Basketball is Back!

Pictured+%28Left+to+right%29%3A+Paige+Lahti%2C+McKenna+Coy%2C+Alessia+Miller%2C+Maggie+Ostrenga%2C+Lily+Truchon%2C+Faith+Whitmore-Langley%2C+Kiley+Mueller%2C+Beau+Reijo%2C+Emily+Montgomery%2C+Azure+Grant%0A%28Not+pictured%29%3A+Abby+Lahti+and+Shaliyah+Lovejoy%0A

Pictured (Left to right): Paige Lahti, McKenna Coy, Alessia Miller, Maggie Ostrenga, Lily Truchon, Faith Whitmore-Langley, Kiley Mueller, Beau Reijo, Emily Montgomery, Azure Grant (Not pictured): Abby Lahti and Shaliyah Lovejoy

Leila Tuura, Reporter
December 7, 2021

The girls basketball team started practice on Monday, November 8. This year, the team has 12 players, which is more than last year’s 10 players. The girls are ready to continue their success from last season, as are their coaches–Ryan Tiberg and Jodi Truchon. Last year, their record was 20-4 and they earned the title of Regional C

Pictured (Left to right) (Back row): Leevi Tapani, Ethan Helenius, Peyton Jardine, Conner Helenius, Sam Swanson, Carter Lulich, Ryan Knaack, Matt Knaack, Koy Nelson
(Front row): Brady Lahti, Jed Lovejoy, Eddie Pudas, Carter Ray, Ethan Bratley, Gavin Matke, Daniel Truchon, Caleb Phillips, Kaden Bryant
(Not pictured): Will Watrin, Cooper Kohlman

hampions. The players were prepared for their first game of the season on November 19th versus Ashland, but unfortunately it was postponed due to COVID concerns. Instead, their first game was in Winter on November 30th and South Shore took the win with a score of 75-31.

The boys basketball team started their practices a week after the girls’ team. On November 15, the boys woke up early and got to the school at 6 am for their first morning practice. Their first week consisted of daily morning and after-school practices. The players and their coaches, Trevor Paulus and Trey Matanich, have high expectations for the season and use the motto “#NoExcuses” to express their resilience and dedication to basketball. The turnout for this season was much better than last year. Last season there were 12 players on the team, but this year 20 boys have joined the team. With the amount of talent between these 20 boys, fans are excited to see what they can accomplish. In addition to their goals as a team, Koy Nelson has goals of his own. Last year Koy hit the 1,000 point mark and fans are excited to see him continue to succeed. He commented, “My goal for this upcoming season is to break the all-time scoring record of 1542 and make it to state.” The record of 1542 points was set in 1995 by Jeffrey Lahti. The boys had their first game in Winter on November 30th–a double header with the girls–and they won 77-34.

Both of these teams have an average of two games per week until their seasons are over around February. During the 2020-2021 seasons, the players had to wear masks and spectators were not allowed due to COVID restrictions. This year, players only have to wear masks during COVID exposure periods. At the moment, spectators are allowed at home games, but this is subject to change based on the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. We hope the community will come to support the girls and boys basketball teams this year!