Veteran squad aims for gold at NorWOSSA

It’s often said that there is no substitute when it comes to experience.
If the adage holds true, then great things can be expected of this year’s Muskie junior girls’ basketball team.
The black-and-gold are returning no fewer than 10 players from last year’s squad—a fact that has head coach Dan Bird very excited about the upcoming season.
“I’m expecting good things and, hopefully, we can get the gold [at NorWOSSA],” he said.
“That’s the goal we’re going to set,” Bird added. “I don’t think we can settle for anything less than that.”
Much of the reason for Bird’s excitement stems from the fact that the Muskies exceeded most people’s expectations last season when the rookie-laden squad beat the Kenora Broncos in the NorWOSSA semi-finals.
The black-and-gold eventually lost to the Dryden Eagles in the gold-medal game, but the experience gained during the playoff run should serve the squad well this year.
“I’ve got a bunch of players that are familiar with the system,” Bird explained. “I have the luxury of relying on Kayla Windigo, Lauren Gurski, Taylor Meyers, Jamie Holliday, and Ashlee Nordstrom.”
As was the case a year ago, the strength of this season’s squad promises to be in the front-court.
“Our strength is our height at the post and forward positions,” Bird said after practice Monday.
Among the forwards, Bird is expecting big things from Gurski in particular.
“Lauren Gurski was our MVP [last season] and she’s back this year,” he said. “She’s the one I’m hoping is going to carry the team and be one of the leaders.”
But while the Muskies are solid in the front-court, things are much less settled at the other end.
“Where we were weak last season was at the guard position, so that’s where we are still developing,” Bird said.
One of the places Bird may be able to look for help is on his newly-created rotating Grade 9 roster.
A large contingent of ninth-graders tried out for the team this season but due to the number of returning players, there were very few open spots on the roster.
Faced with the dilemma of having some talented Grade 9s but no room for them, Bird decided to create a developmental squad.
“What I’m doing is guaranteeing the Grade 9 players two practices a week rather than cut them and risk them giving up on basketball,” he explained.
“That’s not to say any of those Grade 9s that may improve to the point where they may replace a core player [won’t be given the opportunity].”
The team begins league play this coming Monday (Sept. 25) when they travel to Dryden to face the Eagles.