Elk Mound girls return four all conference players for 2022-23 season

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by Marlys Kruger

Sports Correspondent

ELK MOUND — Things are looking up for the Elk Mound girls’ basketball team in the upcoming season.

After finishing 19-7 overall last year, 11-3 for third place in the Dunn-St. Croix Conference and ending the season with a loss in the regional final to Altoona, the Mounders lost just three players through graduation.

Gone are Olivia Schreiber, a three-year starter and athletic defender, reserve guard Kalle Rhude and reserve post player Olivia Schindler.

Returning for the team are first-team, all conference picks Tori Blaskowski and Ellie Schiszik, second team selection Stella Rhude and honorable mention pick Brooke Emery. Other experienced players vying for a varsity spot include Lydia Levra, Allie Roder, Chloe Dummer and Carly Mohr. All of them are returning letter winners for the team.

Blaskowski averaged 12.8 points per game (ppg) last year and according to head coach Jordan Kongshaug, he is depending on her ability to attack the basket, provide defensive energy and be one of the primary ball handlers. Schiszik averaged 13.6 ppg and is a shooting guard. She is an excellent defender, handles the basketball well and is a major shooting threat from the perimeter, Kongshaug commented. Rhude averaged 10.6 ppg and Kongshaug will depend on her athleticism and her ability to create offense on the defensive end as well as her inside scoring and rebounding. Emery brings a 5.6 ppg average back from a year ago and can knock down some outside shots and works hard on the defensive end.

Levra shows a lot of energy and has the ability to create off the dribble, Kongshaug believes, while Roder shows ability to attack the basket, handle the ball and provide some length on the defensive end. Dummer and Mohr will be expected to rebound and score inside for the team.

Newcomers battling for spots include Lauren Garnett, Karsyn Heath, Grace Roder, Mercede Rothbauer and Sierra Simpson.

Kongshaug is considered the most experienced coach in the conference as he enters his 13th season leading Elk Mound. He has compiled a 187-92 record and stated the goals for this year’s team include creating more turnovers than committing, and improving at every practice so they are playing their best basketball at the end of the season.

Strengths of the team are their athletic players who he thinks will be able to run the floor effectively and can pressure the basketball on defense. But they will need to rebound the ball consistently to remain competitive.

Since Colfax is the reigning conference champion and has some great players returning, Kongshaug expects them to be a tough team to beat this year. He also believes Durand is a very talented team and played very well over the summer. And he thinks his Mounder team has a shot at being in the mix for the title.

Elk Mound will open the season with four tough non-conference contests. The Mounders were in Prescott last evening (Nov. 15) to open the season and return home this Thursday to host Fall Creek. Eau Claire Regis then comes to the Mound next Tuesday, November 22.   

2022-23 Roster

Seniors: Tori Blaskowski, Brooke Emery, Lauren Garnett, Karsyn Heath, Stella Rhude, Grace Roder, Mercede Rothbauer and Sierra Simpson.

Juniors: Chloe Dummer, Lydia Levra, Carly Mohr and Jillian Schlewitz.

Sophomores: Teagan Mayer, Hailey Meyer, Allie Roder, Claire Roff, Kamri Rothbauer, Jaidynn Sarauer and Ellie Schiszik.

Freshmen: Gabi Amble, Loftyn Awe, Elli Beskow, Taylor Frinack, Belle Kongshaug and Allie Robel.