SPORTS
SECTION C • DECEMBER 2, 2010
PREVIEW
Wrestlers hoping to return to state tournament
The Huskies return County Central wrestling
team has its sight set on re-
Moore and sophomore
Darick Vancura – the four
four state qualifiers, peating as state champs. state qualifiers.
The Huskies will use 15 Steuber is penciled in at
including two who returning letter winners, 135 pounds and is ranked
were champions including four who qualified No. 1 in Class A. Steuber
for state and two who were will be looking for his third
by DAN CONDON individual state champions, individual state title this
to try to bring home another winter after winning his
Sports Editor state title. second last season.
Leading the way for the Moore is also a defending
After making a thrilling Huskies will be seniors state champion, having won
run to the state champion- Bronson Steuber and Jor- for the first time last sea-
ship last season, the Jackson dan Phibbs, junior Cooper son. He enters the season
Returning letter winners for the Jackson County Central wrestling team are (front, from left): Dylan Riggle, Kyle Edlin, Jordan Biehn, Darick ton will be at 160 pounds,
Vancura, Paden Moore, Bronson Steuber and Cameron Henning. Back: Garrett Ramstad, Taylor Freeman, Brandon Pygman, Pat Hanson, Cooper with Tanner Menke, Han-
Moore and Tanner Menke. Missing: Jordan Phibbs and Alex Tewes.
The One Place Gymnasts aiming for ninth straight SWC title
Huskies hope
that Supports to top MCA in
Local Athletes! sections and
advance to state
We understand the vital role
by DAN CONDON
sports play in developing young Sports Editor
minds and bodies.
The Jackson County Cen-
That’s why you’ll see Bank Midwest tral gymnastics team has a
streak it would like to keep
fans and sponsorships supporting intact this season. The Hus-
local teams. kies have won the South-
west Conference title each
of the last eight seasons.
Because when it comes to But there is another
supporting athletics, we’re on streak the Huskies would
love to have come to an end.
your team. The Huskies have finished
second to Martin County
Area (Martin County West
and Fairmont) at the section
507.847.3010 tournament in eight of the
Jackson last nine seasons. The Hus-
BankMidwest.com kies last qualified for state
in 2000, something head
Member FDIC coach Tammy Handevidt
would like to change.
“Our goals are to make
True Team, win the South-
west Conference and take
our team to the state meet,”
she said.
To do that, the Huskies
will have to find a way to
get past the Magic at the
section meet.
The two teams will see
each other early in the sea-
son when they square off in
Welcome on Dec. 21. Both
teams will be at a tourna-
Main Street • Lakefield, MN ment in Welcome on Jan.
507-662-6777 15 and at the Sweetheart
Invitational in Jackson on
Jan. 22.
The conference season
SPORTS
P.O. Box 208, 310 Second Street W it h
Dan Condon
Jackson, MN
(507) 847-3771
Fax (507) 847-5822 To Contact Dan, Call 507-847-3771
www.jacksoncountypilot.com danc@livewireprinting.com
CHECK OUR NEW WEB SITES FOR THE LATEST JCC SPORTS NEWS AND SCORES AS THEY HAPPEN!
WRESTLING
Pages 1 and 6
NEEDtoSEE
QUICK FACTS Jan.
13: The Huskies host The Huskies won the state
2009-10 record: 22-4
09-10 SWC record: 6-0
Letter winners: 15
ranked No. 1 at 160 pounds
and is just five wins shy of
150 for his career.
Phibbs finished third at
state last season as a heavy-
Photo by Dan Condon Moore and Wyatt Livings-
opens against Marshall
on Jan. 4. Luverne comes
to town Jan. 20 and the
Huskies finish the regular
season with conference
meets against Redwood
Valley, Worthington and
Pipestone.
The section tournament
is Feb. 19 in Redwood Falls
and state is Feb. 25 and 26
in Minneapolis.
The Huskies open the
season next Tuesday at
home against New Ulm.
Then comes a tournament
in Winnebago on Dec. 11
and meets against St. James
and Blue Earth Area before
the big meet against Martin
County Area.
The Huskies will rely on
their ability to score well on
the vault and floor exercise,
as Handevidt said those two
events are the Huskies’ best.
The weakest, she said, is the
uneven parallel bars.
“Bars is always the hard-
est event and the weakest
for our team,” she said. “We
have seen some new skills
so we are hoping for this
event to be a little stronger
this season.”
Handevidt said the Hus-
kies have added some new
moves on other events as
well.
“The girls have been
working very hard over the
NEEDtoSEE
QUICK FACTS Dec.
21: The short drive to The Huskies have won the
2009-10 record: 10-0
09-10 SWC record: 6-0
Letter winners: 5
or E-mail:
GYMNASTICS CHEERLEADING BASKETBALL HOCKEY
Pages 1 and 6 Page 5 Boys: Pages 2 & 6 Boys: Pages 3 & 6
Girls: Pages 2 & 6 Girls: Page 3
Boys: Pages 4 & 5
Girls: Pages 4 & 5
NEEDtoKNOW JCC wrestling schedule
Head coach: Randy Baker
Worthington and Marshall title last year, the third time
in a triangular on the third the team has done so in JCC 12-4 at Blue Earth Tournament
annual Hall of Fame Night. history. JCC also had two in- 12-10 at Pipestone
dividual state champs. 12-11 JCC Tournament
12-17 at Christmas Tournament
season ranked third at 145
weight and begins the sea- 12-18 at Christmas Tournament
pounds.
son ranked No. 2 at 215 12-29 at Rumble on the Red
pounds. Head coach Randy Baker 12-30 at Rumble on the Red
has plenty of options to fill
Vancura also finished 1-4 at Luverne
out the rest of the lineup,
third at state and enters the 1-4 at Redwood Valley (in Luverne)
as nearly 50 wrestlers from 1-6 vs. Adrian
grades seven through 12. 1-6 vs. Red Rock Central/Wabasso
Dakota Rossow, Cam-
eron Henning and Randy 1-8 at Sioux City, Iowa Tournament
Altman will be competing at 1-11 at Blue Earth Area
103 pounds, with Kyle Edlin 1-13 vs. Worthington
and Jordan Biehn wrestling 1-13 vs. Marshall
at 112. 1-22 at Hutchinson Tournament
Elliot Jurries, one of two 1-28 vs. Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Mem.
new kids on the team, will 1-29 at Kasson Tournament
wrestle at 119, with Kyle
Kapplinger expected to 2-1 vs. Windom
compete for mat time. 2-3 at Red Rock Central
Dylan Riggle, Keegan 2-5 at Janesville Tournament
Moore and Dallas Lucht 2-10 at Waseca
will wrestle at 125 pounds, 2-10 at Waterville-EM (in Waseca)
with Lucht and Paden 2-10 at LeSueur-Henderson (in Waseca)
Moore at 130. 2-19 Team Sections (Mapleton)
Steuber will wrestle at
2-25 Individual Sections (Blue Earth)
135, with Luke Nordlin, an-
other newcomer, penciled 2-26 Individual Sections (Blue Earth)
in at 140 pounds. 3-2 — 3-5 State Tournament
From there, Baker expects
a lot of shifting around, as Stop in after the match!
was the case last season.
