Girls Basketball (12/2)

Warriors Top Lourdes in Early 1AA Showdown

A year ago, Rochester-Lourdes beat Caledonia 61-59 in a 1AA semifinal on the way to the Eagles winning the Section 1AA title. To open this season, the teams squared off and the Warriors extracted revenge, riding their defense, and senior Josie Foster, to a season-opening marquee win. Scott Sorenson’s group controlled things from the start, building a 24-9 first half lead. Lourdes made a bit of a comeback with Warrior point guard Aubrie Klug nursing foul trouble. At the half, Caledonia led 33-26. But team Cal blew the game open with a 17-3 second half run to lead 50-31. Lourdes scored just eight points in the first 13-plus minutes of the stanza, as Caledonia used a trapping half-court zone to hold the Eagles to around 30% shooting for the game. The Warriors won by a 67-48 final. Senior Josie Foster had a massive game (30 pts, 5-9 threes, 12-19 FGs, 12 rebs, 5 asts, 6 blks). A lane jumper in the second half got her to the 1,000-career-point threshold. Classmate Sienna Augedahl (10 points, 12 rebs) also had a double-double, much of it coming in the first half. Nicole Banse (10 points) also reached double-figures for the Warriors. Lauren Hust had 19 to lead Lourdes. It was both teams’ season opener. 

Girls Basketball Preview

Last year’s girls basketball season saw Spring Grove (23-6), Caledonia (20-9), R-P (21-8), GM (19-9), Kingsland (16-9), FC (17-11), Houston (16-11), and Chatfield (15-13) all finish better than five hundred. Lanesboro (11-16) and L-O (7-20) were the only two Journal-covered schools not to do so. The Lions, Warriors, and Trojans each fell in the section semifinals. SG and Cal should again be section contenders, as they each return a lot from last year’s squads. Schaeffer Academy notably is out of the SEC, as they share girls b-ball with Hayfield. 

Scott Sorenson’s Caledonia Warriors, one year removed from making the 1AA finals, came a game short a season ago from doing the same. Team Cal (12-2) shared the TRC East division title with Cotter. They went 20-9 overall, losing to Rochester-Lourdes 61-59 in the 1A semis. The Warriors had three All-TRC picks and all three return. Two-time selection Josie Foster (5’11” Sr. G/F > 18.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.8 SPG), Aubrie Klug (5’9” Jr. G > 17.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.7 SPG), and Nicole Banse (5’8” Jr. G > 9.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.5 SPG) give Caledonia a strong threesome. Foster and Klug each made Class AA All-State honorable mention last year. Also back are All-TRC HM picks Sienna Augedahl (6’0” Sr. F > 4.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG) and Kensey King (6’0” Jr. F > 3.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG). Elsa Blum (5’9” So. G) and Jessica Stendel (6’0” So. C) are a couple other notable returnees. S-Augedahl and Foster are the team’s only two seniors. Caledonia has its TRC schedule. The Warriors open with 1AA adversaries Lourdes (home) and Cotter (away). A second matchup with Cotter is at home January 24. Home non-con games are Albert Lea, Maple River and Cannon Falls. Road non-con games include the Border Battle in Decorah (Waverly-Shell Rock), the two-day West Salem Tourney, Waukon, Onalaska, Mayer Lutheran and Goodhue. 

Spring Grove won the SEC at 15-1, two games ahead runner-up Houston and is the only conference team returning as many as three All-SEC selections plus an honorable mention. With no seniors last year, the entire roster is back after a sparkling 23-6 season, their most wins in 11 years, coming only three years after a three-win campaign. The Lions won two playoff games before falling in the section semis to eventual state champion Goodhue. Half of the six Lion losses came against state-ranked competition. Three-time All-SEC pick Kinley Soiney (5’11” Jr. G > 16.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.4 SPG, 1.6 APG) has already scored 1,302 career points and led the Lions in both scoring and rebounding. All-SEC Siri Konkel (5’4” Jr. G > 10.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 5.0 APG, 3.3 SPG) was voted Lion MVP after leading SG in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.66). Konkel already ranks seventh in school history in career assists. Second Team All-SEC Emerson Ingvalson (5’7” Sr. G > 9.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.9 SPG) led SG in steals with the sixth-best season on record. Honorable Mention Kylie Hammel (5’10” Jr. G > 9.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.1 SPG) was the third-leading scorer and rebounder. Kendal VanMinsel (6’0” Sr. F/P > 2.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 44.8 FG%, 24 blocks) started 20 games and led the Lions in blocked shots and field goal percentage. Carlie Halverson (5’7” Jr. G > 3.9 PPG, 2.3 RPG) started 12 games. Two-year letter winner Brinley Middendorf (5’10’ So. F/P) saw action in 28 games. Other letter winners were Izabel Kaufmann (5’5” So. G) and Layla Kittleson (5’6” So. G). Also back is senior Katie Klug and four other varsity reserves. Taylor Elton’s Lions have an early November 26 SEC clash with Grand Meadow. The non-conference slate includes home games with Hayfield, Waukon, R-P, La Crescent-Hokah, and Decorah. There are road trips to St. Charles, FC, and Lansing Kee plus neutral-court encounters with New Hampton (Decorah Border Battle) and two games at the Hayfield Tournament.

