Ely girls ready to begin new basketball season

Ely’s high school girls basketball team was rarely at full strength a year ago.Injuries ravaged the Timberwolves, and that contributed to a 7-15 season that included 11 losses in their last 12 games.But the Wolves enter the 2005-2006 season, which starts Tuesday at International Falls, at full strength and with a bit of varsity experience.Senior Kelsey Ivancich, junior Barb Klun and sophomore Tomi McDonald form the nucleus of a team that’s looking to improve this winter.Ivancich was one of several Wolves to miss time due to injury last year and the guard steps into the lineup with a chance to provide both some offensive punch and backcourt stability.Klun handled point guard duties for much of her sophomore year, while the 5-11 McDonald is Ely’s most explosive player, capable of scoring inside or from long range.Like Ivancich, senior Naomi Weckman returns to the squad this season after being sidelined by injury during 2004-2005.Seniors Kayla Peterson and Courtney Caruso are also looking to contribute.Junior Kathleen Omerza got some valuable varsity playing time a year ago and is vying for a spot in the Ely lineup. Also in the mix are junior Kaytie Spangler and sophomore Brittany Harris.The Wolves opened practice Nov. 14 and tuned up for the regular season Tuesday with a scrimmage against Vermilion.Judy Klun begins her third season in her second stint as head coach and she’s joined on the bench by longtime assistant Frank Ivancich.After two years in Class AA, the Wolves move back down to Class A this year, the state’s smallest enrollment division. The 23-game regular season grind starts with International Falls, a tough Class AA opponent, and includes 14 home contests.