Line-up combinations lead to success at Border Battle

McFarland and Keller team up

Derby's Joanna McFarland and Goddard's Lindsey Keller battled against each other
for the AVCTL Division I title the past few years. McFarland averaged 28 points and
19 rebounds in her final year of high school and Keller average 24 points and 11 rebounds.

At Saturday's RBA Border Battle at Hartman Arena, the two teamed up for the first
time on the public scene.

"I played with her the summer after my freshman year," McFarland said.

During the game the two showed some chemistry feeding off of each others passes
and cuts to the basket. McFarland's range was one of the keys to winning the Border Battle
because this made Nebraska's post defense play out on her opening up the inside for Keller.

McFarland scored 18 points and grabbed 19 rebounds earning herself the MVP award on
Saturday. Keller attributed 13 points and 8 rebounds in the Kansas girls 81-73 victory.

"It felt good to play with great players," McFarland commented.

She added that she has been spending time playing pick-up ball with Oklahoma
this summer with Ashley Paris.

The two look to meet again in college as McFarland heads to Oklahoma and Keller
will go to Oklahoma State.

Kansas boys coaches find the right mix

During the two days before the Border Battle at Hartman Arena, the Kansas team
spent their preparation time practicing for the big event. This gave Kansas coach
Mitch Fiegel time to figure how his team was going to win.

"We thought the difference in tonight's game would be their strength, offensive rebounding
and our shooting and dribble penetration." Fiegel said.

The talent on the Kansas roster allowed them to have great sources of spark off the bench.

"We tried to find and create the right combinations," Fiegel said. "We wanted to put people
on the floor that complemented each other."

Members of the team did have times were they struggled to find continuity, but in the end
they meshed really well.

Fiegel was joined by Ken Darting head coach at Topeka Highland Park. Darting coached Highland
Park to a 5A State Championship this winter. Darting challenged the team with six minutes left
to display a level of toughness from that point on because he knew that's what it took to win.

The game was a great way for the players to end their high school basketball career and they
won in a fun environment.

"This was fun, whenever you're coaching a team with not that many weaknesses your going
to do great often," Fiegel said.