Grand Meadow continued its string of good basketball last year. The Superlarks went 12-4 in the SEC, taking third overall. They won a playoff game but fell to R-P 57-38 in the 1A quarters to finish 19-9. Ryan Queensland’s group had just one senior, but it was two-time All-SEC 1st team pick and 1,200-point scorer Lexy Foster (5’10” F/C > team second-best 17.3 PPG, team-best 9.5 RPG). But everyone else returns including fourth-year starter and 1,200-point scorer already, Lauren Queensland (5’10” Sr. F/G)). The Larks’ top scorer last year (18.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.5 APG), Queensland has made All-SEC three times including twice as 1st team. She was Class A All-State HM and the SEC Player of the Year last season. GM also returns 2nd team All-SEC pick Gracie Foster (5’7” Jr. G > 9.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 3.3 APG). Also back are Rylee Schaufler (5’10” Sr. F), an All-SEC HM pick, plus regulars Aspen Kolling (5’10” Sr. F), Grace Soltau (5’3” Sr. G), and Naomi Warmka (5’6” Jr. G). Queensland, Soltau, Kolling, Schaufler, and Alyssa Peterson are the team’s five seniors. GM has its SEC schedule including opening with two notable games versus top SEC foes, hosting Houston, then playing at SG. Games with Kingsland are December 6 (away) and January 31 (home). Home non-con game are with La Crescent/Hokah, Randolph, W-K and L-A all late in the year. Road non-con games are with W-K, AC/G-E, FC, BP and R-P plus the Larks have the Decorah Border Battle (Postville) and the Hayfield holiday Tourney (K-W, Hayfield).

Rushford-Peterson went 9-5 in the TRC, but 21-8 overall last year. Joe Hatch’s Trojans made the Section 1A semis before falling to Hayfield 85-58. R-P graduated their two All-TRC picks in two-time selection Ellie Ekern (5’6” G > team-best 13.3 PPG, 2.9 APG, 3.3 SPG) and long-defender Tayler Helgemoe (5’11” F/C > 8.4 PPG, team-best 6.8 RPG). Ekern scored 1,078 career points. All told, six seniors graduated. Four contributed every game. R-P’s two honored returnees are All-TRC HM picks Nadia Happel (5’6” Jr. G > 8.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG) and Torryn Schneider (5’4” Jr. G > 7.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.1 SPG), the squad’s top returning scorers. Neveah Happel (5’10” Sr. F > 5.3 PPG) is a third key piece. Shelby Tesch (Jr. F), Emily Helgemoe (Fr. G), Alannah Skalet (Fr. G), Ava Helgemoe (Jr. F), Addison Drinkall (8th grade G), and Kaia Loney (So. FC) are six other experienced girls. R-P has just one returning senior and four juniors. They have their TRC schedule including opening at FC, then hosting Cotter. Home non-con games are with K-W, L-O, GM, Kingsland and Hayfield. Away non-con games are with Faribault B.A., Lanesboro, SG, Houston, at DeSoto. They also host FC and Lanesboro for a home holiday tourney. 

Houston went 13-3 in the SEC last year with a strong second place finish. The Hurricanes went 16-11 overall, falling to Kingsland 58-56 in the 1A quarters. Head Coach Dale Moga, who took the ‘Canes to state in 2021, has moved on. Heath Olson, a recent boy’s assistant for Mabel-Canton, takes over. Last year’s ‘Canes are essentially this year’s, as they had just one senior a year ago. It is a group headed by returning All-SEC picks, 1st team selection Avery Kingsley (5’6” Jr. G > team-best 17.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 3.1 SPG), and 2nd team selection, Aubry Boldt (5’10” Jr. F/G > 14.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.2 SPG). Emily Botcher (5’11” Sr. F > 8.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG), Ainsley Rice (5’10” Sr. F > 3.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG), Jorja Meyer (5’10” Jr. F/C > 6.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG), Olivia Yohe (5’5” Jr. G > 5.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG), and Ellasyn Carrier (5’6” Sr. G) are five more returning every-game girls. Botcher, Carrier, Rice and Hannah Olson (5’6” F) are the team’s seniors. Houston opens with just one home game in its first nine, but then six straight in the Shelter. They have their SEC schedule starting at GM. Matchups with SG are December 16 (away) and January 31 (home). Home non-con games are with W-K, Randolph, FC, R-P, AC/G-E and Hayfield. Road non-con games are with L-A (season-opener), MFL Mar-Mac (in Decorah), Eleva-Strum (Target Center), Waukon and Nicollet. 

