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.