Vancura, Taylor Freeman
and Travis Beeck will wres-
tle at 145, with Freeman,
Pat Hanson, Jon Marker
and William Baker at 152.
Hanson, Baker, Cooper
507 2nd Street, Jackson, MN
See WR on C6 847-9901
Photo by Dan Condon
“Hanging around” for another year as Jackson County Central gymnasts are returning letter winners Brandi Sether-
Hassing (from left), Adrianne Rentschler, Sydnee Donnelli, Morgan Halverson and Courtney Donnelli.
summer and you will defi- have plenty of talent in each
nitely see some new skills in event. JCC gymnastics schedule
our first meet against New Returning letter winners Head coach: Tammy Handevidt
Ulm,” she said. are senior Courtney Don-
Handevidt hasn’t an- nelli, junior Morgan Hal- 12-7 vs. New Ulm
nounced who will be com- verson and sophomores 12-11 at Blue Earth Tournament
peting in what events yet, 12-14 at St. James
but the Huskies should See GYM on C6 12-16 vs. Blue Earth Area
12-21 at Martin County Area
NEEDtoKNOW 1-4
1-15
vs. Marshall
at Martin County Area Tournament
1-20 vs. Luverne
Welcome will be worth it to Southwest Conference title 1-22 Sweetheart Invitational
see the Huskies and Martin eight straight seasons and 1-25 at Windom
County Area Magic square are 131-9 overall in duals in 1-29 State True Team (Fairmont)
off in an early season dual. JCC history. 2-3 at Redwood Valley
2-8 at Worthington
2-11 vs. Pipestone
2-19 Section Tournament (Redwood Falls)
2-25 & 2-26 State Tournament
P.O. Box 249, 403 Main Street
SWOBODA
Lakefield, MN
CHIROPRACTIC
(507) 662-5555
Fax (507) 847-6770
www.lakefieldstandard.com
221 N. 3rd Ave., Lakefield, MN
507-662-5176
C2 Sports Preview Thursday, December 2, 2010

High hopes for boys’ hoops

Huskies are coming
off 12-win season,
return three of their
top four scorers
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
After posting the most
wins in seven seasons last
winter, the Jackson County
Central boys’ basketball
team has confidence head-
ing into a new season.
The Huskies won 12
games last season, includ-
ing one in the playoffs,
and return their top two,
and three of their top four,
scorers.
“We have the opportunity
to be pretty good,” head
coach Trent Sukalski said.
“I think we’ll be competi-
tive in our conference and
in our section.”
The section was won by
Windom last season, a team
Jackson
Building Center
NEEDtoSEE
QUICK FACTS Feb.
8: Records can be The Huskies return three of
2009-10 record: 12-14
09-10 SWC record: 3-9
Letter winners: 7
the Huskies played tough
three times before losing all
three games.
“The goal is to win the
section and I think we are
capable of that,” Sukalski
said. “Last year in the sec-
tion tournament we were
tied with Windom at the
half and they won the sec-
tion so I don’t see any rea-
son that that shouldn’t be
our goal.”
The Huskies return se-
niors Ty Schwarting, Bryce
Christopher and Nolan
Luhmann – three guys Su-
kalski is counting on to lead
the team.
“They’ll be the key for
us,” he said. “They’ve got a
lot of experience. They like
NEEDtoKNOW
thrown out the window
when the Husk ies and
Windom Eagles face, as they
will Feb. 8 in Jackson.
basketball and they know
the game well.”
Schwarting led the team
with 17.9 points per game
last season, with Christo-
pher scoring 9.6 a night.
Luhmann scored 9.2 points
per game.
Juniors Cody Gettler,
Logan Hall, Phil Busche-
na, Ben Kocak and Dustin
Pronk and sophomores
Zach Copley and Taylor
Christopher fill out the
Huskies’ roster.
Copley and Buschena
will play in the paint, with
the others playing on the
perimeter.
Sukalski said the team’s
athleticism is a definite
strength, but the squad
lacks depth.
“We’ll look to push the
ball offensively,” he said.
“But we’re not real deep so
we won’t be able to do a lot
of pressing.”
The team’s offense isn’t
their top four scorers, led
by Ty Schwarting, who aver-
aged 17.9 points per game
as a junior.
can be pretty good,” Sukal-
ski said. “We’ve got a bunch
of guys that can put the ball
in the basket.”
It’s the other end of the
court that has Sukalski a
bit worried as the first game
nears.
“Defensively, that’s going
to be the key for us,” Su-
kalski said. “We need to be
able to defend consistently.
We need to make it tough
for other people to score.”
If that happens, Sukalski
likes his odds.
“If we can play good,
solid half-court defense on
a consistent basis, we can be
pretty good,” he said.
The Huskies will find out
how they stack up Saturday
night when they host Spirit
Lake, Iowa, to open the
season. Five more games
follow in December before Photos by Dan Condon
Returning letter winners for the Jackson County Central boys’ basketball team are (front, from left): Ben Kocak,
the Huskies will play in a
holiday tournament in Blue
Earth on Dec. 28 and 29.
Phil Buschena and Zach Copley. Back: Nolan Luhmann, Bryce Christopher, Cody Gettler and Ty Schwarting.

• Free Delivery much of a concern, as the The Huskies open Janu- ference game against Pipe- in the conference and the JCC boys’ basketball schedule
three seniors have proven ary at Windom on Jan. 4 stone on Jan. 7. There are Huskies will play all three Head coach: Trent Sukalski
• Free Estimates they can score. and follow that up with seven other games in the in a span of 22 days, start-
“Offensively, I think we another Southwest Con- month, including a game at ing with the Jan. 25 meeting 12-4 vs. Spirit Lake, Iowa
• Drafting Services Marshall Jan. 25. with the Tigers. The Hus-
kies host Windom Feb. 8 12-6 at Granada-Huntley-East Chain
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171 Industrial Parkway, Jackson are the top three teams 12-16 at Redwood Valley
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Girls bring speed, experience to the hardwood

Consumer Huskies return ranked ninth in the pre- played together since sev- supposed to be. The Hus- than 5’11”, with 5’9” Whit- The versatile junior can

Loans
season polls, winning the enth grade,” Schuller said, kies will apply pressure as ney Burmeister expected to also excel on the perimeter,
nine letter winners Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Tip- pointing out he has coached often as they can, partly control the paint — when making her one of a hand-
Off Classic by a combined them in all but one of those because they do it very she is playing post. See GBB on B6
from 21-5 team score of 128-50 over Sleepy seasons. “They’re really well and partly because it
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Eye and SESM. comfortable; they play to- helps make up for a lack
• Boats • Trailers • Motor Homes by DAN CONDON
• Snowmobiles • Garden Tractors • Plus More!