Kingsland put together another winning campaign last year. The Knights went 11-5 in the SEC, taking fourth overall. They won a playoff game but fell to state champ Goodhue in the 1A quarterfinals 75-30. They finished with a 16-9 record. The Knights start the year with a new coach, as long-time boys head John Fenske slides in to take over for Steve Hauser. Fenske is back to Kingsland’s girls after having done it in the past. He inherits a group that graduated eight seniors including its sole All-SEC pick in Katelyn Hauser (5’8” G > team-best 10.1 PPG) and its All-SEC HM pick Morgan Phillips (5’6” G/F > 7.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG). Kingsland returns five key players from last year’s squad, Chantle Reiland (5’6” Sr. G), Macy Runck (5’7” Jr. G), Hailee Warren (5’10” Jr. F), Jaelee Hagstrom (5’9” Jr. C), and Lydia Redman (5’3” Jr. G). Reiland enters her fourth year of varsity action, and she will put up a lot of numbers short of big scoring stats. Reiland, Vaira Merkel (5’7” F), and Macie Rasmussen (5’6” G) are the team’s three returning seniors. The Knights have their SEC schedule including matchups with GM on December 6 (home) and January 31 (away). Home non-con games are with Hayfield, AC/G-E and BP. Away non-con games are with St. Charles (the season-opener), United Christian Academy, L-A, K-W, W-K, R-P and FC. 

Chatfield comes off a just-better-than-average season. The Gophers went 8-7 in the TRC and 15-13 overall. Kyle Tollefsrud’s group fell to Lourdes 59-23 in the 1AA quarters. Chatfield had just two seniors last year, but they were the team’s top two scorers, All-TRC picks, Evy Goldsmith (5’8” F > team-bests 17.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG) and Taylor Ask (5’7” G > 9.0 PPG). Basically, everyone else returns for the Gophers including three All-TRC HM selections in Lexi Kivimagi (5’7” So. G > 5.9 PPG, 2.4 APG), Grace Schroeder (5’8” Jr. G > 9.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG in 21 games), and Kylin Schroeder (5’10” Sr. F > 5.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.6 APG). Also back are full-timers Kendall Knutson (5’8” Sr. F > 4.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG), Brittin Ruskell (5’3” Sr. G), and Mya Henry (5’4” Sr. G) while Amaya Harmening (5’10” Jr. F) also played a few games last season. K-Schroeder, Ruskell, Knutson and Henry are the team’s seniors. Chatfield has its TRC schedule including opening at D-E, then hosting St. Charles. Home non-con games are with Z-M, Pine Island, Lourdes, Triton and Randolph. They are part of a 10-game of stretch of basketball with nine home games. Road non-con games are with Lake City and Cannon Falls. 

Fillmore Central had a solid season a year ago, going 7-7 in the TRC, but 17-11 overall. The Falcons had an eight-game win streak. They were felled in the 1A quarters by Spring Grove 48-44. Five seniors graduated for Coach Levi Olstad including their sole All-TRC pick, five-year player, and team leader in every statistical category Kammry Broadwater (5’10” G/F > 16.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.8 SPG, 1.8 BPG). She finished with 1,178 career points. Also graduating were Alyssa Britton (6’0” C > 7.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG), an All-TRC HM pick, plus three other regulars. FC returns five experienced gals. Kyla Hellickson (5’8” Jr. G/F > 6.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG) is the leading returning scorer and rebounder. Brooklyn Simon (5’9” Sr. F > 4.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG), Aubrey Daniels (5’4” Jr. G > 4.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.2 APG), Haley O’Connor (5’5” Sr. G > 3.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG), and Annika Mensink (5’8” Sr. F > 4.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG) also are back. Simon, O’Connor, Mensink and Mara Schwarz (5’4” G) are the team’s seniors. FC has four 6’0” girls on their roster. The Falcons have their TRC schedule including opening with R-P (home). Home non-con games are with BP, L/P, SG, GM, Faribault B.A. and Kingsland. Road non-con games are with L-O, K-W, L-A, Houston, Lanesboro and Hayfield. They also play R-P conference and Southland non-conference at the Trojans’ holiday tourney. 

