“Depending on defense” while developing an “offensive identity” is the early-season task for the youthful Spring Grove basketball girls according to third-year head coach Kody Moore. There is a lot of offensive production to replace with three-fourths of the scoring and nearly two-thirds of both the assists and offensive rebounds no longer available after last year’s 6-21 season (4-9 SEC, 4th place).
Graduation claimed scoring and assist leader Amelia Solum, a three-time Lion MVP and two-time all-conference guard. With the program’s third-highest scoring season on record, Solum also led the Lions in steals and was the second leading rebounder. Jacine Johanningmeier, the top rebounder and shot blocker, also picked up a diploma.
The good news is the return of most (five) of last year’s nine letter winners, but Jordian Leahy is the lone, full-time returning starter. With injuries and illness forcing lineup adjustments, Katelyn Kraus drew nine starts and Addyson McHugh seven. The veterans are young; the five returning letter winners are one junior, two sophomores, one freshman and one eighth grader.
Leahy, a 5-foot-6 junior guard, was the third leading scorer last year averaging 4.3 points and fourth leading rebounder with 3.1 rebounds per game. Kraus, a freshman, and McHugh, a sophomore, are both 5-10 forwards who will determine Lion success near the basket. McHugh averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 boards a game.
Emerson Ingvalson, a 5-6 eighth grader, played in 24 of the 27 games last year as a seventh grader, averaging 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Lydia Solum, a 5-9 sophomore, saw action in 15 varsity contests.
Coming back with primarily B-team experience are senior forward Erika Donlan, junior guards, Ava Olerud and McKenzie Fisch, junior guard/forward Ashlyn Hammel and sophomore forward Ellyce Walsh plus freshman guard Hailie Kittleson.
Moving up from junior high action are freshman Taylor Reinhardt plus eighth graders Sydney Holland, Kendal Van Minsel, Jordis Neeley and Katie Klug. Junior Cierra Blaskowski now has a uniform after serving as a manager last year.
Blaine Storlie, former collegiate cager at Hamline University and 2013 Lion Male Athlete of the Year, is back for a third season as varsity assistant and B-team coach. Joining the staff as junior high coaches are Tim Opat and 2012 Lion co-Female Athlete of the Year, Taylor Elton, who played for Luther College.
Improving from a 6-21 season and fourth-place finish in the SEC East Division could have used off-season seasoning, but the pandemic not only eliminated a summer season but sends all teams into their first game with only eight practices and no pre-season scrimmages.
Many young athletes have more than one season during which to develop their skills. Currently, there is experience plus adequate height and average speed. The defense begins with more definition than the offense. Progress in 2021 depends on how quickly the attack develops during an abbreviated, pandemic season. There are 15 conference games on the nine-week, regular-season slate with no decision yet by the State High School League on whether there will be any playoffs.
The SEC East will have six teams this year with the addition of Randolph, which returns two all-conference selections from last winter’s third-place finish in the West Division. Defending champion Houston is the prohibitive
favorite in the East, bringing back three All-SEC performers from last year’s 21-7 squad (12-1 SEC East). Likewise, in the West, defending champion Kingsland also returns a trio of all-league standouts.
Lions the Last 7 Seasons – SG girls Basketball
2020 6-21 (4-9 SEC, 4th East)
2019 10-12 (6-7 SEC, 3rd East)
2018 10-14 (6-7 SEC, tie 2nd East)
2017 15-11 (11-3 SEC, 2nd East)
2016 16-10 (14-4 SEC, 1st East)
2015 17-10 (16-4 SEC, 1st East)
2014 19-8 (16-2 SEC, 1st East)
total 93-86 (73-36 SEC)
Conference championships – 11: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2005, 2003, 1996, 1980
Sub-section/district championships – 6 : 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 1997, 1995
Section championships – 1: 2012
Spring Grove Girls Basketball 2021 (approximately 7:15 unless noted)
01/14 Grand Meadow
01/16 at Rushford-Peterson 3 p.m.
01/18 at Mabel-Canton 6 p.m.
01/21 at Schaeffer Academy
01/25 Houston
01/28 Randolph
02/01 Schaeffer Academy
02/04 at Houston
02/08 at Randolph
02/11 Mabel-Canton
02/15 Lanesboro
02/18 at Lanesboro
02/26 at LeRoy-Ostrander
03/01 at Fillmore Central
03/02 Lyle/Pacelli
03/05 at Southland
03/12 at Kingsland