The key to the Huskies’ gether extremely well as a of height. JCC girls’ basketball schedule
Sports Editor success is the fact the team team.” “We’ll try to play as fast as Head coach: Tom Schuller
• Campers • ATVs
has played a lot of basket- That comfort is evident we can to make up for a lack
Jackson’s Only Locally It should come as no sur- ball together, head coach in the Huskies’ full-court of height,” Schuller said. 11-26 W 61-26 over Sleepy Eye
Owned and Operated prise that there’s a sense of Tom Schuller said. pressure, when each player The Huskies don’t have a 11-27 W 66-24 over Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s
Financial Institution optimism surrounding the “This group of girls has knows exactly where she is player on their roster taller
414 Second Street
11-30 at St. James
Jackson County Central
SAVINGS & LOAN Jackson, MN 56143 12-4 vs. Spirit Lake, Iowa
ASSOCIATION
(507) 847-4714
girls’ basketball team. The
Huskies are coming off a NEEDtoSEE
QUICK FACTS Jan. NEEDtoKNOW 12-10 at Luverne
“A Community Service Since 1892” 21-win season and return 7: The Huskies host The Huskies return their top 12-14 vs. Worthington
their top four scorers and 2009-10 record: 21-5 Pipestone, a team that four scorers, two of whom 12-17 vs. Redwood Valley
six of their top nine scor- handedJCC three of its five averaged at least 10 points 12-21 at Marshall
ers. 09-10 SWC record: 9-3

Bannister losses last year, including last year — Whitney Bur- 12-28 at Mankato Loyola Tournament
The Huskies have al- Letter winners: 9 12-29 at Mankato Loyola Tournament
ready shown why they were one in the section playoffs . meister and Kaylee Benson.
12-30 at Mankato Loyola Tournament
1-4 at Windom

Repair 1-7
1-10
1-11
vs. Pipestone
at Estherville Lincoln Central
vs. Blue Earth Area
1-17 at Fairmont
205 Main Street 1-18
1-21
at Redwood Valley
vs. Luverne
Lakefield, Minnesota 1-25 vs. Marshall
2-3 at Martin County West
2-4 vs. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton
507-662-6451 2-8 vs. Windom
2-11 at Pipestone
2-12 at St. Peter
2-17 at Worthington
2-26, 3-1, 3-4, 3-11 Section Tournament
3-16 — 3-19 State Tournament

Jackson • 507-847-2200
Lakefield • 662-5442 Photo by Dan Condon
Lakefield • 507-662-6611
Returning letter winners for the Jackson County Central girls’ basketball team are (front, from left): Marita Rasche,
Michelle VanEpps, Brittney Kruse, Kaylee Benson, Tracey Steffen and Whitney Burmeister. Back: Angela Handzus, sanfordhealth.org
Leslie Handzus and Courtney Kruse.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Eagles hope
to rebound
Boys went 8-14-1
last season, hope
young team can do
better this winter
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
For the Windom boys’
hockey team, the 2010-11
season could be a lot like
the one last season. The
Eagles are looking to fill
some big holes after gradu-
ating eight players who saw
quite a bit of ice time last
winter.
That list includes the
team’s top two scorers in
Hunter Johnson and Nick
Eisenmenger and the tam’s
goalie Ethan Villeneuve.
But the Eagles return ju-
niors Adam Eisenmenger
and Mitchell Baumhoefner
and senior Justin Cook, all
of whom were in the top six
in scoring last season.
Eisenmenger scored 15
goals and had 11 assists as
a forward.
Baumhoefner tallied 10
goals and 10 assists from his
forward position last year.
Cook, also a forward,
scored five goals and had
seven assists a year ago.
Those three lead a group
of Eagles that have very
little varsity experience.
“We had a senior team
last year and now we’re
awful young,” head coach
Steve Clark said. “Thank
goodness we had a JV team
last year and a lot of the kids
got to play a lot last year.”
Other seniors on the team
are forward Kyle Tasler, de-
fenseman Brennan Beaty
and goalie Cale Pell.
Pell will be battling soph-
omores Ben Stubbe and
Tyler McGowan for the job
between the pipes.
Other forwards for the
Eagles are juniors Brett
Larson and Joseph Voth Justin Cook looks for the puck while playing for the Windom boys’ hockey team last
and sophomores Stuart winter. Cook had five goals and seven assists last season.
Schumacher, Aric Fullerton
and Travis Janssen.
Defensemen for the Ea-
gles are juniors Christian
Schuck and Carsen Nyborg
and sophomores Kyle Luh- 2009-10 record: 8-14-1
mann and Tyler Presthus.
Injuries have slowed the
team in practice so far, JCC players: 9
Despite slow start, Eagles hope for success in the rink
Full team should
be on the ice
when Eagles play
Worthington next
Thursday
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
The Windom Area girls’ the Eagles’ 104 points last
hockey team has lost its first season.
Windom girls’ hockey schedule
Head coach: Shawn Veenker
11-16 L1-10 to LeSueur-Henderson/St. Peter
11-18
11-20
11-30
12-2
12-4
12-9
12-11
12-16
12-23
12-28
12-29
12-30
1-3
1-6
1-8
1-13
1-15
1-18
1-20
1-27 vs. LeSueur-Henderson/St. Peter
2-3
2-7
2-11, 1-15, 2-18
2-23 — 2-26
Jackson • 507-847-2200
Lakefield • 507-662-6611
sanfordhealth.org
leading Clark to say he isn’t
sure who will play on what
line yet.
“That is going to change a
lot this year,” he said.
A lot of those players
spent time on JV last season
and will be filling big roles
this winter, with Clark hop-
ing the team improves as
the season goes along.
The Eagles had a scrim-
mage last weekend, which
helped the team get ac-
quainted with the varsity
game.
“The kids got their eyes
opened as to how fast things
happen at the varsity level,
even as opposed to at the
JV level,” Clark said.
Some of the things Clark
said need improvement
are puck handling, playing
at a faster speed and ice
awareness.
Jackson County Central students playing for the Windom boys’ hockey team are (front, from left): Zach Ignaszewski,
Brett Larson, Aric Fullerton and Mitchel Macek. Back: Cale Pell, Kyle Luhmann, Ben Stubbe and Justin Cook.
