5-foot-9 guard and an Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City girls basketAll-CMC Second Team selection, looks ball program, Jacklyn Frericks will now to lead the Falcons to a strong cambe at the helm. paign. She averaged 6.4 points and 9.9 Frericks, who will be assisted by Jordan Olson and Misty Langseth, replaces rebounds per game last year.

Kaehler is a 5-9 guard and Johnson is Trevor Heining. a 5-9 forward.

Heining spent the previous four sea“The three seniors have been playing sons as head coach of the Falcons and varsity since eighth grade due to low had a 10-85 overall record over that span. ACGC was 5-20 overall and 2-11 numbers the previous three seasons,” in the Central Minnesota Conference in Frericks said. “These three are great 2022-23. team captains and are examples of what “I’ve watched this team develop and perseverance and persistence look like I am looking forward to this season,” in basketball players.

Frericks said. “This season, the team is “They could have quit years ago when hoping to show opponents that they are they were being beaten by 60, 70, 80 here and ready to contend. The team points every game. But they kept comstrongly believes in the term family; ing back to the gym, getting to work, they are ready to protect each other having a positive attitude and supportand support each other throughout the ing the younger girls.” season.”

The Falcons return all five of their ACGC: Page 24

Thursday, January 25

Game 7:00PM ....................................... Kimball Area Kimball High School

Tuesday, December 19

Thursday, December 21 2024

Monday, January 29

Tuesday, January 30 Friday, February 2

Tuesday, February 6

Thursday, February 8

Tuesday, January 2

Game 7:00PM ................................Paynesville Area Paynesville Area High School

Friday, January 5

Game 7:00PM ..................................Holdingford Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Thursday, January 11

Game 7:00PM ............ Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Tuesday, January 16

Game 7:00PM .........................................Holdingford Holdingford High School

Monday, February 12

Game 7:15PM .........................Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School

Tuesday, February 13

Game 7:00PM .................Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Thursday, February 15

Game 7:00PM ................. Royalton High School Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Game 7:00PM .......................Royalton High School Royalton High School

Game 7:00PM ................................ Kimball Area Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Game TBD ............................................................ KMS Target Center

Game 7:00PM ..................................Montevideo Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Game 7:00PM .................... Buffalo Lake-Hector Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Friday, January 19

Tuesday, January 23

Saturday, February 17 Monday, February 19

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8 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BBE Jaguars aim for a return to state Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa must replace 5 key seniors who finished 3rd in Class A

BY JOE BROWN

points and 4.0 rebounds per game en route to All-CMC honors last season.

“She had a breakout junior season,” BELGRADE — Belgrade-Brooten-Elsaid BBE head coach Kristina Anderson. rosa will try to get back to state while “(Brooklyn’s) a great all-around player trying to replace five key seniors from with a solid in/out presence.” last season’s squad.

The other returning starter is 5-5 The Jaguars were 27-5 and won the Section 5A championship with a 76-50 senior guard Anna Jaeger. She put up 1.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals win against Barnum. In the Class A state tournament, BBE finished in third per game in ‘22-’23.

“Anna’s a gritty, quick defender who place after beating Hayfield 65-54. is continually expanding her outside Gone from that state squad is Abby shot,” Anderson said.

Berge, a Class A All-State selection A pair of juniors are looking to make who is playing at Division II Minnestrides in BBE’s lineup in 5-5 guard sota State University-Moorhead. She averaged 20.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.9 Bree Thieschafer (3.7 ppg) and 5-8 forward Adley Hagen (2.4 ppg). steals and 2.1 assists per game. Along “(Bree’s) a great defender who will be with Berge, two other All-Central Minlooking to take the next step offensivenesota Conference players are gone.

Tiyana Schwanghammer (12.7 ppg, 5.2 ly this year,” Anderson said. “(Adley’s) got great touch around the rim.” rpg) and Harley Roering (10.4 ppg).

Photos by Macy Moore / West Central Tribune Allie Dingmann and Ella Halvorson also Over 11 seasons, Anderson has Left: BBE sophomore Bree Thieschafer drives the ball down the court during the graduated. coached the Jaguars to a 217-103 Class A semifinal against Mountain Iron-Buhl at Williams Arena in Minneapolis record. She has also led BBE to state Hoping to keep up the Jaguars’ high on Friday, March 17, 2023. Right: Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa junior guard/ standard is a pair of returning starters. appearances in 2020, ‘21 and ‘23. BBE forward Brooklyn Fischer launches a 3-pointer against Underwood in the Class has a record of 87-28 over the last four The first is 5-foot-10 senior forward Brooklyn Fischer. She averaged 10.7 seasons.

A quarterfinals on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis.

West Central Tribune

BBE head coach Kristina Anderson cheers on her Jaguars from the sideline during the Class A semifinal against Mountain Iron-Buhl at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Friday, March 17, 2023.

BBE JAGUARS Girls Varsity Basketball 2023/24 Tuesday, December 5

Game 7:00PM ����������������������������������Maple Lake Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School (Big) Gym

Game 7:00PM �������� Central Minnesota Christian Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Game 7:00PM ������������������ Royalton High School Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School (Big) Gym

Game 7:00PM ����������������������������������������������Upsala Upsala High School

Game 7:00PM ��������������������������Paynesville Area Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School (Big) Gym

Game 7:00PM ��������������������������������Kimball Area Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Game 6:00PM������������������������������������� Sauk Centre Sauk Centre High School

Game 5:30PM �������������������������������Paynesville Area Paynesville Area High School

Game 7:00PM �������������������������������������Kimball Area Kimball High School

Game 7:00PM ������������������������Minnewaska Area Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School (Big) Gym

Game 7:00PM ��������������������������������������Holdingford Holdingford High School

Tournament 11:00AM ���������������������Cass Lake-Bena St� Cloud Apollo High School

Game 7:00PM ���������������������������������������Browerville Browerville High School

Friday, December 8

Tuesday, December 12

Thursday, December 14 Friday, December 15

Thursday, December 21

Go BBE JAGUAR Athletes!

Make this your best season ever!

Belgrade-BrootenElrosa Schools

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Tuesday, January 16

Game 7:00PM �����������������������Royalton High School Royalton High School

Friday, December 29

Saturday, December 30

Tournament 2:15PM ������������������������������������ Hawley St� Cloud Apollo High School

Friday, January 19

Tuesday, January 23 Friday, January 26

Tuesday, January 30 Friday, February 2

Saturday, February 3

Thursday, February 8

2024

Game 7:00PM �������������������� Eden Valley-Watkins Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School (Big) Gym

Game 7:00PM ��������������������������������� Holdingford Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School (Big) Gym

Game 7:00PM ���������������������������������������� �Osakis Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Game 7:00PM �������������������������Eden Valley-Watkins Eden Valley Watkins High School

Game 7:00PM ���������Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School (Big) Gym

Game 7:00PM ������������������������������������� Litchfield Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Game 7:00PM ���������������������������������������Maple Lake Maple Lake High School

Game 7:00PM �������������Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City ACGC High School

Game 7:30PM ��������������������������������������������������KMS KMS High School (Kerkhoven)

Tuesday, January 2 Friday, January 5

Monday, January 8

Thursday, January 11

Sponsored by:

Friday, February 9

Tuesday, February 13 Friday, February 16

Tuesday, February 20

Belgrade Brooten Elrosa School - www.bbejaguars.org - 320-254-8211 West Central Tribune - www.wctrib.com - 320-235-1154

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 9

Year 2 of Benson’s rebuild is underway Braves strengthen their varsity experience for another season as an independent

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

BENSON — The Benson girls basketball team enters its second season of non-conference play as it looks to continue to rebuild the foundation of its program.

With a roster that had less than 10 players a season ago, the Braves decided to forego competing in the West Central Conference for two seasons.

Benson had a 3-11 overall record in the 2022-23 season. Two games were canceled. The Braves have more games

on their schedule this season, including some independent ones against WCC teams, such as Melrose, Montevideo and Morris/Chokio-Alberta.

Renee Helgenset enters her second season as Benson’s head coach and is looking forward to her Braves making progress in year two. She will be assisted by Jeff Guest.

“We will have a balanced attack this season with several guards and post play,” Helgenset said. “We will have seven girls with prior varsity experience this season.”

Benson returns four starters to its

lineup. They are 5-foot-8 senior forward Jordan Schmidt, 5-8 junior guard/ forward Elle Kletscher, 5-6 junior guard/forward Norah Hilleren and 5-3 freshman guard Kaida Helgenset. The latter three are listed as players to watch by Renee Helgenset. “(Elle, Norah and Kaida) are our leading scorers and persevered under a lot of pressure last year,” Helgenset said.

“They set the standard for their work ethic and attitude that our program needs to be successful.”

