•  Kath, Randt and Thorfinnson lead balanced attack with 12 points each for Lakers

The Minnewaska Area girls basketball team opened up the new season with a 71-20 rout of Lac qui Parle Valley, Thursday night at home.  Three players had 12 points each to lead the Lakers, who are playing this season under first-year head coach Nick Danielson, who took over the helm from Sidney Barker.

The Lakers went 20-9 overall last year, losing to NLS in the sub-section finals, 52-42.  Minnewaska Area was also 10-2 in the WCC to finish second behind Sauk Centre (12-0).

Danielson, who had been an assistant with the boys basketball program at Minnewaska Area High School in recent years, is assisted by Brad Randt, Grace Gerads, Josh Greene and Mayaya Hoelscher.  “I am excited and looking forward to our season this year.  Our team will be very competitive,” coach Danielson said  “This is my first time being a head coach for MSHSL.  I have been a head coach for AAU teams for many years.”

•  This year’s varsity roster includes seniors Addy Kath, Lauren Stryhn, Sydney Dahl, Megan Thorfinnson and Amber Peabody; juniors Alia Randt, Lauryn Ankeny, Olivia Danielson, Aubrey Stark, Carly Jergenson, Kendall Danielson, Phemie Oeltjen and Jayda Kolstoe; sophomores Norah VanZee, Eliana Marthaler, Haillie Schulz and Claira Frey; and ninth-grader Berlynn Green.

“We hope to fight for a conference championship this year,” coach Danielson said.  “Sauk Centre has been at the top for a long time and WCA and BOLD are also going to be top contenders, but we hope to be right up there with them.  Another goal is to get back to the sub-section championship game against NLS.”

Minnewaska 71, LQP 28

The Lakers had little problem in winning the opener at home against Lac qui Parle, Thursday.  After a slow start, Minnewaska raced to a 37-14 halftime lead and then held the Eagles to just seven points in the second half as the Lakers were able to unload the bench and give everyone a chance at some action in the opener.

“The girls were very excited to get their season underway,” coach Danielson said.  “We did struggle with fouls and not getting the ball to go in the basket in the first half, but once the girls settled into the game, we played much better the second half.”

Addy Kath, Alia Randt and Megan Thorfinnson had 12 points each to lead the Lakers, whose only struggle was at the line where Minnewaska Area was 8-of-20 in the first half alone.

Kath also had team-highs of eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Lauryn Ankeny added nine points and a game-high five steals.

Also scoring for the Lakers were Olivia Danielson with seven points, Sydney Dahl with six, Jayda Kolstoe with five, Aubrey Stark with three and Lauren Stryhn and Norah VanZee with two points each.

Three players had five points apiece for the Eagles, who went 8-of-18 from the line in the first half and made just six field goals all game.

Team statistics were not available for the Lakers, but Minnewaska had numerous steals during the game leading to many easy baskets.  “We plan to play pressure defense all season,” Danielson said.  “Our pressure defense wore LQP down and our defensive game will be our calling card this year.”

Other Lakers notes

Sauk Centre won last year’s WCC title with a 12-0 league record, followed by Minnewaska Area (10-2), West Central Area and BOLD (both 7-5), Morris Area-CA (4-8), Melrose Area (2-10) and Montevideo (0-12).

•  Members of the B-squad team include juniors Aubrey Stark, Carly Jergenson, Kendall Danielson and Phemie Oeltjen; sophomores Norah VanZee, Eliana Marthaler, Haillie Schulz and Claira Frey; and ninth-grader Berlynn Green, and members of the C-squad team are ninth-graders Sydney Ankeny, Mileigh Lundebrek, Michaela Johnson, Miranda Grossman, Molly Cassidy, Hannah Hoeper and Allison Curry; and eighth-graders Cate Frey, Nori Song, Aubrey Polzin, Allie Mrnak, Maia Larson, Isabelle Wallin and Adeline Oeltjen.

at Waska 70, LQP 21

LQP (0-1) 14 7 — 21

Minnewaska (1-0) 37 33 — 70

WASKA stats:  Team stats unavailable . . . Scoring:  Addy Kath 12, Alia Randt 12, Megan Thorfinnson 12, Lauryn Ankeny 9, Olivia Danielson 7, Sydney Dahl 6, Jayda Kolstoe 5, Aubrey Stark 3, Lauren Stryhn 2, Norah VanZee 2 . . . Rebounding:  Kath 8. . . Assists:  Kath 3 . . . Steals:  Ankeny 5 . . . Blocks:  Kath 2

LQP stats:  6-25 FG (0-2 3pt); 9-23 FT . . . Scoring:  Caleigh Conn 5, Maya Sawatzky 5, Jalyn Lee 5 . . . Other stats not available

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