Saint Charles
Lady Pirates
First Capitol News
Team of the Week
Led by sophomore
Abby Schultenrich, Pirates win GAC North
Conference title
By Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
The Gateway Athletic Conference North Division girls’ championship trophy traveled from Elm Street to North Kingshighway for the first time in four years as head coach Corey Nesslage’s Lady Pirates claimed sole possession of first place on the last day of the regular season. The Pirates were able to watch the first half of the Duchesne/West game Friday evening before heading back to watch the St. Charles boys’ team play senior night. “It was so cool,” said junior Lisa Witte, “right before the boys’ games started they announced that Duchesne had beat West and we were the conference champions.” Duchesne’s win over West left both squads with a 4-2 conference mark. The Pirates finished 5-1, with their only conference loss coming at the hands of Duchesne.
Judging by the start of the season the Pirates would have been a long shot to finish the regular season on top as they dropped the first three games of the season, including the traditional Thanksgiving eve season opener with West. “We knew when the season started that we were young, but we also knew if we worked our butts off we could accomplish some great things,” said Witte, the team’s leading rebounder, averaging just under 7 per contest.
The Pirates have been led offensively all season by the one-two punch of Abby Schultenrich and Tori Fenemor, who average 14.8 and 12.3 points respectively. Fenemor is right behind Witte when it comes to boards, averaging 6.1 per game. Fenemor leads in offensive boards while Witte is the chairwomen of the board defensively.
Nesslage’s band of sisters celebrated their win and immediately began preparing for district competition. Their opponent in semifinal action will be Duchesne. They are undaunted. “If we play our game and work our hardest I think we can beat anybody,” offers Abby Schaberg. Schultenrich adds, “If we can beat their press and minimize our turnovers I think we can beat them (Duchesne). One thing for certain, it is going to be a battle.”
The title is Nesslage’s first as head coach, although he stresses, “It’s the girls’ title, not mine.” He is willing to “trade it (conference title) in a heart beat for a district championship. Winning the conference is clearly an accomplishment, but I want to get to the state tournament,” he sternly stated. “Me and Charlie have talked a few time, and I know Ellen (Parker of West) knows this, whoever comes out of our district has a good, a very good shot at going to Columbia.”
However the season ends the future is very bright for the Pirates as they will be returning all five starters next season. For now next season is the last thing on their minds, as they are concentrating on this season, and the road to Columbia.
