Eagles opened season with 51-48 loss to Underwood

Photo by Tucker Henderson
Seniors on this year’s New York Mills girls basketball team include: Violet Radniecki, Dixie Dykhoff, Alayna Baune, Ayla Olson and Kylee Lehmann.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

With seven letter winners returning from last seasons team, the New York Mills Eagles are hoping some seasoned veterans will help to guide the team to a deep playoff run. 

Last season the Eagles finished with a record of 12-15 overall and fell to Ada-Borup West in a tight 68-61 game in the sub section tournament. With 21 girls out for basketball in grades 9-12, head coach Byran Dunrud said the team continues to get better every day at practice as it gears up for another difficult season in the Park Region Conference.

“It has been a good start to the season. We have 21 girls out 9-12 and we are getting better every day,” he said. “We have a good group of girls that get along and are having competitive practices daily. We have an experienced group of girls that are athletic and look forward to building on the last few seasons.”

The Eagles will be led into action this season by returning letter winners: Ayla Olson, Alayna Baune, Annika Dunrud, Violet Radniecki, Rosemary Laudenbach, Dixie Dykhoff and Gabi Vaden.

In order to find success this season the Eagles will need to replace the losses left by Abby Riedel, Grace Brasel and Katherin Garcia who graduated from last year’s team. In order to help fill those gaps Dunrud said the Eagles will look to Kylee Lehmann, Chloe Costin and Alise Schornack who could all make an impact at the varsity level this season. 

Dunrud said the Eagles will hope to utilize their strengths and athleticism this season as they head into the bulk of their regular season schedule. 

“To utilize our strengths and athleticism, understand our roles, and play solid defense every possession. To challenge each other each and every practice, come together as a team, and get better throughout the season so we are playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” said Dunrud of the team goals.

Dunrud said the Park Region Conference favorites will likely be Menahga and Wadena-Deer Creek, while Hancock, Hillcrest and Underwood will be among the favorites in the section. 

The Eagles opened their regular season on Tuesday night with a tough 51-48 loss on the road to Underwood. They will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Verndale for their PRC opener, before traveling to Sebeka on Friday night for another conference road game.