Jaguar Girls Basketball Preview

By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbeeNmQlZpM

ASHWAUBENON-The Jaguar girl’s basketball team is coming off a 16-8 mark, which included marquee wins over the likes of Sheboygan North, Algoma, Notre Dame, Bay Port, and Pulaski (twice).

Expectations are even higher in 2017-18 with the return of 80% of its offense, ten returnees, and all five starters.

Head Coach Nicky Van Laanen, " Our program is very excited for the season to start! Having our five starters back has helped with the quality of tryout practices and intensity in the gym from our first practice. They have led the underclassmen on how to work and do things the right way. Now that this is the start of year four for our staff, we are even more excited about having the fundamentals in place to  have success at all three levels of high school and youth play. The quality of girls basketball in this area is tremendous."

The Jaguars averaged 54.2 PPG last year and gave up 44.3 in finishing third in the FRCC (12-6) behind Bay Port and De Pere.

The Jaguars rode a lot of momentum down the stretch last year winning four of their last five games, and it should prepare them to shoot out of the gates from the start with a senior laden bunch.

"The key to our year is going to be our ability to handle physical play, defensive intensity, and the contributions of our bench players," adds Van Laanen.

Senior point forward, Autumn Schlader led the balanced attack with an 11.2 points per game average.

Junior Maddie Koch returns to hold the fort down in the middle of the paint. Koch was the only other double-digit scorer at 10.5 PPG in 2016-17.

Jaguars PG/OG Peyton Wright attempts a free throw in practice

Other key components include point guard Peyton Wright, small forward Hayden Kupsh, power forward Megan Servais, and guard Kally Van Laanen.

2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguar Girls Basketball Roster (As of Nov 9)

Madi Appleton, Soph

Elyse Ark, Soph

McKenna Engebose, Jr

Jazzlyn James, Sr

Maddie Koch, Jr

Hayden Kupsh, Sr

Remi Lade, Jr

Lydia Schaible, Soph

Autumn Schlader, Sr

Megan Servais, Sr

Elizabeth Steinhoff, Sr

Addison Stromberg, Jr

Kally Van Laanen, Soph

Peyton Wright, Sr

2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguar Girls Basketball Schedule (All Games at 7:00 unless noted)

Nov 14 vs Seymour

Nov 16 At Wrightstown 7:15

Nov 27 At West De Pere 7:15

Nov 30 vs Green Bay Preble

Dec 5 At Sheboygan South

Dec 8 At Sheboygan North

Dec 12 vs Manitowoc Lincoln

Dec 15 At Pulaski

Dec 19 At De Pere

Dec 21 vs Bay Port

Dec 28 vs Algoma

Jan 5 At Green Bay Preble

Jan 9 At Green Bay Southwest

Jan 11 vs Notre Dame

Jan 19 vs Sheboygan South

Jan 23 vs Sheboygan North

Jan 26 At Manitowoc Lincoln

Jan 30 vs Pulaski

Feb 2 vs Green Bay Southwest

Feb 6 vs De Pere

Feb 8 At Notre Dame

Feb 15 At Bay Port

Feb 20, 23, 24 WIAA Regionals (TBD)

Mar 1, 3 WIAA Sectionals (TBD)

Mar 8, 9, 10 WIAA State Tournament (Madison)