2024 Girls Basketball Rewind Reads
Honorable Mention
Aubrey Hofbauer- Coon Rapids Bayard- Sophomore
Hofbauer took her game to a different level late in the season after an injury late in the season forced her to make the move. She did a really nice job finding her teammates in a position to score. Her and Lydia Hofbauer oftentimes had battles on who could make the better pass in games. She improved her ball handling skills which will benefit the program over the next two years.
Blair Schleisman- South Central Calhoun- Freshman
Schleisman showed great potential as a freshman, being one of their most consistent offensive contributors. She is a solid ball handler and sees the floor well. She’s capable of shooting from the outside or scoring in the lane. Schleisman was the second leading scorer for the Titans, averaging 7.2-points per game. Her 30.6% from beyond the 3-point line was second best on the team. She is one of four freshmen for the Titans that saw valuable minutes this season.
Brenna McAlister- South Central Calhoun- Junior
McAlister took her game to a different level this season with added minutes. She has a strong outside shot and could become a tough player to defend as a senior. She didn’t make many mistakes on the court, helping to lead a team that played four freshmen regularly. McAlister is athletic enough to defend on the perimeter but strong enough to defend and rebound inside. She averaged 5.5 rebounds per game.
Gabrielle Hundling- Ar-We-Va- Freshman
Hundling had a good freshman year, playing her best after the holiday break. She showed the ability to score, defend and rebound. There were games over the final weeks of the season that she was the best player on the court. Hundling was second on the Rockets in scoring at 6.5 points per game and second in rebounding at 4.3 per game. Her growth this season bodes well for the future of the Rockets.
Delaney Schurke- Ar-We-Va- Senior
Schurke wrapped up a strong career as the leader of a very inexperienced team. She continued to shoot the ball well from deep, really liking the corner three while becoming a more rounded player. Delaney developed the ability to take the ball to the lane and score in the paint. She finished the season as one of the Rockets best defensive rebounders, leading the team at 3.7 defensive rebounds per game. Schurke paced the Rockets on offense at 9.3-points per game.
Taylor Beckendorf- IKM-Manning- Junior
Beckendorf became a force for the Wolves in the paint down the stretch of the season as IKM-Manning showed real growth. She scored in double figures in both games as the Wolves won two of their last three games and pushed Collins-Maxwell in the postseason. Beckendorf had 15-points and 12 rebounds in the loss. She plays extremely hard inside, fighting for rebounds, finishing the season with 5.5 rebounds per game while averaging 7-points per game.
Alivya Smith- Paton Churdan- Freshman
Smith returned early in the season from an injury that kept her from participating in off-season and fall work. She came back with a vengeance, becoming the Rockets best player as the season progressed. She became their main ball handler, showing the ability to break presses and get the team into their offense. Smith was strong working from the free throw line with a nice jumper from midrange, along with seeing the floor well, finding open teammates. She led the team at 9.4-points and 7 rebounds per game. Smith teams up with fellow freshman Kaliyah Minnehan to give the Rockets center pieces for the next three years.
Kadence Sporrer- Exira-EHK/Audubon- Sophomore
Sporrer joined a new team this winter as Audubon shared with Exira-EHK. She quickly showed she would be an important addition to a team that made a run to a regional final. She started all 23 games, finishing with a strong all-around game. Sporrer was third on the team in rebounding, steals and assists. She often found the area the team needed the most help and focused on that area during the game.
3rd Team
Makenna Steiger- East Sac- Junior
Steiger had another strong season, being a calming influence, who tended to take big shots when her team needed a bucket. She continued to shoot the ball well from beyond the three-point line and was really good from the free throw line. Steiger was key when the Raiders needed to break a team’s press, being a strong ball handler, she gave them a great outlet to use if needed. She finished the year tied for the team lead in scoring at 9.6-points per game.
Kassidy Wenck- Glidden Ralston- Sophomore
Wenck took her game up a notch this season with her role growing. She proved she was a quality ball handler, strong rebounder and a good scorer. Wenck showed the ability to score inside, on the break or off the offensive glass. She was at her best in a full court game, when the Wildcats were able to get out and run. Kassidy was second on the team in scoring at 7.8-points per game, while leading the team in rebounding at 6.9 and assists with 3.2 per game. She talked late in the season about her growth and need to be a leader next season.