Kaida Helgenset averaged a teambest 12.3 points per game as an eighth-grader. Kletscher followed with 10.0 points per game and Hilleren had 7.1 points per game.

Schmidt was the Braves’ leading rebounder. She grabbed 11.8 rebounds per game and provided Benson a boost on defense with a team-leading 46 steals.

Key roster losses for the Braves were Lauren Schmidt, Shukri Mohamed and Ashanti Blan.

Benson Braves

Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule 2023-2024 Friday, December 8

Game 7:00PM ������������������������������������������Browerville Benson High School SH Gym

Tuesday, December 12

Game 7:00PM Melrose Area Melrose Area High School

Friday, December 15

Game 7:30PM Ortonville Ortonville High School

Monday, December 18

Game 7:30PM Dawson-Boyd Dawson Boyd High School

Tuesday, December 19

Game 5:45PM Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City ACGC High School

Wednesday, December 27

Invitational 7:00PM Marshall Marshall High School

Thursday, December 28

Game 7:30PM Upsala Upsala High School

2024 Friday, January 5

Game 7:00PM ��������������������������������������Breckenridge Benson High School SH Gym

Tuesday, January 9

Game 7:30PM CCS of Willmar Community Christian School Willmar

Monday, January 15

Game 7:00PM ������������������������Heron Lake-Okabena Benson High School SH Gym

Thursday, January 18

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

ACGC junior Mikaili Johnson, at left, and Benson sophomore Elle Kletscher battle for control of the ball during a game at Benson High School on Saturday, February 4, 2023.

Monday, January 22

Game 7:30PM Lakeview Lakeview High School

Friday, January 26

Game 7:00PM �������������������������������������� Melrose Area Benson High School SH Gym

Tuesday, January 30

Game 7:00PM �����Community Christian School of Willmar Benson High School SH Gym

Thursday, February 1

Game 7:15PM Montevideo Montevideo High School

Thursday, February 8

Game 7:30PM Morris Area Morris Area High School

Friday, February 9

Game 7:00PM �������������������������������������Dawson-Boyd Benson High School / Benson Activities Center

Monday, February 12

Game 7:30PM Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School

Thursday, February 15

Game 7:00PM ������������������������������������St� John’s Prep Benson High School SH Gym

Monday, February 19

Game 7:00PM �������������������������������������������� Ortonville Benson High School SH Gym

Thursday, February 22

Game 7:00PM ��������������������������� Brandon-Evansville Benson High School SH Gym

Game 7:00PM ������������������������ Yellow Medicine East Benson High School SH Gym

Check the school’s website for an updated events list

Schedule sponsored by: BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE

www.benson.k12.mn.us | 320-843-2710

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Best of Luck to all Winter Student-Athletes and Coaches!

WE ARE CHEERING YOU ON!!

Benson Public Schools 1400 Montana Ave. • Benson, MN 56215 www.benson.k12.mn.us • 320-843-2710

“Exceptional Opportunities for Every Student’s Success”

10 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BOLD has a tough act to follow

After a 2nd-place state finish, Warriors have a fine nucleus returning led by Lainey Braulick, Kenzie Visser and Rylee Boen

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

OLIVIA — The BOLD girls basketball team enters the upcoming season coming off its best postseason in school history.

The Warriors made their first appearance in the Class A state title game, losing to Mountain Iron-Buhl. Their appearance at state also marked the third in the program’s history.

BOLD, which begins the 2023-24 season ranked No. 6 in Class A by Minnesota Basketball News, lost a few key pieces and returns some as well.

“After having a great postseason last season where we finished second in state, we are looking to compete at a high level every night,” BOLD head coach Brian Kingery said. “We have a lot of experience back from last year’s team and some young talent we need to step up.”

Lainey Braulick is BOLD’s biggest returning piece. The 5-foot-8-inch junior guard earned a plethora of accolades in her sophomore season.

Braulick was an All-Area First Team pick, a Class A All-Tournament Team selection, the West Central Conference’s most valuable offensive player of the year and was an All-WCC member.

In his third year as a starter, Braulick averaged 20.1 points and 5.1 steals per game in a 2022-23 season where she

surpassed 1,000 career points.

Also back as returning starters for the Warriors are seniors Kenzie Visser and Rylee Boen.

Visser, a 5-10 post, was a Class A All-Tournament Team pick, the WCC’s most valuable defensive player of the year and an All-WCC selection. She averaged 10.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 2.1 steals and 1.0 assist per contest as a junior.

Boen is a 5-6 guard who averaged 3.7 points and 0.8 steals per game.

With the roster losses of Mari Ryberg — an All-Area Second Team pick and Class A All-Tournament Team member who averaged 13.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game — Anna Moorse and Lily Dean, the Warriors will look to a new crop of talent to help bring them success.

Some of those fresh crop of players that were noted as players to watch Macy Moore / West Central Tribune include: 5-9 senior forward Kenna HenBOLD sophomore Lainey Braulick drives the ball down the court during the Class riksen, 5-5 junior guard Layla Pfarr, A semifinal against Hayfield at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Friday, March 5-11 junior post Peyton Sander, 5-9 sophomore forward Kya Elfering and 5-5 17, 2023. eighth-grade guard Lilly Henriksen.

Kingery hopes these players can step up and help the Warriors stay competitive in the WCC and Section 2A. “Our conference and section are both Thursday, December 14 Friday, January 26 very talented, so we will have to play at 2024 Game 7:00PM….Minnewaska Area Tuesday, January 2 a high level each night if we want to be Game 7:00PM….Minneota B.O.L.D. High School Large Gym Game 7:15PM….MACCRAY successful,” Kingery said.

B.O.L.D. High School - Olivia

BOLD WARRIORS

Varsity Girls Basketball schedule 2023-2024

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

BOLD junior forward Kenzie Visser attempts a jumper over Mountain Iron-Buhl junior guard Hali Savela in the Class A state championship on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

MACCRAY High School

Campus Large Gym

Friday, December 15 Game 7:15PM….Montevideo Montevideo High School

Monday, December 18 Game 7:15PM….Renville County West Renville County West High School

Thursday, December 21 Game 6:00PM….Springfield Springfield

Thursday, December 28 Game 7:30PM….Multiple School Norwood-Young America High School

Friday, December 29 Game 7:30PM….Multiple School Norwood-Young America High School

Friday, January 5

Game 6:00PM….Sauk Centre Sauk Centre High School

Saturday, January 6

Game 1:00PM….Mayer Lutheran Hayfield High School

Thursday, February 1

Game 7:00PM….Melrose Area B.O.L.D. High School Large Gym

Monday, February 5 Game 7:15PM….Canby Canby High School

Tuesday, February 6

Friday, January 12

Game 7:00PM….West Central Area B.O.L.D. High School Large Gym

Monday, January 15

Game 7:00PM….Montevideo B.O.L.D. High School Large Gym

Game 7:00PM….Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta B.O.L.D. High School Large Gym Game 7:00PM….Cedar Mountain B.O.L.D. HS Olivia Campus Large Gym

Thursday, January 18

Game 7:00PM….Melrose Area Melrose Area High School

Friday, January 19

Friday, February 9

Tuesday, February 13

Game 7:00PM….Central MN Christian B.O.L.D. High School Large Gym

Thursday, February 15

Game 6:00PM….West Central Area WCA Secondary School, Barrett

Game 7:15PM….Buffalo Lake-Hector BLH (Hector Campus)

Game 7:00PM….Sauk Centre B.O.L.D. High School Large Gym

Game 7:00PM….Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Morris Area Elementary School

Tuesday, January 23

Monday, February 19

Check the schools website for a updated events list Schedule sponsored by:

Dooley’s Petroleum 3101 3rd Ave SW Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-5200 www.dooleypetro.com

Ervin Well Company, Inc 1312 Depue Ave Olivia, MN 56277 320-523-1621 www.ervinwellmn.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 11

CMCS has high hopes for ‘23-24 Bluejays return 4 starters, including 9th-grader Sienna Duininck

BY MICHAEL LYNE

for the 2023-24 season. Back are Lauren Taatjes, CC Roiseland, Carrie PRINSBURG — The Central Minneso- Mulder and Sienna Duininck. The Blueta Christian School girls basketball team jays’ sole roster loss is Natasha Erickreturns much of its core from the 2022- son.

Taatjes is a senior forward who aver23 season and it has Bluejays head coach aged 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per Brian Nelson feeling optimistic. game. Roiseland is a senior guard who “We feel like our group can compete was a All-Camden Conference Honorfor a Camden Conference championable Mention following a junior camship,” said Nelson, who enters his second season as the Bluejays head coach. paign where she averaged 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

He will be assisted by Logan Erickson Mulder is a sophomore forward who and Janey Duininck. averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds CMCS was 13-14 overall and 11-7 per game. in conference play in its 2022-23 camDuininck returns as CMCS’ top piece. paign. The Bluejays won 12 of their last 17 contests to close out the season.