After back-to-back section semifinal appearances, Lanesboro fell back a bit last year. Under first year coach Steve Storhoff, the Burros went 8-8 in the SEC and 11-16 overall. They fell to Grand Meadow 45-30 in a 1A Round of 16 contest. Lanesboro had just two seniors last season. They return four key pieces, a cast headed by fourth-year starter Jensyn Storhoff (5’7” Jr. G). A two-time 1st team All-SEC pick, Storhoff led Lanesboro in about everything, scoring (15.8 PPG), assists (4.9 APG), and steals (5.1 SPG) while adding 5.7 boards. She starts her junior year already over 1,000 career points. Storhoff is joined by key returnees Taylor Hanson (6’0” Sr. C > 7.7 PPG, team-best 6.5 RPG), an All-SEC HM pick, Hailey Erickson (5’9” Jr. F > 7.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG), and Bailey Erwin (5’8” Sr. F/G > 3.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG), another holdover from 2023’s deep playoff run. Jentrey Schreiber (5’10” So. F), Emma Root (5’10” So. F), and Cora Mayer (5’9” Fr. F) have lesser varsity wisdom. Hanson and Abby LaDoux (5’9” F) are the team’s returning seniors. Lanesboro has its SEC schedule. Home non-con games are with South Winn, R-P, FC, L-A and St. Charles. Road non-con games are at AC/G-E (the season-opener), Hayfield, W-K and Decorah. They also have Crestwood in Decorah (Border Battle), games with Baldwin-Woodville and R-P at the Trojans’ holiday tourney. 

LeRoy-Ostrander struggled through its 2023-2024 season. The Cardinals went 3-13 in the SEC and 3-23 overall. They fell to Lyle/Pacelli 51-49 in a Section 1A play-in game. L-O gets a new coach. Ryan Evans, last year’s boys head coach, takes over for Kelly Masters. The good news is, L-O graduated just one of seven girls who played in at least 19 games last year, All-SEC HM pick Jenna Olson (5’5” G > 7.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG). The team’s only senior, Benita Nolt, is the top returnee. Already with over 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds, Nolt is a double-double waiting to happen. She was All-SEC 2nd team last year (15.9 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 2.7 BPG). Also back is the team’s second leading scorer, Miranda Nagel (5’9” Jr. F > 10.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG), who also averaged a double-double. Maria Almaraz-Nolt (5’7” So. F > 5.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Mabel Johnson (5’4” So. G > 2.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG) Kendall Olson (5’9” Jr. F/G), and Rylee Kleeberger (5’3” So. G) each also played a lot. Keira Lewison (So. G > 7.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.5 SPG in 13 games) is another key returnee. L-O has its SEC schedule. Home non-con games are with FC, K-W, Faribault B.A., St. Charles and USC. Away non-con games are at L-A, W-K, R-P and AC/G-E. They also have South Winn in the Decorah Border Battle. 

Southeast Conference Girls Basketball (11/22 & 11/23) 

Houston 38, Grand Meadow 59 (GM: G. Foster 29 pts (7-13 threes); Lauren Queensland 15 pts (3-4 threes), 5 rebs, 4 asts; Rylee Schaufler 6 pts, 8 rebs. H: Jorja Meyer 16 pts (7-10 FGs). GM hit 10 of 25 threes (40%), Houston 3 of 15 (20%). Houston (0-1, 1-1) and GM (1-0, 1-0) took second and third in the SEC last season. All-SEC Hurricane guard Avery Kingsley did not play) 

Lanesboro 57, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 49 (L: J. Storhoff 20 pts (3-8 threes), 5 rebs, 6 asts, 4 stls; Taylor Hanson 13 pts, 14 rebs; Hailey Erickson 12 pts, 9 rebs, 4 stls. The Burros (0-0, 1-0) out-scored AC-GE 34-27 in second half) 

Lyle/Pacelli 37, LeRoy-Ostrander 36 (L-O: Mabel Johnson 13 pts, 9 rebs; Maria Almaraz-Nolt 11 pts, 4 stls; Miranda Nagel 5 pts, 13 rebs. Cardinals > 0-1, 0-1)

Non-Conference Girls Basketball (11/21 – 11/22) 

Houston 54, Lewiston-Altura 35 (H: A. Boldt 23 pts, 6 rebs, 8 stls; J. Meyer 13 pts, 7 rebs; Emily Botcher 11 pts, 6 rebs, 4 stls. The Hurricanes had 20 steals in their season-opener) 

Spring Grove 77, St. Charles 32 (SG: Kinley Soiney 19 pts, 5 rebs, 4 stls; Kylie Hammel 15 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls; Siri Konkel 13 pts, 8 asts, 4 stls; Izabel Kaufmann 10 pts, 7 rebs; Carlie Halverson 9 pts. Lions (0-0, 1-0) led 57-20 at halftime)