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

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Guthman, Albert, Klabon, Soczka, Garbisch, Feldman, Engel, Kadolph, Gajewsky, Mauel, Zukowski, Kitano, Kovala, Tabbert, Missling

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

"Owen-Withee (Blackhawks) will have one of its best girls teams ever," ninth year coach Al Guthman said when queried about his team's prospects for 1983-84."

With four returning starters and nine lettermen in all, we'll definitely be shooting for our 11th straight championship," Guthman said.

O-W lost Cindy Albert from last year's team but return three players who finished among the top 100 scorer in the area, including Missy Klabon, the No. 3 scorer with 365 points and a 19.2 average. Shelly Soczka and Tammy Garbisch ranked 69th and 93rd respectively.

Additional lettermen include: Sarah Feldman, Pam Engel, Lori Kadolph, Nicole Gajewsky, Julie Mauel, and Karen Zukowski.

Also on the squad are Hiromi Kitano, Betsy Kovala, Deanne Engel, Karen Tabbert, Nancy Mauel and Debbie Missling.

Guthman's capsule comments follow:

Sarah Feldman - excellent ball-handler, four-year starter, good outside shot, high in assists, good perpetrator, one of the best in conference.

Tammy Garbisch - excellent rebounder, clears the board and sets up fast break...good inside shooter, will improve with each game.

Pam Engel - excellent speed and quickness, good jumper and rebounder, good shot but needs more confidence, excellent on defense.

Shelly Soczka - excellent ball-handler and defensive player, great outside shooter, one of top players in conference...penetrates well and dishes ball off. Klabon - one of the top players in the state...excellent shot, good ball-handler with good inside moves, must improve as rebounder...led Cloverbelt in scoring last year.

Nicole Gajewsky - good shot from outside, will improve each game...good team player but must learn to handle ball better.

With such an array of talent it's no surprise Guthman picks his team to repeat as champions.

(Edited)