Lady Crusaders looking to build on last season's success

Helias assistant coach Grant Berendt dribbles the ball during a drill Wednesday at the school's basketball camp for seventh- and eighth-grade girls.
Helias assistant coach Grant Berendt dribbles the ball during a drill Wednesday at the school's basketball camp for seventh- and eighth-grade girls.

The back of the camp T-shirts say "Prove It." The Helias Lady Crusaders are looking to do just that next basketball season.

"Now we have to prove it again," Helias coach Doug Light said as the Lady Crusaders went through summer camp this week.

In an up-and-down first season under Light, the Lady Crusaders put things together at the right time in winning their first district title since 2002.

"We feel like we have to go out and prove we're legitimate," Light said.

The Lady Crusaders will return three starters - Alex Heislen, Olivia Hackmann and Krista Haslag - and a handful of key reserves - Taylor Hagenhoff, Hillary Hentges, Emma Verslues, Jordan Rackers and Ginny Trauth - who want another taste of basketball postseason play.

Also in the mix is Bre Zanders, who will be eligible to play varsity after transferring to Helias last season.