Junior Forward Katie Kelzenberg’s 18 Points Lead Wayzata Through a Physically Demanding Showdown to move to 6-2 on the season as Alumni turn out in support
On a special night, many Wayzata Girls Basketball (6-2) Alumni attended Thursday night’s game in a show of support for the 2023-2024 girls varsity team.
From the opening moments of the game, Wayzata faced a tough Elk River full court press, a defensive strategy aimed at disrupting their offensive flow. Displaying exceptional teamwork, passing, and composure, the Trojans efficiently broke the press, setting the stage for a hard-fought battle on the court. Once out of the press, Elk River still battled and was scrappy throughout the night.
Head Coach Julie Stewart spoke about the game afterwords, “Elk River is a disciplined, gritty team. We had some early turnovers that I thought we improved on. They put heavy pressure on the ball and the next pass, and we made some adjustments to both get the ball reversed and back cut.“
Stewart also indicated that the team was making progress in many areas, “Our emphasis has to be one step at a time and continually build and connect.“
Junior forward Katie Kelzenberg emerged as a standout performer, notching an impressive 18 points, many of which were earned through her dominant presence in the post. Kelzenberg’s combination of strength, skill, and rebounding proved crucial in overcoming Elk River’s defensive efforts.
Stewart talked about Kelzenberg’s performance after the game as well, “Katie K. did a super job rebounding. She continues to improve and grow as a basketball player.“
The game proved to be a physically demanding contest for Wayzata, with Elk River’s tenacious play testing the Trojans’ resilience. Despite the challenging conditions, Wayzata’s players exhibited unwavering determination and met the physical intensity head-on, holding on to win 72-65.
Kelzenberg finished with 18 points, Kate Amelotte had 12, Maren Day and Sophie Hawkinson had 11 points each, Allie Berns had 10 points, Sarah Hyde had 6, Sam Johnson had 3, and Ella Goodnature finished with 1 point.
Stewart also mentioned the Alumni in the audience, “It was special to have former teammates and Alumni in the house. The relationships are real, and many are playing college hoops. The (Alumni) always tell these girls to enjoy the moment, it goes so fast!“
Wayzata will play Minot, North Dakota (6-1) at the College of Saint Benedict on Friday, December 29th at 6:00pm, in the Granite City Classic, and Lakeville North (4-2) the following night at the same time and location.
