MVL's Jessica Merseth Journal Player of the Year

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- When Jessica Merseth was in the fifth grade, she realized something was up. A foot to a foot and a half taller than the other players, Merseth dominated.

She realized basketball was fun. It was just the beginning.

Five years later, Merseth dominates the Tomahawk Conference. The 6-foot post for the Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers led the conference in scoring for the second straight season, averaging 17.0 points per game; Merseth averaged 9.7 rebounds per game and shot 50.9 percent from the field.

She became the player to be stopped. For the second straight season, Merseth was a unanimous selection to the All-Tomahawk Conference team.

For the second straight season, Merseth is on the All-Journal Girls Basketball team. She's also the Journal Player of the Year.

As good as it has been for Merseth, it looks like it can only get better. Merseth is just a sophomore.

"I really don't think about it," Merseth said. "It's just all kind of confusing. I still have two years left -- that's a lot of time. I just want to take the next two years and have fun with them."

Merseth off the court is in stark contrast to Merseth on the court. Funny, outgoing, maybe even quirky away from the gym, Merseth is all business when she gets inside the lines.

Not that she doesn't thoroughly enjoy the game. Basketball is fun for Merseth, and she wants everyone to know that while winning is more fun she would still love the game regardless of whether MVL went 20-2 or 2-20.

Merseth and the Chargers haven't had to worry about many 2-20 seasons. With Merseth at one post spot and 6-foot-1 Sarah Gronholz at the other, MVL was the program other teams circle on their calendars.

They've won two straight Tomahawk Conference titles. In 2000, the Chargers advanced all the way to the Class 1A state title game before falling; in 2001 they were headed down the same road until Gronholz was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

The premature end to Gronholz's career was devastating. It likely cost the Chargers a berth in the Class 1A state tournament.

For Merseth, the loss hurt even more. Partners in height on the court, the Twin Towers are good friends off the court.

Putting aside the effect Gronholz's injury had on the Chargers' play, Merseth said she just missed playing with Gronholz.

"It was disappointing because I knew it was the last time I would play with her," Merseth said. "It was a sudden shock. ... She taught me a lot of things coming in from grade school. I really had no idea what to expect. She was a good partner."

If there was a silver lining to Gronholz's injury it was this -- Merseth got a look at what the next two seasons for her will be like. With Gronholz out of the lineup, opponents focused even more on stopping Merseth; with Gronholz out of the lineup, there was more pressure to perform.

"I think she learned two things," MVL coach Dave Biedenbender said. "First, she learned more defenders are going to key on her, and that she's got to make quicker decisions. Second, she's has to be able to detect and hit the open girl. She'll get a lot of assists for us that way."

Merseth is a quick study. The girl with a 3.6 GPA in the classroom knows she will have to get better.

Merseth's pursuit of basketball doesn't end when March comes. She also plays summer basketball, attends camps and works out on her own in the off-season.

Merseth is focusing to two things for next season. She won't call them weaknesses.

"They're things I can get better at," she said.

Merseth intends to become a better ballhandler. She wants to improve her outside shot. With teams collapsing on her down on the block, she knows how important those talents can be.

"I realize that every year I have to get stronger as a player and add a different aspect to my game," Merseth said.

The future is promising for Merseth. Biedenbender thinks the potential is there.

"It all depends on how she progresses in the next couple of years," he said. "But I think the potential is unlimited. If she fully develops her game, she's going to have many options."

Merseth said she and her parents will start to think seriously about her being a college student-athlete next season. For now, Merseth is enjoying being a high school student-athlete.

"I love basketball," she said. "If I could play basketball 24 hours a day, I would. That's what I would love to do ... but I don't think I'm missing anything in my life. I'm having as much fun as I can."

The balance of the All-Journal Girls Basketball Team:

Sara Anderson, Springfield: The 5-foot-6 senior guard averaged 10.5 points per game in helping lead the Tigers to their first-ever Class 1A state tournament. Anderson was one of the best perimeter shooters in the Tomahawk Conference, hitting 40 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from behind the 3-point line. Anderson led Springfield with 2.8 steals and 3.0 assists per game, and was a unanimous selection to the All-Tomahawk Conference team for 2000-01. Anderson was also voted 2001 all-state tournament.

Alissa Black, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop: Black led the Tomahawk Conference in steals (4.2 per game) and tied for third on the assists list with 3.6 per contest. The 5-foot-8 senior guard also averaged 11.0 points per game. Black was selected All-Tomahawk Conference for the 2000-01 season. She's considering walking on at Minnesota-Duluth or St. Cloud State.