The freshman guard averaged 14.0 CMCS returns four of its five starters points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.4 West Central Tribune

assists per game as an eighth-grader en route to being honored as an All-Camden Conference pick for a second consecutive season.

Also looking to make impacts for the Bluejays this season are junior guards Sophia Vogel and Morgan Groen and sophomore forwards Peighton Mulder and Emmi Braem.

Vogel played in all 27 games for CMCS in her sophomore season. Peighton Mulder played in 22. Groen played in 17. Braem saw action in 11.

CMCS averaged 45.2 points and allowed 46.5 points per game in the 2022-23 season. The Bluejays shot 39.3% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc.

Central Minnesota Christian junior Lauren Taatjes takes a shot over Lac qui Parle Valley senior center Camryn Lee on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at Prinsburg.

CMCS BLUEJAYS

Girls Varsity Volleyball Schedule 2023/24 Monday, December 4

Friday, January 5

Monday, January 29

Friday, December 8

Monday, January 8

Friday, February 2

Monday, December 11

Thursday, January 11

Thursday, February 8

Thursday, December 14

Tuesday, January 16

Tuesday, February 13

Friday, December 15

Thursday, January 18

Thursday, February 15

Thursday, December 21

Saturday, January 20

Thursday, December 28

Thursday, January 25

Game 7:15PM �������������������������������MACCRAY Game 7:30PM������������ Buffalo Lake-Hector Game 7:15PM �������������������������������� Ortonville MACCRAY High School - Clara City Buffalo Lake-Hector High School Ortonville High School Game 7:15PM ����Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Game 7:15PM ��������������������������� Minneota Game 7:15PM ������������� Lac Qui Parle Valley Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School Central Minnesota Christian School Lac Qui Parle Valley High School Game 7:15PM ������������������������������������������ KMS Game 7:15PM �����������Yellow Medicine East Game 7:15PM ���������KMS Public Schools KMS High School Yellow Medicine East High School Central Minnesota Christian School Game 7:15PM ���������Lac Qui Parle Valley Game 7:15PM ���������������������������������Canby Game 7:15PM ������������������������������������B�O�L�D� Central Minnesota Christian School Central Minnesota Christian School B�O�L�D� High School Game 7:15PM ������������������������ Dawson-Boyd Game 7:15PM ���������������������������������Lakeview Game 7:15PM ������������������� Dawson-Boyd Dawson-Boyd High School Lakeview High School Central Minnesota Christian School Game 7:15PM ������� Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Game 12:00PM �� Southwest Minnesota Christian Central Minnesota Christian School Central Minnesota Christian School Game 2:00PM ����������Russel-Tyler-Ruthton Game 7:15PM ��������������������������Lester Prairie SMSU - Marshall Lester Prairie High School 2024

Thursday, January 4

Friday, January 26

Game 7:15PM ������������������������� MACCRAY Game 7:15PM �����������Renville County West Central Minnesota Christian School Renville County West High School Schedule sponsored by:

Photos by Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Central Minnesota Christian School eighth-grader Sienna Duininck makes a layup against Redwood Valley during the WildCard third-place game on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Willmar High School.

Central Minnesota Christian School www.cmcschool.org 320-978-8700

Prinsburg Farmers Co-Op www.prccoop.com 320-978-8100

Service Oil Enterprises 607 3rd St, Prinsburg 320-978-8800

Country Pork LLP www.facebook.com/people/Country-Pork-LLP 7360 195th Ave SW, Prinsburg

Mulder Trucking Co 509 3rd St, Prinsburg 320-978-8160

Kim's Electric kimselectricmn.com 320-894-3987

12 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Experienced CCS bumps up its schedule Eagles return 4 starters from a 16-2 squad that will take on Ortonville, MACCRAY, Benson and Dawson-Boyd

Left: CCS Eagles junior Anna Lindgren passes the ball during a game against the Victory Christian Knights on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Community Christian School. Right: CCS Eagles freshman Margo Klaassen dribbles the ball during a game against the Victory Christian Knights on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Community Christian School.

Photos by Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

CCS Eagles sophomore Gabbie Bollig comes up with a steal during a game against the Victory Christian Knights on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Community Christian School.

BY JOE BROWN West Central Tribune

WILLMAR — Community Christian School is in for a different kind of season in 2023-24.

Along with its slate of games in the Christian Athletic League, the Eagles are mixing in games against Ortonville, MACCRAY, Benson, St. John’s Prep and Dawson-Boyd.

“Our schedule will include several local opponents from the Camden and West Central Conferences, which will be a new and exciting challenge,” said CCS head coach Sarah Klaassen.

The Eagles are coming off a 16-2 campaign in 2022-23. And they will return four third-year starters.

The missing player from that group is Sophia Bollig, who scored over 2,000 career points and averaged 19 points per game as a senior.

Leading the returning starters is 6-foot-2 sophomore Hope Reid, who averaged 11.1 points and 7.6 rebounds

last season. Three guards return with sophomores Lexi Nelson (9.2 ppg), Margo Klaassen (8.2 ppg) and junior Gabbie Bollig.

“Hope gives us considerable size in the paint at 6-2,” Sarah Klaassen said.

“Margo and Lexi have improved their speed and athleticism in the off-season, which we hope to see in their production this year. Gabbie is small but scrappy.

She averaged 3.1 steals per game last year, with even more hustle points.

“We expect to see relatively balanced scoring between our four returning starters.”

CCS has 13 players on varsity and junior varsity, including six players in the sophomore class.

“Most of our players have been playing significant varsity minutes since the eighth grade, which has helped with the development and experience of our young team,” Sarah Klaassen said. “All of our players see significant minutes and play a valuable role on the team.”

CCS EAGLES Girls Varsity Basketball 2023-2024 Tuesday, December 5

Game 7:30PM………………….Ortonville Community Christian School High School Gym

Friday, December 15 Game 5:30PM…………Cambridge Christian Community Christian School High School Gym

Thursday, December 21 Game 5:30PM………………….South Metro Community Christian School High School Gym

Thursday, December 28 Game 7:30PM………………….MACCRAY MACCRAY High School (Clara City)

2024 Friday, January 5 Game 6:00PM……………St. Cloud Christian St. Cloud - Youth for Christ (YFC)

Tuesday, January 9 Game 7:30PM………………….Benson Community Christian School High School Gym

Thursday, January 11 Game 4:30PM……Fourth Baptist Christian Community Christian School High School Gym

Tuesday, January 16

Tuesday, February 6

Game 5:30PM……………….Immanuel Lutheran Immanuel Lutheran School

Game 6:00PM………….St. Cloud Christian Community Christian School High School Gym

Thursday, January 18 Game 7:30PM………………….Ortonville Ortonville High School

Monday, January 22 Game 5:00PM………….Lake Region Christian Lake Region Christian School

Tuesday, January 23 Game 6:30PM…………Maplewood Academy Community Christian School High School Gym

Friday, January 26 Game 6:30PM………………….Rochester Home Immanuel Lutheran School

Tuesday, January 30 Game 7:00PM………………….Benson Benson High School

Friday, February 2 Game 4:30PM…………Fourth Baptist Christian Fourth Baptist Christian School

Friday, February 9 Game 6:00PM……………Cambridge Christian Cambridge Christian School

Monday, February 12 Game 7:15PM………………….Dawson-Boyd Community Christian School High School Gym

Tuesday, February 13 Game 7:00PM………………….St. John’s Prep Community Christian School High School Gym

Friday, February 16 Game 5:30PM………………….South Metro Guardian Angels Catholic School

Tuesday, February 20 Game 6:30PM………….Immanuel Lutheran Community Christian School High School Gym

Monday, February 5 Game 5:30PM…………Maplewood Academy Maplewood Academy, Hutchinson

Friday, January 12

Check the school’s website for a updated events list www.willmarccs.com

Game 7:00PM………………….St. John’s Prep Saint John’s Prep

Schedule sponsored by:

West Central Tribune To Subscribe call 320-235-1154 or visit www.wctrib.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 13

Blackjacks bank on 3 returning starters for improvement Allison Estling, Ayiana Hastad and Hayley Anderson lead the way for Dawson-Boyd

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

DAWSON — The Dawson-Boyd girls basketball team will lean heavily on its three returning starters for its 2023-24 campaign after it lost its top scorer and one of its top defensive players from the 2022-23 season.

Dawson-Boyd had a 6-13 record in Camden Conference action and was 9-19 overall last season. The Blackjacks lost to Lac qui Parle Valley in the Section 3A-North quarterfinals.