See BH on C6 Missing: Carsen Nyborg.
QUICK FACTS NEED SEE
Jan. 6: The Eagles and Justin Cook, who scored five
Redwood Valley always play goals and assisted seven oth-
close games, as should be ers, and Cale Pell are the lone
09-10 SWC record: 6-6
the case when the Cardinals JCC seniors playing for the
come to Windom.
three games of the new sea-
son but head coach Shawn
Veenker sees brighter days
ahead.
The biggest reason is the
Eagles were without sopho-
more Brandy Kerkaert and
junior Kylie Willard for all
three games and senior
Shelby Veenker for the last
of those three games. Those
three combined for 73 of
L 0-13 to Luverne
L 0-11 to New Ulm
at Redwood Valley
vs. Marshall
at Mankato East
vs. Worthington
vs. Morris/Benson
at Luverne
at Fairmont
at Waseca Tournament
at Waseca Tournament
at Waseca Tournament
at Worthington
vs. Redwood Valley
vs. Austin
vs. Waseca
at Morris/Benson
at Marshall
vs. Fairmont
at New Ulm
at Waseca
Section Tournament
State Tournament
Sports Preview
to
Eagles this season.
But Coach Veenker ex-
pects all three on the ice
next Thursday when the
Eagles host conference foe
Worthington.
“Hopefully we can get
our whole team together
and see what they can do
together,” he said.
Another reason for the
slow start is the Eagles are
trying to replace goalten-
der Brooklyn Drahota, one
of the best players in the
team’s history.
“Losing a player like
Brooklyn is going to be a
big obstacle for us,” Coach
Veenker said.
Sophomore Astaria Blan-
shan started in goal the first
two games before junior
Amber Svoboda took over
for the third game.
“Amber will make a lot
of progress because she’s a
very hard worker,” Coach
Veenker said. “As a team,
we’ll make a lot of prog-
ress if we can keep her in
the net.”
Kerkaert, Willard and
junior Josie Higley make
up a front line that Coach
Veenker said should be
pretty tough.
“We made such progress
last year with our top line
so that’ll be one advantage
that we have,” he said. “We
got them to make prog-
ress and they are a good
offensive threat for us.”
Higley scored 19 goals and
had four assists last season.
Kerkaert tallied 13 goals
and four assists and Wil-
lard had two goals and six
assists.
Other forwards for the
Eagles are juniors Kristin
Koch and Aurelia Marti-
nez, sophomores Brianna
Grandprey and Blanshan,
freshman Arica Svobo-
da, eighth-graders Naomi
Thatcher and Elizabeth
Schoenenberger and sev-
enth-graders Kaylee Rosen-
kranz and Gabby Tiili.
Veenker and junior Mer-
NEED KNOW
to
Jackson County Central students playing for the Windom girls’ hockey team are Arica
Svoboda (left) and Amber Svoboda. Missing: Gabby Tiili.
edith Hentges lead the de-
fense for the Eagles
“Another advantage is we
have an outstanding defense
with Shelby and Meredith,”
Coach Veenker said.
Shelby Veenker led the
Eagles with 31 goals and
17 assists last season, ac-
counting for nearly half of
the Eagles’ points. Hentges
had four assists.
Other defensive players
are freshman Katherine
Schoenenberger and sev-
enth-grader Alexis Jellema-
Baerg.
NEEDtoSEE
QUICK FACTS Jan.
20: The Eagles host The Eagles have just three
2009-10 record: 6-17-1
09-10 SWC record: 5-4
JCC players: 3
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2-1 at Luverne
2-3 at Waseca
2-10 at Fairmont
2-22, 2-24, 2-26, 3-4 Section Tournament
3-9 — 3-12 State Tournament
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Photo by Dan Condon
The Eagles were sched- before the Eagles head into
uled to face Redwood Val- the playoffs.
ley Tuesday night and are Coach Veenker hopes
set to host Marshall tonight those playoffs begin at
Estherville • Emmetsburg
(Thursday). After playing home.
at Mankato East Saturday “Our goal is to try to win Algona • Spencer • Spirit Lake
and hosting Worthington as many games as we can,
next Thursday, the Eagles try to get home ice in the
will face the team Coach
Veenker expects to win
the Southwest Conference
playoffs, win that game and
see how far we can move
on,” he said.
1956–2011
Caring for our community’s loved ones for 55 years.
— Morris/Benson. Windom Veenker is assisted at the
and the Storm face off Dec. varsity level by Dean Dra-
11 in Windom. The two hota, Steve Willard and his
teams meet again Jan. 15, dad, Dick Veenker.
with five more games to
follow in the regular season
NEEDtoKNOW www.good-sam.com
GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER
Fairmont, a team the Eagles Jackson County Central play- 601 West Street, Jackson, MN • 507-847-3100
didn’t care too much for even ers on the team this year:
THE PINES
before they beat Windom in Amber Svoboda, Arica Svo-
1508 North Highway, Jackson, MN • 507-847-5762
the playoffs last winter. boda and Gabby Tiili.
C4
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Sports Preview
Quasar boys
hope to build
305 2nd Street
P.O. Box 211
on seven wins
Leading scorer
(507) 847-3891
Jameson Collin
returns for SSC
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
The Southwest Star Con-
cept boys’ basketball team
is hoping it can use its ex-
perience to improve on
last year’s seven-win sea-
son. The Quasars bring
back their leading scorer
in Jameson Collin and will
have at least three others
in the starting lineup with
varsity experience.
“We’re going to be young
Member again but we have some
FDIC guys who got some experi-
ence last year,” head coach
Tim Owen said.
Collin, a 6’5” junior for-
ward, averaged 16.5 points
and 12.7 rebounds per game
last season — his first at the
varsity level.
“He was a bit of an un-
known last year,” Owen
said. “He had a big year
as a sophomore. This year,
everybody will put their best
defender on him and he’ll
have to make those adjust-
ments.”
The Quasars also return
senior guard/forward Sean
Haberman, who started
most of SSC’s games last
season. Haberman, who
Owen said is the team’s de-
fensive stopper, averaged
three points and 2.3 boards
per game last season.
Senior guard Alex Meyer
also started a majority of
SSC’s games but will play
switch positions and play
point guard for SSC this
year.
“Alex is new to the posi-
tion,” Owen said. “But he’s
willing to work hard. He
worked on playing point
all summer in a summer
league. Hopefully he will be
rewarded for his efforts.”
Meyer averaged 2.7 points
and 4.2 boards a game.
