(Harlan) Harlan is off to a 2-0 girls basketball start with victories over Treynor and St. Albert. The Cyclones oppose 2-1 Shenandoah on Thursday.
Harlan won 48-43 over Treynor in their first game of the year and followed it up with a 44-30 win vs St. Albert. They’ve outscored their opponents by 24 points in the first quarter. Coach Zach Klaassen says, “I think our first quarter starts is what has got us over the top and got us going. We’ve jumped out to a 12-2 lead and 18-4 in the first quarters. Just getting off to a good start has helped us out on those first two victories.”
Claire Schmitz is averaging 15.5 points and 12 rebounds per game so far this season. “Claire is probably our top returner when it comes to scoring and rebounding. She was an all-state player a year ago and is a senior leader for us. Caitlin Leinen was our first post off the bench last year. She hit a couple of three’s last night which was good to see those go in. Reagan Wicks was our first guard off the bench last year and she’s been running the point guard position for us and been really steady.”
Coach Klaassen comments on what he wants to see from his group against Shenandoah on Thursday. “We have to continue to play all 90 feet. We have to press and get some turnovers and try to turn those into easy baskets. That’s been what’s gotten us going emotionally. Hopefully we can have some better free-throw shooting. I know it’s only two games in, but you’d like to see it improved especially since some of the kids that are struggling are players that have seen the court for a few years now.”
Harlan has made just 21/45 free-throws in their first two games.
Harlan coach Zach Klaassen:
