Posted: Dec. 1, 2009

Nicolet — There's a lot been anticipated about this year's edition of the Nicolet girls basketball team.

And just like last year, the North Shore Conference co-champs have set out an intensely challenging opening schedule to prove themselves.

"I'm going to have to talk to the schedule-maker about that (herself)," laughed Knights coach Corey Wolf, after the Knights split two games in the NY2LA Classic at Pius XI last weekend, defeating Southeast Conference champion Muskego, 59-57, but falling to three-time WIAA state division I champ Milwaukee Vincent, 54-43.

But the returning NOW Newspapers Coach of the Year Wolf already sees the benefits of such a heady set of games for her experienced though still youthful (only one senior for the second straight year) squad.

"You know what makes Vincent special," she asked, "is that they find a way to win when they're not playing very well. We have to learn how to get things done when we're not playing well."

The challenge continues Friday, when the Knights visit state tournament qualifier Brookfield Central in another tough non-conference game at 7:30 p.m.

That will ready them for a defense of their North Shore crown. The Knights (15-7 last season) shared it with WIAA state division 2 champ Grafton with a very young lineup and return a great deal of talent. The only senior is 5-7 guard Sam Lautmann, a veteran of the Knights state tournament girls volleyball team.

The junior class is huge and is led by 5-11 guard Ashley Green, who combined for 53 points in the two NY2LA Classic games last weekend.

"Ashley is a competitor in games and in practice," she said. "She knew that the team needed her. She stepped it up and took advantage of the opportunities that were available to her. She kept us in the game."

Other juniors include 6-5 center Alex Cohen, 6-0 forward Brianna Achs, 6-0 guard Gabby Bronson,5-8 guard Rachel Travia, 5-7 guard Amber Thomas.

Sophomores include starting guards 5-3 Courtney Smith and 5-7 Britney Fair and 5-11 reserve guard Becca Olin.

Stiff competition

Both Grafton and other league contender Homestead were decimated by graduation, but in the North Shore, Germantown is fast-rising and should provide a challenge with a veteran lineup as should a steady Whitefish Bay team, said Wolf.

Green said the team has high expectations, but is focusing on the here and now.

"We expect a lot out of ourselves," Green added. "A lot of people are talking about state (the WIAA tournament), but we can't control that right now. Right now, we just want to get better so we can get to the level we want to be at."

Wolf liked the experience the NY2LA provided.

Looking for consistency

"It provided us with a glimpse of what we can be," she said. "The consistency is just not there yet. We want to be playing our game, not responding to how other teams are playing against us."

That happened against Vincent, where the Knights were playing without Smith, their starting point guard, who had bumped her head hard in the Muskego game the day before. The Vikings burst out to a 17-6 first quarter lead and held Nicolet at arm's length the rest of the way.

"It was not a situation (without a starting point guard) that I wanted to be in," Wolf said. "We just wound up playing their game, and we're not going to beat them doing that." Green had 19 to lead the Knights. Lautmann, who was ill for the Muskego game, started and played well, Wolf added.

Nicolet almost frittered away a 17-point third quarter lead against Muskego. Green was spectacular with 34 points, including 23 in the first half.

But it got harrowing late. It got down to one point twice in the last two minutes but Smith, Green and Cohen all hit free throws down the stretch as the Warriors did not get a good look at a tying shot.

Muskego was led by all-state volleyball player Katie Ellerson with 21 points.