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Foundation is set for a big year at MACCRAY
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
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.
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.
Sydney Thein marks MACCRAY’s sole key roster loss. She averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
