Rochester Lourdes vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo

Third year head coach, Aaron Berg, took the time to answer a few questions regarding his team, Rochester Lourdes. He talked about their season as a whole, but also their upcoming game verses Kenyon-Wanamingo. They are playing in the Section Finals tomorrow night (March 10) at the Mayo Civic Center.

What has this season looked like compared to other seasons you've coached here?

This team is made up of girls who all do something well and they compliment each other on the floor.  We are truly playing team basketball.

What are some of your teams biggest strengths and weaknesses?

Our defense has been a strength of ours, being able to hold teams under 50 points per game on average.  Going into the season we had three players with extensive varsity minutes.  We are hoping that our challenging schedule will help the less experienced players be comfortable in big games.

Your team played Kenyon-Wanamingo earlier in the season and won - how does that give you an edge heading into this game?

I don't see it as much of an edge.  While we are confident we are definitely not looking past them.

What have you been doing these past couple of weeks to prepare to play in a big game like this? And what specifically have you been doing with your team to prepare them for Kenyon-Wanamingo?

Playing in Section 1 and the HVL all season has really helped push us and prepare for games like this.  We know to beat KW we will need to play good team defense and win the rebounding battle.  

What are some of the strengths of Kenyon-Wanamingo? Who will be their players that will need to be stopped to give your team a chance to get another win over them?

Mara Quam is an amazing talent and when you add Bleess and Flom with her that makes for a strong offensive team.  They are difficult to stop because they can put five shooters on the floor at once.  

Looking back on the season, what would you say have been some of the biggest highlights for you team?

After losing to them earlier I'd say beating Hayfield in the Sub-Section Championship is a big one.  Sweeping Byron and Caledonia is pretty big too.

You have several seniors on your team - what have they meant to your program? Are any of them looking to play basketball in college next year?

Our seniors are everything right now.  Their leadership and steady play have really been the key to our success.  None of the seniors are looking to play beyond high school.

And tell me about the underclassmen? Who will your team be looking to next year to be their leaders? Do you have any young middle school students coming into high school next year that will help your team?

Junior Wynter Bergner and Freshman Alyssa Ustby will be a good nucleus to build around next year.  We have some good players in each class that could help this team succeed.