December 12, 2012

Varsity girls basketball team opens season at Roughrider Tourney

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

After finishing last season with a 21-4 record and losing in the semifinal game of the Region 8 Tournament, John Zenz, head basketball coach of the Watford City Wolves girls varsity basketball team, is looking for another very strong season.
And with a good nucleus of players returning from last year’s team, as well as new players to the varsity roster, Zenz believes that this could be the year that Watford City will be making a trip to State.
The returning starters are seniors McKayla Haugeberg and Sadie Kieson, and junior Amanda Mogen.
“McKayla is coming off a season where she was named to the Class B All-State Second Team,” states Zenz. “She can do quite a bit of everything for us.”
Last season, Haugeberg averaged 13.7 points per game and was the team’s second leading rebounder. She also led the Wolves in assists and steals and made 19 three-pointers.
Returning to the post position for Watford City is Sadie Kieson, who  averaged 5.9 points per game.
“Sadie appears a bit quicker this year which will help her in her post play,” states Zenz.
Also back for Zenz is Amanda Mogen, who transitioned to the wing last year and averaged six points per game and was the Wolves’ second leading assist maker.
“Early on, it looks as though Amanda has improved her perimeter shot with some off-season work,” states Zenz.
Also returning is Katie Mogen, a freshman, who led the team in scoring last season, averaging 14.1 points per game.
“Katie was our third leading rebounder and was third on the team in steals,” states Zenz. “She will step into a starting role for the Wolves this year.”
Rounding out Zenz’s returning players are seniors Jessica Brown and Madison Brown and junior Jeanna Zenz.
“Jessica can play either in the post or at the wing for the Wolves. She came on last year and was getting some meaningful varsity minutes for the team in both positions,” states Zenz. “Madison will give us some good post minutes. We are looking forward to a full season with Madison in the post as last year her season was cut short. With Jeanna, we are hoping she can help us with some perimeter shooting, something that she has been working on in the off-season.”
Also making up the varsity roster as the season begins is senior Brittany Taves, junior Elise Hadley, sophomores Kara Langerud and Alyssa Prichard, and freshman Ricki Lindley.
“Hadley and Prichard are two of our new students who have moved to Watford City,” states Zenz. “They both are adjusting nicely, and are getting used to the Wolves’ style of basketball.”
Watford City opened its 2012-13 season on Tuesday, Dec. 11 against Heart River in the Roughrider Tournament in Killdeer.
“The girls have potential to be one of the better teams in the area again this year,” states Zenz. “With lots of hard work, they will have a chance to attain their goals.”

WATFORD CITY WEATHER