Marathon youth movement

By Casey Krautkramer

Marathon’s varsity girls basketball team is understandably off to a slow start this season, considering the Red Raiders have a very young squad.

The Red Raiders currently have a 1-5 record after Tuesday’s 37-31 home loss to the Newman Catholic Cardinals. Marathon varsity head coach Jeff Schneider, who is in the midst of his 19th season at the helm, did achieve his 300th career coaching win in Friday’s 60-18 home victory against Chequamegon.

“I don’t really like talking about the milestone for wins because it is not about me,” Schneider said. “So many players and coaches, especially youth coaches, have given so much time and effort over the years that it has been awesome to be a part of that. I am grateful to the players and parents that have come through the program. My wife, Nicole, our coaches, school leaders and staff and our community members’ support has been tremendous for so many years here in Marathon.”

See MARATHON HOOPS/ page 11

RED RAIDERS VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL- Introducing the 2023-24 Marathon varsity girls basketball team. Players pictured, from left to right, front row are: Madisyn Lang, Cameron Sapinski, Addison Molepske and Chenpieng Phakitthong; middle row: Katie Cliver, Mayven Schneider, Kyla Heise, Danica Paszek, Katelyn Love and Maycie Myszka; back row: Mylee Haehlke, Emma Love, Izzy Vardon and Madison Heise.

PHOTO BY STACY STUBBE Marathon hoops

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Marathon’s top returning girls basketball players are junior guard/forward Kyla Heise and sophomore forwards Mylee Haehlke and Emma Love.

“With losing four starting seniors from last year’s team to graduation, we do not have many players with varsity experience returning this season,” Schneider said.

The following are Marathon’s top newcomers to the varsity squad this season: Senior guard Madisyn Lang, senior forward Madison Heise; junior guards Cayden Sapinski, Chenpieng Phakitthong, Addison Molepske and Katie Oliver; junior forwards Danica Paszek and Izzy Vardon and freshmen guards Maycie Myszka, Katelyn Love and Mayven Schneider.

It was expected the Red Raiders might struggle at the beginning of this season.

“We fully understand that we are a young and inexperienced team that has to put the time and repetitions into individual fundamentals,” Schneider said. “We will see the girls improve their footwork, passing and finishing as the season progresses. Madison Heise and Madisyn Lang are doing a great job as our captains at encouraging their teammates to keep giving their best effort every day in practice and games. Our coaches are fantastic at teaching the skills and concepts that we need to continue to develop. The players work really hard every day which makes it enjoyable to watch them improve individually and as a team.”

Schneider’s assistant coaches this season are Chuck Baldeshwiler, Hannah Franke, Hayley Cramer, Nicole Myszka and Jaycee Borchardt.

HUGE HEAD COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENT- Marathon varsity girls basketball players gather around their head coach, Jeff Schneider, congratulating him on achieving his 300th coaching win on Friday after the team’s 60-18 home win against Chequamegon. Schneider is in his 19th season as the Red Raiders girls varsity head basketball coach.

PHOTO BY HAYLEY CRAMER