GIRLS BASKETBALL: Area Capsules

CENTRAL LYON LIONS

Coach: Dan Kruse

Experience: 11 seasons, 107-116 overall.

2011-12 Record: 21-4 overall; 15-3 Siouxland Conference (second place).

2012 Postseason: Lost to LeMars Gehlen Catholic in Class 1A region final.

Players Graduated: Jennifer Johnson, Taylor Bork, Abby Falletti.

Players Returning: Lexi Ackerman, Sr., G; Kelsey Ackerman, Sr., F; Kori Schulte, Sr., C; Sarah Halse, So., C; Wynter Roths, Jr., F; Ivy Sieperda, So., G; Claire Snyder, Jr., G; Shelby Fastert, Jr., G.

New Players: Angel Rasmussen, So., G; Shaylee Struckman, So., F; Mackenzie Lutmer, So., F; Kenzie Leuthold, So., G.

Strengths: The Lions are an athletic club that runs the floor very well. Central Lion is also a deep program that uses the entire roster.

Weaknesses: The Lions are not a very tall team. Kruse hopes that the young girls develop quickly because the team plays a tough schedule.

Outlook: Last year, the Lions were one win short of making the Iowa Class 1A state tournament. Kruse’s squad entered the season with the No. 5 ranking in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s preseason polls. Central Lion wants to be in the hunt for the Siouxland Conference title, as well as making another deep postseason run.

Schedule

Nov. 20: Rock Valley, W, 73-35

Nov. 27: MOC-Floyd Valley, 45-58

Nov. 30: at Sioux Center, W, 49-44

Dec. 3: Ellsworth

Dec. 4: West Lyon

Dec. 7: at Okoboji

Dec. 11: Boyden-Hull

Dec. 14: at Sibley-Ocheyedan

Dec. 18: George-Little Rock

Dec. 21: at Sheldon

Jan. 4: at Rock Valley

Jan. 5: at Luverne

Jan. 11: at MOC-Floyd Valley

Jan. 15: Sioux Center

Jan. 18: at West Lyon

Jan. 21: at Hills-Beaver Creek

Jan. 22: Okoboji

Jan. 25: at Boyden-Hull

Jan. 26: Hull Trinity Christian

Jan. 29: Sibley-Ocheyedan

Feb. 1: at George-Little Rock

Feb. 5: Sheldon

Feb. 11-18: District Tournament

Feb. 20: Substate Playoff

Feb. 25-March 2: State Tournament

GEORGE-LITTLE ROCK MUSTANGS

Coach: Heather Grafing

Experience: Not available.

2011-12 Record: 12-11 overall; 9-9 Siouxland Conference (fifth place).

2012 Postseason: Lost to Central Lyon in district playoffs.

Players Graduated: Sarah Kruse, Carly Klaassen, Addy Wiertzema.

Players Returning: Keeley Kruse, Sr., G; Talylor Carstensen, Sr., F; Jessica Sandbulte, Jr., G; Jacee Johnson, Jr., G; Maddy DeBeer, Jr., G; Abby Eden, Sr., G; Danielle Eben, So., F; Madison Henning, So., F.

New Players: Teyha Graham, So., F; Mariah Terhark, Fr., C.; Mia Graham, Fr., G.

Strengths: Kruse brings back 11 points per game and a sharp-shooting touch from beyond the 3-point arc. Carstensen and Sandbulte are also returning starters for a Mustang program that returns eight letter-winners.

Weaknesses: George-Little Rock will try to work its more inexperienced players throughout the season.

Outlook: Coming off last year’s winning season, the Mustangs are aiming at im-proving their standing in the Siouxland Conference. Kruse and Sanbulte’s pres-ence in the backcourt and Carstensen’s inside game should give the Mustangs good balance.

Schedule

Nov. 20: Sibley-Ocheyedan, W, 55-51

Nov. 27: Okoboji, W, 57-50

Nov. 30: at Sheldon, L, 46-54

Dec. 4: Rock Valley

Dec. 7: at MOC Floyd-Valley

Dec. 11: at Sioux Center

Dec. 14: West Lyon

Dec. 17: Adrian

Dec. 18: at Central Lyon

Dec. 21: Boyden-Hull

Jan. 3: at Harris-Lake Park

Jan. 4: at Sibley-Ocheyedan

Jan. 7: Fulda

Jan. 11: at Okoboji

Jan. 15: Sheldon

Jan. 18: at Rock Valley

Jan. 21: Unity Christian

Jan. 22: MOC-Floyd Valley

Jan. 25: Sioux Central

Jan. 29: at West Lyon

Feb. 1: Central Lyon

Feb. 5: at Boyden-Hull

Feb. 11-18: District Tournament

Feb. 20: Substate Playoff

Feb. 25-March 2: State Tournament

HARRIS-LAKE PARK WOLVES

Coach: Jenni Spooner

Experience: Fourth season.