Austin Liepold, a 6’2”
junior center, started the
Quasars’ final four games
of the season last year and
SSC girls’ basketball schedule
Head coach: Keith Place
11-29
12-3
12-9 vs. Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin
Heron Lake 12-14
507-793-2285 12-17 vs. SW Minnesota Christian
12-20
12-21
1-3
1-4
1-6 at Westbrook/Walnut Grove
1-10
1-11
1-14
1-15
1-17
1-20
1-22
1-25 at Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin
1-28
2-3
2-8
2-11
2-17
2-21
2-24 & 26; 3-1, 4 & 11
vs. Westbrook/Walnut Grove
3-16 — 3-19
Cutting Image
Hairstylists
303 Main Street
Lakefield • 662-6291
Lakefield, MN • 507-662-6464
Heron Lake, MN • 507-793-2255
averaged 1.8 points and 4.3
rebounds a game.
Owen is unsure of his fifth
starter, but said the Quasars
can go with a big lineup if
necessary.
With Collin, Liepold,
exchange student Fred Pel-
legrini (6’6”) and soph-
omore forward Andrew
Kramer (6’1”), the Quasars
have plenty of height.
“We could go big if
we have to,” Owen said.
“Hopefully there will be
some nights where that will
cause some problems for
the opponent.”
The Quasars also have
junior guard Jacob Olson;
sophomore guards Erik
Jass, Justin Jass and Mat-
thew Soto; and sophomore
center Mark Ferguson on
the roster.
The Quasars are sched-
uled to open the season
next Tuesday by hosting
Westbrook/Walnut Grove.
SSC has two more games
before wrapping up De-
cember with a tournament
in Westbrook.
“The schedule works out
a little in our advantage
early on because we play
Westbrook, which is a little
down this year,” Owen said.
“Hopefully we can have a
little success early.”
January starts with a
game at Hills-Beaver Creek
on Jan. 7. SSC has eight
other games during the
month, including one Jan.
31 against Ellsworth — a
team Owen said is the Red
Rock Conference favorite
until somebody beats it.
Owen also likes Hills-
Beaver Creek’s chances at
the conference title, saying
it is “the team to beat.”
The Quasars play HBC
for the second time on Feb.
22 as part of their 10 games Jameson Collin puts up a shot for Southest Star Concept.
See SSC BBB onB5 season for the Quasars.
NEEDtoSEE
QUICK FACTS Jan.
31: Ellsworth, a team Jameson Collin averaged a
2009-10 record: 7-17
09-10 RRC record: 4-13
Letter winners: 5
vs. Luverne
at Hills-Beaver Creek
at Red Rock Central
at Comfrey Tournament
at Comfrey Tournament
vs. Martin Luther
at Ellsworth
at Harris-Lake Park
vs. Murray County Central
vs. Adrian
at Canby (at SMSU)
vs. Blue Earth Area
vs. Round Lake-Brewster
at Edgerton
at Fulda
vs. Hills-Beaver Creek
vs. Red Rock Central
at Round Lake-Brewster
vs. Ellsworth
Section Tournament
State Tournament
Returning letter winners for the Southwest Star Concept boys’ basketball team are Alex Meyer (from left), Sean
Haberman, Austin Liepold and Jacob Olson. Missing: Jameson Collin.
Collin averaged 16.5 points per game as a sophomore last
NEEDtoKNOW
that has went to state five
straight years, comes to
Okabena to take on the
Quasars.
Returning letter winners for the Southwest Star Concept girls’ basketball team are (front, from left): Arianna
Hesemann, Maddie Rasche, Regina Steffen and Alyssa Hendrickson. Back: Courtney Place, Katey Granstra, Devyn
Stenzel and Jennifer Schmidt.
New coach, same star for SSC
Place will rely on
veteran Granstra to
lead Quasar girls
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
For the first time in 35
years, a Heron Lake-Ok
abena girls’ basketball team
won’t be led by Les Knut-
son. Knutson, who now is an
assistant for the Southwest
Star Concept boys’ team,
racked up 519 wins and
took his teams to three state
tournaments in his tenure
as head coach.
Instead, it will be Keith
Place making his head
coaching debut for a Quasar
team that hopes to improve
on its nine-win season last
winter.
But Place is no stranger
to coaching.
“I’ve been an on-and-off
volunteer and assistant for
many years at Heron Lake-
Okabena,” he said, adding
he also assisted with the
Worthington varsity for
one year.
While the coach is new,
one main thing is the same
12-7
12-10
12-16
12-17
12-18
1-7
1-10
1-13
1-15
1-18
1-21
1-27
1-29
1-31
2-1
2-4
2-7
2-10
2-14
2-15
2-18
2-22
2-25
2-28
3-3, 5, 10, 12, 17
3-23 — 3-26
double-double as a sopho-
more last season, averag-
ing 16.5 points and 12.7
rebounds per game.
NEEDtoSEE
QUICK FACTS Feb.
3: The Quasars host Five of the top eight scor-
2009-10 record: 9-16
09-10 RRC record: 6-11
Letter winners: 8
for the Quasars: senior
center Katey Granstra re-
turns.
The lone member left
from SSC’s 2007-08 team
that finished fourth at state,
Granstra is expected to
provide scoring, defense
and leadership for the Qua-
sars.
“We’re going to look for
her for a lot of leadership,”
Place said. “She’s going to
have to provide direction
to the young kids.”
Granstra averaged 9.9
points and a team-high 9.2 re-
bounds per game last season.
“She’s our main cog,” Place
said. “She’s our anchor on
both ends of the court.”
Other seniors on the team
are forward Devyn Stenzel
and guard Regina Steffen.
Stenzel averaged 1.3
points and 1.4 rebounds
per game last winter.
Steffen, who Place says
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Photos by Dan Condon
SSC boys’ basketball schedule
Head coach: Tim Owen
vs. Westbrook/Walnut Grove
at Edgerton
at Murray County Central
at Westbrook Tournament
at Westbrook Tournament
at Hills-Beaver Creek
at Harris-Lake Park
vs. Round Lake-Brewster
at Canby (at SMSU)
vs. Red Rock Central
vs. SW Minnesota Christian
at Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin
at Fulda
vs. Ellsworth
vs. Martin Luther
vs. Adrian
vs. Mt. Lake Christian
at Westbrook/Walnut Grove
at Luverne
vs. Mt. Lake-Butterfield-Odin
at Ellsworth
vs. Hills-Beaver Creek
at Red Rock Central
at Round Lake-Brewster
Section Tournament
State Tournament
Lakeview
Assisted
Living
Heron Lake, MN
507-793-2349
Photo by Dan Condon
NEEDtoKNOW
Hills-Beaver Creek, a team ers return for SSC, including
SSC beat twice last season, senior post Katey Granstra,
including a 58-56 win early who averaged 9.9 points and
in the season. 9.2 rebounds per game.
has “quickness and defen- DeWall is on the team again
sive capabilities,” will do after not playing last year.
some of the ball handling “She’s a very athletic
for the Quasars. player,” Place said. “She’s
Jennifer Schmidt leads a lot better offensively that
a strong junior class. The I expected at this time of
forward averaged 7.9 points
and 7.3 rebounds per game
year.”
