Can Experienced Coon Rapids Girls Take Next Step?

COON RAPIDS, Minn - The Coon Rapids girls basketball program last had a winning season in the 2006-2007 campaign when the team went 21-7. Over the past three seasons, the program has won a total of 18 games including a 4-22 record a season ago. None of that matters to new head coach Toni Jesinoski who takes the reigns of a program that graduated only one senior a season ago and with post Caitlynn Happke returning, things are looking up for the Cards.

Standing 6’2, Happke is an intimidating player on the floor and has the opportunity to be one of the best in the conference. A fixture in the Coon Rapids lineup since her sophomore season, Caitlynn and the rest of the returning players are looking for big things.

“We have a lot more confidence and expectations,” said Happke. “We want to improve every game and win more games than last year.”

During the Cardinals summer camp, Jesinoski pushed the older group (9-12 grade) to improve their skills and each other as they worked through drills.

“I want to see you take the individual stuff moving it into the game time play,” said Jesinoski addressing her team. “You need to make sure you start transferring your skills into your play.”

Jesinoski also has the team in the Champlin summer league where they sit at 2-4 with wins over Blaine and Mounds View. The group will gain valuable experience against five other Northwest Suburban conference teams including defending champ Maple Grove. It will be experience that will serve the Cardinals well. When they stepped onto the court for the first time as a group no one really knew what to expect.

“I didn’t see them play at all last season,” said coach Jesinoski. “I did watch game tape from last year though.”

The team she has coming back is a more seasoned group however. With the experience the team has returning and the new found energy coach Jesinoski has injected into the program, the bar might need to be set higher.