STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Then and now

In 2010, the eighth-grade girls traveling team was asked which players filled specific roles on their team. This year, the three seniors on the Spartan squad updated the list.

Now …

Sharpshooter: The newest member of the Spartan team is Superior’s ace from the 3-point line. Sophomore Alyssa Correll enters the state tournament shooting .440 from the arc. Her 42 3-pointers this season are double the next closest player.

Inside threat: Jessica Lindstrom remains Superior’s go-to player in the paint. She averages 21 points per game and is the Spartans’ top offensive rebounder.

Best ball handler: Hailey Kontny retains the team title for best court vision. She leads the teams in assists with 4.8 per game runs the team’s offense from the point position.

Emotional leader: According to the Spartan seniors, the emotional leader of the team this year is not a player. They nominated Coach Roe for the title. When the team needs a pep talk, the seniors said, the second-year coach is always on the spot.

Most talkative: Natalie Kintop was the unanimous pick as the most loquacious Spartan, followed by Missy Toland.

“I feel like Natalie’s always talking,” Wainionpaa said.

“Yeah, I never shut up,” Kintop said.

Quietest: At the start of the season, the seniors would have named Correll as the least talkative, but they say they’ve had a bad influence on her.

“Alyssa started out quiet coming from Northwestern,” Wainionpaa said. “She was quiet, but we changed her. We ruined her.”

Now the nod goes Shannon Johnstad, who gives Superior some nice height off the bench and can shoot from the arc.

… And Then

Sharpshooters: Hailey Kontny and Shannon Johnstad.

Inside threats: Emily Hansen and Jessica Lindstrom

Best ball handler: Hailey Kontny

Emotional leader: Rachal Fregin

Most talkative: Harmony Clarke

Quietest: Morgan Kubarek

Tags: sports, superior, spartans, preps, basketball, updates