Breanne Patterson- South Central Calhoun- Junior
Patterson came on strong the second half of the season as the Titans won three of their last eight games after a slow start. She slowed the ability to put the ball on the floor and get into the lane or knock down jumpers. Patterson finished the season shooting 34.9% from beyond the arc while hitting 75% from the free throw line. Her 9.7-point per game led the Titans while her 4.5 rebounds per game were third on the team. She will give the Titans a nice building block next season.
Chloe Kock- Carroll- Freshman
Kock showed plenty of flashes this season that have people excited for her and the team’s future. She goes strong to the basket to score and rebound. Can block shots or defend in the post on the other end. She started at the beginning of the season, then became a strong 6th player later in the season, giving Carroll a spark off the bench. She was third on the Tigers in scoring at 7.5-points per game and third in rebounds at 4.2 rebounds per game.
Lauren Boell- Kuemper- Senior
Boell always plays hard, providing the Knights with someone that drives hard to the hoop, rebounds well and isn’t afraid to defend in the full or half-court. Offensively, she is at her best when she drives to the hoop and scores inside or forces a double team and can find an open teammate. Boell worked well with Frannie Glynn on the offensive glass. She was good at reading passing lanes on defense, finishing second on the team with 2.5 steals per game. Boell was also second in scoring 8.2-points per game and rebounds at 6.3 per game.
Kaylie Simons- Kuemper- Sophomore- Named 6th Woman of the Year
Simons was a spark off the bench on both ends of the floor, oftentimes being one of the best players on the court. She impacted the game with her hard nosed defense, creating turnovers, helping the Knights get out and run and harassing the opponents shooters. Offensively, she could shoot from the three-point line as well as knock down mid range jumpers or attack the rim. She knocked down 40.4% from beyond the arc, helping her shoot 40.9% from the field. She plays with an energy that doesn’t quit.
2nd Team
Frannie Glynn- Kuemper- Senior
Nobody played harder than Frannie Glynn on a nightly basis. She always gave everything she had, having to battle through foul trouble to stay on the court. Her presence down low made it tough for opponents to score inside and she was a strong rebounder on both sides of the court. Glynn didn’t always look to score, though she pulled down 4.5 offensive rebounds per game. Her ability to rebound on the offensive end gave Kuemper a lot of second and third chance opportunities. She finished the season with 7.1-points per game along with 9.6 rebounds per game, which was a team high.
Olivia Rowedder- Carroll- Junior
Rowedder helped provide great leadership as one of two players back with varsity experience. Her effort shines every night as she plays hard on both ends of the floor. It has helped her become a strong presence inside for the Tigers. She averaged a team leading 7 rebounds per game, pulling down nearly 3 offensive rebounds per game. Her willingness to play physically in a tough hardnose conference was part of the reason the Tigers had their best season in the last several years, finishing 12-10. Her 8.4-points per game was second on the Tigers.
Tiela Janssen- Glidden Ralston- Senior
Janssen will go down as one of the best shooters in Glidden Ralston history, helping her go over 1,000-points in her career. She knew coming into the season, that there was a bullseye on her back and defenses were going to be focusing on her. Her ability to move and get open along with her ability to handle the ball against a press, allowed her to find shots in the flow of the offense, helping her score 14.2-points per game to lead the Wildcats. She improved the rest of her game this season, becoming a strong rebounder and defensive player.
Anna Stangl- IKM-Manning- Sophomore
Stangl was a weapon for IKM-Manning this season, showing strong growth from her freshman season. She became a leader at the point guard position, able to create for herself or for teammates. Here 13.6-points per game led the team and was nearly double any other scorer for the Wolves. She was a strong free throw shooter, hitting 72.4%, allowing her to capitalize on her ability to get into the lane. Her 4.5 rebounds per game ranked fourth on the team while she led the team in assists and was second on the team in steals.
Kendall Quirk- East Sac- Junior
Quirk followed up a strong sophomore season with a better junior season. She fights as hard as anyone in the post, helping her to be one of the top rebounders in the area but also kept her in foul trouble at times. Her presence on the floor was important for the Raiders as they were a better team while she was playing. When she grabbed an offensive rebound, you could almost count the two-points as she was really good close to the basket. She averaged 10 rebounds per game with 3.2 of those on the offensive end. That helped her score 5.5-points per game.
Sarah Bontrager- East Sac- Sophomore
Bontrager saw her role expand this season, going from a valuable member off the bench to a starter. She helped provide the Raiders with a strong outside shooter and someone that could help handle the ball against pressure. She shot the ball well from the outside, taking pressure off the post, allowing the Raiders to spread the floor. Her 9.6-points per game, tied for the team lead. She was third on the team in rebounding, pulling down 3.9 per game.
