Girls’ basketball season opener

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December 1, 2009 • Derek Stark
Filed under High School, Sports

It is time to tip-off another season of girls’ basketball.
Fort Atkinson looks to improve upon its 4-17 record, which included just two wins in the highly-touted Badger South.
In attempt to turn around a program which has gone seven straight seasons without a winning record, Fort has brought in Scott Lastusky as the new head coach.
Lastusky replaces Jim Nyman, who coached the two previous seasons and finished with a 10-32 overall record.
“Coach Lastusky has a great passion for basketball and, more importantly, for players. I look forward to working with Coach Lastusky, along with the rest of the staff,” Assistant Coach Mike Hall said.
Lastusky has been involved since the moment he agreed to coach. Setting up pre-season open gyms, holding a mini camp and attending the girls’ summer league games are just a few examples of the dedication he brings to the program.
“He’s really giving us the opportunity to improve, and holding Saturday practices throughout the season will also help,” Senior Forward Niki Boos said.
In addition to Lastusky, Fort has brought in Mike Hall, Lance Riddell and Greg Riddell to fill the Varsity Assistant, Junior Varsity and Freshman coaching positions.
In bringing in Hall and Riddell, the program now has two of Fort’s most experienced coaches.
Hall coached the boys’ varsity team from 1997 until 2006 and is currently the defensive back coach for the football team.
He not only offers varsity coaching experience, but his post season experience, which includes a state tournament birth, will be key to the team’s playoff success.
Riddell, who also was a part of the coaching staff during the 2001-2002 season, was previously the boys junior varsity coach.
Riddell also has spent time coaching baseball and has the important role of coaching the freshman football team.
“I am looking forward to a fresh start this year and bringing in new coaches will definitely help that,” Senior Forward Niki Boos said.
Lastusky and his staff will have plenty of talent to work with, as the Varsity team returns three of the top five scorers from last season in Lexie Weigand (218 points), Marie Fitzgerald (88 points), and Boos (77 points).
In addition to this trio of players, there are hopes that Seniors: Ashley Boos, Courtney Lanza, Cassidy Lyons, Michelle White and Michelle Jacobson, are able pick up some of the scoring lost in Ralissa Nelson (245 points) and Jessie Truman (120 points).
“I think our team should do better than last year, and a goal I think we should set is to win over half our games. Finishing top in conference would be nice, but when your playing in the Badger-South, it’s always a tough game,” Boos said.
Only time will tell if this group of girls can bring Fort its first winning season since the 2002-2003 season.
“I believe the entire staff expects the girls to commit to playing with passion and to making our community proud of them on and off the court,” Hall said.
The ladies kick off their season on November 28th, when they travel to Lake Mills for a non-conference match-up. They face Jefferson County’s all-time scoring leader from last season, Denay Hering.