The girls basketball season starts with some changes. This year is the first year of the shot clock. Mabel-Canton does not have enough for a squad, nor does Glenville-Emmons, so the SEC has just nine teams. It will be one big league (no divisions). M-C is sharing with Spring Grove. Section re-alignment took place. Notably, defending 1AA champion Goodhue is back in Section 1A. The section has 18 teams, the Wildcats, Faribault B.A., Blooming Prairie, Fillmore Central, Grand Meadow, Hayfield, Houston, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Kingsland, Lanesboro, LeRoy-Ostrander, Lyle/Pacelli, Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, Rushford-Peterson, Schaeffer Academy, Southland, SG/M-C and Wabasha-Kellogg. Albert Lea drops down to Section 1AA. The Tigers, Caledonia, Cannon Falls, Chatfield, Cotter/Hope Lutheran, Dover-Eyota, La Crescent/Hokah, Lake City, Lewiston-Altura, Pine Island, PEM, Randolph, Rochester-Lourdes, St. Charles, Triton and Zumbrota-Mazeppa comprise that 16-team Section.
Grand Meadow had another stellar season last year. The Superlarks won the SEC-West over Kingsland, going 17-1. Ryan Queensland’s group then progressed to the 1A final before falling to Hayfield 52-31, their second straight loss to the Vikings in the title game. GM finished 27-3. The Larks graduated three of their top six players including All-SEC 1st Team selection, strong defender, Kendyl Queensland (5’11” F > 7.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.2 APG), All-SEC 2nd Team selection Sydney Cotten (5’6” G > 8.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.0 SPG, 47 threes made), plus All-SEC HM pick Rebecca Hoffman (5’9” F > 4.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG). Queensland was thrice 1st or 2nd team All-SEC. GM returns their top two scorers, and maybe the best tandem in the SEC; Lexy Foster (5’11” Sr. F/C) and Lauren Queensland (5’10” Jr. F/G). Each was All-SEC 1st Team. Foster was the top scorer and rebounder (14.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 43 threes made). L-Queensland is a two-time 1st Team All-SEC pick (team second bests 13.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG). After those two, Gracie Foster (5’7” So. F) is the third key returnee, followed by Aspen Kolling (5’8” Jr. F) and Rylee Schaufler (5’10 Jr. F). GM is young, with L-Foster the only senior, but they have good size. GM’s SEC schedule includes games versus Kingsland (home Jan 4, away Feb 2). They play at the Z-M Tourney over the Holidays. Home non-con games are with BP, R-P, Hayfield, W-K, FC, and Osage. Away non-con games are with Randolph and L-A.
Caledonia enters the year coming off a 1AA title game visit. Scott Sorenson’s Warriors went 14-0 in the TRC, sweeping to the league title. They fell to Goodhue 78-58 in the Section championship game. The Warriors finished a great year at 25-4. But Caledonia had five All-TRC picks and four were multi-year starter seniors. Included was 1,000-point scorers Ava Privet (5’10” G > team-best 14.6 PPG, 83 threes made) and Alexis Schroeder (5’5” G > 9.9 PPG, 45 threes made). Paige Klug (5’10” G > 10.0 PPG, 53 threes made) and Jovial King (5’10” F > 9.4 PPG, around 6.0 RPG) also departed, as did All-TRC HM PG Isabelle Schultz (5’6”). Privet, Schroeder and Klug were each three times All-TRC. Caledonia’s top returning player is highly skilled Josie Foster (5’10” G/F > 10.9 PPG, roughly 5 RPG), who made All-TRC as Cal’s sixth person. Aubrie Klug (5’9” So. G) is a second every-game returnee. Nicole Banse (5’8” So. G) and Regan King (5’11” Sr F) are a couple other notable girls with experience. King, Libby Jilek (5’9” F), and Jessica Morrow (5’9” G) are the team’s three returning seniors. The Warriors will rebuild/reload. Caledonia’s schedule includes key TRC-East games with Cotter (home Dec 1, away Feb 2) and LC/H (away Nov 28, home Jan 25). They have the Decorah Border Battle (versus Decorah) plus the West Salem Holiday Tourney. Home non-con games are with Waukon, Onalaska, Minnehaha Academy and Goodhue. Away non-con games are with Cochrane-Fountain City, Lourdes, Jackson County Central and Cannon Falls.
