Vikings looking to utilize team speed

Al Panka, in his second year as head coach of the Minneota girls' basketball team, returns 10 letterwinners from a team that went 16-1 in the Camden Conference and 21-10 overall.
"Depth, team speed and quickness, experience and desire," said Minneota head coach Al Panka, when asked what he feels his team's strengths will be this season.
The Vikings opened the season on Friday, Dec. 1 with a lopsided win over Canby in which every varsity player saw minutes on the court.
The Vikings also played on Tuesday, Dec. 5 but this edition of the Mascot went to press before the conclusion of that game.
Panka will be assisted by Bryce Jeppesen, Morgan Hennen and Abby Hennen this season.
The Vikings lost just two seniors to graduation, including All-State forward Ireland Stassen, who led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists. Morgan Krog was a valuable player off the bench.
Senior guard Grace Hennen, who tossed in 18 points in the season opener against Canby, is the top scorer back from a season ago. She averaged 10.5 points per game to go along with 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals.
Kenadi Arndt, a 5-11 senior post, is the lone player on the team that stands above 5-8. She averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game last year and will be counted to do the bulk of the work inside.
"We will be a fast-paced team this year because when we play bigger teams, that will be to our advantage," said Panka.
Others back that saw extensive playing time last season is Faith Myhre, a 5-8 senior forward (6.2 points, 2.5 rebounds); Dakoda Hennen, a 5-6 senior guard (5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals); Kiersyn Hulzebos, a 5-4 junior guard (3.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals); Emma Bottelberghe, a 5-8 senior forward; and Nevaeh Hennen, a 5-6 junior guard.
The Vikings also have three other letterwinners back in 5-5 junior guard Claire Rost; 5-4 junior guard Hadli Krog; and 5-7 junior forward Dakota Pesch.
Newcomers to the team this season include 5-8 senior forward Brooke DeSmet, 5-7 sophomore forward Sarah Gruenes, 5-3 sophomore guard Abby Rolbiecki, 5-5 sophomore guard Madison Hennen, 5-4 freshman forward Jalyn Coequyt, and 5-6 freshman forward Natalie Ratajczak.
"We need to come together as a group to replace last year's seniors," Panka said. "No one person will do that, but as a group we hope to. We need to make sure everyone is rebounding."

HEAD COACH: Al Panka, second year
ASSISTANT COACHES: Bryce Jeppesen, Morgan Hennen, Abby Hennen
CAPTAINS: Kenadi Arndt, Grace Hennen, Faith Myhre
LAST YEAR: 21-10