GIRLS HOOPS PREVIEW

MADDIE ZYLSTRA

Sheboygan Christian will have not a varsity girls basketball team this season and Sheboygan Lutheran has two new players as a result.

Eagles’ senior Maddie Zylstra and junior Ashley Rahn joined the Crusaders a few days before the start of the season.

Christian only has six other girls in the program – four sophomores and two freshmen – so the Eagles thought this was the best route to take.

“We’re hoping to build for future years,” Eagles’ coach Brad Bulkow said.

Zylstra, who made all-Big East Conference honorable mention last year, was concerned about the lack of varsity girls. So after the volleyball season ended, she approached the athletic director to see if there were any options.

“It’s been a fun few weeks that we’ve had together,” Lutheran coach Mike Scheele said. “I think the girls at Lutheran have done a great job of welcoming them to the basketball program. … It’s been really fun to watch.”

Zylstra led Christian in rebounding last season (5.8 per game) and averaged 5.9 points despite having a knee injury that limited her early in the season and flared up sometimes after that.

Lutheran returns its top-three scorers, including junior Rose Hahn (7.5 points per game). She is a good defender who has ‘a ton’ of athleticism, according to Scheele, and has provided more leadership this season.

“She has been extremely vocal in practices, which has been great,” Scheele said. “I think that’s something that every program needs.”

Junior Anna Splittgerber scored 5.1 points a year ago but missed half the season with an ankle injury. Scheele says she is smart and a good three-point shooter. Danica Hansen scored 4.5 points last year.

The co-op played its first game last Tuesday and lost, 51-30, against Hilbert.

Splittgerber had a team-high 11 points and Zylstra grabbed a game-best nine rebounds.

“The girls have cultivated Ashley and I in super well,” Zylstra said. “Even looking at our first game, we’re already starting to understand how each other plays. They’re fitting me in. We’re starting to get that glue and I think it will progress throughout the season really well.”

AT A GLANCE

Last year: 1-22, 0-19 in BEC

• Christian senior Maddie Zylstra and junior Ashley Rahn have joined the team and the Eagles will only field a junior varsity squad. Zylstra made all-conference honorable mention last year.

• Lutheran returns its top-three scorers, including junior Rose Hahn (7.5 points per game). Junior Anna Splittgerber (5.1 ppg) and senior Danica Hansen (4.5 ppg) are back as well.

• Oostburg is the reigning South Division champion and returns all three of its all-conference players.

ROSTER

No.      Name Yr

2          Julia Richardson   Sr

3          Anna Splittgerber   Jr

4          Ellie Fredricks   So

5          Rose Hahn     Jr

10        Danica Hansen   Sr

11        Maddy Pfannkuch      Sr

13        Maddie Zylstra   Sr

20        Hailey Schimberg       Jr

21        Alex Stricker     Fr

24        Kate Rammes   So

30        Madison Carlson   So

35        Ashley Rahn     Jr

SCHEDULE

Nov. 30 Reedsville 7:15

Dec. 3 Random Lake 7:15

Dec. 5 St. Mary’s Springs7:15

Dec. 7 at Random Lake 7:15

Dec. 8 at Kohler 5:50

Dec. 11 at Ozaukee 7:15

Dec. 14 at CW Christian 4:30

Dec. 15 at Oostburg 7:15

Dec. 22 at CG-Belgium 7:15

Dec. 23 at St. Mary Cath. 7:15

Jan. 5 at Elkhart Lake 6:30

Jan. 8 at Mishicot 7:15

Jan. 12 at Howards Grove7:15

Jan. 13 at Liv. Word Lu. 7:15

Jan. 15 Kohler 7:15

Jan. 18 at Oakfield 7:15

Jan. 21 Ozaukee 7:15

Jan. 27 Stockbridge  7:15

Jan. 29 CG-Belgium 7:15

Feb. 2 Oostburg 7:15

Feb. 5 Manitowoc Luth. 7:15