Rushford-Peterson had a nice season a year ago. The Trojans went 7-7 in the TRC. They won a Round of 16 play-off game, made Rochester, but fell to 3-seed Randolph 48-40. R-P finished at 17-11, their first winning season since 2016-2017. The Trojans had two All-TRC selections. Two-time pick Kaylee Ruberg (5’10” Sr. F) was one. A 1,400-point career, Ruberg led R-P last year at 14.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG. She was one of just two seniors on the team, joining key contributor Hannah Ronnenberg (5’6” Sr. G/F). Their second All-TRC pick Ellie Ekern (5’6” Sr. G) returns to head the Trojan cast. Ekern averaged 14.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 2.9 SPG last year. Coach Joe Hatch also returns All-TRC HM pick, Tayler Helgemoe (5’11” Sr. F/C > 8.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG). Nevaeh Happel (5’10” Jr. F > 6.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG), Torryn Schneider (5’4” So. G > 4.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.7 SPG), Nadia Happel (5’7” So. G), and Kallie Eide (5’5” Sr. G) give the Trojans six key returnees. Rebecca Magin (5’6” F), Cassandra Boyum (5’8” G), and Aubrey Ingvalson (5’8” F) are three more seniors. R-P lost its top scorer (Ruberg), but returns its next five. The Trojans TRC schedule includes dates with Caledonia (home Dec 12, away Feb 13) and FC (away Feb 2), plus Chatfield (home Jan 22). They host a three-day Holiday Tourney (FC, Southland, Lester Prairie) and have boy/girl doubleheaders with Faribault B.A. and SG (home), Lanesboro (away). Other home non-con games are with Schaeffer and Houston. Away non-con games are with GM, Hayfield, L-O, Kingsland, and Schaeffer.
Kingsland enters the year coming off a strong span of basketball. The Knights have won at least 16 games each of the last five years. Last year, Kingsland went 16-2 in the SEC, taking second to GM in the West. Steve Hauser’s group then fell to Lanesboro in the 1A quarters 55-49. They finished at 21-7. Kingsland’s main graduation was five-year player, two-time 1st Team All-SEC performer Anika Reiland (5’5” G). She was a special and versatile guard (10.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 4.6 APG, 4.1 SPG). Her departure is big, but she was one of just two seniors last year alongside Cassidy Redman (5’7” G > 4.0 PPR, 3.5 RPG). All the other Knights are back including All-SEC 2nd Team pick Katelyn Hauser (5’9” Sr. G/F), the team’s top returning scorer (10.8 PPG, 52 threes made), and All-SEC HM selection Ryley Guy (5’7” Sr. F > 7.1 PPG). Returnees Chantle Reiland (5’5” Jr. G > 4.7 PPG), Morgan Phillips (5’6” Sr. G > 5.2 PPG), Kaylin Mensink (5’6” Sr. F > 3.3 PPG), Hailee Warren (5’8” So. F > 3.5 PPG), Brooke Lecy (5’10” Sr. C) and Jaelee Hagstrom (5’9” So. C) add to the continuity. Kingsland returns eight of their top 10. The Knights play their SEC schedule including games with GM (home Jan. 4, away Feb. 6). They have home non-con contests with United Christian Academy, K-W, R-P, FC and W-K; road non-con games with Randolph, AC/G-E and Hayfield.
Chatfield had a good year last season. The Gophers went 10-5 in the TRC. As the 7-seed, they fell to 10-seed Dover-Eyota 64-53 in the 1AA Round of 16. Chatfield finished at 17-10. This season will start with a big change. Long-time head coach Brian Baum has retired. Long-time assistant, Kyle Tollefson takes over. He inherits a squad that lost four seniors including three key players. Three-time All-TRC selection Kara Goetzinger (5’9” F > 16.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 48.5% FGs), a near 1,000-point scorer, was the biggest graduation. Starting point guard Anna Kivimagi (5’7” G > 11.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.6 APG, 3.6 SPG) also graduated after being All-TRC. Shea Jech (5’11” C > 8.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG) is the third big departure, as she was All-TRC HM. The Gophers return four girls who played in at least 22 games. All-TRC HM pick Evy Goldsmith (5’7” Sr. F > 11.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG) is the team’s leading returning scorer and rebounder. Taylor Ask (5’6” Sr. G > 7.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.3 APG) is a second returning starter. Kylin Schroeder (5’10” Jr. F) and Kendall Knutson (5’9” Jr. F) are two other key returnees. Goldsmith and Ask are the teams only two seniors, though it has seven juniors. Chatfield has its TRC schedule, including hosting Caledonia (Dec. 21) and FC (Jan. 19), playing at R-P (Jan. 22). The Gophers have the St. Charles Tourney (Lanesboro, L-O), the Decorah Border Battle (Osage), and the WSU Holiday Tourney (Prairie du Chien). Home non-con games are with Cannon Falls, Waseca, Pine Island and Lake City; road non-con games with Triton and Z-M.
