The girls basketball All-Decade top 20. Those listed had to be covered by the Journal Sports (starting 2010-2011). Athletes from Houston are only those 2013-on. Rankings are based off honors, team winning, stats, career longevity, coaches ranking, player comparison, and college credentials. Said rankings are very much subject to debate! Special thanks to Sarah Tollefsrud, Levi Olstad, Terry Pelzl, Dave Lind, Brian Baum, Adam Wilder, Dale Moga, Lisa Myran-Schutte, Steve Hauser, Bill Bentson, and Dawn Hellickson for their assistance.
All-Decade Girls
Basketball Top 20
#1) Brianna Koop (F, R-P, 2013-2017, All-TRC x 4, All-State HM 2017): The only county athlete to ever top 2,000 points. Koop was magnificent freshman (14.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG), sophomore (TRC leading 21.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG), junior (18.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG), and senior years (TRC leading 22.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG). She finished with 2,087 points, 878 rebounds, and 348 steals. Koop went to three straight 1A East finals, two section finals, and was key to two 20-win teams. For her career, she went 76-34, averaging 19.0 PPG and 8.0 RPG. This past year as a junior, she started at UW-River Falls (12.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Former Coach Pelzl: “Brianna is a very hard person to defend. She really goes to the hoop hard and finishes well for her size. She shows how much she loves the game when she is playing.”
#2) Connor Nagle (G, FC, 2007-2011, All-TRC twice, All-State HM twice): The Falcons’ all-time leading scorer, a four-year player. Nagle was a stand-out sophomore (13.1 PPG), junior (18.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.6 SG), and senior years (19.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.3 SPG). She hit 184 career threes. She had two 1A East final appearances, including senior year’s 20-8 squad. Nagle then excelled at Winona State. A three-year contributor (two-year starter), the lefty averaged 11.0 PPG as a junior, then 13.0 PPG and 4.9 RPG with 107 made threes as a senior. That year, the Warriors won their first NSIC title (20-2) and went a program best 30-4. Nagle was 1st Team All-NSIC. Former Coach Tollefsrud: “One of the most athletic and elite players I’ve coached. Great court sense…competitive.”
#3) MaKenzie Miller (Chatfield, 2009-2013, All-TRC twice): Led Chatfield in scoring (nearly 13 PPG) and rebounding (over 6.0 RPG) as a junior, then again as a senior (14.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, shot 56.2%). Miller’s four-year record was 82-30 with two section final appearances. She went on to star for UW-La Crosse, averaging 10-plus points and 7-plus rebounds thrice, making 1st Team All-WIAC and 2nd Team All Central Region as a senior (14.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG). Also averaged big double-doubles professionally in stops in Australia and Denmark. Coach Baum: “Such a force at both ends of the court, so athletic and physical and could sure run the floor in transition.”
#4) Kirsten Keefe (G, Chatfield, 2011-2015, All-TRC thrice, All-State 2015): A four-year point guard, Keefe commanded an 88-21 span of Gopher basketball. Her teams thrice won 20-plus games and thrice made the 1AA East finals. Included was a section runner-up and the 2013-14 team that won the TRC West (24-1). Keefe made a big free throw as a frosh, then did everything sophomore (7.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.7 SPG), junior (10.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, 3.6 SPG), and senior years (12.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.3 APG, 3.5 SPG). Finished with 886 career points. She went on to become a two-year starter at St. Mary’s. Coach Baum: “Just a great all-around player, the best point guard I have coached. Such a calming influence she had…really made the rest of her team better.”
#5) Coranda Vickerman (G, M-C, 2012-2017, All-SEC thrice, SEC POY 2016-17): “C.J.” played five years, made Rochester twice, and led her team to the 2016-17 SEC-East title (20-8). Vickerman was particularly versatile sophomore (14.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 4.4 APG), junior (15.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.8 APG), and senior years (17.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.4 APG). She finished as M-C’s all-time leader in points (1,578) and assists (495). Lettered this past year (junior) at Luther (6.7 PPG in a reserve role). Coach Wilder: “Probably the best basketball player I have coached in my career. (Coranda) developed from a pure point guard (8th/9th) to a complete player (over her last three seasons).”
#6) Alyssa Rostad (G, Houston, 2014-2019, All-SEC thrice, All-State HM 2019): A five-year player, Rostad went 22-5 as a junior and 16-11 as a senior, grabbing SEC-East titles both years (2017-18, 2018-19). She averaged 18-plus-points junior (18.9 PPG) and senior years (19.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG). Smashed the Hurricane girls’ scoring mark, setting it at 1,756 points. Holds the made three record with 241. Coach Moga: “(Alyssa) helped shape and mold Hurricane girls basketball into a winning program. Her dedication, passion, and love for the game was at another level.”
