Girls Basketball Preview

Class 6A 1. Goddard (22-3, Lee Keller) The Lions lost a heartbreaker to Lawrence in the 6A state title game, but their returning frontcourt could be the best in the state. Senior Lindsey Keller (6-2) and junior Sam Soyez area a lethal hi-low combination. Sophomore Kija Hart (5-11) adds frontcourt depth, while a talented group of sophomores and juniors will have to replace an entire backcourt. -JL 2. Heights (22-3, Kip Pulliam) A four-point loss in the 6A state semifinals to Goddard was followed a 43-point loss to Olathe South in the consolation game. Sophomore Mary Sims, who was the third option after Jennifer Lane and Amanda Orloske last season, is an outstanding scorer and defender in the passing lane, and Jhasmin Bowen (6-0) and second-team all-city Southeast transfer Kamisha Richard (5-11) also return. -JL 3. Derby (15-7, Jessica Stuhlsatz) Joanna McFarland (6-3), a four-year starter, enters her final season of preps still seeking her first state tournament appearance. McFarland won't be along in the post, joined by senior Melissa Anderson (6-0), second on the Panthers in rebounding last season. First-year coach Jessica Stuhlsatz will have to contend with Goddard again. -JL 4. North (7-10, Edward Tate) North looks to improve on a 6-10 City League record. Rayna Gutierrez (5-7, 11 ppg), Jaleesa Dennis and Sam Wyatt all return as starters in the backcourt. The Redskins could be boosted by two transfers in the post - Olivea Hagler (11 ppg at East) and junior Kelli Tyler (6-0, Southeast). -JL 5. Northwest (7-14, Jerrod Handy) Northwest has a chance to make a run into the City League's top tier. A freshman group which peaked at the end of last season has a year of experience and some upperclassmen to lead the way. Senior Miranda Mock and junior Kylee Simon will join sophomores Brianna Caldwell, Alaina Shine and Tondria Nolen as starters. -JL 6. Maize (13-9, Craig Lungwitz) Maize suffered a narrow loss to state power Heights in the sub-state final and now face a rebuilding year, as top players Heather Robben, Brittney Bell and Kaity Riffel were all lost to graduation. -JL 7. Southeast (8-12, LaToya Randle) Top scorer Kamisha Richard transferred to Heights, but Southeast still has a reliable scoring option in sophomore Jamillah Bonner (5-8). Perimeter option Paige Johnston, a streaky three-point shooter, also returns. The Buffaloes must avoid making turnovers in up-tempo offense. -JL 8. Campus (4-15, Josh Curtis) First-year coach Josh Curtis will depend on two post players, Lorielle Slates (5-11) and junior Tori Wheeler (5-10). Sophomores Brooke Dickey and Casandra Brown are the likely starters in the backcourt. -JL 9. South (15-7, Ryan Becker) The Megan Lassley era is over, as South High's four-year starter graduated. Shooter Sarah Eldridge and star center Christine Elliott also graduated, leaving first-year coach Ryan Becker with question marks. Lani Martin returns to the starting lineup, Christine's sister, LaTonya Elliott (6-5), is the tallest player in the league. -JL 10. East (2-18, James Cole) One of East's top players, Olivea Hagler, transferred to North. A bulk of the scoring load rests on senior Ashley Garrett. First-yar coach James Cole, a former assistant to Mike Helmer at South High, replaces Charles Williams. -JL Class 5A 1. Bishop Carroll (21-4, Don Racine) Like the boys team, Carroll's girls also lost in the 5A title game, to McPherson. But the Eagles, loaded with sophomores and juniors last year, may have been a year ahead of schedule in making their postseason run. The dynamic backcourt of Julia Marshall and Abby Fawcett returns, with senior Abby Henning (5-10) and junior Nicole Walden (5-9) returning in the post. -JL 2. Andover Central (26-0, Stana Jefferson) Central cashed in on a Class 4A title last season after a couple of near-misses. There will be two major differences from last season's undefeated march - Bailey Gee and Brittney Chamberlin are lost to graduation. Junior Tiffany Bias - a starter since her freshman year - emerges as a top player in the state. Libby Walker and Kaitlyn Tennyson also return for the 4A title defense, now in 5A. -JL 3. Hutchinson (14-8, Tom Clark) Among the talented group of players in AV-CTL I last season, including Lindsey Keller, Joanna McFarland, Katie Porter and Heather Robben, Hutchinson's Emile Blakesley was sometimes lost in the shuffle. Blakesley will have to shine this season, as two other top Hutch players, Edan Townley and Torey Lyman, graduated. -JL 4. Kapaun Mount Carmel (14-8, Damian Smithhisler) Much production from last season's 14-8 team is gone but the Crusaders return a trio of strong inside players. Jill Wyss, who also can play on the perimeter, anchors that group, which includes seniors Andrea Lantz and Rachael Ely. A solid group of freshman should contribute immediately. -JL 5. Valley Center