Willmar Cardinals Winter Preview

Girls Basketball

COACH

Brad Atchison, 12th year (30th overall)

ASSISTANT COACHES

Jenyne Beehler, sophomores; Jared Eilers, junior varsity; Sally Wilson, freshmen

LAST SEASON

Willmar was 23-5 last season, the Cardinals fourth-straight 20-plus win season. In the last five years, the program has won three Central Lakes Conference titles and finished second twice, reaching State in 2004 (runner-up to Minneapolis North) and 2006.

OPENERS

Season: Today at Bemidji, 3 p.m.

Home/conference: Tuesday, Alexandria

Wild-Card Invitational: Dec. 29-30 at New London-Spicer (Hawley, Watertown-Mayer).

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

(Returning letterwinners in bold)

SENIORS

Whitney Arends, 5-10 center

Brin Hanson, 5-6 guard

Kjerstin Knutson, 5-10 forward

Lisa Nielsen, 5-11 center

Hannah Okins, 5-6 guard

JUNIORS

Megan Brown, 5-2 guard

Briana Goldschmidt, 5-7 guard

Greta King, 5-10 forward

Britta Pederson, 5-5 guard

Abby Switzer, 5-5 guard

Ali Unger, 5-8 forward

SOPHOMORES

Kelsey Evans, 5-8 forward

Emily Nelsen, 5-9 forward

FRESHMEN

Mariel Aamot, 5-3 guard

Jena Thompson, 5-11 center

WHO'S GONE

All-time leading scorer and rebounder Laura Nielsen was a five-time letter- winner and four-time all-conference pick, matching the four appearances on the honor squad by Lori Roufs (1989-92). Two-time all-conference point guard Andrea Brown, all-conference forward Katie Holmgren and defensive leader Dana Guetter were also among the graduates. Junior Jamie Wilson, who played a regular role as a sophomore, will miss the season after a volleyball injury led to her third knee surgery.

FOR STARTERS

Brin Hanson and Hannah Okins, guards; Kelsey Evans and Briana Goldschmidt, wings; Lisa Nielsen, post.

TEAM OUTLOOK

Willmar, which finished one game behind St. Cloud Tech in the CLC race, should again contend in both the conference and Section 8AAA. The team scrimmaged at Monticello with Wayzata, Pierz and St. Cloud Apollo and coach Brad Atchison said it was encouraging. Lisa Nielsen, replacing her older sister in the post, looked aggressive at both ends, he said. The backcourt took good care of the ball with few turnovers. Megan Brown, following in her sister's footsteps, provides sure ball control on the perimeter. Whitney Arends will provide defense and rebounding backing up Nielsen in the paint. Kjerstin Knutson has two year's of JV experience and will back-up the wings. Junior forwards Greta King and Ali Unger will be looked to provide points off the bench.

FROM THE COACH

Coach Brad Atchison: "We had three excellent scrimmages. We were aggressive on defense and we looked faster up and down the floor. We should be quicker this year which should make our press more effective. We shot well outside with Goldschmidt and Evans. We expect a big season from Evans, who played jayvee last season and had a good summer camp. She will have to score for us. We don't look for big scoring from our guards, but they should be solid with the ball and able to break down defenses with ballhandling and dribbling. These kids know they are part of a family and team tradition and they want to keep it up."