(Harlan, IA) — The only thing harder than going to the state tournament is going back the next year. The Harlan girls basketball team will attempt to do that this season. The Cyclones are coming off a 20-4 season and lost to Mount Vernon in the first round at the Well. Harlan loses their 2nd leading scorer Erica Rust (13.6 ppg) who is now at Simpson College.
However there is Abrey Schwieso who returns for her senior season. Schwieso led Harlan averaging 14.1 points a game, was second on the team in rebounding (5.0 rbg) plus led in assists per game (4.4) and steals per game (3.2). Head Coach Zach Klaassen says she has the potential to be even better this year
Schweiso better be ready to throw the rock inside because that’s where the Cyclones version of the twin towers will lurk this year. 6-1 Senior Grace Albertsen (3.0) and 6-3 Sophomore Brinley Van Baale (1.0 ppg) will give Harlan an advantage that few other teams have. Klaassen says its something the Cyclones haven’t had in a while
There’s also another starter back — Senior Molly Swenson (7.8 ppg) shot just over 40 percent from three point land last year and Klaassen says she is not short on confidence hitting that shot. Kenzley Bruck (3.3 ppg) played in every game last year as a freshman and move into the starting line up this year. Three juniors — Katelyn Koesters, Addison Wicks, and Lauren Schmitz will vie for playing time and provide depth. Klaassen does say the defense will change a little this year to accommodate the bigger line up
Harlan did not win the conference last year which says a lot about the Hawkeye Ten — they finished behind St. Albert and Lewis Central and Klaassen says there was some talent who graduated so it might make it a wide open race
Harlan opens their season on Tuesday November 26 at Treynor
Complete Interview with Head Coach Zach Klaassen