“Three of our seniors — Allison Estling, Ayiana Hastad and Hayley Anderson — are returning starters who have played many minutes for us and we will look to them to, once again, lead the team,” said Blackjacks head coach Rachel Hakanson, who enters her third season and will be assisted by Terry White. “I am looking forward to seeing who else will step up and fill the shoes of our former seniors.”

Estling, a 5-foot-5-inch guard and captain, averaged 8.6 points. Hastad, a 5-8 guard and captain, averaged 7.4 points per game. Anderson, a 6-0 forward, averaged 7.2 points per game.

No other players averaged more than five points per game outside of Kate Dahl, who led the Blackjacks with 11.4 points per game as a senior forward.

Dawson-Boyd will also be without Chelsie Husby — one of its top defenders from last season — who graduated.

Estling, Hastad and Anderson make up just half of Dawson-Boyd’s senior class.

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Dawson-Boyd junior guard Allison Estling passes the ball during a game against the Renville County West Jaguars on Joe Brown / West Central Tribune Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, at Renville County D-B junior Hayley Anderson, right, tries to rip the ball away from LQPV’s Ayanna West High School in Renville.

Gipson during a Section 3A-North quarterfinal game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 Also in that group is 5-9 forward Taylen at Montevideo.

Jorgenson, 5-5 guard Paige Conover and 5-5 guard Rachel Jorgens.

The remaining five athletes on the Blackjacks’ roster features one upperclassmen and four underclassmen.

Lindsey Lund, a 5-7 forward, is the sole Thursday, January 4 Friday, February 2 junior on the roster.

Game 7:30PM….Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Game 7:30PM….Ortonville The underclassmen are as follows: Tracy Area High School Gym Ortonville High School Monday, December 4 sophomores Alyssa Swedzinski (5-5 Monday, January 8 Game 7:30PM….KMS Public Schools Thursday, February 8 guard) and Jordin Strand (5-3 guard); Game 7:30PM….RCW KMS High School Game 7:30PM….Lac Qui Parle Valley Dawson-Boyd High School freshman Alivia Estling (5-10 forward); Dawson-Boyd High School Friday, December 8 and eighth-grader Claire Stratmoen (5-2 Thursday, January 11 Game 7:30PM….Ortonville Friday, February 9 guard).

Game 7:30PM….Minneota Dawson-Boyd High School Game 7:00PM....................Benson Minneota High School - Viking Gym “I am hopeful that we will have a deepBenson High School Tuesday, December 12 er bench this year with a good mixture Friday, January 12 Game 7:30PM….Lac Qui Parle Valley Monday, February 12 of older and younger players,” Hakanson Game 6:00PM….Fulda Lac Qui Parle Valley High School Game 7:30PM….CCS Fulda High School said.

Community Christian School of

DAWSON BOYD BLACKJACKS Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule 2023-24 2023

Friday, December 15

Game 7:30PM...................CMCS Dawson-Boyd High School

Monday, December 18

Game 7:30PM...................Benson Dawson-Boyd High School

Thursday, December 21 Game 7:30PM….Lakeview Dawson-Boyd High School

Wednesday, December 27

Game 2:00PM….Westbrook-Walnut Grove SMSU

2024

Tuesday, January 2

Game 7:30PM….Montevideo Dawson-Boyd High School

Tuesday, January 16 Game 7:30PM….YME Dawson-Boyd High School

Thursday, January 18

Willmar

Thursday, February 15

Game 7:30PM….CMCS Central Minnesota Christian School

Game 7:15PM….Canby Canby High School

Tuesday, January 23 Game 7:30PM….MACCRAY Dawson-Boyd High School

Friday, January 26

Game 7:30PM….KMS Public Schools Dawson-Boyd High School

Tuesday, January 30 Game 7:30PM….Canby Dawson-Boyd High School

Schedule sponsored by: GREATER COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 711 6th St, Dawson 320-769-2908

WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE

To Subscribe call 320-235-1154 or visit www.wctrib.com

14 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

KMS banks on its athleticism for another big year

Fighting Saints returns a strong nucleus from a 22-7 team

BY MICHAEL LYNE

and Acelynn Hacker. Luft was also an All-Area Third Team pick.

Luft, a 6-foot-1 forward, averaged KERKHOVEN — The Kerkhoven-Mura double-double with 11.7 points and dock-Sunburg girls basketball team will 10.4 rebounds. She also had averages look for more of the same in 2023-24. of 6.0 blocks and 1.7 assists and steals The Fighting Saints, who return two per game. starters, were 22-7 overall and 14-4 in Hacker, a 5-6 sophomore, averaged the Camden Conference last season. KMS made it to the Section 6A-South Champi- a team-best 15.1 points per game, adding on 4.7 steals, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 onship before falling to Hancock. assists per contest.

“We did lose three starters but return “Maddie gives us some much-needed a solid nucleus of girls, including two that we missed from season-ending knee length and she can impact the game on both ends of the floor,” Johnson said. injuries,” Fighting Saints fifth-year head “Acelynn is very quick and anticipates so coach Justin Johnson said. “We will be a very athletic team, making us tough to well on defense. She has a quick first step that allows her to get to the basket.” match up with most nights.”

Also highlighted as players to watch for KMS’ roster losses are All-Camden Conference pick Josie Gjerde, Elsa Gjerde the Fighting Saints are Wagner, Petersen, Photos by Joe Brown / West Central Tribune and Julia Carlson. Juniors in guard Emily senior forwards Sophia Oerter and Anissa Demuth, junior forward Emily Zurn KMS eighth-grader Mamie Luft, left, looks to drive by a Hancock defender Wagner and guard/forward Savannah Petersen are back from their season-end- and freshman Mamie Luft. during the Section 6A-South championship game on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Johnson’s coaching staff includes Ryan Minnewaska High School in Glenwood. ing injuries.

Luft, Samantha Gjerde and Cassandra Looking to lead the Fighting Saints to another strong campaign are All-Camden Tensen. He has a 65-63 overall record in Conference team returnees Maddie Luft his five seasons at KMS. West Central Tribune

Left: KMS sophomore Madelynn Luft, 30, puts up a shot in the post during the Section 6A-South championship game against Hancock on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Minnewaska High School in Glenwood. Right: KMS freshman Acelynn Hacker, 3, hoists up a 3-pointer over RCW’s Emily Lippert during a Camden Conference game on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 at Kerkhoven.

KMS FIGHTING SAINTS

varsity girls basketball schedule 2023-24

Thursday, December 7

Game 7:30PM ����������������������������MACCRAY MACCRAY High School - Clara City

Monday, December 11

2024

Friday, January 26

Game 7:30PM ������������������������������ Lakeview Lakeview High School

Tuesday, January 30

Thursday, January 4

Game 7:30PM ������������������������������ CMCS Saturday, January 6 KMS High School - Kerkhoven Court 1

Friday, December 15

Game 7:30PM ���������New London-Spicer New London-Spicer High School

Tuesday, December 19

Game 7:30PM ������������������������������Ortonville Ortonville High School

Thursday, December 21

Game 7:30PM ������������������������������ Canby KMS High School - Kerkhoven Court 1

Wednesday, December 27

Holiday Tournament 6:00PM����������Windom Area Windom Area High School

Thursday, December 28

Holiday Tournament TBD�����Windom Area Windom Area High School

Game TBD �����Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Target Center

Monday, January 8

Game 7:30PM �������� Eden Valley-Watkins KMS High School - Kerkhoven Court 1

Thursday, January 11

Game 7:30PM ������ Renville County West Renville County West High School

Friday, January 12

Game 7:30PM ��������������������� Paynesville KMS High School - Kerkhoven Gymnasium

Tuesday, January 16

Game 7:30PM �������������������������Minneota KMS High School - Kerkhoven Court 1

Friday, January 19

Game 7:30PM �������Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School

Tuesday, January 23

Game 7:30PM ���������������������Dawson-Boyd Dawson-Boyd High School Game 7:30PM ����Tracy-Milroy-Balaton KMS High School - Kerkhoven Court 1

Friday, February 2

Game 7:30PM ���������������������� MACCRAY KMS High School - Kerkhoven Court 1

Tuesday, February 6

Game 7:30PM ������������� Minnewaska Area Minnewaska Area High School

Thursday, February 8

Game 7:30PM ������������ Central Minnesota Christian Central Minnesota Christian School

Tuesday, February 13

Game 7:30PM ���������������������������Browerville Browerville High School

Thursday, February 15

Game 7:30PM ����������������������������������BBE KMS High School - Kerkhoven Gymnasium

Game 7:15PM ����������Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School

Check the schools website for a updated events list • www.kms.k12.mn.us/ Schedule sponsored by: Brink’s 104 Club 390 180th Ave NE Sunburg 320-366-3499 www.facebook.com/brinks104club

Black Diamond Industries LLC www.bdimn.com Facebook/Instagram bdi_lawnandsnow 218.841.4373

Freetly Electric 303 N. 3rd St. Kerkhoven 320-264-3121 https://freetlyelectric.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 15

LQPV banks on its size and strength After going 25-4 last season, the Eagles will have a new lineup

Lac qui Parle Valley junior guard Isabel Gerdes attempts a layup with Central Minnesota Christian junior Lauren Taatjes defending her during a game between the Eagles and Bluejays on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at Prinsburg.

