Coach hopes to take team to new level next season
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The consensus this week seems to indicate that Madison Edgewood may now be the girls team to beat in the Division 3 field.
It’s certainly hard to argue with the results.
Edgewood ended a stellar Big Foot girls season in dominating fashion 66-48 Feb. 26 in a regional semifinal – and then two nights later, knocked the defending state champion Whitewater squad from the field.
Count Big Foot coach Rick Schoenbeck among the believers.
“They have three solid weapons, and when a team shoots that well, you have to guard them tightly,” he said. “They were patient on offense and worked for high percentage shots.
“They seemed to beat us to the loose balls or rebounds and had more second-chance points. We usually excel in the transition game, but they, too, can get out and run very well.”
Schoenbeck wouldn’t be surprised to see Edgewood playing in Green Bay next week.
“We have seem many teams who are left in (Division) 3, and I think they have a clear path to get (to state),” he said.
The first half last week was the key.
Edgewood raced out to a 37-17 lead in the opening 18 minutes to establish early control.
“They were the aggressors and were stronger in all phases of the game,” Schoenbeck said. “They came out and shot the ball well.
“They are on another level, and we are on the level of winning conference. This needs to be a learning step for what it takes to get to state and how we need to play. Hopefully, we will be hungry and improve in the offseason to get to that level.”
Schoenbeck added that his team’s efforts were hurt by foul trouble in the first half as well. Both Olivia Briggs and Payton Courier were saddled with fouls and had to sit more than half the opening 18 minutes.
“We are not deep enough for that to happen,” he said.
Big Foot outscored the Crusaders 31-29 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to pull off the comeback.
Courtney Schoenbeck led the Chiefs with 18 points and six rebounds, followed by Morgan Courier with nine points and seven assists. Briggs added nine, Brooke Wellhausen had seven points and six rebounds and Carly Snudden chipped in with four rebounds.
Seniors close careers
The loss ended the Big Foot playing careers of Morgan Courier, Snudden, Morgan Stalker and Kaiti Kelly.
All four brought something special to the table, Schoenbeck said.
“Morgan Courier was a great leader and role model to the younger girls,” he said. “Her hustle was unprecedented in every game. Her career achievement of 1,000 points is phenomenal, and she produced in many other areas that helped us win 19 games and a conference title.”
Snudden brought an inside presence to the Chiefs’ attack, Schoenbeck said.
“(She) produced in many ways with a lot of blocks, rebounds and assists,” he said. “She was so important in the middle to break down defenses and assisted on a lot of scores.
“Her length and speed for a big was unique and will greatly be missed. She may be one of the hardest to replace. You cannot teach height.”
Stalker and Kelly also filled valuable roles off the Big Foot bench.
“(They) contributed to the game when given the opportunity,” Schoenbeck said. “Both have been positive to the program and are great young ladies.”
Results of All-Rock Valley Conference voting and a statistical wrap up of the season will run in a future edition.
