Brubaker picked as Norwalk girls basketball coach

NORWALK — Norwalk has its new girls basketball coach. Pending school board approval next week, Kyle Brubaker will take over at the helm of the Truckers. Brubaker has previously been a boys basketball assistant at Norwalk for six years, remaining on staff during the transition from Steve Gray to Adam Kreischer. Brubaker takes over the girls program from Brock Manlet, who stepped down in April after 13 years in charge. Manlet's 181 wins are by far the most coaching wins in Norwalk girls basketball history. The Truckers went 17-7 last winter, finishing as SBC Lake Division runners-up for the second consecutive season. Brubaker takes over an experienced roster that will bring back all five starters: Abby Koenig, Kenzie Smith, Trinity Lazzara, Lucy Schlotterer and Emmie Leber. Norwalk is one of three SBC Lake girls basketball teams that will have a new coach this winter. Tiffin Columbian tabbed Morgan Harrigan for the role, and Perkins is expected to approve a new coach at its May 8 board meeting. Norwalk's announcement comes two days after St. Paul hired Steve Frazee as its new girls basketball coach. Frazee has been a St. Paul boys basketball assistant the last three seasons. He takes over for Vicky Mahl, who stepped down after 12 seasons leading the Flyers, who went a combined 5-43 the last two seasons. "I have watched Steve work with our students since he began helping with our basketball program in 2017," St. Paul athletic director John Livengood told the Norwalk Reflector. "Steve does an outstanding job relating to kids, and I am excited to see what he can bring to our girls basketball program."