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Don’t count out Redbirds

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor


DE PERE – The De Pere girls’ basketball team arguably lost two of the best players in the Fox River Classic Conference to graduation.

But it doesn’t mean the Redbirds won’t be aiming for a conference title this season.

“This year will be less relying on a couple of individuals, ” said head coach Jeremy Boileau. “We will see more overall scoring instead of one, two or three girls. I’m happy with what I’ve seen in practice – the girls are confident.”

Jeremy Boileau

De Pere, which finished 16-8 last season, lost sharpshooters Natalie Cerrato and Rachel Kerkhoff after the duo averaged close to 30 points combined per game in 2018-19.

“Natalie and Rachel were fantastic players and led by example,” Boileau said. “Rachel was a four-year varsity player, and Natalie is currently playing at St. Norbert College.”

The Redbirds also lost Elena Miller and Kaitlyn Borseth to graduation.

“We won’t be ranked high in the conference standings, and that’s fine,” said Boileau. “We’ve lost the most in terms of players. Our girls will compete – that’s all I can ask for. My goal is for us to compete with everyone in the conference.”

De Pere returns sophomore Division I recruit Jordan Meulemans.

Meulemans, who has offers from UW-Green Bay, Illinois State, UW-Milwaukee and Creighton, averaged 11.1 points a game as a freshman.

“Jordan has a special ability, and teams are going to focus on her,” Boileau said. “She comes to work every practice to get better, and her work ethic is contagious to our entire team. From a defensive standpoint, she can guard the 1-5 positions. She’s versatile offensively, too. She can play the point, in the post and is a strong rebounder. She’s a good athlete and doesn’t get tired. As a freshman, she finished in the top one or two in free-throw and three-point percentage in the FRCC.”

Meulemans recently finished 77th at the WIAA Division 1 state cross country meet in Wisconsin Rapids.

The Redbirds have three seniors on this year’s roster: Elle Schneider (4.9 ppg), Keely Dorn (3.1) and Sophie Hubbard (2.7).

Junior Sophia McCarty (5.1) also returns.

Junior Kylie Trousil was a member of the junior varsity squad last season.

The other players on De Pere’s squad are sophomores.

Boileau said sophomore McKenna Ciesielczyk, who he thought would have made an impact, is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

“When we went to state in 2017, we had a seven-girl rotation,” said Boileau. “As long as we are conditioned, we will be alright.”

Boileau said there should be eight solid teams in the FRCC.

“I’d expect Bay Port, Green Bay Preble and Notre Dame Academy to be the top dogs,” he said. “Pulaski is a rising team – I think they can surprise some people. Green Bay Southwest has one of the best players in the conference in Jaddan Simmons. There are lots of new coaches in the FRCC.”

Pulaski, Southwest and Sheboygan North all have new leaders on the sidelines.


De Pere girls’ basketball schedule

11/22 – @ Fond du Lac – 7:30 p.m.

12/3 – @ Stevens Point – 7:15 p.m.

12/6 – Green Bay Southwest

12/12 – @ Sheboygan North

12/17 – @ Pulaski

12/20 – Manitowoc Lincoln

12/30 – West De Pere

1/3 – Green Bay Preble

1/7 – Bay Port – 5:40 p.m.

1/10 – @ Sheboygan South

1/11 – Neenah

1/14 – Notre Dame Academy

1/17 – @ Ashwaubenon

1/24 – Sheboygan North

1/28 – @ Preble

1/31 – @ Manitowoc – 5:40 p.m.

2/4 – Pulaski

2/7 – @ Bay Port

2/11 – Sheboygan South

2/14 – @ Notre Dame

2/18 – @ Southwest

2/20 – Ashwaubenon

Editor’s note: All games begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

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