One final mission remains for Jennifer Dowden and Lexi Reinke in their Bonduel High School girls basketball careers before they don their new uniforms at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee.
The recent graduates were selected to play at the 36th annual Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game in Wisconsin Dells on June 19.
Melissa Dowden, who coached the Bears to a 22-2 overall record and back-to-back Central Wisconsin Conference-8 titles, will join her daughter and Reinke as coach of the Division 4 North All-Stars. Assistant Dan Stoltenow and Al Guthman of Owen-Withee also will help coach the squad of 10 seniors.
Melissa Dowden began scouting players during the postseason and made her selections in May. No more than two players were allowed from each school.
“With Jen and Lexi, it was an easy choice,” Melissa Dowden said.
Other players on the North squad are Jonalyn Wittwer, Fall Creek; Emily Wagner, Chequamegon; Emily Shallow, Oconto; Dani Nelson, Augusta; Haley Gibbons, Regis; Wynonah Filla, Osseo-Fairchild; Dannielle Dachel, Colfax; and Alaina Beimborn, Brillion.
The public will be able to see the players Sunday when they arrive at Bonduel High School for two days of practice prior to travelling to Wisconsin Dells. There will be an open practice at 7 p.m. Sunday.
“A couple of them averaged 20 points a game, which is going to be fun to watch,” Melissa Dowden said. “We will have a houseful of players staying overnight.”
They will compete against a South squad consisting of Mollie Wedige, Cuba City; Jamie Spanbauer, Lourdes Academy; Kelli Schrauth, St. Mary Springs; Melanie Schneider, St. Mary Springs; Chelsea Ritter, Aquinas; Chlo Pustina, Cuba City; Monica Muth, Cambridge; Jakaila Jordan, Martin Luther; Natalia Iruegas, Racine St. Catherine’s; and Emily Hlavacek, Racine Lutheran.
The south coaches are Jodi Fisher and Jesi Haak of Deerfield and Gabe Haberkorn of Waterloo.
Jennifer Dowden and Reinke earned all-star nods following an epic 2014-15 season which included a 19-game winning streak and another Central Wisconsin Conference-8 championship. Dowden was named the conference’s player of the year, and Reinke was a unanimous first-team selection.
“The back-to-back conference championships for girls basketball are very great memories,” Reinke said. “This year being named to the first team all-conference as a unanimous decision and being named to the WBCA All-Star Game are honors I will treasure.”
Game time is tentatively slated for 10:45 a.m. June 19 at JustAgame Fieldhouse, 200 La Crosse St., Wisconsin Dells.