Sarah Gronholz, Minnesota Valley Lutheran: Gronholz's high school career was cut short by an ACL injury, but the 6-foot-1 Charger post was named All-Tomahawk for the third straight season. Gronholz was a unanimous choice this season and is a repeat selection to the All-Journal team. Gronholz averaged 11.5 points per game in 2000-01 and finished her four-year varsity career with 948 points (10.1 average). For her career, Gronholz averaged 6.9 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. Gronholz is considering Southwest State, Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Benedict.

Tara Trost, Wabasso: Trost led the Rabbits with 12.5 points per game and also averaged four steals and 4.3 assists per contest. The junior point guard for Wabasso led the Rabbits in four categories -- points, steals, assists and free throw percentage. Trost was selected to the Tomahawk Conference honorable mention team.

Amy Lipetzky, Springfield: Lipetzky averaged 15.7 points per game and was a unanimous All-Tomahawk Conference selection in 2000-01. The 5-foot-11 post for the Tigers was an All-Journal honorable mention selection in 2000, and was selected to the Class 1A all-state and all-state tournament teams. Lipetzky was second in the Tomahawk in scoring and third in field goal percentage (53.5 percent). She also led the Tigers with 7.7 rebounds per game. Lipetzky helped lead Springfield to the Section 2-1A championship in 2001 and a fourth-place finish in the 2001 Class 1A state tournament. Lipetzky is considering St. Catherine's, St. Mary's and Winona State.

Rebecca Kaukola, GFW: Kaukola makes her third appearance on the All-Journal team. The 6-foot senior forward led the Thunderbirds with 12.5 points per game and grabbed a team-best 8.6 rebounds per contest. Kaukola, who will attend Michigan Tech on a volleyball scholarship, also earned her third-straight selection to the All-Tomahawk team as a unanimous choice in 2000-01. Kaukola finishes her four-year varsity career at GFW with 971 points.

Steph Todd, McLeod West: Todd -- 5-foot-11 junior forward for the Falcons -- averaged 11.6 points per game in 2000-01, earning unanimous All-Tomahawk Conference honors. Todd was All-Journal honorable mention as a sophomore. Todd shot 46 percent from the field and 30 percent from behind the 3-point line this season.

Ashley Mathiowetz, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's: Mathiowetz is a repeat selection to the All-Journal team. The 5-foot-8 guard also was named All-Tomahawk Conference for the second straight season, averaging 12.6 points per game. The junior currently has 704 career points heading into her final season. Mathiowetz also averaged 5.6 rebounds for the Knights.

Kelly Mace, Cedar Mountain: The 5-foot-8 senior forward averaged 12.7 points per game for the Cougars and also was named to All-Tomahawk Conference unanimously, earning her second straight selection. Mace led the Tomahawk in free throw percentage, hitting 84.5 percent from the line -- a school record. Mace led Cedar Mountain with 4.5 assists per contest and averaged four rebounds per game.

Anne Ibberson, Sleepy Eye High: Ibberson earned her second straight All-Tomahawk Conference selection, earning a unanimous selection in 2000-01. Ibberson -- a 5-foot-7 guard for the Indians -- led the team with 15.3 points per game. Ibberson set a team record by going 14-for-17 from the free throw line and also tied an Indian season mark by hitting 18 3s during the 2000-01 season.

Erin Czer, MVL: The 5-foot-9 senior forward was a 43.8 percent shooter from the field and averaged 12.5 points per game, finishing her four-year career with 1,079 points. Czer averaged 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game and was named to the 2000-01 All-Tomahawk team. Czer plans to play college basketball at Wisconsin-Stout after also considering Bethany Lutheran.

Krista Kettner, Nicollet: Kettner makes her second straight appearance on the All-Journal team. The 6-foot-1 senior post for the Raiders averaged 11 points per game and led Nicollet with 8.5 rebounds per contest. Kettner will play basketball at Iowa Lakes on a partial scholarship.

Kristin Beranek, New Ulm Cathedral: Beranek led the Greyhounds in scoring with 13.5 points per game and the junior guard also led Cathedral with 2.9 steals per contest. Beranek was selected to the 2000-01 All-Tomahawk team.

Brittany Gorres, New Ulm High: The junior guard averaged 8.2 points per game to lead the Eagles, and also led New Ulm High in steals (1.6 per game) and assists (1.9 per game). Gorres, who is a three-sport athlete, was named to the 2000-01 All-South Central Conference team.

Honorable Mention

Springfield: Ashley Marks, Brittany Feser; Red Rock Central: Dana Meyer, Wendy Lyle, Sarah Altermatt; New Ulm High: Tiffany Drill; Cathedral: Cathy Boettger; MVL: Leah Morgan; Wabasso: Annie Moore; St. Mary's: Nicole Steffl; Comfrey: Kate Englin; Nicollet: Cara Wright.