For the past few seasons, Grand Forks Central's girls basketball team could build around the talents of Caitlin Farroh. Likewise, East Grand Forks Senior High had a force in its backcourt in Chelsey Frydenlund.
Both were all-staters last season. Both graduated last spring. And now both programs are adapting to life without their stars.
"We both have some huge voids to fill," Central coach Brent Hintz said. "Those were two special players, athletes who don't come along every year. It makes it all the more challenging now. They had such impacts on the game in so many ways.
"The kids realize that they have to step up and make the plays they relied on those girls to make for years. There will be an adjustment period."
The adjustment periods go head on when Senior High hosts Central on Thursday night.
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How "special" were Farroh and Frydenlund?
Farroh, a center, was a three-time all-state pick and the North Dakota Miss Basketball award winner last season, finishing her career with 1,428 points and 1,277 rebounds. Frydenlund, a point guard, was an all-state pick last season, running the Green Wave offense and finishing her career with a school-record 1,843 points.
"They were totally different types of players, at different positions, but they were leaders," Senior High coach Durene Frydenlund said. "And our teams are similar in that we also graduated several other quality seniors. We're looking for that kind of person, that leader."
The coaches said there will be some style changes as their programs move forward.
"You coach to the strengths you have," Frydenlund said. "We don't have that one go-to player. We hope we can develop a consistent offensive balance. But we will look to run like we always have."
In Senior High's first two games, Frydenlund said, the strength of the offense has been perimeter shooting, led by Aubrie Carlstrom and Kelsey Schlenk.
Hintz said finding a team identity is a work in progress. Nicole Fennell is a promising point guard and there is strength in the post with Katelyn Olson, Kat Reller and Michaela Johnson, the lone starter back from last season.
"We have to do things differently on defense because we don't have Caitlin in the middle to contest shots," Hintz said. "And we're still trying to find who the players are who will generate some offense. The best option looks like it will be to distribute the offensive wealth."
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GF is stingy
Despite a rash of injuries to its defensive corps, the Grand Forks girls hockey team has proven to be stingy on defense.
After giving up eight goals in a season-opening loss to Fargo South, the KnightRiders didn't allow more than two goals in each of their next three games. Of the veteran defensemen, only Brenna Nakonechny has played regularly. Shelby Brossart has yet to play, while Marissa Byrne and Kjrstin Hoberg have played sparingly because of injuries.
"Our defense has played well," said Grand Forks coach Darin Schumacher, whose team hosts East Grand Forks Senior High on Tuesday. "We're doing a good job of keeping teams out of scoring areas. That defensive zone coverage is what I've preached on defense for two years."
Grand Forks has been solid in goal with Brelyn Swendseid and Jerrica Rosendahl sharing time. On Tuesday, Swendseid had 27 saves in outplaying all-stater Andrea Klug (20 saves) as Grand Forks beat West Fargo 3-1.
"We graduated Ali Sondreal, who was our goalie for five years," Schumacher said. "Brelyn and Jerrica have worked hard and are doing a good job. They're both technically sound."
That defense will be tested by the Green Wave. "They have a lot of good goal scorers," Schumacher said. "To stay with them, we'll have to find a way to get 3-4 goals."
DeVillers reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1128; (800) 477-6572, ext. 128; or send e-mail to gdevillers@gfherald.com .
