2000/2001 News Last Updated: November 30, 2000

November 26, 2000  

New point guards prepare to take center stage

Fanning should help revive Lady Ramblers

Blugolds' senior Brantner good example for prep players

By Steve Beaudry

Leader-Telegram staff

Joanna Leafblad jogged past Jess Huettl several times during pregame warmups for Tuesday night's season-opening basketball game and visually took the pulse of her Eau Claire Memorial sophomore teammate.

Leafblad saw nothing and sensed nothing that indicated there was tension surrounding Huettl, who was moments away from making her debut as the Old Abes' starting point guard.

"I knew she was ready to go," said Leafblad, a senior.

But she wasn't.

"I was really nervous," Huettl said. "Right before the game (Abes senior center) Amanda (Buchholz) told me, ‘Whatever you do, just don't smile when you run out there. Look intense.' I said, ‘I'll try.' I just didn't want to look stupid."

She didn't. In 20 minutes of playing time the 5-foot-6 dynamo had one turnover and created several others in Memorial's 44-26 victory.

"We're expecting a lot from Jessica Huettl this year, but it's nothing she can't handle," Memorial coach Steve Smith said.

A lot also will be expected of the new point guards this season at Eau Claire North and Eau Claire Regis. All three teams -- and all three point guards -- will face their first major tests of 2000-01 this weekend in the sixth annual Eau Claire Thanksgiving Showcase at UW-Eau Claire's Zorn Arena.

The three city high school teams each will play one game Friday and one Saturday in preset matchups. The event also features the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team participating in a four-team tournament, with first-round games, a consolation game and a championship game.

All three prep point guards can watch arguably the best point guard in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in UW-Eau Claire senior Jessie Brantner, a Durand native in her third season as a Blugolds starter.

"That's one of the neat things about (the showcase)," North coach Sippel said. "It's a way to bring the community's basketball teams together so we can learn from each other. And gives us a chance to play in a college atmosphere."

Both of Sippel's primary ball handers of last season, Nicki Robinson and Emilee Planert, now are showcasing their athletic talents in college. Robinson, the Huskies' leading scorer last season, is at Viterbo University on a part-softball, part-volleyball scholarship. And Planert is playing basketball at UW-Eau Claire.

Their exit left a gaping hole at point guard for North. But, like Smith, Sippel has the utmost faith in his returners.

"We're expecting big things from Lindsey Rongstad -- that she'll be able to make the switch to point guard," Sippel said of his 5-9 senior who last season was used as a shooting guard and defensive stopper. "She's very strong and determined, and she's got a heckuva motor. I wouldn't bet against her in a footrace.

"She knew she had to work on her ball handling over the summer. She did. It's showed in practice."

When -- if -- Rongstad needs a breather from bringing the ball upcourt, Sippel will call on 5-6 junior Anne Connell, who played sparingly on varsity last season.

"Anne Connell was a scorer all the way up through the ranks," Sippel said, "but we're confident she can be a good distributor for us."

Distributing and defense are Huettl's greatest strengths, and she honed them last season while playing behind since-graduated Bekka Lundquist, the Leader-Telegram's reigning All-Northwest player of the year.

"Bekka was a huge help to me," Huettl said. "She was easy to talk to, and she totally took me under her wing. I was a little freaked out when I got called up (to varsity), but she chilled me out."

Lundquist and Huettl are two of only four Memorial players in the past decade who lettered as freshmen.

"I don't feel like I've got this huge load to carry (at point guard) because we've got (senior) Christine (Graham) and (junior) Carrie (Bohlig) who can play there. If I'm having a bad game, I know they'll step up."

At Regis, the Lady Ramblers expect to take large strides after going 8-16 last season. One of the biggest reasons is the arrival of junior point guard Tess Fanning, who helped lead Colfax to a two-season record of 39-6.

Fanning, like Huettl and Rongstad is a member of a team loaded with returning players. But, as point guards, a lot of responsibility will rest in their hands.

Beaudry can be reached evenings at 833-9212 or (800) 236-7077 or at steve.beaudry@ecpc.com.