(Kim Gill photo) Niagara's Alyssa Cretton shoots in the lane versus Coleman, in 2019-2020 game at Niagara.

NIAGARA, Wis. — A mix of experience and young players is what the 2020-21 Niagara Lady Badgers basketball roster shows.

Head coach Karl Lamoreaux returns to the bench again this season, after a 16-9 record 2019-20. The girls lost to undefeated Oneida Nation in a closely contested game in the sectional finals at Elcho.

“We graduated eight seniors off of this the team from last year, with many seeing considerable playing time,” said Lamoreaux.

Jasmine Racine, Cassie Gill, Jessica Oratch, Jaida Maki, Jayden Payette, Sydney Dunkes, Olivia Brasure and Destany Bourassa all graduated in the spring. Racine, Gill, Oratch and Maki were starters on last year’s squad.

“Josie (Rock) and Alyssa (Cretton) saw a-lot of minutes last year, Alyssa especially,” Lamoreaux added. “This year with few returning players, this would have been the summer to have summer basketball. But with COVID-19 we had nothing in the summer or preseason other than seven practices. So we will be a work in progress.”

Cretton is the lone returning starter from last year’s squad, and an exceptionally gifted athlete. Rock is a sophomore who was brought up as a freshman two-thirds of the way through the season last year.

As far as the Marinette-Oconto Conference, Lamoreaux expects Oneida Nation and Gillett to be tough opponents, as well as Coleman. The Lady Cougars didn’t graduate a player from last season’s roster, Lamoreaux noted.

“We’ll contend; we’re gonna look different, we’re not as tall, but we’re quicker and may surprise some of our opponents,” Lamoreaux said.

The Badgers sit at 1-1thus far on the season, having won their season opener Nov. 24 at Wausaukee, but dropping their home opener to Coleman Tuesday night.

JV coach and varsity assistant Miranda Cretton also return for this season.

Roster

Josie Rock, Soph.

Alyssa Cretton, Sr.

Abigail Wells, Soph.

Morgan Borchardt, Soph.

Bailey Pearson, Jr.

Haley Allred, Sr.

Jade Racine, Soph.

Stephanie Maes, Jr.

Noelle Champange, Sr.