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

MADISON — The Lac qui Parle Valley girls basketball team lost much of its core from a 2022-23 season which saw the Eagles have a dominating season in the Camden Conference.

LQPV had an 18-0 conference record and was 25-4 overall. The Eagles lost to Minneota, which made it to the Class A state tournament, in the Section 3A-North championship.

But with the loss of four senior starters, three of which were All-Camden Conference picks and the other an honorable mention, LQPV enters the 202324 with plenty of new faces.

LQPV losses are highlighted by All-Area First Team pick Taylor Shelstad and All-Area second team pick Camryn Lee, both of which were Class A All-State Honorable Mentions. The Eagles also graduated Rylee Lund and Ayanna Gipson.

“As we start the year, we are a very inexperienced group,” said Eagles head coach Dylan Erickson, who enters his fourth season as LQPV’s head coach and has a 59-17 record. “Each girl will be in a new situation and new roles. It will take us some time to find a rhythm together with many new faces out for basketball and playing alongside each other.”

LQPV’s sole returning starter is senior guard Isabel Gerdes. An

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Lac qui Parle Valley head coach Dylan Erickson draws up a play for his Eagles against Yellow Medicine East on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at YME High School in Granite Falls.

All-Camden Conference pick, she tore her ACL late last season and is still in the recovery process.

“We don’t have a timetable for her return, but we are hopeful that she can return at some point for her senior season,” Erickson said.

Jalyn Lee is a player to watch for the Eagles. She is a 6-foot junior guard/ forward who is LQPV’s only returning player with some varsity experience. She came off the bench in the sixth-player role.

“We have a lot of size and length as a team,” Erickson said. “I am looking forward to using that to help us find some early success this year.”

LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY EAGLES

Girls Varsity Basketball schedule 2023-2024 Monday, December 4 Monday, January 8 Saturday, February 3 Game 7:15PM ................................Ortonville Game 7:15PM ...........................Lakeview Game 1:30PM ....................Pipestone Area Ortonville High School LQPV High School Main Gym Pipestone Area High School Tuesday, December 12 Thursday, January 11 Tuesday, February 6 Game 7:15PM ...................Dawson-Boyd Game 7:15PM ........... Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Game 7:15PM .................................Wabasso LQPV High School Main Gym Tracy Area Public Schools Wabasso, MN Thursday, December 14 Friday, January 19 Thursday, February 8 Game 7:15PM ...................................... CMCS Game 7:15PM ................................ Minneota Game 7:15PM ........................Dawson-Boyd Central Minnesota Christian School Minneota High School Dawson-Boyd High School Friday, December 15 Saturday, January 20 Monday, February 12 Game 7:15PM .........................MACCRAY Game TBD ...............................................TBD Game 7:15PM .............................. Benson LQPV High School Main Gym Elkton Public School LQPV High School Main Gym Friday, December 22 Tuesday, January 23 Tuesday, February 13 Game 7:15PM ...... Yellow Medicine East Game 7:15PM ........ KMS Public Schools Game 7:15PM .......................Morris Area LQPV High School Main Gym LQPV High School Main Gym LQPV High School Main Gym Wednesday, December 27 Friday, January 26 Thursday, February 15 Game 6:30PM .......... Buffalo Lake-Hector Game 7:15PM .......................... Ortonville Game 7:15PM .............................. MACCRAY SMSU - Marshall LQPV High School Main Gym MACCRAY High School - Clara City

20 24

LQPV sophomore Jalyn Lee, left, gets the ball away from D-B's Alyssa Swedzinski for a steal during a Section 3A-North quarterfinal game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at Montevideo.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Tuesday, January 30 Thursday, January 4 Game 7:15PM ......Renville County West Game 7:15PM ......................................Canby LQPV High School Main Gym Canby High School Friday, February 2 Friday, January 5 Game 7:15PM ...........Central Minnesota Game 7:15PM ............................Montevideo Christian Montevideo High School LQPV High School Main Gym

Check the schools website for a updated events list www.lqpv.org

Schedule sponsored by:

Subw ay 6 0 5 S 1st St • Willmar restaurants.subw ay.com

West Central Tribune To Subscribe call 320 -235-1154 or visit w w w.w ctrib.com

16 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Photos by Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Litchfield junior Morgan Falling, 23, runs out onto the court during pre-game intros in a non-conference game against BBE on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 at Litchfield.

Young Litchfield Dragons are optimistic Though Morgan Falling is the only returning starter, Litchfield has a lot of unproven talent

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

LITCHFIELD — With the loss of four senior starters, the Litchfield girls basketball team is ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

The Dragons had a 14-13 overall record last season and were 7-6 record in the Wright County Conference. Litchfield, which won seven of its last 11 games, lost to New London-Spicer in the Section 3AA-North semifinals. The Wildcats advanced to the Class AA state tournament.

Litchfield’s 2022-23 team graduated All-Area Third Team member Ryanna Steinhaus, Greta Hanson, Izzy Pennertz and Kylie Michels.

“We have a large group of girls that will be on watch this year,” said Litchfield third-year head coach Eric Hulterstrum.

“It will be a great opportunity to watch and see who will be able to step up into those roles this year.”

Litchfield has six seniors this year.

Morgan Falling, a guard, leads that group as the only returning starter.

Falling will be joined by her senior counterparts Shelby Dengerud, Olivia Olson, Addie Lundin, Ellie Brown and Adallia Bruning.

“This will be a fun year with a lot of moving parts,” Hulterstrum said. “We have a great battle within our team to

Litchfield junior Olivia Olson makes a pass on the perimeter during a nonconference game against BBE on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 at Litchfield. compete for the roles that need to be replaced from last year.”

Hulterstrum has liked the efforts he has seen from his Dragons leading up to the season and is excited to see what’s in store for his “good group of underclassmen” as well.

“The girls have been working very hard to become prepared for the upcoming season,” Hulterstrum said. “It is always fun to compete in the Wright County Conference as the teams are all very strong.

“We look forward to another great year of girls’ high school basketball.”

Serving as Hulterstrum’s assistant coaches will be Zach Piepenburg and Joey Hyde.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 17

Foundation is set for a big year at MACCRAY Four starters return, including Camden North MVP Brielle Janssen

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

CLARA CITY — With the return of the Camden Conference North’s Most Valuable Player and a solid foundation, Shaun Condon has high expectations for the MACCRAY girls basketball team.

“We have all the pieces to have a successful season,” said Condon, who enters his seventh season as MACCRAY’s head coach. His staff includes Bryce Olson and Dana Johnson. “I’m looking forward to seeing how they come together and what they can achieve.”

Brielle Janssen returns to the Wolverines, who were 15-11 overall and 12-6 in conference play last season, as the Camden North MVP. She was also an All-Area Second Team pick and an All-Camden Conference selection.

Janssen, a 6-foot sophomore guard/ forward, averaged 18 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.8 steals, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks in 33.6 minutes per game as a freshman.

MACCRAY: Page 22

Freshman Brielle Janssen rallies the MACCRAY girls basketball team prior to the start of a Camden Conference game against Lakeview on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 at Clara City.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

MACCRAY WOLVERINES Girls Varsity Basketball 2023-24

Monday, December 4

Game 7:30....Central Minnesota Christian MACCRAY High School - Clara City

Thursday, December 7

7:30PM…KMS Public Schools MACCRAY High School - Clara City

Friday, December 8

Tournament 5:15PM......HLOF Wabasso High School

Saturday, December 9

Tournament 11:00AM…Westbrook/ Walnut Grove Wabasso High School

Tuesday, December 12

Game 7:30PM…Ortonville Ortonville High School

Friday, December 15

Game 7:30PM….Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School

Thursday, December 21

Friday, January 19

Game 7:30PM…Renville County West Renville County West High School

Tuesday, January 2

Game 7:30PM…Dawson-Boyd Dawson-Boyd High School

Thursday, January 4

Game 7:30PM…Central Minnesota Christian Central Minnesota Christian School

Game 7:30PM….B.O.L.D. MACCRAY High School - Clara City Game 7:30PM…Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School

Tuesday, January 23 Friday, January 26

Monday, January 29

Monday, January 8

Game 7:30PM…ACGC MACCRAY High School - Clara City

Thursday, January 11

Game 7:30PM....KMS Public Schools KMS High School

Game 7:30PM…Canby MACCRAY High School - Clara City Game 7:30PM…Lakeview Lakeview High School

