ALBANY — In the 13 years prior to Derik Doescher’s tenure as coach of the Albany girls basketball team, the program went without a winning season in conference play, and never made the regional final. With 12 years of coaching experience under his belt previously as the head of the boys program, Doescher saw a need to turn the girls program around when the position reopened in 2017.

And turn it around he has. In his four years at the helm, the Comets have just one losing season — his first in charge (10-14) — and have a combined record of 62-32 (.663 winning percentage). In the six seasons before, the team mustered just 26 wins in 136 games (.185). 

Last year, the Comets went 19-3 overall (8-2 Six Rivers East) and made it to the sectional final, before losing to then-unbeaten and top-ranked Black Hawk. In fact, Black Hawk was the only team to defeat Albany a year ago.

This winter, the team returns the bulk of the roster and has its eyes set on big things: A conference title; a regional title; and a sectional title. 

“None of those accomplishments are small tasks, and all of them have to be earned,” Doescher said. 

A sectional championship would mean the Comets would head to the program’s first trip to the WIAA state tournament. In fact, the school has reached the state tournament in basketball just once — the magical 1993 boys basketball run.

The key to success this year will likely come from the continued growth of the senior class, not just on the court as players, but in the locker room as leaders.

“Our program prides ourselves on taking the next step and as a senior class, leaving the program in a better place. We have been fortunate that our seniors have done that the last four years. Last year’s group helped guide us to unchartered territory for Albany High School girls basketball. We will strive for the same this year,” Doescher said.

This year’s senior class includes all-conference guard Brianna Dahl, who averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per game last season. She is being scouted by several colleges and enters her senior season with 999 career points — just 167 shy of the girls program record, currently held by Amy Golz.

Also playing their final season with the Comets will be Payton Wachholz (8.5 ppg), Kaiya Zurfluh (6 ppg), Emileigh Dallman (3 ppg) and Sierra Groebner. 

Junior Gracie Freitag (7 ppg, 4.5 rpg) returns to give the team a strong post presence. Sophomore guard Alana Durtschi (6 ppg) improved her game on the AAU circuit, and classmates Avary Briggs (4 ppg) and Myah Johnson (2 ppg) are also back, as is junior guard McKenna Broughton (2 ppg). 

“We will be very experienced and athletic. We have several girls with a great amount of varsity experience. With our athleticism, we should be able to play an up-tempo paced offensive and defensive game,” Doescher said.

Taking a page out of the playbook of good friend and long-time Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan, Doescher has implemented a speedier, more pressurized and intense game for his team. Quick transitions, full court press and taking away easy passing lanes to create turnovers has frustrated opponents over the past few seasons and has led directly to much of the program’s success. Rather than simple chaos, Doescher’s players have bought in to the conditioning to keep their legs moving, as well as the fundamentals that have limited their own turnovers season after season. That said, limiting turnovers is an area in need of constant improvement.

“Limiting our turnovers on the offensive end — we still need to take care of the basketball to give us opportunities on the offensive end,” Doescher said. He also expects his team to improve its consistency each night in the rebounding department — both offensively and defensively.

With all the returning talent this season, Albany has been the preseason favorite to win the conference according to other coaches around the league. Doescher sees through the expectations, and acknowledges that there are some other pretty talented teams in the Six Rivers East.

“Argyle is senior led with a great deal of experience and talent. Barneveld has many very athletic players that continue to improve and made it to a regional championship last year,” Doescher said. “Black Hawk — they are still the champions of the Six Rivers East. They have players that have experienced and been a large part of the success of Lady Warrior basketball. Black Hawk will be talented and in the hunt.”