Fans celebrate girls’ basketball
By John Faucher
Sometimes taking a look at things past, present and future helps us see the bigger picture, at least that’s what some Bulldog girls’ basketball fans said after a first ever alumni halftime program Friday, Dec. 20.
Dedicated fan, photographer and historian Brent Erdmann had an idea to bring an event like that to New London after seeing a similar alumni program during a game between New London and Little Chute.
Erdmann approached Athletic Director Phil Sloma with the idea and they began making arrangements for halftime of the Dec. 20 varsity girls’ basketball game between New London and Menasha.
At the game over two dozen basketball alumni players and coaches showed up to cheer on the Bulldogs in a 65-48 victory.
The halftime event featured highlights from the Bulldogs very first season in 1974-75 to the present. Past players and coaches in attendance at the game were recognized on the court at halftime.
“New London has had a rich history and tradition with its girls’ program that continues today,” said Erdmann. “We’ve had so much success we felt we should recognize and celebrate that.”
Erdmann said there were no players from the ‘70s decade teams in attendance but he hoped more will hear about the alumni night and come out next year.
Prior to the game Erdmann helped register alumni and ran a slide show of historic New London girls’ high school basketball photos.
He also helped research and write the halftime alumni program script that announced highlights from each decade of the program’s history.
Program’s beginning
Coach Anita Palmer’s 1974-75 inaugural team posted an overall record of 13-1 and took the East Central Conference with an 8-0 record.
The girls’ program reached many milestones throughout its history but team records began to rack up early on.
In the 1976-77 season the team coached by Jorine Ziebell had a year of rebuilding but set the record for most free throws attempted in a game with 71 attempts in 1977.
Then freshman Jodi Smiley was awarded a varsity letter that year.
In 1980, Smiley was the first 500-point scorer and the program saw its first WIAA playoff win over the Shawano Indians in 1981.
The 1980s featured many prolific scorers that would hold records for years to come.
Players represented from the 1980s decade included Polly Fitzgerald (Kohl) and Liz Stroesenreuther (Steffen).
More games in 1990s
Erdmann said the girls basketball program added more games to the regular season schedule in the 1990’s which led to the all-time leading scorer of the time Amy Hintz setting the record twice in 1991 and Nicki Laudolff setting the record in 1997. The program won their first regional championship in 1995 with wins over Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Clintonville and Seymour.
Jill Maus (Lowney) was in attendance at Alumni Night to represent the memorable decade of the ‘90s.
The program again took giant steps with the arrival of the millennium.
The New London varsity girls’ basketball program has compiled a record of 484-500, sent five teams to state and held winning seasons for 15 straight years.
Millennium highlights
In 2006 the New London High School girls’ basketball program had regional wins over Freedom, Notre Dame and sectional wins over Luxemburg-Casco and Xavier. The program saw its first trip to the WIAA State Tournament in 2006.
A number of team records were also surpassed that season.
Tracy Palmer broke the scoring record witch still stands today at 1,326 points. Palmer also set the career record for most three-point baskets with 187. Andrea Flease set the record with 386 assists and Michelle Handschke set the record for rebounds at 555. Flease led the Bay Conference that season with 124 assists and 76 steals. Alyssa Birkholz led the conference in blocked shots with 24.
The team finished the post season as state runner up in 2007 and won the Bay Conference title in 2008.
Coaches and players attending the event from that decade included Assistant-Coach Brian Yerkey, Teasha Kaepernick (Magolski), Jessica Schleicher (Gorges), and Brittany Beyer.
Erdmann said the current decade has proven to be one the best in terms of overall program success.
From 2010 to present, the program amassed six regional titles, back to back state titles in 2011 and 2012 and 68 straight wins from 2011-2013.
Players and coaches from the most recent decade at Alumni Night included Assistant Coach Roger Steingraber, Kayla Peotter (Schuh) Bridget Pethke, Gretl Steingraber, Lexi Roland, Mickey Roland, Cambria Fitzgerald, Jade Huntley, Andrea Lenoble, Cassidy Pethke, Olivia Steingraber, Morgan Spoehr, Morgan Iverson, Mariah Herter, Megan Pankow and Kate Christian.
Fans approve
Long time Bulldog basketball fan and retired referee Jerry Kuppernus said the Dec. 20 alumni night halftime program was a pleasant surprise. He first learned about it that night at the game.
“I really liked it,” he said. “It was nice to see them come back now as successful adults.
I remember the day when we’d only see girls playing basketball here in intramural sports. The program has really grown and it’s nice to see them recognized for their contributions,” said Kuppernus.
“I think all of the fans really liked it and I hope they bring it back again next year.”
Gary Mytton, a dedicated Bulldog Basketball fan since the 1970s agreed.
“I think it was a good idea. It brings back a lot of memories,” said Mytton.