2011-12 Record: 7-14 overall; 6-6 Cornbelt Conference (fourth place).

2012 Postseason: Lost to Clay Central-Everly in district playoffs.

Players Graduated: Leah Duitsman, Katlynn Luinstra, Guadalupe Tapia.

Players Returning: Noreen Morrow, Jr., C; Macy Gunderson, Jr., G; Mariah Gath, Sr., G; Miranda Brueggeman, Jr., G; Mikey Heikens, So., G; Grace Winters, Jr.; G; Bailey Heikens, Jr., G.

New Players: Katherin Ihnen, Fr., F; Grace Heikens, Fr., G; Malin Buhnert, So., G; Christina Galvin, Fr., G; Jacie Rueter, Fr., G; Nicole Rowe, Fr., F.

Strengths: While young, the Wolves have some experience this season as injuries and low numbers allowed the girls to de-velop a year ago. Spooner feels that her squad works well together and will be more aggressive than in the past.

Weaknesses: The Wolves want to become better rebounders and take better care of the ball. Spooner said that her squad needs to read defenses better and take what is given to them.

Outlook: Morrow, an all-conference and all-region post, gives the Wolves a 6-foot-1-inch presence on the interior. Morrow, Gath and Gunderson should help Harris-Lake Park be competitive in the Cornbelt Conference.

Schedule

Nov. 19: Spirit Lake, L, 25-69

Nov. 26: Southwestern United, W, 40-37

Nov. 27: at Storm Lake, W, 49-45

Nov. 29: at Okoboji, L, 46-51

Dec. 4: West Bend-Mallard

Dec. 7: at Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne

Dec. 10: Emmetsburg

Dec. 14: at North Union

Dec. 18: Clay Central-Everly

Dec. 21: at Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire

Jan. 3: George-Little Rock

Jan. 7: at Ellsworth

Jan. 14: at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn

Jan. 15: at West Bend-Mallard

Jan. 18: Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne

Jan. 21: Hull Trinity Christian

Jan. 25: North Union

Jan. 29: at Clay Central-Everly

Feb. 1: Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire

Feb. 11-18: District Tournament

Feb. 20: Substate Playoff

Feb. 25-March 2: State Tournament

SHELDON ORABS

Coach: Kris Groff

Experience: Not available.

2011-12 Record: 8-15 overall; 5-13 Siouxland Conference (eighth place).

2012 Postseason: Lost to Sioux Central in district playoffs.

Players Graduated: Lindsey Nilles, Chelsey Hakeneis, Crystal Rodger, Katie Jongewaard, Michelle Fisher, Alesha Pulscher, Meranda Schwarz.

Players Returning: Krista Bousema, Jr., G; Abbie Provost, Sr., F; Tori Meendering, Sr., G; Audrey Gustafson, Sr., G; Janessa Holles, Sr., G; Allie Jongewaard, Jr., G.

New Players: Michaela Wagner, Sr., C; Jessica Weppler, Sr., F; MacKensey Radke, Jr., C; Sami Kleinwolterink, So., G; Emily Johnson, So., G; Katryna Bart, So., C.

Strengths: Bousema scored nearly eight points per game last season, while Provost brings a six-point and four-rebound a game average into her senior season. The Orabs will have depth at the guard position.

Weaknesses: Sheldon doesn’t possess much size in the post and will have to play some girls with limited varsity experience.

Outlook: The Orabs will look to their guard play to compensate for their lack of size in a competitive Siouxland Conference.

Schedule

Nov. 20: at Boyden-Hull, W, 46-30

Nov. 27: at Sibley-Ocheyedan, L, 31-37

Nov. 30: George-Little Rock, W, 54-46

Dec. 1: at South O’Brien

Dec. 4: at Okoboji

Dec. 7: Rock Valley

Dec. 11: MOC-Floyd Valley

Dec. 14: at Sioux Center

Dec. 18: at West Lyon

Dec. 21: Central Lyon

Jan. 4: Boyden-Hull

Jan. 8: at Spencer

Jan. 11: Sibley-Ocheyedan

Jan. 15: at George-Little Rock

Jan. 18: Okoboji

Jan. 22: at Rock Valley

Jan. 25: at MOC-Floyd Valley

Jan. 26: Sergeant Bluff-Luton

Jan. 29: Sioux Center

Feb. 1: West Lyon

Feb. 5: at Central Lyon

Feb. 11-18: District Tournament

Feb. 20: Substate Playoff

Feb. 25-March 2: State Tournament

SIBLEY-OCHEYEDAN GENERALS

Coach: Jeremy Leusink

Experience: Third season, 12-32 overall.

