GOODMAN, Wis — The 2020-21 co-op Goodman-Pembine Lady Patriots basketball team will be light on varsity experience. Just one player with experience at the varsity level, Kassy Mazur, a senior at Pembine High School, played on last year’s team.

This year’s coach will be Brian Waitrovich, who takes over for Stacy Stepien.

“What we lack in experience, we will make up in determination and hustle. This year’s group of freshmen will be the backbone of this program for the next four years,” Waitrovich said.

” They like to come to practice and give 100% no matter if we’re working on fundamentals, offense, or defense. I put a heavy emphasis on fundamentals and conditioning the first week of practice. We have to be able to dribble and pass effectively in order to be successful. There are three other seniors on the team, besides Kassy (Mazur), and they have been helpful to the freshmen and are making them feel welcome,” he said.

Waitrovich added, “I think Kassy (Mazur) will provide leadership to the rest of her teammates throughout the season. Also, this is a fun group to work with and I like the energy level they bring to practice.”

This year’s schedule will allow G-P to compete against some varsity and junior varsity teams. They currently have an 11-game schedule with the possibility a few more games could be added.

The team is playing a limited schedule due to the Patriots’ season ending early last year due to a lack of players. The team had to shut the season down after only a handful of games, due to injuries and low numbers.

“We are not on probation,” said Goodman-Armstrong Creek athletic director Brian Esqueda. “We opted out of playing a full varsity conference schedule for this year only. We are planning on going back to full varsity next year, 2021-22, if we complete a full season this season,”

The Patriots open on Tuesday at Crandon in a JV contest. Their first varsity contest is Friday at Goodman versus Elcho at 6 p.m.

Roster:

Kassy Mazur – Senior

Sierra Dettman – Senior

Kalli Erickson – Senior

Grace Massy – Senior

Brynn Kozelek – Junior

Joley Berger – Freshman

Rikki Snyder – Freshman

Collette Gilbert – Freshman

Cate Gilbert – Freshman

Rebekah Strietzel – Freshman

Laura Strietzel – assistant coach