Dawson-Boyd finished the season 12-14 overall, a jump from last year’s 7-18 finish.

After starting this season out 1-6 after winning their season opener, the Blackjacks began to turn things around and won their next seven of nine games.

Dawson-Boyd then won three more consecutive games at the end of the regular season to avoid the play-in round for the Section 3A Tournament.

The Blackjacks ended their season with a 63-48 loss to Lakeview in the section quarterfinals.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Dawson-Boyd sophomore Claire Stratmoen passes the ball against Lakeview in the Section 3A North subsection quarterfinals on Feb. 21 in Montevideo.

“I am most proud about how hard the girls work their effort every day,” Dawson-Boyd head coach Rachel Hakanson said. “We say the two things you can control are your effort and attitude. Just playing with high energy, and I’m proud of them for doing that.”

The Blackjacks had a handful of weapons on the offensive end this year, particularly in Claire Stratmoen, Alivia Estling, Alyssa Swedzinski and Kylar Hjelmeland.

Stratmoen was Dawson-Boyd’s leading scorer through the regular season, averaging 17.6 points on 40% shooting from the field and 38% from deep. She also led the team with 3.8 steals per game, along with five rebounds.

Estling was a powerhouse on both ends, averaging a near double-double with 12.3 points on 40% shooting and nine rebounds, along with 2.5 steals.

Swedzinski and Hjelmeland followed, averaging 10 and 9.1 points, respectively.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Dawson-Boyd junior Laura Schreier dribbles around the perimeter against Lakeview in the Section 3A North subsection quarterfinals on Feb. 21 in Montevideo.

Notably, Dawson-Boyd saw highlights on the defensive end throughout the season. It averaged 10 steals and 30.5 rebounds a game as a team.

The growth of the girls basketball program over recent years has been commendable, and Swedzinski, Dawson-Boyd’s lone senior this season, noted the improvements her teams have made, along with her excitement to see what continues to come for the team.

During Swedzinski’s time, the Blackjacks went 10-14 in 2023-24, 9-19 in 2022-23 and 1-26 in 2021-2022.

“I think my first year in eighth grade, I think we won one game,” Swedzinski said. “So, coming now and being almost a .500 team and building it up each year, it’s been amazing seeing this program go from the bottom to something that’s fun to watch.”

When asked about what has made her proud of the team this season, Swedzinski said that it came down to team culture that carried throughout the entire year.

“We pushed each other each day. We love being around each other, so being at practice and games was a lot of fun for us,” Swedzinski said. “We all get along, we’re super fun, and we know how to have fun.”