Sophomore post Alyssa
last year. Hendrickson will also see
“She’s an excellent scor- plenty of playing time for
er and rebounder,” Place SSC.
said. “She’ has improved great-
Guard Maddie Rasche ly in the last two years,”
will “handle the ball and get Place said. “She’s going to
the ball into the offense,” contribute and get better
Place said. Rasche scored and better as we go on.”
2.0 points and grabbed 1.3 Eighth-grade forward
rebound a game last win- Courtney Place returns af-
ter. ter averaging 1.2 points per
Arianna Hesemann “can game last season.
score inside and out,” Place “She’s a good all-around
said. “She’s a very good player,” Coach Place said.
shooter from the outside.” “She can handle the ball,
The junior will play for- she’s a good shooter and
ward, but Place said she she can play defense. She
might also play some guard knows the game quite well
for SSC.
Junior forward Connor See SSC GBB onB5
Thursday, December 2, 2010
State championship on
the cheerleaders’ minds
Competition team
was third at state
meet last season
by DAN CONDON
Sports Editor
The Jackson County Cen-
tral competition cheer team
has its eye on another state
title after accomplishing
the feat in the 2008-09 sea-
son and narrowly missing a
championship last season.
The JCC wrestling cheer-
leaders also have hopes of
cheering for another state
title, as the group was there
for every match of the Hus-
kies state championship
season last winter.
The Huskies also bring
back a basketball cheer
team this year after not hav-
ing one last season.
JCC competition cheer schedule
Head coach: Barb Tvinnereim
1-15
1-22 Spirit of America (at Mall of America)
1-29
2-24 — 2-26
Snick’s Signs/
Southwest Awards
906 Highway 71 N.
Jackson, Minnesota 56143
507-847-5244
Members of the Jackson County Central basketball cheerleading squad are Jenna Cheering for the Jackson County Central wrestlers will be (front, from left) Kate
Petersen (from left), Jennie Vrchota, Shawna Grupe, Sabrina McConnell and Kortney Anderson and Lauren Vacek. Back: Alyssa Paulson, Lexi Schneekloth, Lacey
Porter.
SSC GBB: Place takes over as head coach, Granstra returns in the middle
Continued from C4
for her age.”
Coach Place said it might
take a little time for the
team to come together, but
hopes they start to click
around the time 2011 rolls
around.
“I’m not saying we can’t
win games now, but we’ve
got a lot of territory to cover
as far as offense, defense
and the transition game,”
he said. “These kids have
never played together and
we’ve had just nine prac-
tices so far. It’s going to take
a little time for them to get
everything together.”
Some of the things Place
has noticed so far are
chalked up to inexperi-
ence, such as making long
passes and running in the
proper lanes.
“It’s just going to take
time on the court,” he said.
“We have some good play-
ers; we just have to be able
to get them all on the same
page. We have to hope that
every game we can get bet-
ter and every possession we
get better.”
emphasize defensive inten-
Place said there are two
keys that could help the sity and rebounding because allow them to have an ad-
Quasars be successful. those things can overcome a vantage when it comes to
“We’re going to reallylot of ills,” he said.
Guard Maddie Rasche looks for an open teammate last ence powerhouses Adrian
season.
Sports Preview
Comp team aiming tion at the Mall of America
for state title is a week later, with the
The competition team state meet Jan. 29. The UPA
finished third at state last Nationals will take place
season and was second in Feb. 24-26.
its division at the national Head coach Barb Tvin-
competition. JCC was also nereim said the team has
second at a meet in Edina. four goals it is shooting for
Last year’s team had eight this season.
seniors, but the Huskies still “We are going to improve
return plenty of experi- our stunts,” she said, adding
enced cheerleaders. other goals as “win state,
Seniors Taylor Egeland, make it to the grand cham-
Courtney Reardon, Kate pion round at nationals and
Anderson, Sarah Voehl and represent our school well.”
Lauren Vacek all return The team will rely on
from last year’s squad, as work ethic and experience
do juniors Emma Smith, to do well this season.
Karlee Wegner and Alyssa “They work hard to im-
Paulson. New to the team prove stunts and tumbling,”
are seniors Natalie Reardon Tvinnereim said, “and they
and juniors Lacey Schneek- all have a drive to be the
loth and Lexi Schneekloth. best they can.”
The team opens the sea- The success of the last
son Jan. 15, 2011, with a few seasons also helps the
competition in Edina. The team and its drive to suc-
Spirit of America Competi- ceed.
“Having seen the suc-
cess of past teams, they
understand what is needed
to win,” Tvinnereim said.
“Several girls are returning
Edina and can teach the ropes to
those who are new to comp
State Tournament cheer.”
UPA Nationals Wrestling cheer
squad returns two
Two cheerleaders return
to the side of the mat to
cheer on the JCC wrestling
team.
Vacek and Anderson
both cheered for the wres-
tlers last season. They are
joined by Wegner, Paulson,
Lexi Schneekloth and Lacey
Schneekloth.
Ellen VonOhlen is assist-
ing the competition cheer
Schneekloth and Karlee Wegner.
Keith Place served as an assistant for the Southwest Star Concept girls’ basketball
team last season and is now the team’s head coach.
The Quasars’ height will
rebounding.
“We will start three, and
probably four, six-footers
every game,” Coach Place
said, adding those tall girls
are also pretty fast. “They
are very athletic, very long
and they can run.”
The Quasars were sched-
uled to open the season
earlier this week against
Luverne and have four
more games on the sched-
ule before a tournament in
Comfrey on Dec. 20 and 21.
SSC has 12 games in Janu-
ary, including showdowns
against Red Rock Confer-
(Jan. 14) and Fulda (Jan.
C5
LAKEFIELD
326 Main Street
(507) 662-5817 • 1-800-547-0496
JACKSON
908 Hwy. 71 N.
(Located in Sunshine Foods store)
(507) 847-3282 • 1-800-824-8428
Photos courtesy of Fitzloff Photography
Members of the Jackson County Central competition cheer team are (front, from
left): Lauren Vacek, Taylor Egeland, Courtney Henning and Tressa Dorman-Downing.
