Girls Basketball Preview 2021

Page 2

GIRLS BASKETBALL

D2 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021

INDEX Central Lakes Conference: Willmar Cardinals ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� D2 Wright County Conference: New London-Spicer Wildcats ��������������������������������������������������������������������� D3 Litchfield Dragons �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� D4 West Central Conference: Benson Braves ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� D5 BOLD Warriors ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������D6 Minnewaska Lakers ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ D7 Montevideo Thunder Hawks ���������������������������������������������������������������������� D8 Central Minnesota Conference: Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Falcons ��������������������������������������������������������� D9 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars ������������������������������������������������������������ D10 Paynesville Bulldogs ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� D10 Camden Conference: Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays ������������������������������������������������������D11 Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks ���������������������������������������������������������������������������D11 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Fighting Saints ��������������������������������������� D12 Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles ����������������������������������������������������������������������� D13 MACCRAY Wolverines ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ D14 Renville County West Jaguars ����������������������������������������������������������������� D14 Yellow Medicine East Sting ���������������������������������������������������������������������� D15 Christian Athletic League: Community Christian Eagles �������������������������������������������������������������������� D16 Credits The West Central Tribune’s 2021-22 girls basketball special section was written, edited and photographed by sports writers Joe Brown and Matthew Curry and sports editor Tom Elliott Cover Photos Left to Right: Willmar guard Sammy Christoffer eyes the basket during a non-conference game against Marshall on Feb. 9, 2021 from the Big Red Gym at Willmar High School. Central Minnesota Christian guard Coco Duininck floats in for a lay-up during a Jan. 31, 2020 game against Lac qui Parle Valley from CMCS High School. New London-Spicer guard Avery Rich drives to the basket during the first half of a non-conference game march 1, 2021 against Albany from Albany High School. Minnewaska’s Maddie Thorfinnson scores a bucket in the paint during a West Central Conference game against Montevideo from Montevideo High School. Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune file photo

Willmar guard Sammy Christoffer is fouled on a shot attempt by Sauk Rapids senior forward Ady Froiland during a Central Lakes Conference game March 12, 2021 from Willmar High School.88

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Willmar's Jaida Reiman (31) tries to put up a shot in the lane while Big Lake's Caela Tighe goes for a block during the first half of a Section 5AAA semifinal game on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at the Big Red Gym at Willmar High School.

CARDS are primed for another run

Willmar plans to be a conference and section contender BY TOM ELLIOTT

is now playing for Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall. WILLMAR — The WillBut lots of talent and mar girls basketball team has been in the upper ech- experience remains. Leading the way are elon of the Central Lakes Jaida Reiman, Sammy Conference and the section du jour In the 10 sea- Christoffer and Ella Shinn. Reiman is a 5-foot-8 sons that Dustin Carlson senior guard/wing who has been head coach. earned all-conference Carlson believes 2021honors last season. She 22 will be no different. was second on the team “Expectations are high in scoring, averaging 10.3 in our gym to have a very points per game and also successful season with the amount of experience averaged 5.2 rebounds. Christoffer is a 5-6 and talent returning,” said Carlson, who had a 155-91 senior guard who also was record at Willmar. “Having on the All-CLC team. She averaged 9.4 points, 2.9 a senior-led team should rebounds and 2.8 steals provide us with poise in per game. bigger games this season. Shinn is a 5-9 senior The Cardinals return wing/post who averthree starters from a aged 7.1 points and 7.5 squad that went 15-5 last rebounds per game. She season, including 12-3 in was an honorable mention the conference. One of the key losses is a big one. to the all-conference team. Mackenzie Jones, an allAnother player to stater and Willmar’s lead- watch is Ellary Lange. ing scorer and rebounder, The 5-7 senior guard was West Central Tribune

an all-conference honorable-mention who averaged 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Carlson wasn’t sure who the fifth starter would be in the preseason. He just knew it was going to be competitive. “We have a crew of girls looking to earn the fifth starting spot to the bottom of our varsity rotation,” Carlson said. “This should make practices competitive and make us a deeper team than we were last season.” Something new for Willmar will be its section. The Cards are moving from Section 5AAA to Section 8AAA. In the preseason, it looks like Alexandria will be the team to beat in 8AAA. “We are looking forward to having a couple of our conference rivals as our toughest section competition,” Carlson said.


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