After banner year, Elks raise expectations

Elkhorn’s Vince Umnus is expected to be one of the best guards in the Southern Lakes Conference this season. (File photo)

By Chris Bennett

Sports Correspondent

Expectations are high for Elkhorn this season, a point on which coach Josh Skatrud is abundantly clear.

Elkhorn is in its fifth season under Skatrud, and enjoyed one of the program’s better seasons in recent memory last year.

The Elks advanced to the WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinals and lost by five points – 46-41 – to Westosha Central March 8 at Burlington. Central went on to advance to the Division 2 state tournament.

Elkhorn finished 17-8 overall and went 10-4 in the Southern Lakes Conference, good for a third-place finish behind conference champs Union Grove and second-place Central.

The Elks beat Wilmot and Union Grove in Division 2 regional play and won the school’s first regional title since 2009 and first under Skatrud.

The Elks also continued to even the score with a local rival last season. The Elks defeated SLC foe Burlington in consecutive seasons for the first time since the schools joined the SLC for the 2009-10 school year.

Skatrud is confident the Elks will enjoy a robust 2018-19 season. Seven of the top eight players from last season’s rotation return.

“We have high expectations after making sectionals last season,” Skatrud said. “We should be in the mix for a conference and regional championship.”

Read more in the Nov. 29 Elkhorn Independent.

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