1st Team
Addisen Ehler- East Sac- Junior
Ehler worked her way into the Rewind 1st team with hustle and hard work. She plays with a motor that doesn’t stop and plays hard on both ends of the floor. Ehler became a better shooter as the season went on, extending her range to 15-feet on a regular basis. Addisen can handle the ball and help the guards bring it up the court, giving them a nice outlet against teams that pressure. She averaged 10.2 rebounds per game with 4.4 of those on the offensive end. She turned several of those offensive rebounds into points, helping her average 8.4-points per game.
Katelyn Aden- Carroll- Junior
Aden is very strong on defense, harassing the opposing teams guard and best outside shooters. Her wingspan makes it tough in the halfcourt, playing at the top of the Tigers defensive pressure. She led the Tigers with 3.3 steals per game, helping Carroll to one of their best seasons in more than a decade. Carroll won this year with defense and rebounding with Aden being a key in both. She grabbed 4 rebounds per game from the point guard position. Her offense gets forgotten about too often. Aden is a strong outside shooter and has the ability to get to the rim. She is a tough matchup for shorter guards with her length. Katelyn averaged 11-points per game to lead the Tigers attack while leading the team with 3.2 assists per game.
Elsa Tiefenthaler- Kuemper- Sophomore
Tiefenthaler was a key for the Knights this season, playing out of position as a point guard, but growing into the position as the season progressed. Elsa is a hard nosed defender and uses that same tough mindset to be a tough player to defend. She is a strong enough ball handler that she can penetrate and get shots at the rim, oftentimes getting fouled, while always doing damage from beyond the arc. She paced the Knights with 12.4-points per game, 3.3 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game. Elsa is a strong rebounder as a guard, pulling down 4.2 per game, ranking third on the team.
Anna Hart- Coon Rapids Bayard- Sophomore
Hart is one of the best players in the area and is an elite defender. She moved into 3rd in Coon Rapids Bayard history with 213 steals with 124 of those coming in a shortened season this year. Her knowledge of the game allows her to take chances on defense, usually turning into a steal and an easy basket. She averaged 6.9 steals per game this season, breaking the individual single game score record twice this season. Hart isn’t just a great defender, she handles the ball well and is a very strong distributor of the ball, moving into 9th in school history with 168 assists. Anna averaged 8.2-points per game, along with 4.3 assists and 6.9 steals per game. She set two individual records this season for games with 12 assists and 14 steals in a game.
Breeley Clayburg- Coon Rapids Bayard- Senior
Breeley wrapped up a tremendous career, finishing as one of the all-time greats in Coon Rapids Bayard basketball history. She finished 5th with 919 points scored, 2nd with 816 rebounds and 8th in steals with 213 in girls history. Clayburg was a force on both ends of the floor, making it tough on opponents to score inside with her defensive prowess along with becoming a player that was hard to stop on the offensive end. Her leadership helped Coon Rapids Bayard to one of the best seasons in school history. She scored 11.6 points per game and pulled down 7.7 rebounds a game as a senior while shooting 54% from the field.
1st Team and Player of the Year
Malia Clayburg- Coon Rapids Bayard- Sophomore
Clayburg does everything well and will put in the work to get better at everything, including the areas that need to improve to take a step into the elite level in the state. She plays with tremendous energy on both ends of the floor, helping her impact the game in numerous ways. Clayburg already ranks as one of the best players in school history, sitting 10th in points scored with 586. She paced her team in scoring this season with 13.3-points per game while taking second on the team with 4 steals per game, holding the single game steals record for a moment this season. She also pulled down 6.6 rebounds per game, second on the team. Clayburg has good length and uses it well. Her quickness and anticipation also are strengths. She has the ability to beat you in the post or from the perimeter.
Coach of the Year
Kaitlyn McAlister- Coon Rapids Bayard
McAlister has built a strong program at Coon Rapids Bayard that has continued to take steps forward. They had their best win loss record in nearly 20-years, going 20-4 this season and advancing to a Regional Final. They finished 2nd in a conference that had four teams ranked, going 13-3 against league foes. The defense was a strength, leading Class 1A in scoring defense most of the season. They held sixteen teams to under 30-points this season. The team set numerous records this season, with 28 assists in a single game, having 34 steals in a game, and turning the ball over just 4 times in a game. The team also set records for most assists in a season at 378 and steals with 501. They split this season with the other three ranked teams in the conference and won back-to-back games at the buzzer.
