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Biadasz to coach I-S girls

SP-IS-girls-hoops1-191121 SP-IS-girls-hoops2-191121 SP-IS-girls-hoops3-191121 Katie Cherek concentrates before shooting a free throw.
Holly Neumann Photo SP-IS-girls-hoops5-191121 SP-IS-girls-hoops6-191121
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Makayla Much puts pressure on Hannah Melum as she tries to bring the ball up the floor during the first week of practice for the Iola-Scandinavia girls' basketball team. The Thunderbirds will open the season Thursday, Nov. 21, at Northland Lutheran in Kronenwetter. Holly Neumann Photo

T-Birds to have varsity, JV teams

By Holly Neumann


The Iola-Scandinavia girls’ basketball team has a new coach for the first time in almost 25 years.

Joel Biadasz replaces Mark Wester, who stepped down after coaching the Thunderbirds for 24 seasons.

Originally from Amherst, Biadasz teaches physical education and health education to grades 7-9.

“After graduating from UW-Stevens Point (with a degree) in physical education, there was an opportunity to teach here at Iola-Scandinavia,” he said. “I have enjoyed my time here so far in this great community.”

Biadasz has been involved in sports throughout his life.

“I’ve been involved in coaching basketball in Amherst for the last four seasons at the high school level,” he said. “I have a passion to teach and enjoy developing students into great people on and off the court.”

Iola-Scandinavia offered Biadasz an opportunity to continue coaching the sport he loves while building a strong basketball program.

“The students here are great and want to be the best they can be,” he said. “I look forward to helping my players get better each day and help them strive to become better throughout the season.”

Wester coached the T-Birds to several conference championships and a state appearance in 2000.

“I know Mark has been coaching for a long time here and has had quite a bit of success,” Biadasz said. “I think being new and with possibly different coaching styles and philosophies, the program will have some changes now and as we continue to build our program.”

Biadasz said the biggest asset he brings to the team is the ability instill confidence in his players.

“Confidence will continue to increase as I prepare them for each game,” he said. “I believe letting them know you believe in them allows them to play and reach their full potential.”

Developing positive relationships within the team is also key, according to Biadasz.

“This will help our program develop and continue to grow stronger,” he said. “It creates a positive environment where we all want to succeed and help each other strive to be the best we can be.”

Biadasz is counting on his players to be willing to learn, adapt when facing adversity and be thankful for the opportunity to learn.

“All of these qualities mesh together as one, creating a team who cares about one another,” he said. “It creates a great player and person.”

Practice began Nov. 11 and the T-Birds’ first game is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21, at Northland Lutheran.

Karina Welch, who played for Wester and is now a sixth-grade teacher in the Iola-Scandinavia School District, is Biadasz’s assistant coach.

Their goals for the upcoming season are to create positive relationships with his players and see them compete at their best.

“This will be the foundation of what this program will be,” Biadasz said. “I want each player to feel valued by the time and work they put in. I want to see each of them do their best and set goals to be a better player and person every day.”

Iola-Scandinavia High School
2019-20 Girls’ Basketball Schedules

Varsity

• Thursday, Nov. 21 – at Northland Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26 – at Wild Rose, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 3 – vs. Adams-Friendship, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 6 – vs. Menominee Indian, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 10 – at Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 13 – vs. Amherst, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 17 – vs. Tri-County, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 20 – at Weyauwega-Fremont, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 4 – vs. Marion, 1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 7 – vs. Shiocton, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 10 – at Bonduel, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 14 – at Port Edwards, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 21 – at Menominee Indian, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 23 – vs. Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 28 – vs. Manawa, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 31 – at Amherst, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 – vs. Pacelli, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 7 – vs. Weyauwega-Fremont, 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 10 – at Nekoosa, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 13 – vs. Bonduel, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 18 – at Rosholt, 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 20 – at Shiocton, 7:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity

• Thursday, Nov. 21 – at Northland Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26 – at Wild Rose, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 3 – vs. Adams-Friendship, 6 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 6 – vs. Menominee Indian, 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 10 – at Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 6 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 13 – vs. Amherst, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 17 – vs. Tri-County, 6 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 20 – at Weyauwega-Fremont, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 4 – vs. Marion, noon
• Tuesday, Jan. 7 – vs. Shiocton, 6 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 10 – at Bonduel, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 14 – at Port Edwards, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 21 – at Menominee Indian, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 23 – vs. Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 28 – vs. Manawa, 6 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 31 – at Amherst, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 – vs. Pacelli, 6 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 7 – vs. Weyauwega-Fremont, 6 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 10 – at Nekoosa, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 13 – vs. Bonduel, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 18 – at Rosholt, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 20 – at Shiocton, 6 p.m.

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