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
