Familiar Faces Looking to Step Up for Cyclone Girls’ BB This Season

Familiar Faces Looking to Step Up for Cyclone Girls’ BB This Season –

(11-19-25) – Though there’s not a lot of experience, a solid core remains.

That’s what Harlan Community girls’ basketball will deal with for the upcoming season. For a team that was 18-5 last year, this preseason for Coach Zach Klaassen has been getting his players who played smaller roles last season, up to speed for varsity play this year.

“They've come in, they've worked hard. You know, we don't bring back a ton of varsity experience. So, there's a lot to learn.”

One of the main focal points of this year’s Cyclone team will be the play of Kensley Bruck. The 6-2 center was the leading scorer among returning players at 11.3 PPG while earning about 5.4 RPG. Despite dealing with shoulder surgery this past offseason that cause her to miss some workout time over the summer, Klaassen believes Bruck can become more versatile on offense.

“We're looking for her to expand on some moves and just change up her game a little bit offensively. Add some things to it. That way, she's a little bit harder to scout because she's going to draw a lot of defensive attention, for sure, and it's got to be more than one move. That's kind of the focus right now.”

Harlan Community lost three starters to graduation, Aubrey Schwieso, Grace Albertsen, and Molly Swensen, that accounted for 2/3 of their offensive production last season. One player who will be looked upon for leadership as well as being the court general is Brinley Van Baale, who averaged 4.6 pts and 2.5 assists per game last season.

“I think she plays with confidence and she just plays hard all the time,” said Klaassen of his junior point guard. “It's just a matter of getting out there and getting some varsity experience at the point guard position.”

With three starters to replace, Klaassen hopes players like Kate Koesters, Avery Manz, and Addy Wicks to name a few, will step up early on as the team begins to gel together.

“Just some of the same faces that got some time, but now their time's obviously gonna go up and their role has to go up as well.”

Harlan Community girls’ basketball begins their 2025-26 season against Treynor at the Palace on Tuesday.

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