Basketball state dream
Athens girls seeking trip to Green Bay in D-5 hoops
By Casey Krautkramer
The same talented group of Athens female varsity athletes that led the volleyball team to state this fall are now hoping to do the same in girls basketball for the first time since 1991, which is the school’s only state appearance in girls basketball.
Athens girls basketball is well on its way to having another successful season. The Bluejays have a 4-0 record this year while easily beating their opponents.
Kyncaide Keefe is in her fourth season as Athens’ head coach. New Athens High School history teacher Sami Smits, who played college basketball and has coaching experience, is the Bluejays junior varsity head coach this season. Assistant high school girls basketball coaches are Danielle Diedrich and Briana Handschke.
Athens returns three starting players this season in junior point guard Addison Lavicka, junior forward Sophia Coker and junior guard Jazelle Hartwig. Other returning players from varsity last year are Celina Ellenbecker, Alonna Haines, Addyson Zettler and Sydney Coker.
Coach Keefe said Haines and Ellenbecker are filling in nicely as the team’s other two starting players on the basketball court this season.
“So far this season we have had senior Alonna Haines stepping into a big role for us as the starting center, replacing McKennzie Schug inside,” Coach Keefe said. “Celina Ellenbecker has stepped into the starting guard position. Celina has been a great leader on the court starting for us this season. She is our ‘hot shot’ so it is very nice having her on the court as much as possible.”
Sophomore guard/forward Danica Diethelm is a top newcomer on the varsity squad this season.
The Athens girls basketball team is chasing the elusive Marawood North Conference championship that has evaded them since the Bluejays won back-to-back North titles in 2014 and 2015. Coach Keefe explains what this year’s team needs to do in order to break the conference championship drought.
“We have a lot of goals that we discuss weekly and a conference title is one of them,” Coach Keefe said. “In order to win the conference we have to come ready to work every single We all know how strong the Marawood is as a whole, so we need to be prepared to earn every win this season. Nothing is guaranteed and we stress that daily in practice. We have to use the time we have in practice to prepare physically, but also mentally. Being able to handle adversity and come together through it is key to winning the conference this season.”
The Athens girls basketball team led defending state champion Wisconsin Rapids Assumption, 32-26, at halftime during its WIAA Division 5 road regional championship last season, but the Bluejays ended up losing to the Royals by only one point, 61-60. Assumption finished last season as state runners-up. Coach Keefe is hoping for a different outcome this season if her team again faces Assumption in the playoffs.
“We have been talking about that loss to Assumption since last March,” she said. “The girls have been motivated in the gym and weight room all summer for another big game like that. I think physically we are doing what we need to do, but mentally is where we need to step it up to compete at a higher level in the playoffs.”
“Coming off a very successful volleyball season I think has helped build some confidence in these girls. Being able to trust each other and having confidence in ourselves will take us far. I am very excited to be back in the gym working with them every day to accomplish our goals. We have great energy and leadership, and great girls to work with. It will be a season to remember!”
