DARLINGTON — The Redbirds enter the 2020-21 season with a familiar face as the new head coach, physical education and health teacher Brad Solberg. 

Last year, Darlington finished 12-11 overall and 9-5 in the SWAL. The Redbirds also graduated first-team all-conference players Brenna McDonald and Allison Thompson from that squad. Thompson now competes at Carroll College, while other former Redbirds Kaylee Meyers (UW-Platteville), Kathleen Mathias (Dubuque) and Megan Douglas (Clarke) are also playing at the next level.

“We return only 18 points per game,” Solberg said. “We will need to find ways to score the basketball.”

Laura Sturtz, a senior, is the lone returning starter. Other returning letterwinners include seniors Lauren Jones and Cori Golackson, plus juniors Emma Rielly, Mila Gille, Kaylee Schwartz and Taylor Wedig. Sophomore Cayla Golackson is also joining the squad this winter.

“We have a dedicated bunch of girls who are committed to a common goal. They get along really well and play the game really hard,” Solberg said. “A concern is the lack of varsity experience. Overall, we don’t have great numbers.”

The Redbirds have just 10-11 players for the varsity squad, and challenges for the lineup won’t be solves easily, Solberg said.

“We will need to adjust to wearing masks and learn to play defense without fouling, because we can’t have kids sitting on the bench for a long period of time,” he said.

While Solberg anticipates Mineral Point and Cuba City to finish the season at the top of the SWAL standings, he’s excited for his players to get the chance to play.

“They are an eager bunch who get along well and have high character,” Solberg said. “They spend a lot of time trying to develop their skills. They listen and really want to lean. It will be fun to watch when they put it all together.”