New London-Spicer Girls Basketball Eyes State Tournament Glory

The New London-Spicer (NLS) girls basketball team is set to face a formidable challenge as they prepare to play Fairmont for the Section 3AA title on March 7, 2024. The matchup will take place at 20:00 at Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. With a record of 28 wins and 1 loss, NLS aims to secure a place in the state tournament after missing the opportunity last year.

The primary concern for NLS is the exceptional talent of Fairmont’s Brylee Miller, a 5-foot-11 senior guard and recruit for Minnesota State-Mankato. NLS head coach Mike Dreier emphasized Miller’s multidimensional skills, stating, “She’s explosive with the basketball. She can shoot from long range and she’s a great passer. She’s a total player.” Alongside Miller, Fairmont boasts several additional players capable of making significant impacts on the game.

NLS will need to contend with Fairmont’s strong overall performance, particularly their impressive shooting skills. The Cardinals have not reached the state tournament since 2015 and are eager to change that. Dreier noted, “They’re very good shooters and they’ve got Miller. She’s special.”

In addition to Miller, NLS should be wary of Bria Williamson, a 5-foot-9 sophomore known for her perimeter shooting. According to NLS assistant coach Joey Dreier, both Williamson and Miller are tenacious rebounders despite their primary roles as perimeter players. The Cardinals also feature Olive Kawecki, a quick 5-foot-6 eighth-grader with a reliable outside shot, and post players Gwyneth Schultz, a 5-foot-9 sophomore, and Emilia Klanderud, a 5-foot-9 junior.

To advance, NLS will need to play at a high level. Mike Dreier stated, “We’re going to have to rebound well and not give up easy shots. If we don’t play good defense, we’re not going to have a good chance, I’d say. But, I think we can.”

NLS’s roster is anchored by senior players Taylor Munsch, Ayla Caskey, Katelyn Delzer, and Roxanne Klein, along with ninth-grader Korbin Tanner. Munsch, a 5-foot-7 guard, played a pivotal role in NLS’s state-championship cross-country team in the fall and continues to excel in track. Caskey, also a 5-foot-7 guard and the team’s leading scorer, will continue her athletic career at Hamline University in St. Paul.

Dreier praised Munsch, saying, “Taylor is a great leader and a great kid.” Delzer, at 5-foot-11, and Klein, who stands 6 feet tall, provide the team with strong inside play, leading in rebounds and defensive efforts. Tanner, a 6-foot-2 forward, contributes significantly to the scoring.

NLS also has a strong bench, featuring juniors Brooke Barney and Ezri Boelter, sophomore Sydney Thorstad, ninth-grader Kyla Vick, and eighth-grader Paycen Rutgers. This depth was instrumental in their recent victory over Minnewaska, where NLS secured a 59-45 win for the 3AA-North title last Thursday.

Despite their strong performance, Mike Dreier expressed concern over his team’s shooting consistency. He remarked, “When we don’t shoot very well, we try to make up a lack of accuracy with volume.” As they prepare for the upcoming challenge, the focus will be on improving their shooting and maintaining solid defensive strategies.

As the clock ticks down to the Section 3AA title game, both teams are poised for a thrilling encounter, with NLS looking to reclaim their spot at the state tournament and Fairmont seeking to end a lengthy absence. The stakes have never been higher for these talented young athletes.