School District News

Lady Eagles wrap up their season, looking to fill big holes in the future

Lac qui Parle Valley girls basketball had a lot of unknowns coming into the season, and as the year played out, results were expectedly mixed, but much improved from the year before.

The Eagles season ended in the opening round of Section 3A playoffs against the Minneota Vikings, putting their final record at 9-17 and 7-9 in the Camden Conference.

“Coming off a four win season where our whole roster was in new positions and roles gaining experience, I was happy with our development,” said Coach Dylan Erickson. “They came in much more confident and our win total jumped to nine, and we jumped from the No. 9 seed in the section to No. 6. We had some younger girls step up into new roles, understanding the speed and physicality of higher level basketball. I’m excited for where these seniors left our program and the group we have returning. We lose a ton of minutes, so girls will have to put the time in to be ready for the next year and the opportunities that will be there to take.”

Offense posed the biggest problem for LqPV, with turnovers and shooting struggles plaguing them much of the year.

As a unit, LqPV averaged 23.8 turnovers per game, putting up 45.6 points while allowing 57.2. LqPV shot 30.4 percent from the floor, hitting 34 percent from two and 23 percent from three. They knocked down 58.3 percent from the free throw line.

The Eagles averaged 39.8 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 8.7 steals and 2.8 blocks a game.

The team will see significant turnover heading into next season, as they graduate seven seniors, three of whom were regular starters.

Senior Jalyn Lee was the team’s standout performer, leading the Eagles with 15 points per game, while also contributing eight rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game and 40 blocked shots on the season.

Junior Caleigh Conn was second on the team, scoring 9.6 ppg. She was also a force on the boards, averaging 9.4 rebounds per game.

Seniors Kayla Jahn (7.4 ppg) and Kendyl Shelstad (5.9 ppg) provided additional scoring depth this season. Shelstad also led the team, averaging 2.8 assists per game.

Other seniors on the team were Brandi Meyer, Jaydah Kessler, Zoey Dockter and Becca Torgerson. In 12 games, Meyer totaled 40 points, 47 rebounds and 11 steals; Kessler scored 36 points, pulled down 57 rebounds and had 12 steals in 22 games; Dockter had 47 rebounds in 24 games; and in her first year out for basketball, Torgerson tallied a rebound and a steal in three games.

The only other underclassman to see significant varsity time was eighth grader Maya Sawatzky, who averaged 4.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and one steal.

With half of the roster set to graduate, the Eagles will have opportunities for the underclassmen, led by Conn and Sawatzky, to step up and fill key roles. Subscribe or Log In