This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Tiger Booster Club
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
High expectations are nothing new with the Marshfield girls basketball program, and this year is no different.
Despite losing two of the top-11 all-time scorers in school history – Caitlin Michaelis (third with 1,195 points) and Ellie Kummer (11th with 769) – and two others that contributed heavily to last year’s sectional qualifying squad, the Tigers are looking at competing for the Wisconsin Valley Conference title.
Senior guard McKayla Scheuer, who recently signed a letter of intent to play at Bemidji State University in Minnesota next year, returns after averaging 12.4 points and three steals per game last season, and earning second-team all-WVC honors.
Junior forward Ema Fehrenbach (11 points, six rebounds per game) and sophomore forward Hannah Meverden (five points, five rebounds per game) also return to the starting lineup for Marshfield.
“We have three starters back from last year and have young ladies around them that got a lot of experience last year,” Marshfield coach Heidi Michaelis said. “We have a good mix of seniors who are really good leaders as well younger kids around them who are ready to prove themselves this year as they will be counted on to score more so than last year.”
Junior guard Maddie Nikolai and sophomore guard Meg Bryan also return after seeing time as reserves last season, when the Tigers finished 18-7 overall, 8-4 and in a tie for second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, and reached the WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinals before losing to eventual state tournament runner-up D.C. Everest.
MARSHFIELD TIGERS
Coach: Heidi Michaelis, 15th year (257-77)
Last year’s record: 18-7, 8-4 Wisconsin Valley Conference.
Last game: Lost to D.C. Everest 54-49 in a WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal.
Returning players: McKayla Scheuer, 5-6, sr., guard; Ema Fehrenbach, 5-11, jr., forward; Hannah Meverden, 6-1, so., forward; Maddie Nikolai, 5-7, jr., guard; Meg Bryan, 5-9, so., guard; Ana Jensen, 5-3, sr., guard; Sara Dasler, 5-6, sr., guard; Jenny Scheppler, 5-7, sr., guard; Dani Bender, 5-7, sr., guard.
What the coach had to say: “I expect us to compete every game at a high level and be in the mix for a conference championship and make a deep tourney run, but I always feel that way if we perform and play to our potential,” Michaelis said.
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AUBURNDALE APACHES
Coach: Scott Meidl, third year (36-15).
Last year’s record: 19-5, 9-3 Marawood Conference South.
Last game: Lost to Marathon 42-35 in a WIAA Division 4 regional final.
Returning players: Allison Linzmeier, 5-9, sr. guard (6.1 ppg); Paiton Richardson, 5-11, sr., post (10.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg); Taylor Gotz, 5-9, sr., post (11.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 spg); Sylviann Momont, 5-9, sr., guard (2.8 ppg); Ashley Peplinski, 5-9, sr., guard; Cassie Mitchell, 5-7, sr., guard; Rachel Gronemeyer, 5-6, jr., guard.
Top newcomers: Brooke Anderson, 5-6, jr., guard; Rachael Bolder, 5-8, so., guard; Hannah Bolder, 5-8, so., post; Mackenzie Raab, 5-4, guard.
What the coach had to say: “We expect to be highly competitive throughout our schedule again this season,” Meidl said. “We will have to learn how to play within ourselves and as a team.”
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COLUMBUS CATHOLIC DONS
Coach: Rhonda Keding, first year.
Last year’s record: 12-12, 8-8 Cloverbelt Conference East.
Last game: Lost to Loyal 51-25 in a WIAA Division 5 regional semifinal.
Returning players: Jess Trad, sr., guard; Abby Baierl, sr., guard; Kendra Baierl, jr., forward; Natalie Pospyhalla, jr., forward; Alexandra Hutchison, sr., guard; Marissa Immerfall, so., forward; Bailey Neider, jr., guard.
Top newcomers: Neale Tracy, jr.; Morgan Albrecht, so.
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SPENCER ROCKETS
Coach: Brian Abel, third year (12-33).
Last year’s record: 6-17, 5-11 Cloverbelt Conference East.
Last game: Lost to Edgar 42-38 in a WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal.
Returning players: Courtney Buss, jr. guard; Macie Weber, sr., post; Nadia King, sr., guard; Kallie Reckner, sr., guard; Jessica Becker, jr., guard; Liz Endreas, jr., post; Katie Fleischman, jr., guard; Lexi Baehr, so., guard; Sydney Kind, sr., guard.
Top newcomers: Sadie Mercier, so., guard; Sabrina Virkcs, so., guard.
What the coach had to say: “Each year we have continued to improve and get better,” Abel said. “The same is expected this year as we feel we can compete in every game. How many wins vs. losses we have this year will be determined greatly on how we fair in close games. This group of girls is very hard working and willing to complete every minute of every game.”
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STRATFORD TIGERS
Coach: Tammie Christopherson, third year (27-21)
Last year’s record: 15-9, 6-6 Marawood Conference South.
Last game: Lost 47-41 to Auburndale in a WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal.
Returning players: Macie Frueh, 5-7, sr., guard (12.5 ppg); Andie Zuelke, 6-0, jr., forward (6 ppg, 5 rpg); Savannah Schillinger, 5-7, sr., guard (6.3 ppg); Sammy Griesbach, 5-7, jr., guard (3.8 ppg); Tianna Hughes, sr., forward (10 ppg, 5 rpg, will miss season due to injury).
Top newcomers: Kaylee Hollatz, 5-9, so., post; Taya Nett, 5-4, so., guard; Olivia Burrows, 5-9, jr., post.
What the coach had to say: “We are a scrappy, determined team, with a strong core of players,” Christopherson said. “Our players are versatile, and we are looking to push the tempo of the game. We are a scrappy, determined team, with a strong core of players. Our players are versatile, and we are looking to push the tempo of the game.”