Benson County – State Champs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Congratulations to the Class B State Champions, the Benson County Wildcats!</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> To help put a bow on the season, PGHD is looking back at the championship season for Benson County. This is a season that Wildcat fans will never forget!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Bryan Kenner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class:</strong>&nbsp;B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District:</strong> 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Region:</strong> 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Record:</strong> 26-2 (State Champions)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Shout-out to [player_tooltip player_id='469472' first='Aubrey' last='Kenner'] for being named to the All-State Team</span>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">See below for stats, player comments, and a Q&amp;A session.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1222408,"width":"323px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/image_c57e85.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1222408" style="width:323px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">BENSON COUNTY WILDCATS</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Stats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1222417,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/image_737116.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1222417" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Comments from Bryan Kenner</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#0 [player_tooltip player_id='1104816' first='Ella' last='Fossen'] (junior) - </strong>"<em>Tremendous athlete, great defender. Hit some big shots for us throughout her tournament run.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 [player_tooltip player_id='1125135' first='Addisyn' last='Faul'] (freshman) -</strong> "<em>Freshmen who improved every day. Has a nose for the ball and, despite her size, was second on our team in rebounds. Went 12/12 on free throws in the State Tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Isabella Engstrom (junior) -</strong> "<em>Came off the bench for us and played great defense at some big moments in the postseason. Versatile player with an amazing team attitude.</em>"  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10 [player_tooltip player_id='469472' first='Aubrey' last='Kenner'] (junior) -</strong> "<em>State Tournament MVP. Three-level scorer, elite defender, draws lots of attention from the defense, and can find the open girl. Runs the front of our press. Finished the season with 534 points, 122 assists, and 101 steals.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#24 [player_tooltip player_id='1104818' first='Kaitlyn' last='Maddock'] (sophomore) -</strong> "<em>Cold-blooded point guard. Unbelievable focus on the court. Handles pressure amazingly well. Scored her 1000^th point in the State Championship game. Assist leader but capable of scoring 25+ when we need her to. Finished the season with 131 assists and 118 steals.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#30 [player_tooltip player_id='1104817' first='Lacie' last='Fautsch'] (freshman) -</strong> "<em>Hard to believe she's just a freshman. Game changer for our team this season. Strong, smart, runs the floor well. Great rebounder, post defender, hit some big free throws in the state tournament for us.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1057756,"width":"244px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1057756" style="width:244px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with Coach Kenner</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>This team put in a lot of work in the off-season, which led to them developing into a great team and eventual state champions. We talked early in the season about how we handled adversity would define our season. We had injuries to Kenner and Faul in the middle of the season that led us to adapting and some players modifying their roles. Then our biggest letdown of the season was losing the Region Championship to a great Langdon team when we looked tight and nervous. The team was devastated, but we found a way to rally back two days later to beat Maple River in a State Qualifier game to secure our trip to the State Class B tournament. That gave us the confidence and momentum to go on a great run in the tournament.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do you have any fun memories you want to share with us from the season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How did your team overcome adversity?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What are a few things your&nbsp;team improved on throughout the season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some role players that stood out to you &amp; why?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for in the future?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>All of our starters return for next season. We didn't go very deep on our bench this year but have a great freshman class that has a ton of potential. If we continue to work hard in the off-season, these kids should have increased opportunities off the bench next year.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your best defensive player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We have several great defenders on our team, and defense is our 'calling card." <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1104816' first='Ella' last='Fossen']</strong> is known for her speed on defense, often guarding the opposing team's point guard. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1104818' first='Kaitlyn' last='Maddock']</strong> has great anticipation and led us in steals this year. Her and Fossen are the wings in our press and do a great job of trapping and picking off passes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469472' first='Aubrey' last='Kenner'] </strong>runs the top of our press and often guards the opposing team's best player. One coach told me, "She's the best defender in the state". We really pride ourselves on our team defense and rotations. Faul and Fautsch are very good defenders also.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: Who was your top interior player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1104817' first='Lacie' last='Fautsch']</strong> had a breakout year for us at the post position. She plays so much older than her age. She has a super high basketball IQ and works hard every day. Her upside is tremendous. If she continues to develop, she has the potential to be one of the best inside players in the state.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PGHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I'm super excited for the future of this group. It is really, really hard to repeat as Champions, but it definitely will be our goal. They are a great team already and have the potential to improve more if they continue to work. I'm looking forward to summer ball!</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px;font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">BEST OF LUCK TO THE WILDCATS IN THE OFFSEASON!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1222406,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/03/bensoncounty-crop-1801x1183-1742996939.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1222406" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Benson County Wildcat GBB</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->