Fillmore Central was not-so-good and good last year. The Falcons went 2-12 in the TRC, but 10-4 elsewhere. They fell to section champion Hayfield in the 1A quarters 54-46. Levi Olstad’s group finished at 12-16. FC graduated a trio of full-time seniors in Abby Bothun (5’10” G/F > 9.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.7 SPG), Madison Simon (5’10” F > 8.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG), and Regan Hanson (5’8” F > 5.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG). Bothun and Simon were All-TRC HM. But FC returns its top player, its only All-TRC performer last year, Kammry Broadwater (5’10” G/F > 8.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 3.6 SPG). She was last year’s team leader in rebounds, assists, and steals Broadwater enters her fifth year on varsity. Fourth-year player Alyssa Britton (6’0” C/F > 7.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG) is another key returning senior. Jersey Ristau (5’0” Sr. G > 4.4 PPG), Kyla Hellickson (5’8” So. F/G > 4.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG), Aubrey Larson (5’8” Sr. F/C), and Katie Pickett (5’6” Sr. G) are four more experienced assets. The Falcons have five seniors, all mentioned above. FC has their TRC schedule including games versus Caledonia (home Dec 5, away Feb 8), R-P (home Feb 2), and Chatfield (away Jan 19). They have the three-day R-P Holiday Tourney (R-P, Minneapolis-Roosevelt, Southland). Other away non-con games are versus Kingsland, GM, and SG in succession, plus Faribault B.A. Home non-con games are with Hayfield, Houston, K-W, Schaeffer, L-O and Lanesboro.
Spring Grove won a dozen games last winter, their most in six years. But, at 12-15, it was still a sixth straight season below .500. However, Grove was 12-12 versus other Class A schools. The Lions were 10-8 in league play, finishing third among five teams in the SEC-East for a second straight year. With the No. 12 section seed, Grove was eliminated at No. 5 Kingsland. No All-SEC player returns but there will be an All-SEC standout in a Lion uniform. With Mabel-Canton not fielding a team, four M-C students will be suiting up for SG this season, most notably two-time All-SEC pick Kinley Soiney (5’10” So. G > 15.6 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.9 SPG) who led M-C in points, rebounds and steals. Also back is the Lions’ leading scorer and 3-point shooter, All-SEC HM pick Kylie Hammel (5’10” So. G > 11.1 PPG, 30% 3-pt FG, 5.6 RPG). Assist leader and co-MVP point guard Siri Konkel (5’3” So. > 6.9 PPG, 5.0 APG, 2.1 SPG) shot a team-high 75.9% from the free throw line. Rebound leader was two-year letter winner Kendal VanMinsel (5’11” Jr. C > 3.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG). Already a four-year letter winner is Emerson Ingvalson (5’7” Jr. G > 8.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG). Brinley Middendorf (5’9” Fr. F > 3.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG) was last year’s MIP. Among six returning letter winners is Carlie Halverson (5’7” So. G > 1.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG). There are no seniors. Other junior guards are Katie Klug (played in 18 games for SG) and Rachelle Tollefsrud (saw action in 16 M-C contests). Lion non-conference opponents are Waukon, Postville, Kee High, Turkey Valley, W-K, St. Charles, K-W Hayfield, FC and R-P.