Saturday, January 13

Game 2:45PM......... Luverne Luverne High School

Tuesday, January 16

Monday, February 5

Thursday, February 8

Game 7:30PM…Ortonville MACCRAY High School - Clara City

Monday, February 12

Game 7:30PM….Montevideo MACCRAY High School - Clara City

www.maccray.k12.mn.us/

Game 7:30PM…Lac Qui Parle Valley MACCRAY High School - Clara City

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Boys Basketball

Game 7:30PM…Paynesville Paynesville Area High School

Thursday, February 15

Schedule sponsored by:

Subway 605 S 1st St, Willmar, MN 320-235-7991 www.subway.com

Girls Basketball

Friday, February 2

Game 7:30PM…Tracy-Milroy-Balaton MACCRAY High School - Clara City

Game 7:30PM….Minneota MACCRAY High School - Clara City

Check the schools website for a updated events list

Friday, December 29

Game 3:00PM…Jackson County Central High School MACCRAY High School - Clara City

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18 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Optimism abounds for Minnewaska Lakers

With 4 starters back and a No. 20 preseason ranking, Minnewaska aims for more success

BY MICHAEL LYNE

guard Megan Thorfinnson and 6-0 forward Sydney Dahl. Both were All-WCC GLENWOOD — The Minnewaska girls selections. Thorfinnson was Minnebasketball team caught fire late last year waska’s most valuable player and Dahl was the Lakers’ most valuable defensive and the Lakers will look to carry that player. momentum into the 2023-24 season.

Thorfinnson’s per game averages over Minnewaska, which finished with a 25 games played were 11.6 points, 2.6 12-13 overall record and 6-6 record in rebounds, 2.2 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.2 the West Central Conference, won its blocks. Dahl, also across 25 games, averfinal seven regular season games before falling to West Central Area in the Section aged 9.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 3AA-North quarterfinals. The Lakers enter 1.7 steals and 1.2 assists per game.

“Megan is a crafty guard and a great the 2023-24 season ranked No. 20 in outside shooter who can attack off the Class AA by Minnesota Basketball News. dribble to make plays,” Barker said. “SydSidney Barker, formerly Sidney Schifney is a versatile player who can shoot fler, enters her third season as the Lakers’ head coach and she has a 28-23 over- the outside shot and be a threat down in the paint as well.” all record. She is assisted by Emily RoerMacy Moore / West Central Tribune Thorfinnson and Dahl make up half of Minnewaska freshman Jayda Kolstoe keeps a ball from going out of bounds while ing, Makenzie Larsen and Josh Greene.

Minnewaska’s returning starters. Also Minnewaska will be without its most playing Litchfield at Litchfield High School on Saturday, January 21, 2023. back as returners are 5-7 senior guard valuable offensive player of the year Avery Fier and 5-10 junior forward/guard entering the new season. That is Brooke Kolstoe, a 5-foot-8 forward, who graduat- Addy Kath.

Others to look out for as the season ed. She was an All-WCC Honorable Mengets underway for Minnewaska will be tion, who averaged 9.8 points per game. seen in its sophomore class. They are Yet despite losing Kolstoe, the Lakers Tuesday, December 5 Tuesday, January 9 Saturday, February 3 guards Lauryn Ankeny, Alia Randt and return plenty of good players.

Game 5:45PM ................. Montevideo Game 5:45PM ...... Eden Valley-Watkins Game 1:00PM ............... Redwood Valley Minnewaska Area High School Eden Valley-Watkins High School Redwood Valley High School Olivia Danielson and post Jayda Kolstoe.

Back for their junior seasons are 5-9 West Central Tribune

MINNEWASKA LAKERS

Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule 2023-24

Thursday, December 7

Thursday, January 11

Tuesday, December 12

Tuesday, January 16

Game 7:15PM ......................Sauk Centre Sauk Centre High School

Game 5:45PM ..............................KMS Minnewaska Area High School Main Gymnasium

Friday, February 9

Game 5:30PM ...........................Rocori Minnewaska Area High School

Tuesday, February 13

Game 6:00PM ............................... Osakis Osakis High School

Thursday, February 15

Game 5:45PM .................................... BBE Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Game 5:45PM ......................Litchfield Minnewaska Area High School - Main Gymnasium

Tuesday, February 20

Tournament TBD ...............................TBA

Game 7:00PM ............................. B.O.L.D. B.O.L.D. High School

Friday, December 15

Game 5:45PM ..................... Morris Area/ Chokio-Alberta Morris Area Elementary School

Tuesday, December 19

Game 5:45PM ............. Paynesville Area Paynesville Area High School

Thursday, December 21 Friday, December 29

Saturday, December 30

Tournament TBD ...............................TBA

2024 Friday, January 5

Game 5:45PM .......West Central Area Minnewaska Area High School Main Gymnasium

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.

Tuesday, February 6

Game 5:45PM ...................Barnesville Minnewaska Area High School Main Gymnasium

Game 5:30PM .... New London-Spicer Minnewaska Area High School Main Gymnasium

Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Game 5:30PM ................... Melrose Area Melrose Area High School

Friday, January 19

Tuesday, January 23

Thursday, January 25 Friday, January 26

Game 5:45PM ................ Morris Area/ Chokio-Alberta Minnewaska Area High School Game 5:45PM ...............Melrose Area Minnewaska Area High School Game 7:15PM ........... West Central Area WCA Secondary School, Barrett Game 5:45PM ............................... Albany Albany High School

Tuesday, January 30

Game 5:45PM ......................Montevideo Montevideo High School

Thursday, February 1

Game 5:45PM ................ Sauk Centre Minnewaska Area High School

Minnewaska Area Schools 25122 State Hwy 28 Glenwood, MN 56334 320-239-4800 www.minnewaska.k12.mn.us

Schedule sponsored by:

Check the schools website for a updated events list www.minnewaska.k12.mn.us

West Central Tribune

To Subscribe call 320-235-1154 or visit www.wctrib.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 19

Lots of new faces for Montevideo Thunder Hawks

New head coach Kylee Heurung will rely on Kiera Foley and Teagan Epema to carry the load

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

MONTEVIDEO — There will be a lot of fresh faces on the Montevideo girls basketball team in the 2023-24 season.

Anthony Jackson, after serving as the Thunder Hawks head coach for three seasons, has stepped away. Now at the helm of Montevideo is Kylee Heurung. She will be assisted by Bob Foley, Joanna Magnuson, Char Dahl and Jan Dorn.

And as Montevideo has lost Jackson, who had a 62-15 overall record in his three seasons as head coach, the Thunder Hawks also lost quite a bit of experience on the players’ side.

Montevideo graduated six seniors highlighted by Avery Koenen, Tenley Epema and Hailey Dirksen.

Koenen, an All-Area First Team pick for three consecutive seasons, is a freshman forward for NCAA Division I North Dakota State University.

Epema, an All-Area Second Team member (2023) and All-Area Third Team pick (2022), is a freshman guard for the University of Jamestown of the NAIA. Dirksen is a freshman within Briar

Cliff University’s JV women’s basketball program.

The trio helped Montevideo to a 12-0 record in West Central Conference play as well as a 22-4 overall record.

The Thunder Hawks lost to New London-Spicer, which went on to win the Class AA consolation championship, in the Section 3AA semifinals.

Now the attention turns to Montevideo’s pair of returning starters in Kiera Foley and Teagan Epema to carry the load.

Foley is a senior guard and Epema is the Thunder Hawks’ main distributor as their point guard.

“These two will provide leadership for us this year being the only two returners with experience,” Heurung said.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune Also looking to make contributions for Montevideo are: senior Taya Weber; Montevideo junior Kiera Foley grabs onto a loose ball during a Section 3AA-North semifinal game against West Central Area on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 at the Big juniors Lily Eisenlohr, Brooke Lindeman and Hallie Helgeson; sophomores Red Gym in Willmar.

Jessa Norby, Addison Pauling and Gillian Nelson; and eighth-graders Megan Koosmann and Jillian Magnuson.

“It will be exciting to see who will step up and see how we develop as a team Saturday, December 2 Friday, January 26 throughout the season,” Heurung said.