Middle: Kate Anderson, Sarah Voehl and Natalie Reardon. Back: Lexi Schneekloth,
Alyssa Paulson, Lacey Schneekloth, Emma Smith and Karlee Wegner.
team and the wrestling the Huskies will again have
cheer squad. cheerleaders on the hard-
Porter will be cheering for
both the boys’ and girls’ bas- Family Dentistry
wood. ketball teams this season. Pictured, from the left,
Basketball cheer Seniors Shawna Grupe Jordana Thompson is as- Jesse Anderson,
team returns and Jennie Vrchota, sopho- sisting the basketball cheer R.D.A.; Becki Goss;
After not having a cheer- more Sabrina McConnell, squad. Jaime Leiding, R.D.H.;
leading squad for the bas- freshman Jenna Petersen Dr. Debby Christopher
ketball team last season, and eighth-grader Kortney
Debby Christopher, D.D.S.
302 Second Street - Jackson
847-3317
JACKSON SPORTS, LLC
507-847-3977 • 888-299-8151
www.jacksonsports.com
Curt Handevidt and Phil Handevidt, Owners
Industrial Park • Jackson, MN
Flower
Market
516 South Highway, Jackson, MN
SSC BBB: Five letter winners back 507-847-3610
Continued from C4
1-800-757-3611
in February. not sure what we can do to
Owen said Southwest counteract that.”
Christian and Mt. Lake- The Quasars have two
Butterfield-Odin will also veteran coaches on the WE’RE PROUD TO SUPPORT
JCC Huskies!
vie for the conference bench this winter, as Owen
title. has longtime girls’ coach
“Hopefully we find our- Les Knutson as his var-
selves somewhere in the sity assistant and B squad
middle,” he said.
For the Quasars to get
to where they want to be,
coach.
“I’m excited to have Les
come over,” Owen said.
JACKSON FEED, LLC
Owen said they have to “He’s a hall-of-fame coach “We Try Harder”
work on their scoring. and has some knowledge.
“We have to improve He’s pretty excited about
our ability to put the ball the opportunity to come
in the basket consistent- over and help with the
ly,” he said. “We don’t boys.”
have many outside shoot- Blaise Jacobsen is coach- Industrial Road • Jackson, MN
ers in our program. We ing the SSC junior high (507) 847-2590 • 800-967-2032
can get the ball inside but team.
if they take that away I’m
Photos by Dan Condon
Jackson • 507-847-2200
Lakefield • 507-662-6611
28). Five more games fol-
low in February before the
playoffs begin. Photo by Dan Condon sanfordhealth.org
Coach Place said the con- Southwest Star Concept boys’ basketball coach Tim
ference should be pretty Owen shouts out instructions to his team last season.
wide open this year.
“The Red Rock Confer-
ence is much more balanced
this year than it has been
in a lot of years,” he said.
“There are a lot of good
Your
teams, but there are other
teams right there like Hills- Sports
Source
Beaver Creek and Murray
County Central. Those are
some teams that are on the
brink of breaking into that
elite group.” For
Place is assisted at the “Hot New Country” “Your One and Oldies”
varsity level by Erica Pas-
che, who also coaches the 1190 AM JCC! 105.7 FM
SSC B squad team.
For daily updates on area sports check out www.kkoj.com
C6
Sydnee Donnelli smiles as she prepares to compete in the
floor exercise last season.
GYM: Huskies aiming for state
Continued from C1
Sydnee Donnelli, Adri-
ane Rentschler and Brandi
Sether-Hassing.
Halverson, Sydnee Don-
nelli and Sether-Hassing all
qualified for state last year,
with Donnelli becoming the
first JCC gymnast to place
at state when she finished
sixth on the balance beam.
She also finished 23rd on the
floor exercise.
Sether-Hassing was the
section champion on the
bars and was 17th at state.
She also finished 13 th on
the beam at state. Halver-
son was 23rd on the beam
at state.
Having five gymnasts with
quite a bit of varsity ex-
perience is quite an asset,
Handevidt said.
“Any time you have girls
who have a few years of
varsity experience it is very
beneficial in starting the
season strong as they know
what is expected of them
and their routines,” she
said.
The Huskies also have se-
nior Hannah Fraser; juniors
Hailey Timko, Amanda
Pohlsen and Gaia Rosato;
sophomores Jessica Voe-
hl and Megan Anderson;
eighth-graders Michelle
Buresch, Bailey Schneek-
loth, Riley Schneekloth
and Micahela Vancura; and
seventh-grader Makenna
Donnelli on the roster.
WR: Two state champions return
Continued from C1
son, Jack Ziemer and Nate
Guggisberg at 171.
Alex Tewes will wrestle
at 189 pounds, with Phibbs
and Brandon Pygman at
215. Heavyweight will be
handled by Garrett Rams-
tad, Rob Sievert and Kyle
Edwards.
Henning, Edlin, Biehn,
Riggle, Paden Moore, Steu-
ber, Vancura, Freeman,
Hanson, Cooper Moore,
Menke, Tewes, Phibbs, Pyg-
man and Ramstad all let-
tered last season, giving the
Huskies plenty of experi-
ence to draw from.
“They got great experi-
ence last year at the state
tournament and that is not
something you can teach,”
Baker said. “They were
there and competed very
well.”
Baker expects the team
to continue to compete
well, thanks to continued
improvement.
“The wrestlers have im-
proved since last season,
they have grown up and
they have also matured
more,” he said.
The Huskies are sched-
uled to open the season
Saturday at a tournament
in Blue Earth. Their first
dual is slated for Dec. 10
at Pipestone. The Huskies
host a tournament Dec. 11
and are at the Christmas
Tournament Dec. 17 and 18
and the Rumble on the Red
Dec. 29 and 30.
JCC has eight duals and
three tournaments in Janu-
ary before wrestling in a
tournament and five duals
in February. The team sec-
tion tournament is Feb. 19
in Mapleton and the indi-
Kyle Luhmann tracks down a loose puck for the Eagles last season.
Handevidt said the Hus-
kies are the favorites to win
their ninth straight confer-
ence title, but said Martin
County Area still has the
edge in the section.
“MCA is probably the
favorite to win the section
just based off of last year,”
she said. “The section title
will be an even battle as
always.”
Handevidt is assisted at
the varsity level by Tim Mc- Courtney Donnelli competes on the balance beam for
Connell.
Brandi Sether-Hassing competes on the bars, one of two events in which she quali-
fied for state last season.
vidual section tournament
is Feb. 25 and 26 in Blue
Earth.
“We have a difficult
schedule again and that is
good; it will test us,” Baker
said. “I am sure we will have
plenty of ups and downs.
It’s a long year, but we have
some great competitors
and a lot of experience to
help us.”
Baker expects his team
to be challenged this sea-
son, especially since the
Huskies are ranked No. 1
and are the defending state
champions.
