Guard trio expected to lead Trailblazers this season

By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
New season.
Same goals.
That’s the case for Saugatuck and head coach Kevin Tringali.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve built around here and we look forward to continue to compete for championships,” Tringali said.
Saugatuck enters the 2025-26 campaign having won the past two divisional title in addition to claiming a district title last year.
“We really like this team,” Tringali said. “They are athletic and pretty quick. We just have to put these kids in the right spots to be successful.
“If we can do that and we’re able to stay healthy, we feel like we can make a run for third consecutive division title and fight for a second consecutive district championship.”
The loss of four-year starter Kennedy Gustafson—who graduated with more than 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds—leaves an obvious void.
But the return of the three-headed guard group of seniors Natalia Laskowski and Penny Grob and junior Mylah Simpson gives the Trailblazers quite a competitive advantage.
Simpson was First Team All-State last season, Simpson was Second Team All-State and Grob was All-Conference.
“I feel like when healthy, our three-guard combo of Natalia, Penny and Mylah Simpson are as good as any around,” Tringali said. “Our concern, or course, is our depth in the post.”
In addition to the loss of Gustafson, Saugatuck also is without Maggie Loomis (moved out of district) and Nova DeGraff (injured).
A group of newcomers that includes 6-foot-2 junior Lauren Grant, 5-foot-11 freshman Charlee Gustafson and 5-foot-9 senior Chloe Collins should help in the post.
Returning senior Ashtyn O’Neil is also in that mix.
“Losing Kennedy is tough, but we are confident we can develop Lauren, Chloe and Charlie and Ashtyn,” Tringali said.
Senior Jordan Sanders also returns, while classmate Ada Roth is on the roster after missing the past two seasons with ACL injuries.
“She wants to finish her career strong,” Tringali said of Roth.
The Trailblazers finished 23-2 last season, including a 10-0 record in the SAC Central.
“This season, (the SAC Central) is really up for grabs,” said Tringali, who carries a 184-104 career mark as a girls varsity coach. “Martin and Gobles have been traditionally really tough, but I would not look past Galesburg Augusta or Black River either. It comes down to who stays healthy, as it always does.”