The Ellsworth Panthers girls’ basketball team is back in action for the 2020-2021 season.

“It’s going well. We had an eventful start. The girls were ready to go last week. We were able to get a game in, and we’re just kind of thankful for every day we get to practice and play,” Head Coach Jason Janke said in an interview by phone Monday morning.

“We have two of our primary starters back, a third that started a lot of the time last year, in seniors Autumn Earney, Brianne Giese and Lily Puhrmann played a fair amount last_season. A fourth senior, Kaitlyn Peterson, brings some experience back. We’re filling the gaps with some younger players. Hayley Bach was a good player for us last year. She missed some time due to illness, but_she seems to be ready to go this year,” Janke said.

The Panthers were led last year by Earney, who averaged 18.5 points per game and Nugent at 14.6. Bach averaged 7.

Nugent led rebounding and averaged 8.8 rebs and Puhrmann chipped in 5.2 more per game.

Earney and Nugent both have scored over 1,000 points, and

See PANTHERS, Page 15

Photos by Jon Claesson. Earney was First Team All Middle Border Conference (MBC). _ The Panthers have raised their expectations after an improved year.

“Last year, it depended on which week you watched us. There were nights we played good defense and nights we struggled on offense,” Janke said. “We were up and down._ Anytime you depend on your two kids as heavily as we did with Earney and Nugent, you’re going to have some rough night. They can’t be at the top of their game very night.”

“Our expectation is to climb in the conference and be competitive_each night. It’s a competitive league for girls’ basketball, that’s for sure.”_ “Prescott and New Richmond bring their core back. New Richmond is a bigger school, they have a lot more kids to choose from. And Prescott brings everybody of significance back,” Janke said. “They’re certainly the team to beat. They’re apparently stronger than ever. We just want to play with them. That’s our goal.”

This Panther team is eager for competition.

“They’re happy to play,” Janke stated. Kids are resilient.”

Janke was asked how the players are dealing with having to wear a mask on the court, even during games.

“It’s hard on the kids but once they get into the gym they’re accustomed to the masks,” Janke said. “They don’t love them, but they don’t complain.”