“We do probably have a
target on us,” he said. “But
I would rather be expected
to do well than to struggle
during the year. We accept Bronson Steuber tries to get his opponent to the mat. Steuber is a two-time individual
that. We can only control state champion and is ranked No. 1 at 135 pounds.
our effort, our attitude and
that is all we want to focus
on.”
Baker expects challenges
from Windom/Mt. Lake-
Butterfield-Odin and Pipe-
stone for the Southwest
Conference title and expects
Blue Earth Area, United
South Central, Maple River
and New Richland-Heart-
land-Ellendale-Geneva to
compete with the Huskies
for the section crown.
Baker is assisted at the
varsity level by Nate Han-
son and Troy Schultz, along
with newcomer Zach Strat-
ton.
“They are very good with
the kids and are a big rea-
son we have had so much
success since they started
coaching here,” Baker said
of Hanson and Schultz.
“They have lots of experi-
ence and the wrestlers are
lucky to have that help.”
Sports Preview
Photo by Dan Condon
the Huskies last year.
Taylor Freeman works his opponent to the mat last season.
BH: Young Eagles hoping for success
Continued from C3
“That’s just stuff that’s
going to come through the
year,” he said.
The Eagles will get test-
ed early as they open the
season tonight (Thursday)
against Marshall, a team
Clark tabbed as one of the
Southwest Conference fa-
vorites along with Luverne.
Windom was scheduled
to open Tuesday, but that
game was postponed.
“Luverne’s got a lot of se-
niors,” Clark said. “They’re
going to be pretty stout.
Marshall’s got the good
Photo by Dan Condon numbers; they keep reload-
GBB: Lots of talent back at JCC
Continued from C2
ful of Huskies with great
versatility.
“She’s probably the best
rebounder we’ve had at
the school,” Schuller said.
“She’s played varsity athlet-
ics a long time and nothing
really rattles her.”
Burmeister averaged a
double-double last season,
scoring 17 points and grab-
bing 12.7 boards per game.
She set the school record
with 18 rebounds in a game
last season and is already
fourth on the career re-
bounding list at JCC.
Senior point guard Leslie
Handzus will set up the of-
fense for the third straight
year.
“She’s an excellent ball
handler and I consider her
the best on-the-ball defend-
er in the league,” Schuller
said. “She’s the sparkplug
to our team.”
Handzus scored 9.7 points
and had 5.8 assists per game
last season. Handzus has
299 career assists — the sec-
ond most in school history
Sparkplug can also be
used to describe senior
twins Courtney and Brittney
Kruse.
“Courtney provides a
lot of energy to the team,”
Schuller said, adding she is
an “excellent defender and
great passer.”
Courtney scored 5.4
The Kruse twins, Brittney (left) and Courtney, play tight fense, Schuller said.
defense during the Huskies’ full-court pressure.
Photos by Dan Condon
ing.”
Windom has six more
games in December, in-
cluding one Dec. 20 against
Luverne, before playing at
a tournament in Waseca on
Dec. 28, 29 and 30.
Windom opens January at
Worthington on Jan. 3 and
is scheduled to play seven
times during the month.
The Eagles have three
games in February — all on
the road — before opening
the playoffs.
Clark is assisted at the var-
sity level by Dave Macek.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
points and had 4.3 rebounds
per game last season.
Schuller said he calls
Brittney “Old Faithful” be-
cause of her consistent play
and also praised her free
throw shooting, passing and
ability to play great defense
in full-court press.
Brittney scored 6.3 points
and grabbed four rebounds
per game last season.
Junior Kaylee Benson
gives the Huskies five play-
ers who all saw considerable
time last year. Benson aver-
aged 10 points per game last
season.
“She’s an excellent ath-
lete and a great shooter,”
Schuller said, adding Ben-
son is also good on the de-
fensive side of the ball. “She
guards the other team’s best
player a lot of the time.
She’s an excellent defender Photo by Dan Condon
with length.” Whitney Burmeister puts in a layup last season.
Senior Tracey Steffen
and sophomores Marita Angela Handzus provides ing players who scored al-
Rasche, Angela Handzus quickness and defense to most 90 percent of last
the team, VanEpps will
and Michelle VanEpps also year’s points, it’s not a sur-
provide depth at post and
return after lettering last prise that Schuller thinks
season. Steffen will provide depth his team will be in the hunt
Rasche averaged 1.4 on the perimeter. The Hus- for a Southwest Confer-
points and 2.4 reboundskies might also get a contri- ence title.
per game last season. bution from eighth-grader Schuller said Marshall,
Kaylee Burmeister, the
“She’s an excellent ath- Worthington and Pipestone
younger sister of Whitney.
lete, very good in our press are the favorites, but thinks
and she’s a good passer,” “She has tremendous ath- the Huskies will contend.
letic ability,” Schuller said.
Schuller said, adding Ra- “I certainly hope we can
“She’s very quick and is a
sche improved her strength be competitive and be in the
in the offseason. good leaper.” mix,” he said.
With a bunch of good ath- The Huskies will meet
letes, it’s no wonder Schul- Worthington and Marshall
ler wants to keep the pres- in the span of a week lat-
sure on the other team. er this month. JCC hosts
“We will do anything we Worthington Dec. 14 and
can to keep the pace up,” then travels to Marshall
he said. “If we don’t, we be- Dec. 21. Marshall comes
come very average because to Jackson Jan. 25 and the
of our lack of height.” Huskies end the regular
But to consistently play season at Worthington on
at a fast pace, Schuller said Dec. 17.
the bench players will have Schuller is assisted at the
to contribute when called varsity level by Jon Beck-
upon. man. Rafael York coaches
“Our bench players need the B squad and Rachel
to continue to increase their Driscoll is at the reins of the
skill level,” he said. C squad. The eighth-grade
Another thing that needs coach is Wes Albers, with
work is the half-court de- Sara Withers coaching the
seventh-grade team.
With the Huskies return-
Photo by Dan Condon
Bryce Christopher puts up a free throw for the Jackson County Central boys’ basket-
ball team last season. Christopher averaged 9.6 points per game last winter.
BBB: Schwarting, Christopher, Luhmann to lead boys
Continued from C2
The regular season Sukalski said. “I think we’re ing the C squad. The eighth
ends March 1 with a game every bit as good as that this grade is coached by Wayne
against Blue Earth Area. year. It’s a competitive sec- Christopher and Keith Egg-
Then come the playoffs, tion but our goal is to win ink is coaching the seventh
which Sukalski hopes will the section.” grade. Charlie Clarksean is
treat the Huskies well. Mark Kocak will coach assisting the JCC varsity.
“Last year we were the the JCC B squad this winter,
third seed in our half,” with Mike Wierson coach-