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This year’s Red Raider girls’ basketball team had three seniors Aubrey Medricky, Macy Koupal and Aniyah Bruguier-Fields. The team ended their 2023-2024 season with a 19-4 win-loss record. The Raiders season ended when they came up short in the Region game against Mount Vernon Plankinton. Even though their season did not end as they had hoped, it was definitely a season to be proud of. The three seniors have some final thoughts on their final basketball season as a Red Raider.

Aubrey Medricky

Aubrey Medricky is the daughter of Mike and Miranda Medricky and the granddaughter of Jim and Bernie Hill. Aubrey has been playing basketball since she was a fifth grader. What first got her interested in basketball was her mom, Miranda. Miranda suggested that Aubrey go out for basketball, even though Aubrey was not very keen on the idea. As the years went on, even though it was not her favorite sport, she stuck with it because she had a lot to gain from playing. She realized that by playing basketball she could stay in shape, make new friends, be a part of a team and has learned a lot over the years from playing as both an athlete and a person.

Unfortunately, Aubrey was not able to play basketball her senior year due to an injury. Even though she was not able to play, she still stuck with it and went to all the practices and games. It was important to her to finish out her basketball career still being a part of the team. Overall, this season Aubrey feels that the whole team accomplished a lot and grew as a team. With the departure of last year’s seniors, there were some missing pieces that Aubrey feels girls stepped into and did a great job filling those roles.

The only thing that Aubrey would change about this season would to have not torn her ACL, but she realizes that everything happens for a reason and she is just grateful that she was able to be part of the team her last year. For Aubrey, playing defense is personally more enjoyable for her. Aubrey was not a strong offensive player, but Coach Koupal taught her that one does not have to be the flashiest or score the most points to be valuable to the team. It is important for each team member to do what they do best and execute the role best suited for them and in Aubrey’s case that was rebounding.

Aubrey played a post position for the Raiders. She was named to the Academic All-State team. After she graduates, Aubrey will attend Augustana University and pursue a degree in nursing.

Her advice for her teammates for next year’s season would be to just make the most out of the game and have fun with it. Aubrey would like to thank her parents for pushing her into playing basketball and teaching her to stick with it. She would also like to thank her coaches for teaching her not only how to be a better player but also a better person. Thank you to her teammates for pushing her hard in practices and making the sport fun for her. She would lastly like to thank the community for all of their support.

Macy Koupal

Macy Koupal is the daughter of Michael and Tera Koupal. She has been playing basketball since before she can remember. With her parents being coaches, Macy grew up in the gym and would always have a basketball in her hand wanting to be like the older girls. She would try to replicate the drills that she saw the older girls doing on the sidelines. She would keep practicing until she got better and better at them. Macy started playing organized basketball in third grade for the Boys and Girls Club.

Macy credits her parents with helping her grow a love and passion for basketball. Her parents are her biggest encouragers. Macy joined a traveling team when she was a fifth grader and her parents would send her to camps and work with her to help her develop her skills every day. Michael and Tera also got Macy onto an AAU team for four years where she played all summer long against some of the best players from all across the state. The best part of her senior season was getting to play with her sister and being coached by her dad. This season Macy created memories that she will never forget.

Macy enjoys playing offense because who does not love scoring. She finds offense to be more fun when the team moves the ball well and there is an opportunity for an easy shot or layup. On the flip side, she enjoys playing defense as well because it forces her to work hard to force a turnover, block a shot or get a rebound. In all honesty, she loves the entire game of basketball and every aspect of it. Macy’s favorite shot is a three pointer. Macy has played every position on the team depending on the opposing team’s lineup, but mainly has been the point guard or a shooting guard.

Macy’s high school basketball accomplishments include 20232024 team captain, LMVC All Conference (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023), SESD All Conference (2020, 2021, 2023) and 2023 All State 2nd team. After graduation, Macy will be playing basketball at Dordt University where she will major in both Biology and Business. She plans to attend Optometry School after she finishes her undergraduate degree. She would eventually like to come back to the Wagner area and start her own practice so that she can give back to the community that has given her so much.

Overall, Macy feels that the team had a great season. The team was young and put in a lot of hard work last summer. It took a little bit to learn how to play with each other, but she feels that they did an awesome job of learning quicking and working hard to get where they were. Macy would have liked to make it to the state tournament, but realizes that everything happens for a reason. Macy hopes that next year’s team enters their season eager and hungry to get better and work hard. She knows that she is leaving behind a very talented group of girls that have a lot of potential. Macy would like to thank everyone for their support throughout her high school career and for all the time, effort, and love that people around her poured into her. Lastly, she would like to thank God.

Aniyah Bruguier-Fields

Aniyah is the daughter of Ashley Bruguier and Cameron Fields and is the granddaughter of Barb Gullikson and Willard Bruguier. Aniyah played basketball two years in middle school and three years in high school. She became interested in basketball knowing that both of her parents played basketball in high school and they have always encouraged her which kept her interested in playing.

For Aniyah, building relationships with her teammates, traveling and practices were the best parts of her senior season. Aniyah enjoys playing defense more than offense. She played the forward post position for the Red Raiders. After graduation, Aniyah plans to attend Haskell Indian Nations in Lawrence, KS to get her degree in business management. Aniyah would like to thank her coaches, teammates and parents for letting her play basketball which is the sport that she enjoys the most. One piece of advice that Aniyah would give next year’s team would be to work on communication. She would also say to never let anyone bring you down because you are as good as anyone else on the court.

Congratulations to the Red Raiders on a great season. Thank you to the seniors for all of your dedication and leadership that you have given your team.