2011-12 Record: 10-12 overall; 7-11 Siouxland Conference (sixth place).

2012 Postseason: Lost to Western Christian in second round of region playoffs.

Players Graduated: Alyssa Hibbing, Bridget Block.

Players Returning: Bridget Doeden, Jr., F; Kayla Ackerman, Jr., G; Jurnea Har-berts, Sr., F; Michaela Wolter, G; Clara Meyer, Jr., G; Alyssa Stofferan, Jr., F; Jennifer Vipond, Jr., F.

New Players: Leah Sievert, Jr., G; Kim Cuadros, Jr., G; Shelby Stanton, Jr., G; Jenifer Willemssen, Jr., F; Brooke Grimes, So., F.

Strengths: The Generals will rely on their experience and rebounding this season. Doeden, Ackerman, Harberts and Wolter are all returning starters for Leusink. Doeden averaged a double-double as a sophomore with 11 points and 10 re-bounds per game and set the school’s single-game rebounding record with 20 boards.

Weaknesses: Sibley-Ocheyedan has struggled with turnovers in the past, but has worked hard to improve its ball han-dling and hopes to turn that into a positive.

Outlook: With four returning starters, the Generals should have a good chance to improve their record to .500 or above and provide a challenge for their Siouxland Conference opponents.

Schedule

Nov. 20: at George-Little Rock, L, 51-55

Nov. 26: at South O’Brien, W, 47-30

Nov. 27: Sheldon, W, 37-31

Nov. 30: at Rock Valley, W, 42-34

Dec. 4: at MOC-Floyd Valley

Dec. 7: Sioux Center

Dec. 11: at West Lyon

Dec. 14: Central Lyon

Dec. 18: at Boyden-Hull

Dec. 21: at Okoboji

Jan. 4: George-Little Rock

Jan. 11: at Sheldon

Jan. 15: Rock Valley

Jan. 18: MOC-Floyd Valley

Jan. 19: Spirit Lake

Jan. 22: at Sioux Center

Jan. 25: West Lyon

Jan. 26: at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn

Jan. 29: at Central Lyon

Feb. 1: Boyden-Hull

Feb. 5: Okoboji

Feb. 11-18: District Tournament

Feb. 20: Substate Playoff

Feb. 25-March 2: State Tournament

TRACY-MILROY-BALATON PANTHERS

Coach: Katie Gervais

Experience: Second season, 12-13 overall.

2011-12 Record: 12-13 overall; 7-7 Camden Conference-South (third place); 2-3 Section 3AA.

2012 Postseason: Lost to Yellow Medi-cine East in Section 3AA North quarterfi-nal.

Players Graduated: Tiffani Karbo, Ashley Daniels, Kate Johnston.

Players Returning: Kelli Soupir, Sr., G; Jenna Stoneberg, Sr., F; Nichy Iverson, Sr., G; Sammie Gervais, So., F; Cassan-dra Hook, So., G; Morgan Hoffbeck, So., F.

New Players: Kasey Hoek, Jr., F; Anna Peterson, So., G; Kassidy Przymus, So., F; Jessie Nelson, Fr., C; Sara Stoneberg, Fr., C.

Strengths: Coach Gervais returns veteran experience with Soupir, Jenna Stoneberg, Iverson, Sammie Gervais and Hook all logging significant varsity minutes. The Panthers should have good depth at guard.

Weaknesses: Aside from 5-foot-10 Jenna Stoneberg and 5-9 Sammie Gervais in the post, the Panthers will be young and inexperienced inside.

Outlook: The Panthers look to remain competitive in the Camden Conference and improve their overall record above .500 in the second year with Coach Ger-vais. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s last winning season was in 2004-2005 when the school finished 22-4.

Schedule

Nov. 30: Pipestone Area, L, 64-66, OT

Dec. 4: Windom Area

Dec. 6: at Lincoln HI

Dec. 11: at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton

Dec. 14: Minneota

Dec. 18: Canby

Dec. 21: Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Invitational

Dec. 22: Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Invitational

Dec. 23: Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Invitational

Jan. 3: MACCRAY

Jan. 8: at Renville County West

Jan. 10: at Jackson County Central

Jan. 11: Central Minnesota Christian

Jan. 15: Westbrook-Walnut Grove

Jan. 17: at Dawson-Boyd

Jan. 22: Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg

Jan. 25: at Lakeview

Jan. 29: at Murray County Central

Jan. 31: at Luverne

Date: Lincoln HI

Date: at Minneota

Date: at Canby

Date: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton

Date: at Redwood Valley

Date: Springfield

Feb. 21-March 8: Section Tournament

March 13-16: State Tournament

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