SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano Hawks girls’ basketball team heads into an early season test as they take on Medford. After opening the 2023 season with a solid win over Medford, Shawano looks to build on last year’s successful campaign, where they finished 17-9 overall and 5-7 in Bay Conference play, securing fourth place behind Xavier, West De Pere, Menasha, and New London.

“We have a lot of experience, but we also have a lot of question marks,” said Coach Ryan Koenig. “We have to see who steps up and who earns playing time.”

Shawano returns standout junior Leah Nordin, a unanimous first-team All-Conference player, who has already tallied an impressive 1,031 career points by the end of her sophomore year. Nordin’s strong inside-outside game and 554 points last season make her a crucial factor for the Hawks, and she’ll be backed by fellow key contributors, including sharpshooter Ella Stuber, who scored 224 points and drained 46 three-pointers last season, and Trinity Popelka, who added 161 points. This trio gives Shawano both scoring depth and experience.

“We have the makings to be a really good team, but we have to have the chemistry, the same goals and we really need to have some depth.”

Medford, on the other hand, brings a competitive roster from the Great Northern Conference. They finished last season with a 7-5 record, good for fourth place behind Mosinee, Rhinelander, and Lakeland. Medford’s sophomore guard Kayla Baumgartner, who earned First Team All-Conference honors, is the team’s offensive engine, having scored 292 points and averaging 11.2 points per game last season. She’s joined by junior Rylee Hraby and sophomore Taylor Klingbeil, both of whom provide consistent scoring and rebounding, with Hraby averaging 10 points per game and Klingbeil adding 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Under the leadership of Coach Chad Fronk, the reigning Coach of the Year, Medford will aim to challenge Shawano with their balanced attack and disciplined defense.

Key Matchups:

• Leah Nordin vs. Medford Defense: Nordin’s scoring ability will be tested by Medford’s defensive schemes.
• Three-Point Shooting: Shawano’s Stuber, a threat from beyond the arc, could be a game-changer if she finds her rhythm from deep.
• Rebounding Battle: With both teams bringing solid rebounders, the battle on the boards will be crucial. Nordin and Klingbeil, both strong in the paint, will likely play a major role in second-chance opportunities.

Shawano’s early season success, including five wins in their first six games, has set high expectations. However, Medford’s returning core and strong leadership from Coach Fronk make them a formidable opponent.

The game can be heard on 96.5 FM and AM 1380 The Franchise Sports Radio and also at www.shawanohawks.com