Red River
Coach: Kent Ripplinger.
2015-16: 22-5, second in East Region tournament, third at state A tournament.
Key graduation losses: Hannah Arason, Mari Rustebakke, Allison Hillebrand, Olivia Schreiner.
Returning starters: 5-7 sr. G Lexi Robson (all-region, 16.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg), 5-10 sr. F Danica Kemnitz (7.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg).
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Other key returners: 5-10 sr. Kendra Bohm (4.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 5-7 sr. Kylie Dvorak (2.7 ppg), 5-10 jr. Maggie Steffen.
Potential new impact players: 5-4 sr. Madi Johnson, 5-7sr. Sarah Lancaster, 5-8 jr. Cassidy Wilson, 5-7 soph. Jadyn Sondrol, 5-5 soph. Kenady Steffan.
Roughriders coach Ripplinger says: "We do return quite a few girls who had a lot of playing time last year, but we'll have to rely on some of the younger kids. We're not very big. We'll continue the style we've had the last couple of years, relying on our speed and athleticism to pressure teams and try to force an up-tempo game. Our shooting is a question mark.''
Noteworthy: Ripplinger is closing in on his 100th career coaching win at Red River. He has 86 wins in his first six seasons as the Riders' head coach.
GF Central
Coach: D.J. Burris.
2015-16: 6-16, eliminated in East Region play-in round.
Key graduation loss: Steph McWilliams.
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Returning starters: 5-9 sr. Lauren Dub (all-region, 15.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3 spg), 5-9 sr. sr. Liz Dub (10.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.6 spg), 5-7 sr. Megan Schumacher (4.7 ppg), 5-6 sr. Carolyn Smith (3.6 ppg).
Other key returners: 5-6 sr. Amber Anderson (3.5 ppg)
Potential new impact players: 5-5 sr. Taylor Walsh, 5-5 jr. Cassidy Kuntz, 5-9 jr. Jess Gillian, 5-3 jr. Korri Gust, 5-8 jr. Natalie Johnson.
Knights coach Burris says: "We are quick, but very small. We'll have to play a lot of zone defense because we'll have trouble matching up (with bigger opponents). Our depth is a question mark. We'll be playing six girls extensively at the start of the season. We should be a good offensive team. Liz and Lauren are our top returning scorers, but I don't think we have to totally rely on them. We'll be more balanced.''
Noteworthy: Lauren Dub became the first Knight to make the all-EDC team since Taylor Hammer in the 2012-13 season.
Compiled by Greg DeVillers
