One year after not having any seniors on the team, the Wayne High girls basketball program will showcase an experienced group.
In his fifth year at Wayne High leading the girls team, head coach Aaron Carlson also has two years of head boys coaching experience at David City.
"The girls put in some hard work over the summer by participating in open gyms three times a week," said Carlson. "As well as attending summer league in Norfolk, and team camps in Battle Creek, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Mount Marty University, and Concordia University."
Joining coach Carlson will be Rylee Shaw and Kyle Nelsen.
The 22-member team will be made up also of six seniors being Reagan McGuire, Haley Kramer, Lilyan Hurner, Claire Lutter, Elle Powicki and Shay Beatty.
Over 90% of the Wayne girls basketball team competed in a fall sport and recently participated in conditioning workouts November 10-14.
The first official NSAA winter sports practices began on Nov. 17 and have been very fundamental oriented.
"We are throwing a lot of ball handling, layup and shooting drills at the girls," said Carlson. "We are also working on our conditioning to be prepared for our first game."
Some team goals discussed by the coaches include achieving 15+ wins and finishing in the top four of the Mid State Conference.
With no loss due to graduation all top returners are back for the Wayne girls.
Haley Kramer, last year's leading scorer, will be a senior this year. She averaged 13.6 ppg last season while Addison Frank is back as a junior after averaging 6.2 ppg along with senior Claire Lutter who averaged 5 ppg.
"I see from our leaders and upperclassmen that they really care about the team's success," said Carlson. "They are not worried about stats or accolades. If the team is successful, then that is what matters most. We have some nice depth this year and our leaders understand that it is going to take everyone."
Sophomores Kinnley McGuire and Audrey Lutter will be looked towards at getting into the mix as well.
Senior Haley Kramer will be seen playing multiple positions on the court but is mainly a guard.
"Over the summer I continued to improve outside and mid range shooting," said Kramer. "During the summer, the team attended different camps that helped improve team chemistry and worked in the gym to push each other to get better."
She first started playing basketball in third grade and is in her fourth, first-week of practice during the high school season.
"Something I will take away from this first week of practice is the mental toughness aspect that it takes to get through the drills that will eventually pay off in tight games and in crucial moments."
A Mid State Conference championship and qualifying for state are amongst the team goals being set by the players.
"I am most excited to get out and compete in my last season," said Kramer. "Play against different teams that we are going to be seeing throughout the year and play with my teammates and create more memories."
"It means a lot to us that our community shows up and supports us and we look forward to your continued support this season. We return everyone from last year and it is going to be an exciting season!"
The Blue Devil girls are coming off a 12-14 season in 2024-25.
One of the biggest improvements coach Carlson would like to see is consistency in the play.
"We had moments where we could play with anybody as well as moments where we would play down to our opponent," said Carlson. "We need to take things one game at a time, respect everyone we play, and be ready to play night in and night out."
Wayne High will join their boys program during a jamboree on Dec. 1 visiting Howells-Dodge starting at 5:30 p.m. for the girls varsity game.
The Wayne High girls team will also compete in a few short scrimmages throughout the course of practices leading up to their season opener.
"We will continue to balance fundamentals, as well as installing and reviewing some playbook items," said Carlson. "Having a lot of girls returning has helped speed up the install process, which we can now focus on getting reps and sharpening our skills."
The 2025-26 season-opening game for Wayne High will be on Dec. 5 hosting Battle Creek at 6:15 p.m. for the girls followed by the boys varsity game.
"I think this group is going to be really fun to watch as they will play with a lot of heart and energy," said Carlson. "They will play for each other and not care who gets the credit. They just want the team as a whole to be successful."
