A Bright Future for Menomonie Girls Basketball

Front row: Gracie Miller, Ayala Hilson, Emmi Marlett, Lauren Ohman. Back row: Reese Barfknecht, Mya Romsos, Mariana Ramirez, Eme Gamez, Jordan Ohman, Caitlin Dunbar.

By Josh Spicer and Ian Kistner

With a new season on the horizon, the Menomonie girls’ basketball team enters preseason preparations determined to build on last year’s progress, blending returning experience with emerging young talent as they shape their identity for the months ahead. 

The girls’ basketball team started practice on November 10th. They play their first home game on November 25th at 6 pm against Lakeland. Their first conference game is against River Falls. That game is on December 5th at River Falls at 7:15 pm.

Last year, the team finished the season with a 13-13 record. Some important players they lost from last year are Brooklynn Birt and Cortlyn Greeley. Brooklynn led the team in points and rebounds with 15 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. Cortlyn led the team with elite defensive skills with 2.1 steals per game. 

Returning for the 25-26 season is Jordan Ohman, a junior averaging 14 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, followed by juniors Gracie Miller and Emmi Marlett. The team also has two returning seniors, Caitlin Dunbar and Reese Barfknecht, who are ready to dominate the season with their experience. 

“Taking charge and setting a new standard for the program is what we are trying to do this year…we have very good ball handlers that can handle good pressure…We are also a very fast team, so we are looking to run the court a lot…off the court, we have a very connected team, which helps a lot because we all trust each other,” said senior Caitlin Dunbar. 

The team is coached by Tyra Swanson. This is her 2nd year coaching at Menomonie. The players are in good hands as Tyra demonstrated exceptional coaching skills last year. Menomonie girls’ basketball is looking like a solid team ready for the season.