Two members of the Minnewaska Area girls basketball team were named to the West Central Tribune’s All-Area team for 2023-24.

A total of 15 players were named to one of three All-Area teams, including Megan Thorfinnson, a junior from Minnewaska Area High School who was named to the All-Area second team, and Sydney Dahl, a junior named to the All-Area third team.

There were 12 newcomers to the All-Area teams, including the two from Minnewaska Area, along with three returning players.

In addition, the All-Area teams included four seniors, six juniors, four sophomores and one freshman.

NLS had three players named to the All-Area teams, while Minnewaska Area and BOLD both had two players named and ACGC, BBE, Prinsburg, KMS, MACCRAY, Montevideo, Paynesville and Willmar each had one player.

Named to the first team were Prinsburg freshman guard Sienna Duininck (averaged 20 points per game),  BBE senior forward Brooklyn Fischer (19.9 ppg), MACCRAY sophomore guard/forward Brielle Janssen (24.2 ppg and 11.5 rebounds per game), NLS junior guard Dakota Rich (16.7 ppg) and BOLD senior post Kenzie Visser (13.6 ppg and 11.9 rpg).

Joining Thorfinnson on the second team were guard Lainey Braulick of BOLD, forward Ava Carlson of NLS, guard Acelynn Hacker of KMS and guard Telilie Lange of Willmar. And, joining Dahl on the third team were Montevideo guard Teagan Epema, Paynesville forward Emma Flanders, NLS forward Delaney Hanson and ACGC center Ruby Klinger

Of Thorfinnson, the paper wrote:  “Megan Thorfinnson showed that she can flourish as a floor general and it continues to pay off for the Lakers.  The Lakers’ 5-9 guard was an All-WCC pick and voted Minnewaska’s MVP.  She average 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals per game.  She knocked down 36 percent of her shots from the field and 68% from the line.”

Added her coach Sidney Barker, “Megan is a skilled and crafty guard who can be an offensive and defensive threat.  She can score from beyond the arc and has an IQ for the game of basketball.  Her experience will keep evolving her into a dynamic player on the floor.”

Of Dahl, the paper wrote, “Dahl’s versatility  helped Minnewaska to an eight-win improvement in 2023-24.  Dahl, a 6-0 forward, averaged 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.4 assist and 1.3 steals per game.  She shot 42 percent from the field and 53 percent on free-throws.  The junior’s all-around impact helped her to be named the WCC’s Offensive MVP for this year.”

Added Barker, “Sydney is a versatile player who can score on offense, but also be a strong and threatening rim protector.  She can score inside the paint, but she can also extend her game beyond the arc as a shooter or sometimes bring the ball up the floor.  She is quick for a forward her size and strong on defense although undersized against most opponents she goes up against.”