Game 2:00PM .................................................... Luverne Game 5:30PM .......................... New London-Spicer

MONTEVIDEO THUNDER HAWKS Girls Varsity Basketball 2023/2024

SMSU RA Facility

Montevideo High School Gym

Tuesday, December 5

Monday, January 29

Game 5:45PM .................................. Minnewaska Area Minnewaska Area High School

Game 7:15PM .................................................. Canby Montevideo High School Gym

Thursday, December 7

Tuesday, January 30

Game 7:15PM ................................. Redwood Valley Montevideo High School Gym

Tuesday, December 12

Game 5:45PM ............................. Minnewaska Area Montevideo High School Gym

Thursday, February 1

Game 7:15PM ..............................West Central Area Montevideo High School Gym

Game 7:15PM ................................................ Benson Montevideo High School Gym

Friday, December 15

Tuesday, February 6

Friday, December 22

Thursday, February 8

Game 7:15PM ............................................... B.O.L.D. Montevideo High School Gym

Game 7:00PM ............ Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Montevideo High School Gym

Game 6:00PM .................................................. Minneota Minneota High School - Viking Gym

Game 7:15PM ...................................West Central Area WCA Secondary School, Barrett

2024 Tuesday, January 2

Friday, February 9

Game 7:15PM .......................................... Dawson-Boyd Dawson Boyd High School

Thursday, January 4

Game 7:00PM ..................................... Melrose Area Montevideo High School Gym

Friday, January 5

Game 7:15PM ...........................Lac Qui Parle Valley Montevideo High School Gym

Game 7:00PM .....................................................B.O.L.D. B.O.L.D. High School

Monday, February 12

Game 7:30PM ................................................MACCRAY MACCRAY High School (Clara City)

Tuesday, February 13

Game 7:00PM ............................................ Sauk Centre Sauk Centre High School

Thursday, February 15

Tuesday, January 9

Game 7:00PM .......................................... Melrose Area Melrose Area High School

Thursday, January 18

Game 7:15PM ............................. Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School

Game 7:00PM .......................................Sauk Centre Montevideo High School Gym Game 7:00PM ................ Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Morris Area Elementary School

Tuesday, February 20

Tuesday, January 23

Game 7:00PM ................Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

Montevideo sophomore Teagan Epema looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to while being guarded by senior Lily Dean of BOLD during a game at Montevideo High School on Friday, February 3, 2023.

Schedule sponsored by: CCM Health The Dryer Doctors

824 N 11th St Montevideo, MN 56265 320-269-8877 ccmhealthmn.com

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Check the school’s website for a updated events list www.montevideoschools.org/o/mhs

GIRLS BASKETBALL

20 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

PAYNESVILLE BULLDOGS

Girls Varsity Basketball schedule 2023-2024 Thursday, December 14 Game 7:00PM………………….Holdingford Holdingford High School

Friday, December 15

Game 5:30PM………………….Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Paynesville Area High School

Tuesday, December 19

Game 7:15PM………………….Minnewaska Area Paynesville Area High School

Thursday, December 21

Game 7:15PM………………….Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Morris Area Elementary School

Wednesday, December 27

Tournament 2:00PM………………….Multiple Schools Perham High School

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Paynesville returns plenty of experience Bulldogs have 4 starters back from last season’s 11-14 team

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

PAYNESVILLE — The Paynesville girls basketball team hopes its experience can lead to a successful season in 2023-24.

The Bulldogs, who finished with an 11-14 overall record and a 6-8 mark in the Central Minnesota Conference in the 2022-23 season, return four starters to their lineup although it will be without All-Area Third Team member and AllCMC First Team pick Katie Uhlenkamp due to graduation. She averaged 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for Paynesville.

“Bulldog basketball is excited for this season with an experienced team and a style of play that is fun to watch,” said Paynesville head coach Jake Heimerman.

His staff includes Brad Skoglund, Amanda Ruegemer and Kendra Miller.

BULLDOGS: Page 24

Game 7:15PM………………….Browerville Browerville High School

Friday, January 19 Game 7:00PM………………….Maple Lake Paynesville Area High School

Tuesday, January 23 Game 7:00PM………………….Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Thursday, January 25 Game 7:15PM………………….West Central Area West Central Area High School

Friday, January 26

Thursday, December 28

Game 7:00PM………………….Eden Valley-Watkins

2024

Game 7:00PM………………….Holdingford

Tournament 10:00AM………………….Multiple Schools Perham High School

Paynesville sophomore Grace Roberg, 5, guards BBE’s Harley Roering during a Central Minnesota Conference game on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 at Paynesville.

Thursday, January 18

Tuesday, January 2

Game 7:00PM………………….Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Paynesville Area High School

Friday, January 5

Game 7:00PM………………….Royalton High School Royalton High School

Tuesday, January 9

Game 5:45PM………………….Litchfield Paynesville Area High School

Eden Valley-Watkins High School

Tuesday, January 30 Paynesville Area High School

Friday, February 2 Game 7:00PM………………….Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Monday, February 5 Game 7:30PM………………….MACCRAY Paynesville Area High School

Thursday, February 8

Thursday, January 11

Game 7:00PM………………….Royalton High School

Friday, January 12

Game 7:00PM………………….Kimball Area

Game 7:00PM………………….Kimball Area Kimball High School

Game 7:30PM………………….KMS Kerkhoven High School

Tuesday, January 16

Game 7:00PM………………….Eden Valley-Watkins Paynesville Area High School

Paynesville Area High School

Tuesday, February 13 Paynesville Area High School

Tuesday, February 20 Game 5:30PM………………….Melrose Area Paynesville Area High School Schedule sponsored by:

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Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

New London-Spicer senior guard Jaden Coahran (left) and Paynesville junior guard Emma Flanders (right) fight for possession of the basketball during a game between the Wildcats and Bulldogs on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at New LondonSpicer High School in New London.

Check the schools website for a updated events list www.paynesvilleschools.com

American Legion - Paynesville 770 Diekmann Dr • Paynesville 320-243-4982 paynesvillelegion271.org

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 21

RCW will count on its youth With half its roster made up of sophomores, Renville County West hopes to improve upon last year’s 8-19 record

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

RENVILLE — The Renville County West girls basketball team lost a handful of key pieces following a 2022-23 season where the Jaguars had zero seniors on their roster.

RCW, which was 4-14 in Camden Conference play and 8-19 overall, lost three juniors and two sophomores from last year’s team for the 2023-24 season. Their previous season came to

a close in a loss to Cedar Mountain in a Section 2A-North play-in game.

Not returning for the Jaguars is Johanna Braun, Rachel Jakel, Laila Ridler, Avery Roxberg and Breana Winzenburg.

Despite those losses, RCW still returns two starters to its lineup from a season prior. They are Emily Lippert and Holly Hinderks.

RCW: Page 24

KMS sophomore Madelynn Luft, back, guards RCW's Bailee McLagan during a Camden Conference game on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 at Kerkhoven.

RCW Jaguars Varsity Girls Basketball 2023/24

Photos by Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

RCW freshman Holly Hinderks, left, dribbles around KMS' Elsa Gjerde during a Camden Conference game on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 at Kerkhoven.

Tuesday, December 5 Game 7:30PM ...........................................Lakeview Lakeview High School (Cottonwood) Monday, December 11 Game 7:30PM Canby Renville County West High School Gold Gym Tuesday, December 12 Game 7:30PM .................... Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School Friday, December 15 Game 7:30PM ...........................................Minneota Minneota High School Monday, December 18 Game 7:30PM B O L D Renville County West High School Gold Gym Thursday, December 21 Game 7:30PM ..........................................Ortonville Ortonville Wednesday, December 27 Holiday Tournament 3:30PM...................Benson SMSU - Marshall 2024

Thursday, January 4 Game 7:30PM Central Minnesota Christian Renville County West High School Gold Gym Monday, January 8 Game 7:30PM ..................................Dawson-Boyd Dawson-Boyd High School Thursday, January 11 Game 7:30PM KMS Public Schools Renville County West High School Gold Gym Check the schools website for an updated events list

Friday, January 19 Game 7:30PM MACCRAY Renville County West High School Gold Gym Monday, January 22 Game 7:30PM New Ulm Cathedral Renville County West High School Gold Gym Tuesday, January 23 Game 7:30PM ......................Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Tracy High School Friday, January 26 Game 7:30PM Lakeview Renville County West High School Gold Gym Tuesday, January 30 Game 7:30PM .......................Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School Friday, February 2 Game 7:30PM ................................................ Canby Canby High School Tuesday, February 6 Game 7:30PM ........Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City ACGC High School Thursday, February 8 Game 7:30PM Yellow Medicine East Renville County West High School Gold Gym Monday, February 12 Game 7:30PM………………….Red Rock Central Lamberton Tuesday, February 13 Game 7:30PM Heron Lake-Okabena Renville County West High School Gold Gym Thursday, February 15 Game 7:30PM Minneota Renville County West High School Gold Gym

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22 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

GIRLS BASKETBALL

MACCRAY From Page 17

A sophomore counterpart of Janssen looking to provide a 1-2 punch for the Wolverines is 6-0 forward Emma Thein. She returns as an All-Camden Conference pick who averaged 7.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32.3 minutes per game.