#7) Lauren Buchholtz (G/F, Kingsland, 2015-2019, All-TRC twice, All-SEC once): Averaged 16 wins a season over a four-year career, making two 1A East finals and sharing an SEC-East title in 2018-19. Lauren was huge as a junior (19.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.8 APG) and senior (17.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.2 APG). Finished her career with a school record 1,548 points, plus 794 rebounds, and 318 assists. Coach Hauser: “Had only one speed in practice and games…all out. Developed into an exceptional all-around player by her senior year.”
#8) Payton Danielson (G, M-C, 2014-2020, All-SEC x 4, All-State HM 2020): The only six-year player on the list, Danielson topped double digit scoring as a sophomore (12.1 PPG), junior (11.5 PPG), and senior (12.3 PPG). Averaged a double-double (10.0 RPG) her last year. Became M-C’s all-time leader in points (1,580) and steals (503). She is second in rebounds (987) and assists (359). Coach Wilder: “Payton was the most complete basketball player I have ever coached. She was able to do a lot of things that most 5’4” girls cannot do.”
#9) Ellie Buchholtz (G, Kingsland, 2017-present, All-SEC twice, All-State HM 2020). Three year starter with senior year left, Ellie has been real good as a sophomore (16.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG) and junior (19.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.3 APG). A key player on two SEC title teams, the East share in 2018-19, the West championship (18-10) in 2019-20. Is already at 1,188 career points (Sister Lauren’s record attainable). Coach Hauser: “Has the desire to win at everything. Excellent shooter who has developed ability to get to the basket now…very tough to guard.”
#10) Kenzie Broadwater (FC, 2012-2017, All-TRC 2017): The Falcons unique five-year point guard, Broadwater twice helped FC to two section title games. She stuffed the stat sheet, particularly as a junior (7.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 3.2 SPG) and senior (8.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 5.3 SPG > led TRC in assists and steals). Finished with over 850 career points, over 500 assists, over 400 rebounds, and over 400 steals. Coach Olstad: “True team leader. Always out-hustled and out-worked anyone on the court. Very tough defender.”
#11) Kenzie Lind (F/G, M-C and R-P, 2007-2012, All-TRC twice): In the state record books for posting a quadruple double (18 pts, 14 rebs, 12 asts, 13 stls). Played in two 1A East finals, one section final. Did a lot her junior (11.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.4 SPG, 3.4 APG) and senior years (12.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 4.0 SPG). Finished with 1,018 points and 779 rebounds (despite missing freshman year). Former Coach Lind: “Very mild mannered, but very competitive once you start keeping score. She was long and athletic and filled all the stat columns.”
#12) Kendra Crawford (G, R-P, 2010-2014, All-TRC 2014, All-State HM 2014): Four year player, Crawford went to a trio of 1A East finals and a section final as a senior with a 23-5 team. Was very good as a junior (11.5 PPG, 3.6 SPG) and especially as a senior (16.5 PPG, led TRC with 5.4 APG, 5.2 SPG). Finished with 1,068 career points. Coach Lind: “A fast and fierce competitor. As a point guard, she was a strong scorer and defender.”
#13) Emma Geiwitz (G, Houston, 2017-2021, All-SEC twice): Used her athleticism to score a lot as a sophomore (18.3 PPG, 4.9 SPG) and junior (21.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.1 SPG). Houston went 16-11 and 21-7 those two years. She’s been on SEC-East champion teams the last three years. Already has 1,228 points. Coach Moga: “Simply an athlete on the hardwood…sets the tone with her defense which allows herself and the entire team to succeed.”
#14) Morgan Malley (G, FC, 2011-2015, All-TRC twice): Went from playing a limited TRC schedule (frosh) to playing for a Section runner-up 18-12 team (senior). Malley led FC in scoring as a sophomore (14.6 PPG), junior (13.0 PPG), and senior (12.7 PPG). She hit 205 career threes and finished with 1,201 points. Former coach Tollefsrud: “Morgan is a natural leader and competitor. Great skill, court sense, and composure.”
#15) Amy Todd (F, R-P, 2009-2013, All-TRC 2013): Three-year player had big junior (13.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and senior years (16.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG). Played on three 1A East finals teams, a section runner-up. Finished with 1,184 points. Coach Lind: “(Amy) was strong, explosive, and played hard all the time. Her work ethic was contagious.”
#16) Abbey Loken (C/F, Houston, 2010-2014, All-SEC thrice): Four-year player, was briefly the Hurricanes all-time leading scorer (1,250 points), breaking a long standing record. A force inside, averaged 15-plus points junior (16.4 PPG) and senior years (15.5 PPG, 11.1 RPG). Former Coach Myran-Schutte: “One of (her) toughest players inside to play the game… (Abbey’s) presence demanded the ball. She rebounded with a vengeance.”
