ALL-BIG EAST GIRLS

First team
Addy Verhagen, fr, Lutheran
Rose Hahn, sr, Lutheran
Second team
Mackenna Epping, jr, Christian
Honorable mention
Faith Pape, so, Lutheran

ROSE HAHN earns first-team all-Big East with teammate Addy Verhagen. – Photo by Jenni Pickel

Thanks to a school-record 21 wins and a second-place finish in the South Division of the Big East, three Lutheran girls basketball players made the all-conference team.

Leading the way were freshman Addy Verhagen and senior Rose Hahn, who landed on the first team for the Crusaders, who finished one game behind champion Oostburg.

“They put in a lot of work in the offseason; put a lot of work in during the regular season,” coach Mike Scheele said. “What a great accomplishment for the both of those two – for the season we collectively had as a team and then individually that they had as players.”

Verhagen, a point guard who had a rare triple-double, led the conference in scoring (17.4 ppg) and assists (6.4).

“Coming in as a freshman, that’s a big impact when you start talking about the caliber of players that are in the Big East,” Scheele said. “That says a lot about the work she’s put in and the progress she helped the team make.”

The shooting guard Hahn was sixth in the division in scoring (14.0) and was second on her squad in assists (4.3).

“She did a really nice job from a complimentary role,” Scheele said.

Pape, a center, ranked third on her team in scoring (10.1).

“Again, put a lot of work in in the offseason and her and I worked a lot in practices just on her post moves,” Scheele said.

RECAP: Lutheran was 8-17 a year ago, but there was more than just the three-all conference players.

Plenty others helped out, including Stella Revelis, who was complimented by her coach for her leadership and a tough, never-quit style.

Each girl pushed each other in practice and in games to be the best they could be, according to their coach.

“I think what will also stand out is the body of work the girls put in,” Scheele said. “I think some of the confidence they had in playing teams that maybe historically we hadn’t fared well against. We found opportunities to beat those teams, so I think that was a great step in a positive direction.”

Epping represents Christian

Junior Mackenna Epping strong season earned her second-team status in her first year playing at the varsity level. 

She led the league in rebounding (13.1) and the Eagles in scoring (13 ppg).

“She was a big presence in the post for us, grabbing most of our rebounding and scoring a majority of our points,” co-coach Rachel Rasmussen said. “She was also a strong leader for our team. Even though our overall record didn’t show it, Mackenna was a player to watch out for on the court. We are excited to see what she will do next year and are proud of the hard work she put in this year.”

RECAP: Rasmussen and Alyssa Pasiewicz managed just one victory in their coaching debuts.

“It was a fun first year filled with a lot of challenges, but also a lot of good moments,” Rasmussen said. 

“It was a growing year for us coaches. We learned a lot but, we’re glad to have had the opportunity to coach this group.”