If there is a phrase that describes this past season for the Winona State University women’s basketball team, it would be “record-setting.”
WSU’s season ended March 1, but not before the team recorded 21 wins, breaking the school record of 17.
“It was a fun season,” WSU coach Scott Ballard said. “It was an enjoyable group to work with because they competed night in and night out. There was no drama on the team, so that was good to work with.”
The only drama the WSU women’s basketball team faced was its chances of making the NCAA tournament.
Going into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament quarterfinals against MSU-Moorhead, the Warriors were ranked 10th in the region.
It is safe to say if WSU could have pulled off a victory against MSU-Moorhead and then against Concordia-St. Paul, the team could have been looking at a potential NCAA tournament bid.
Against MSU-Moorhead, WSU played by far its worst game of the year and lost 72-55.
Coming in, WSU had only lost eight games, and the biggest margin in those losses was six points.
“The last game of the year, you don’t want to play your worst game,” Ballard said. “It’s like I told our players after the game was over, I hoped they didn’t forget about all the positives and the first-time things they accomplished during the season.”
One remarkable feat WSU achieved was ranking in the top five in the nation in three statistical categories.
The Warriors were first in the nation in free-throw shooting (79.4 percent), second in 3-point field goal shooting (41.4 percent), and fifth in fewest turnovers per game (14.1).
“I have never had a team that was in the top (five) in three statistical categories,” Ballard said.
It is apparent that WSU is taking steps in the right direction.
The Warriors won 16 games last season, which was second all-time in school history, but this season’s 21 was far better.
On top of that, WSU brings back all but two players to next year’s squad, losing Amanda Reimer and Kayleigh Lutz.
Despite Reimer and Lutz being key components this past season, WSU will still bring back 81 percent of its scoring.
If that doesn’t increase the anticipation for next season, the Warriors also will bring in three very good recruits.
Michelle McDonald was an outstanding high school player that had some Division I offers but turned them down to go to WSU.
Oh, she is also from Johnsburg, Ill.
You might know a certain WSU player that is also from Johnsburg — John Smith.
McDonald ranks second all-time in scoring at Johnsburg High School with 1,500 career points.
The Warriors also add another big player to their somewhat smaller lineup.
Jordan Skiem is a 6-foot-3 bruiser from Minnetonka who was named an honorable mention to the top 50 senior players in Minnesota.
The last of the three WSU recruits to sign early is Amber Junker, a 5-11 forward who averaged 14 points per game at Eden Valley-Watkins.
Ballard said that Junker reminds him a lot of Reimer, who was a tremendous player for WSU the past four years.
“All three come from very successful programs,” Ballard said. “They will give us more depth, size and athleticism on the inside.”
The three will join Jamie Majerowicz, Bonnie Bjorke, and Natalie Gigler in the post.
With the Warriors adding some depth in the post, they also return some great players at the guard positions.
Key contributors returning to next year’s squad at guard are Kelsey Homewood, Jenny Steffen, Molly Anderson, and Ana Wurtz.
In total, WSU will bring back 11 players to next year’s squad, and Ballard said that this team isn’t done yet as far as achievements.
“They were the best team the program has ever had and they aren’t satisfied with it,” Ballard said.

Reach Adam at AJStanek7497@winona.edu