#17) Kelly Jerviss (C/F, Houston, 2012-2016, All-SEC twice): Also, briefly, Houston’s all-time leading scorer. Jerviss neared a double-double as a sophomore (9.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG), then averaged one junior (16.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG) and senior years (17.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG). Racked up a then school record 1,258 career points. Former Coach Myran-Schutte: “As (Kelly) developed into a leader, she was one of the smoothest players inside.”
#18) Cheyenne Losey (F, Kingsland, 2009-2012, All-TRC thrice): Was very consistent over a four-year period, going for 10.1 PPG and 6.3 RPG (freshman), 9.2 PPG and 7.6 RPG (sophomore), 11.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG (junior), then 12.9 PPG and 8.4 RPG (senior). Frosh and sophomore teams went 37-20. Finished with 1,176 career points.
#19) Kandace Sikkink (F, FC, 2017-2020, All-TRC twice): The only player (amazingly) on this list to be the leading scorer on a section champion, state participant (2019-20). Sikkink had strong junior (12.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG) and senior years (17.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG), helping FC to 17-9 and 22-9 records. Finished with 943 points. Coach Olstad: “Very strong inside presence and a constant force…extremely tough for opponents to stop.”
#20) Molly Greiner (F, Kingsland 2008-2011, All-TRC twice): Played on Knight teams that went 57-28 over three years (won 20 twice, a 2010 1AA West finalist). Led team in scoring/rebounding junior (13.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG) and senior years (17.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG). Finished career with 1,133 points. Played for the late Del Bicknese.
#21) Lydia Geving (G, M-C, 2010-2014, All-SEC twice): The Cougars early-decade top player, Geving did a bunch of everything, particularly junior (10.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.4 APG, 3.0 SPG) and senior years (14.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.4 SPG). Helped the Cougars to a 15-10 record as a senior and a trip to Rochester. Finished with 1,047 career points, 550 rebounds, 261 assists, and 283 steals. Coach Wilder: “Lydia did everything well for us as a basketball player. She was a good ball handler, a good shooter, and when we needed a big shot, we looked to go her way.”
#22) Kassidy Broadwater (G, FC 2016-2020, All-TRC once): Three-year player, followed in sister Kenzie’s footsteps, filling all categories of the stat sheet. Did a bunch of everything as a junior (5.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 4.1 SPG) and senior (9.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.9 APG, 3.7 SPG). Formed a triad with Sikkink and Breitsprecher on the 2019-2020 Section 1A champ, state participant 22-9 team. Scored 30 points in her only state level game. Coach Olstad: “Extremely determined. Every game, practice, or open gym was approached the same way. All-out effort.”
#23) Emma Breitsprecher (G/F, FC 2016-2020, All-TRC twice): A four-year player, her junior (8.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG) and senior year (7.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG) numbers weren’t huge, but she made All-TRC each season for her other skills.
Played in two section title game and her on-ball defense amidst FC’s 1-3-1 zone was critical to the Falcon girls’ first ever section title and state berth amidst the most recent 22-9 squad. Coach Olstad: “Outstanding athleticism and speed, on offense or defense could make plays not many others could.”
#24) Sydney Gould (G, Chatfield, 2013-2016, All-TRC twice): Highly skilled player, Gould hit double figures in scoring as a junior (10.6 PPG) and senior (13.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG). She played on a trio of teams that won 62 combined games including a pair of 24-win teams, a pair of 1AA West runner-up squads, and a TRC West title squad. Coach Baum: “Probably the most talented player I have coached…could handle the ball, shoot from anywhere. I would say the best at being able to create her own shot.”
#25) Olivia Haug (C, Lanesboro, 2012-2015, All-SEC twice): The Burros long-armed strong interior force, Haug put up 33 double doubles over her last 46 career games. She averaged a double-double junior (13.8 PPG, 13.6 RPG) and senior years (16.3 PPG, 13.8 RPG) with multiple 20-rebounds games. Finished with 1,048 points, the only Burro gal in the decade to top 1,000. Sports Director Paul Trende: “Just a tough player to stop from in close, too big, too strong, and too long for most teams to deal with (in half-court).”
#26) Kendyl Bennett (F/C, FC, 2013-2017, All-TRC once): Four-year starter for Falcons, used her interior force to score 1,090 career points and grab over 700 rebounds. Led FC in scoring and rebounding as a junior (10.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG) and senior (11.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG). Went to three 1A East finals and two Section finals. Former Coach Tollefsrud: “Kendyl was a tough competitor. She was physical and powerful around the basket…excellent rebounder.”
With the expansion of the Fillmore County Journal, its sports section will also expand into new markets. We look forward to this additional coverage.