RCW hopes experience pays off

MACCRAY center Gabby Randt takes it to the basket after a turnover during a Camden Conference game against Dawson-Boyd on Feb. 4, 2021 from MACCRAY High School. Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

Jaguars return all five starters from a 3-15 team

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

RENVILLE — Greg Hagen’s first season as Renville County West’s girls basketball coach saw the Jaguars post a 3-15 record.

There was an early 49-40 win over Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, then back-to-back victories over Dawson-Boyd, 69-25 and 46-32. There were some close calls, including a 60-51 loss to MACCRAY, a 48-42 loss to Canby and a 32-20 loss to KMS.

The experience was vital for RCW, which returns all five starters. “(We had) no key losses as we had no seniors last season,” Hagen said.

The Jaguars will have four this year, including Hannah Pharr, Holly Bratsch, Jennifer Bratsch and Addyson Tanner.

Also back is sophomore Rachel Jakel. “Hannah Pharr is the player to watch,” Hagen said of the 6-foot-2 post player. “(She’s a) good shot blocker (and) runs the court well. “(She’s) just tapping her potential offensively. Her performance will be a major factor in our success.”

Pharr averaged 10 points, eight rebounds and five blocks per game last season. Jakel was the second-leading scorer at 9 ppg. She also averaged 6 rpg and 2 steals per game. Holly Bratsch averaged 8 ppg and 3 rpg and Tanner averaged 8 ppg and 3 rpg. Jennifer Bratsch averaged 3 ppg and 4 rpg. H

agen and assistant coach Brad Veglahn also have one junior, six sophomores and two ninth-graders on the varsity roster. The junior is Melody Filzen, who is 5-9.

Sophomores include Litzy Martinez-Hinojos, Hannah Savig, Laila Ridler, Emily Lippert, Rachel Jakel and Breana Winzenburg. The ninth-graders are Johanna Braun and Avery Roxberg. Roxberg is listed as being 6-2 on the roster.

RCW opened with a 53-32 loss at Westbrook-Walnut Grove. The Wolverines’ early schedule includes games at Red Rock Central and Dawson-Boyd and then Dec. 9 at Renville against MACCRAY in the home-opener.

The fourth game of the week is against Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda on Dec. 10 in Renville.