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The Underwood girls’ basketball team has a tough act to follow after a season that saw them win the Section 6A championship and claim the State Class A Consolation championship. The Rockets were 28-4 last year and had a 16-1 Little Eight Conference record. “We lost 5 seniors that brought a lot to the table for us,” said Head Coach Brian Hovland, now in his 20th season. “We will be missing Mo Bugbee and Mia Blaskowski in the post, but what we lack in height should be made up for in team speed.”
Bugbee and Blaskowski are now playing for Jodi Holleman at M State in Fergus Falls. The Rockets also lost Zoey Swanson, Alayna Evavold and Becca Johnson to graduation.
Returning starters and letter winners include Liz Lukken, Kallyn Grove, Ezrah Baker, Mily Albjerg, Trinity Baker, Emma Dirkman, Sophie Ravenscraft and Esme Larsen.
“After the past off season I expect this team to play great defense, be aggressive on both ends of the floor, and they will do a great job of seeing the floor and making great passes, playing as a team,” noted Hovland. “Having Ezrah back from an ACL injury will be a big lift for this team.”
Carly Jensen will assist Hovland.
As for the challengers in the Little 8, Hovland looks to Hancock and Hillcrest. In Section 6A, he points to Hancock, West Central Area, Breckenridge and Hillcrest as the top teams.