This story is sponsored by Forward Bank
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
The 2020-21 high school girls basketball season begins with a smattering of games around the area on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and will get going in earnest next week with all teams set to start their respective seasons.
Here is a look at what area teams will bring to the court this winter:
AUBURNDALE EAGLES
Coach: Dale Aue, second year, 17-7 record.
2019-20 record: 17-7, 11-5 Marawood Conference South Division second place, lost in WIAA Division 4 regional final to Stevens Point Pacelli.
Returning players: Aliah Hamus, junior; Paityn Hamus, 5-5 senior guard, 3 points per game; Georgi Schmutzer, 5-8 senior guard, 9.2 points, 2.7 rebounds per game, 47 3-pointers; Lauren Peplinski, senior forward, 2.2 points per game; Kaitlyn Kundinger, 5-8 senior forward, 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds per game; Victoria Hasenhorl, senior guard; Hailey Grimm, 5-8 senior forward, 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds per game; Annamarie Aue, sophomore forward, 2.8 points, 2 rebounds per game.
Click here to view the Auburndale girls basketball schedule
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC DONS
Coach: Ron Wilczek, third year, 26-22 record.
2019-20 record: 12-12, 9-7 Cloverbelt Conference East Division fifth place, lost in WIAA Division 5 regional semifinals to Eleva-Strum.
Returning players: Emmalee Jicinsky, 5-11, senior forward, 7 points, 8 rebounds per game; Meghan Kibbel, 5-10 senior guard, 5 points, 3 assists per game; Kelsey Moore, 5-6 senior guard, 5 points per game; Erynn Meece, 5-10 senior forward; Jenna Kibbel, 5-9 sophomore forward.
Key newcomers: Lily Stratman, 5-4 sophomore guard; Mira Torbey, 5-6 sophomore guard; Hailey Zimmermann, 5-11 sophomore forward; Ayana Bousum, 5-10 freshman guard; Maggie Callaghan, 5-5 freshman guard; Raella Schueller, 5-10 freshman forward.
From Coach Wilczek: “An expectation for this season is to compete for the Cloverbelt East conference championship. It is a lofty goal considering the strength of our league, but winning a championship is something we strive for every year. We also talk a lot about working hard to get better every day while enjoying our time together. Due to COVID, I think it is important to enjoy every moment and make every moment count. A key to our success is to continue to defend and take care of the ball like we have in the past. Developing our bench is another key because we have a lot of young, inexperienced players on our team. Scoring is a concern since we lost our two leading scorers from last season. That being said, I really like our personnel and I am excited about the trajectory of this team.”
Click here to view the Columbus Catholic girls basketball schedule
MARSHFIELD TIGERS
Coach: Taylor Varsho, third year, 25-20 record.
2019-20 record: 15-7, 11-1 Wisconsin Valley Conference champions, lost in WIAA Division 1 regional semifinals to Superior.
Returning players: Madison Voss, 5-5 junior guard; Maddie Michaelis, 5-7 senior guard, 11.2 points per game; Danielle Minsaas, 5-7 sophomore guard, 8.5 points per game; Brianna Varsho, 5-8 senior guard; Quincy Lang, 5-7 senior forward, 3.8 points per game; Loryn Jakobi, 5-4 junior guard, 4.3 points per game.
Click here to view the Marshfield girls basketball schedule
SPENCER ROCKETS
Coach: Krystal Weier, second year, 7-16 record.
2019-20 record: 7-16, 3-13 Cloverbelt Conference East Division ninth place, lost in WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinals to Stratford.
Returning players: Zalexis Mannigel, 5-1 guard, 4.5 points per game; Cassidee Widmann, 5-3 guard; Elexa Post, 5-3 guard, 3.6 points per game; Jorie Meyer, 5-10 forward, 4.5 points per game; Heavyn Kind, 5-8 guard, 14.7 points per game (second-team all-conference); Rebecca Mlsna, 5-5 guard; Madison Knecht, 5-6 guard, 5.2 points per game; Amber Becker, 5-6 guard, 3.3 points per game; Faith Miller, 5-8 forward; Haylee Hopperdietzel, 5-5 gyard.
From Coach Weier: “Our expectations this season are to make each other better by working hard every day and become more of an offensive threat throughout the season.”
Click here to view the Spencer girls basketball schedule
STRATFORD TIGERS
Coach: Tammie Christopherson, eighth year.
2019-20 record: 10-14, 7-9 Marawood Conference South Division sixth place, lost in WIAA Division 4 regional semifinals to Auburndale.
Returning players: Tanaya Schillinger, 5-6 senior guard, 6.1 points per game (honorable mention all-Marawood South); Maria Schoenfuss 5-6 senior guard; Makenna Leonhardt, 5-5 senior guard, 3 points per game; Breanna Ackley, 6-1 senior forward, 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds per game, 49 3-pointers, 82 percent free throws (second-team all-Marawood South); Gracie Hauke, 5-6 senior guard, 1.9 points per game; Emily Hughes, 6-2 senior center, 9.7 points per game (honorable mention all-Marawood South); Lauren Kraus, 5-9 sophomore forward, 1.4 points per game
Key newcomers: Allison Lindner, 5-6 sophomore guard; Nailey Linzmeier, 5-6 sophomore; Ella Heidmann, 5-6 sophomore; Lexie Christopherson, 5-5 sophomore guard.
Click here to view the Stratford girls basketball schedule