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HOLMEN HIGH SCHOOL WELCOMES LIONEL JONES AS NEW HEAD GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH

The Holmen Activities Department is proud to announce the hiring of Lionel Jones as the new Head Girls Basketball Coach at Holmen High School. Coach Jones brings a wealth of knowledge, championship experience, and a passion for building strong programs at all levels of basketball.

Coach Jones most recently served as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Viterbo University for seven seasons, where he led a historic turnaround of the program. His leadership at Viterbo included several milestone achievements:

• • First-ever North Star Conference Championship appearance (2019)

• • Two North Star Conference Final Four appearances

• • Ended a 17-year streak of losing seasons (2020)

Beyond his success at Viterbo, Coach Jones has held coaching roles at the professional and collegiate levels, including time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In 2024, he was selected to serve as Head Coach for the U19 USA Women’s Team, leading them to a bronze medal finish at the United World Games in Germany.

Coach Jones also boasts an impressive high school and AAU résumé, including:

Durand High School

• • Conference Champions: 2011–12, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18

• • Sectional Champion: 2017

• • Regional Champion: 2015, 2016, 2017

• • 2017 WBCA Division 4 All-Star Coach

• • WBCA Award of Excellence recipient at the WBCA Hall of Fame

Wisconsin Playmakers (AAU)

• • 17U Nike National Champion (2014)

Menomonie High School

• • Big Rivers Conference Champions (2010)

• • Set school record for wins in a season (22)

Park Center High School (MN)

• • Conference Champions: 2001–03

• • Regional Finalist: 2002–03

• • Northwest Suburban Coach of the Year: 2002, 2003

Joining Coach Jones on the sidelines is Assistant Coach Lisa Ottum, a familiar and respected figure in the Holmen basketball community. Coach Ottum brings valuable coaching experience, including:

• • Varsity Head Coach, Pepin Area Schools (2003–2005)

• • Varsity Reserve Coach at Holmen under Duane Vike (3 seasons)

• • JV Coach at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau

• • Youth basketball coach with the Holmen Boys & Girls Club (past four years)

The program is currently in the process of hiring a JV coach to complete the Holmen girls’ basketball staff.

We are thrilled to welcome Coach Jones and Coach Ottum to the Holmen girls’ basketball program. Their leadership, experience, and commitment to player development will be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes and our entire Holmen community. We’re excited for what’s ahead!