School: Neillsville H.S. Basketball (1983)

School: Neillsville H.S. - Boy's Basketball team (1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Linbo, Reil, Krehmeyer, Wolf, Backaus, Messar, Gutenberger, Brekke, Trunkel, Nelville, Seybold, Hediger

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (18 November 1983)

NEILLSVILLE - Seven lettermen, all of whom saw extensive action in 1982-83, greeted fifth-year coach Kerry Linbo when Neillsville opened its doors for the first basketball practice for the 1983-84 campaign.

This year's 11-man varsity team includes the following lettermen: Ron Trunkel, Gary Gutenberger, Mitch Hediger, Rich Reil, Joe Neville, Eric Backaus and Todd Krehmeyer. Also included are Pat Wolf, a promising freshman, Lonnie Messar, John Seybold and Tim Brekke, completing the squad.

Linbo had these capsule comments on his top six players:

Ron Trunkel - three year starter, super competitor, team leader with great desire, has improved his shooting.

Mitch Hediger - returning starter, excellent jumper and jump shooter, will have to rely on him for consistent scoring.

Eric Backaus - solid rebounder...must be the team enforcer.

Todd Krehmeyer - Needs to mature physically...has good shooting touch around the basket, playing with more confidence this season.

Gary Gutenberger - spark-plug and quarterback of the team...very quick, must run the offense, has leadership qualities to do it.

Rich Reil - Maturity is best way to describe Rich...has really come into his own...small for a forward but is a hard worker.

(Edited)

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School: Neillsville H.S. - Girl's Basketball team (1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Rasmussen, Opelt, Zickert, Larsen, Schmidt, Ross, Heineck, Bulgrin, Anding, Greeler, Greden

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (18 November 1983)

NEILLSVILLE - "Cautiously optimistic!" That's fourth year Harold Rasmussen's answer to a question concerning the prospects of the 1982-83 (1983-84?) Neillsville girls basketball team.

The heart of the team figures to be the five returning lettermen. They are Susie Opelt, Dawn Zickert, Linda Larsen, Lisa Schmidt and Kathy Ross.

The two tallest players are junior Karen Heineck and sophomore Lisa Bulgrin. Completing the squad are Karen Greden, Brenda Anding and Bev Greeler.

Rasmussen said: Susie Opelt - three-year starter, great outside shooter, has worked hard on her inside game...definitely all-conference material.

Dawn Zickert - explosively quick...never loses her poise, good ball-handler.

Linda Larsen - good aggressive guard.

Karen Heineck - showed promise on the JV team, has been impressive in the middle in varsity practices....Definitely one of the keys to team success this year.

Lisa Bulgrin - promising sophomore...has been a surprisingly strong rebounder, but must prove herself in varsity competition.

(Edited)