“Brielle and Emma put up impressive numbers for being freshmen and they have improved a lot over the offseason,” Condon said.

Also returning as starters for MACCRAY are seniors Annie Bourne and Ella Kienitz.

Bourne, a 5-5 guard, averaged 6.l1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 32.8 minutes per game. Kienitz, also a 5-5 guard, averaged 5.2 points and 2.4 assists per game in 33.4 minutes per contest.

“We have five seniors this year and all of them should see the court,” Condon said.

“Annie Bourne and Ella Kienitz are two senior guards who have seen a lot of varsity time over the course of their careers. They’ve stepped up as leaders so far this year.”

Listed as players to watch are seniors Kori Bristle, Erika Pieper and Emersen Tatge. Bristle is a 5-7 guard, Pieper is a 5-5 guard and Tatge is a 5-8 center.

“Kori, Erika and Emersen didn’t see much action last year in varsity, but they will be getting minutes this year,” Condon said.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune Sydney Thein marks MACCRAY’s sole key MACCRAY freshman Brielle Janssen puts up a layup in the Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune roster loss. She averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 first half of a Camden Conference game against Lakeview MACCRAY junior guard Ella Kienitz drills a 3-pointer rebounds per game. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 at Clara City. against BOLD on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at Bird Island.

Renville County West Public Schools | 301 NE 3rd St. Renville, MN | (320) 329-8368 | www.rcw.k12.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 | 23

Youth movement is on for YME Sting Yellow Medicine East heads into the season with no seniors on its roster

BY MICHAEL LYNE West Central Tribune

GRANITE FALLS — The Yellow Medicine East girls basketball team will be youthful in the 2023-24 season.

The Sting, who were 12-13 overall and 7-10 in the Camden Conference in 202223, have zero seniors on their roster this season. YME lost three roster pieces — Hannah Stark, Ruby Bones and Stella Schuler. Stark is currently a member of Briar Cliff University’s JV women’s basketball program.

“This is a young but hard-working

group of girls,” said YME first-year head coach Lucas Christoffer, who will be assisted by Yansi Flores. “They understand the challenges ahead as well as their potential.”

Christoffer, who replaces Ryan Schultz after his five seasons at YME, has two returning starters to his nine-girl roster.

Schultz is now the head coach of the Ridgewater women’s basketball team.

Those returners to the lineup are sophomores Alana Almich and Ella Cherveny.

Almich is a 5-foot-11 forward and Cherveny is a 5-3 guard.

“Alana has good footwork, plays the game the right way and can hit an open shot from anywhere,” Christoffer said of Almich.

Christoffer is looking forward to seeing progression out of 5-7 sophomore guard Bayli Sneller.

“Bayli is an excellent outside shooter who has improved a lot over this past year in other aspects of the game,” Christoffer said.

YME has two upperclassmen on its roster: Ashley Luepke (5-4 guard) and Klaira Shackelford (5-2 guard).

The remaining underclassmen that make up the Sting’s roster are: sophomore Abby Gullickson (5-10 forward), freshman Breea Johnson (5-6 forward) and Kourtney Peterson (5-0 guard) and eighth-grader Abigale Bones (5-11 forward).

Photos by Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

YME sophomore Ella Cherveny looks to pass the ball during a non-conference game against Wabasso on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Granite Falls.

YME Sting

Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule 2023-24 Monday December 4 Game 6:00PM………………….Canby Canby High School

Thursday, December 7 Game 6:00PM………………….Minneota Yellow Medicine East High School Tuesday, December 12 Game 6:00PM………………….Renville County West Yellow Medicine East High School Friday, December 15 Game 6:00PM………………….Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Tracy High School

YME sophomore Alana Almich puts up a shot in the post during a non-conference game against Wabasso on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Granite Falls.

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Tuesday, December 19 Game 6:00PM………………….Red Rock Central Yellow Medicine East High School Friday, December 22 Game 6:00PM………………….Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School Wednesday, December 27 Tournament TBD………………….Windom Area Windom Area High School Thursday, December 28 Tournament TBD………………….Windom Area Windom Area High School 2024 Thursday, January 4 Game 6:00PM………………….MACCRAY Yellow Medicine East High School Monday, January 8 Game 6:00PM………………….Ortonville Ortonville High School Thursday, January 11 Game 6:00PM………………Central Minnesota Christian Yellow Medicine East High School Tuesday, January 16 Game 6:00PM………………….Dawson-Boyd Dawson-Boyd High School

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Thursday, January 18 Game 5:45PM………………….Benson Benson High School

Friday, January 19 Game 6:00PM………………….KMS Public Schools Yellow Medicine East High School Tuesday, January 23 Game 6:00PM………………….Lakeview Yellow Medicine East High School Friday, January 26 Game 6:00PM………………….Canby Yellow Medicine East High School Friday, February 2 Game 6:00PM………………….Minneota Minneota High School Tuesday, February 6 Game 6:00PM………………….Westbrook-Walnut Grove Westbrook-Walnut Grove School Thursday, February 8 Game 6:00PM………………….Renville County West Renville County West High School Monday, February 12 Game 6:00PM………………….Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Yellow Medicine East High School Thursday, February 15 Game 6:00PM………………….Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Yellow Medicine East High School Tuesday, February 20 Game 6:00PM………………….Montevideo Yellow Medicine East High School

Check the school’s website for an updated events list www.isd2190.org

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

24 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023

ACGC From Page 7

Also back as starters are 5-10 sophomore center Ruby Klinger and 5-5 junior forward Mackenzie Powers.

Klinger was an All-CMC First Team pick. She averaged 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as a freshman.

Frericks is excited to see what Brooke Schultz and Taylor Frericks bring to her squad this season.

Schultz is a 5-7 junior guard and Taylor Frericks is a 5-5 sophomore guard.

“Brooke is coming off a productive summer rotating in with the starting five from last year. She adds length and speed to our defensive game and she adds depth to our offensive scoring game,” Jacklyn Frericks said. “Taylor provides the team with speed and agility on the offensive and defensive end of the floor. She has a natural ability and vision on the court. Her communication on the floor is her biggest contribution to the team.”

Rounding out ACGC’s force are junior forward Aaliyah Carlson, junior guard Haven Weseman and sophomore guard Brooke Brekke.

“The trio provide key roles for minutes played off the bench and each is ready and willing to meet the call to action,” Jacklyn Frericks said.

BULLDOGS

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

ACGC junior guard Elli Roemeling directs the offense against BBE on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at BBE Elementary School in Brooten.

said. “Emma has ups around the rim and can be a daily double-double.”

From Page 20 Also back as starters are junior guards Grace Roberg and Kylie Pauls.

“Grace is a vocal and defensive leader,” Leading the way for the Bulldogs are Heimerman said. “She makes the Bulltheir pair of All-CMC Second Team picks dog motor run and is always guarding from the season prior in Emma Flanders the team’s best player.” and Rayna Spanier.

Heimerman also noted Alivia SchaeFlanders, a 5-foot-11-inch forward and fer as a player to watch for Paynesville. lone senior for the Bulldogs, averaged Schaefer is a 5-7 freshman forward.

7.0 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists “Alivia is a young ninth-grader with per contest. Spanier, a 5-7 junior guard, the physicality to push around varsity averaged a team-best 10.6 points, 4.2 players and the body control to finish rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. around the rim with great post-foot“Rayna is an electric scorer and when she is on one she is on one,” Heimerman work,” Heimerman said.

320.235.5200

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

RCW freshman Shelby Allex, 14, looks to make a pass to teammate Holly Hinderks, 1, during a Camden Conference game against KMS on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 at Kerkhoven. for the first time,” Johnson said. “They played limited roles last year. They will From Page 21 have to step into much bigger roles this year.”

Lippert is joined by fellow upperLippert is a 5-foot-7-inch senior forclassmen Hope Hendriks and Eliza ward and Hinderks is a 5-8 sophomore Agre.

Hendriks is a 5-8 guard and Agre point guard. is a 5-7 center.

Both are juniors.

“Emily is our lone senior and is one Sophomores makeup half of RCW’s of our best shooters,” RCW fifth-year head coach Derik Johnson said. “She is roster. Alongside Hinderks, McLagan our leader, both on and off the court.” and Allex, is Ella Gustafson and Taya Halvorson. Gustafson is a 5-5 guard Johnson, who will be assisted by Austin Bulthuis and Aaron Slagter, has and Halvorson is a 5-8 forward.

Rounding out the Jaguars’ roster elevated the roles of Baliee McLagan (5-4 point guard) and Shelby Allex (5-7 are a pair of freshmen. That is Maggie Rice, a 5-9 forward, and Vivia Hebrink, guard). Both are sophomores.

“Bailee and Shelby will be starting a 5-6 point guard.

RCW

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