Girls' basketball: Veteran roster will benefit Osakis

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The Osakis girls’ basketball team has watched a young roster grow up over the past few seasons. Now the Silverstreaks hope those players are ready to take the next step.

Osakis has improved its record over each of the past two seasons. The Silverstreaks were 16-10 a year ago and hope to see similar progression with a lineup that returns 10 letter winners and seven of the team’s top eight girls.

“With that, we expect to compete in every game we play this year,” head coach Pat Kalpin said. “We feel as a coaching staff that we have the right girls that can make this season very special.”

At the top of that roster is leading returning scorer Annalise Savageau. The junior guard passed the 1,000-point mark for her career as just a sophomore and will be counted on as a dependable scorer again this winter.

Osakis also has the benefit of having six seniors in the fold. Becka Sadlemyer, Dani Chisholm, Tayler Waldvogel, Mariah Backes and Rachelle Rajdl will all provide that senior leadership as returning letter winners, while Mikayla Wolbeck joins the varsity team as well. Juniors Brooke Sorenson and Madi Forsell and sophomores Mackenzie Staloch and Johanna Boogaard round out the returning letter winners.

“So far, the girls have been working very hard, competing every day in practice,” Kalpin said. “There are many girls that can contribute for us, which gives us a deep bench if needed. Right now, we are just trying to figure out different combinations to see how they work together.”

The Silverstreaks hope to compete near the top of the Prairie Conference after finishing second at 13-3 last winter. Upsala went 16-0 to win the league title and Kalpin figures the Cardinals will once again be the team to beat. He also sees Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, West Central Area and Browerville as frontrunners.

Last year’s Section 6AA champion Sauk Centre should have a talented team again come tournament time. Kalpin said the Mainstreeters, Staples-Motley and Albany all have returning players who should make them competitive in the subsection come March. Osakis hopes to be able to give them a scare with a now experienced roster.

“We are excited about what this season could bring as long as the girls continue to compete, work hard and have fun,” Kalpin said.

2012 OSAKIS

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Varsity Roster

SENIORS – Tayler Waldvogel, G; Rachelle Rajdl, G; Mariah Backes, F; Dani Chisholm, F; Mikayla Wolbeck, P; Becka Sadlemyer, F

JUNIORS – Annalise Savageau, G; Brooke Sorenson, F; Madi Forsell, F

SOPHOMORES – Alexa Hoffarth, G; Mackenzie Staloch, G; Johanna Boogaard, P

FRESHMEN – Brittney Sadlemyer, F

COACHES – Head coach – Pat Kalpin; Assistant coaches – Mike Sorenson, Steve Tax

Tags: osakis sports, sports, silverstreaks, girls, basketball