Experience adds up for Carlton County girls teams

Local small school basketball teams hit the court two weeks ago for their first practices. A few of those teams played their first games of the season on Tuesday night and the rest of those schools will play their first games by the end of this week. The following is a preview of the small schools girls basketball team in Carlton County.

CARLTON BULLDOGS:

The Bulldogs had a solid 13-15 record last year and return a solid nucleus of players, including three starters from last year's team.

"We are returning three starters along with one of our key role players from last year," said Carlton coach Lucas Beireis. "Alaina Bennett is our biggest returning player. She was one of our scoring leaders from the previous year and I am expecting her to do the same this year. We are really going to utilize her athleticism and play her all over the court. Twins Brynne and Abby Mickle are the other returning starters. Alena Wallin was a key bench player last year that I see stepping up big this year as a starter. I also see Kaylee Asleson coming up big this year and being a 3-point threat for us."

Beireis is also looking to last year's junior varsity for help and expects some players who played on that team to provide depth and perhaps the ability to hit three-pointers.

"Our goal is to win two playoff games this year," Beireis said. "Previously we have won our first playoff game, but we would like to make it deeper into the playoffs."

UPDATE: On Tuesday night the Bulldogs opened play on the road with an impressive 57-37 victory over the Duluth Denfeld Hunters. Alaina Bennett led the Bulldogs with 17 points.

Carlton grabbed a 23-18 halftime lead and continued to build on that lead in the second half by outscoring the home team 34-19 on their way to the first win of the season.

Jordan Hyry was also in double-digit scoring for the Bulldogs with 11 points, while both Brynne Mickle and Alena Wallin each recorded seven points. Abby Mickle added six points for Carlton; Nicole Nilsen added four points; Kaylee Asleson had three points; and Isabella Anderson finished with a pair of points to round out the scoring.

Cromwell CARDINALS:

Cromwell has been on a huge roll the last few years and local basketball fans shouldn't expect anything different this season. The Cards went 19-8 last season and bowed out of the sectional playoffs in the semifinals with a loss to Bigfork.

"We have nine players back that saw playing time and seven of them started at some point last year," said Cards head coach Jeff Gronner. "We had two of those that missed most of the season due to injuries in junior Taya Hakamaki and freshman Natalie Hakamaki."

Gronner cites Shaily and Taya Hakamaki as key returning players this season as both are juniors and both are three-year starters who are playing their fourth year of varsity basketball.

"Shaily already has 1,000 career points and she averaged 18 points and eight rebounds last year," Gronner said. "Taya tore her ACL in the first game last year, but still played an additional six games on it. In those games she averaged 20 points a game and she is close to 1,000 career points as well."

Gronner said his team's expectations are to contend for the section title by the end of the season.

Wrenshall WRENS:

A year ago the Wrenshall girls basketball team won just four games and finished with an overall record of 4-22. With a plethora of players returning, head coach Sheri Nelson expects that to change this season.

"We have four players back and graduated just one player from last year's team," explained Nelson. "I expect us to be more competitive throughout both halves of our games this season. There were times that we played a great first half, or second half, but struggled at times with putting both halves together for a complete game."

Sophomore Haley Tauzell is a player that Nelson is expecting to have a big year after averaging 12 points a game last season.

"Haley was our second leading scorer from last season," Nelson said. "Other players that I am looking to step up are seniors Hailey Patritto and April Lattu as well as juniors Taylor Bryce, Hannah Lattu and Alexis Perry, and eighth-grader Janae Sjodin."

The Wrens also are the beneficiary of a new player in senior Jordyn Seehus, who Nelson expects to make a positive impact on this year's squad.

"I look for us to play better defense and hold our opponents to a lesser scoring average than last year," said Nelson. "If we do those things we should expect improvement in our win/loss

record and meet our overall goals."

A year ago the Wrens won a play-in game against Hill City before being ousted from the tournament in the next round by Floodwood. With a solid group returning, expect the Wrens to be vying for a second round playoff position this season.

Editor's note: The Pine Knot News is covering northern Carlton County schools on a regular basis. Phone calls and messages to Fond du Lac Ojibwe coach Travis Brown were not returned as this issue of the Pine Knot News went to press.