Sports

Girls season is already two weeks old

GIRLS HOOPS PREVIEW

Christian has two new coaches and Lutheran’s top four scorers are back.

North and South are looking for scoring.

Here’s an outlook for all four teams …

CHRISTIAN

Last year: (JV only)

Lowdown

Its new co-coaches are Alyssa Pasiewicz and Rachel Rasmussen (she graduated from Christian in 2017).

The school will feature its own varsity squad this year – and JV – after two of its girls played for Lutheran as a co-op.

“You can tell that they’re really excited,” Rasmussen said.

Glad to be back

Ashley Rahn: The senior was a member of Lutheran’s team last season.

Maggie Bulkow, Mackenna Epping, Mariah Zylstra: These three will likely contribute as well.

Tough to replace

Maddie Zylstra: She made all-conference honorable mention for the second straight time by averaging 6.7 rpg and 4.8 ppg.

LUTHERAN

Last year: 8-17, 2-8 BEC

Lowdown

The top four scorers, who combined to average 36 points, all return. Its top three rebounders, who totaled 22 per game, are back as well.

In 2019, the Crusaders won just one game and were 0-19 in the Big East. They are already off to a 3-0 start, highlighted by a near triple-double by freshman Addy Verhagen.

Glad to be back

Rose Hahn: The senior led her team in scoring (for the second straight season). She earned all-conference second team and also contributed 7.0 rebounds.

Alex Stricker: The sophomore was second in scoring (7.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.2).

Anna Splittgerber: This senior averaged 7.8 ppg last year.

Faith Pape: This sophomore grabbed a team-high 7.9 rebounds.

Tough to replace

Maddie Zylstra: The 2020 graduate was one of two girls from Christian that were on the team, and she made all-conference honorable mention as a senior.

NORTH

ANNA FOGLE is a key player for North.
– Photo by Natalie Stieber

Last year: 9-6

Lowdown

The Golden Raiders have to replace their three girls who made all-conference, and only one of its top eight scorers is back (the top four all graduated).

“We lost a big chunk, for sure,” coach Keith Conway said.

Three of its first four games were against Beaver Dam, De Pere and Randolph. Last year they combined to go 66-11.

Glad to be back

Victoria Toeller: The junior is her team’s top returning scorer. She averaged 6.5 ppg as a sophomore (to go with 3.6 rebounds).

Stella Revelis: The 2022 graduate is the top returning rebounder (3.7 per game).

Anna Fogle: This junior overcame last year’s injury and Conway expects “big things” from her.

Tough to replace

Emma Belmore: The four-year varsity player made all-conference the last two seasons. She was second team a year ago thanks to team highs in scoring (10.1, assists (4.1) and steals (3.4) despite missing the last seven games with an injury.

SOUTH

Last year: 4-9

Lowdown

Two Redwings made all-conference last year for the first time since 2013.

Only two of its top five scorers return, however. There is more depth compared to last year though.

Glad to be back

Maddie Ognacevic: The senior earned all-FRCC second team by leading the conference in rebounding (14 per game). She set the school record for most in a contest with 21 and was second on the squad in scoring (12.5 ppg).

“This summer she put in a good amount of work on her jump shot,” Renzelmann said. “That was the part of her game she strengthened the most. She’s always been a great defender.”

Sierra Ertman: The junior was the fourth-leading scorer on her team last year (6.4 ppg).

Tough to replace

Halle Boldt: She made all-conference honorable mention the last two seasons and the four-year varsity starter ranks third in school history for most assists and is sixth in scoring.

 LEAGUES AT A GLANCE

BIG EAST

Oostburg has won the last two South Division titles but has to replace three all-BEC players.

Mishicot won the 2020 championship in Division 4 with the help of five all-conference players. However, four of them were seniors.

Howards Grove also appeared at state (Division 3) but its three all-league players graduated.

FOX RIVER CLASSIC

Green Bay Notre Dame is the reigning Division 2 state champion and returns three all-conference players, including two from the first team.

De Pere features two all-league players from a year ago, including senior Jordan Meulemans, who led the FRCC in scoring (20.7 ppg).

As a freshman last year, Preble’s Helena Paphlam averaged 11 points and eight boards.

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