Lanesboro enters the year coming off an excellent two-year run. The Burros have won the last two SEC-East titles and made back-to-back 1A semifinals. They went 14-4 in the SEC last year. Winning two play-off games, they then fell to Hayfield 63-35. Lanesboro finished at 22-7. But their twin towers, Kaci Ruen (6’0” C/F) and Jessie Schreiber (5’11” F), each graduated. Both scored 1,000 career points. Ruen (16.8 PPG, roughly 14.0 RPG) was co-SEC Player of the Year last year, a two-time All-SEC pick. Schreiber (12.4 PPG, roughly 9.1 RPG) also was twice All-SEC. All-SEC HM pick Skyler Check (5’5” G > 6.8 PPG) also graduated. The Burros will begin the year with a new coach. Bret Klaehn leaves and Steve Storhoff steps in. His best asset will be his daughter Jensyn Storhoff (5’7” So. G). The third big Burro cog the past two years, Storhoff is the team’s leading returning scorer (14.9 PPG, roughly 4.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, and 3.5 SPG). She was All-SEC 1st team a year ago as a frosh. Bailey Erwin (5’7” Jr. F), Liz Hageman (5’9” Sr. F), Lynsey Ruen (5’6” Sr. G/F), and Taylor Hanson (6’0” Jr. C) are four other notable returnees. Hageman and Ruen are the team’s only returning seniors. Lanesboro has its normal SEC schedule including games with Houston (away Jan. 8, home Feb. 8) and SG (home Nov. 28, away Jan. 18). They have the St. Charles Tourney (Chatfield, the Saints) and the Decorah Border Battle (MFL Mar-Mac). Home non-con games are with Hayfield, AC/G-E, R-P (boys/girls doubleheader) and D-E; away non-cons with L-A, South Winn and FC.
Houston enters this season coming off a middling campaign. The Hurricanes went 13-5 in the SEC, taking second to Lanesboro in the East. In the playoffs, they fell to FC in the 1A Round of 16 and finished at 14-13. Coach Dale Moga graduated a seven-girl senior class headed by five-year starter Sydney Torgerson (5’10” F). A 1,700-plus point career scorer and 1,100-plus career rebounder, she finished a Houston’s all-time leader in both categories. Torgerson led the ‘Canes in scoring, rebounding, and steals last year (16.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.9 SPG), making All-SEC for a fourth time, sharing the league’s Player of the Year award. Other notable graduations were Priya Kingsley (5’7” G > 7.4 PPG, 2.3 APG), Lilly Carr (5’8” F > 4.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG), Olivia Beckman (5’6” G > 4.5 PPG), Ashtyn Meyer (5’10” F > 5.1 RPG), and Nicole Beckman (5’6” G). The Hurricanes return just two every-game girls, All-SEC HM pick Avery Kingsley (5’7” So. G > 8.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 42% threes) and Emily Botcher (5’11” F > 5.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG). Kingsley is the top returning scorer. Aubryana Boldt (5’9” So. F/G), Nataleigh Dankers (5’6” Sr. G), and Ainsley Rice (5’11” Jr. F) are three more gals with some varsity experience. Dankers is the only returning senior. The ‘Canes have eight sophomores. Houston opens with the D-E tourney (Z-M, Albert Lea). Their SEC schedule includes Lanesboro (home Jan. 8, away Feb. 8) and SG (away Jan. 15, home Feb. 16). They have home non-con games with Westby and Waukon, away non-con games with FC, Hayfield, Randolph (over the holidays), Blair-Taylor and R-P.
LeRoy-Ostrander will look to move up in the standings in year two under Coach Kelly Masters. The Cardinals went 4-14 in the SEC last year. They fell to Hayfield in the 1A Round of 16, 93-39. L-O finished at 7-21. The Cardinals graduated just one senior, leading scorer, Jordan Runde (5’9” F > 15.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.1 SPG). The 1,000-point scorer was 2nd team All-SEC. They return everything else including 2nd team All-SEC pick Benita Nolt (5’11” Jr. C/F). Nolt averaged a double-double (13.3 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 1.5 SPG). Other notable 20-plus game returnees are All-SEC HM pick Jenna Olson (5’5” Sr G > 4.0 PPG), Miranda Nagel (5’8” Fr. F > 3.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG), Keira Lewison (5’5” Fr. G > 3.4 PPG), Kendall Olson (5’8” So. F), Maria Almaraz-Nolt (5’6” Fr. F), Mabel Johnson (5’5” Fr. G), and RyleeAnn Kleeberger (5’1” Fr. G). J-Olson the only returning senior, Nolt the only returning junior. The Cardinals have their SEC schedule including games versus GM (away Jan. 12, home Feb. 12) and Southland (home Jan. 9, away Feb. 9). They have the St. Charles Tourney (Chatfield) and the Decorah Border Battle (New Hampton). They have non-con doubleheaders with R-P (home) and AC/G-E (away). Other home non-con games are with Triton and W-K. Away non-con games are with USC, Faribault B.A., FC and St. Charles.
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