Hornets (9-13) The Hornets return Kelsey Konen and Brittany Taylor, a three-year starter. Sydney Cummings and Aryn Sander complete the core of the team, along with junior center Cassy Mayber. Mayber and Sander give a transition-oriented team scoring options in the halfcourt. -JL 6. Newton (8-13, Randy Jordan) Following a state run in 2006-2007, Newton remains an inexperienced team this winter. Seniors Chelsea Gronau and Katelyn Alexander will provide leadership, while sophomore Kate Lehman (6-4) emerged as a strong scoring option as a freshman. -JL 7. Arkansas City (3-18, Roxi Bratcher) Ark City will look to try to replace the two Natalies - Benton and Stinson - who were at the center of almost everything the Bulldogs did offensively last year. Ark City is stocked with juniors and seniors, including guards Kasha Hunt and Nikki Jordan. -JL 8. Winfield Vikings (6-15) The Vikings lost top players Annalisa Jauregui and Katie Jackson. Taryn Miller could take their scoring load, as Winfield must improve its offensive output to compete. -JL 9. Wichita West Pioneers (0-21) Sandra Barnwell returns for her second season searching for her first win. LuLu Meadows returns for her senior season as a scoring threat from the perimeter and in the lane. -JL Class 4A 1. Rose Hill (19-4, Jenny Page) After making it to the sub-state championship game last year, Rose Hill is shooting for the state tournament this season. The Rockets return four starters, including all-league guards Whitney Bates (5-5, 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg) and Kristy Herman (5-5, 12 ppg, 3 apg), G Kelli Herbel (5-7, 5 rpg) and C Audra Pfannenstiel (6-3, 12 ppg, 8 rpg). -KDK 2. Andale (15-9, Mark Kerschen) Andale gained steam mid-season, earning a surprise state berth. One player graduated and eight letter winners return, but leading rebounder Adrienne Fox will miss the season after blowing out her knee in volleyball. Still, three starting guards return, including seniors Jessi Reichenberger and Melissa Easter and junior Shelli Martin. Senior Baylei Hall (5-9) is a worthy replacement for Fox. -TW 3. Cheney (15-6, Rex Casner) Four of Cheney's top scorers return from a successful young team which lost to Andale in the first round of sub-state. Returning starters include sophomore C Merissa Quick (6-2, 12 ppg, 8 rpg), G Ally Nikkel (5-8, 9 ppg, 5 apg) and G Kylie Patterson (5-7). Five other players have varsity experience including the team's only senior, C Kelsy Patterson. -KDK 4. Clearwater (15-7, Chuck Reitbeger) Clearwater lost in last season's sub-state final to Andale with an experienced squad of five seniors. Clearwater will take another shot with a different group of players: senior G Melanie Brockelman (5-6) and a pair of juniors, G Tricia Vogel (5-7) and F Sara Hoover (5-9). Andover Central and Rose Hill provide stiff league competition. -KDK 5. Buhler (16-5, Brennan Torgerson) Buhler must replace the AV/CTL Division III player of the year, Shawna Cikanek who also happened to be the Crusaders leading scorer. Two other all-league performers return, seniors Tanya Friesen (5-9, 11 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 stpg) and Stephanie Franz (5-5, 7 ppg, 2 stpg). A strong season ended in the second round of sub-state a year ago. -KDK 6. Haven (17-5, Dwight Roper) Coach Dwight Roper in his 13th season has a senior-dominated intent on fulfilling expectations. Four returners earned all-league recognition, including a pair of four-year starters, PG Paula Stucky (5-4) and G/F Morgan Skomal (5-10). Seniors F Becca Achilles (5-11) and F Emily Ostlund (5-8) also return. Haven did not lose any significant scoring to graduation, as they hope to challenge Collegiate in the MCAA. -KDK 7. Hesston (14-7, Matt Richardson) Seven players return, including six who started at some point last season, led by senior all-leaguers Kelcie Frey (5-8) and junior Mallory Schroeder. Bre Short (5-9), Tavia Raney (5-8) and Erin King will provide leadership, joined by underclassmen Rachel Hageman (5-6) and Molly Nebel (5-7). Hesston should contend with Collegiate and Haven in the MCAA. -KDK 8. Trinity Academy (9-12, Mark Bohm) Trinity steps up to 4A with returning depth from last season. Senior all-leaguers F Lizzy Weber (5-10, 10 ppg) and G Sarah Penner (5-7, 9 ppg) welcome C Kendra Crow, a transfer from Maize High. Trinity has an important mid-season tournament at 2A state champ Berean Academy. -KDK 9. Augusta (11-11, Brad Kohlman) First-year coach Brad Kohlman replaces Bob Jackson, who coached basketball for nearly a quarter century at Augusta High. Three starters return, including seniors F Nellie Gillies (5-10), G Alexa Poore (5-10), and G Ashley Schwemmer (5-6). Rose Hill, which beat Augusta at sub-state a year ago, starts the schedule as a barometer of Augusta's success this season. -KDK 10. Andover (8-13, Max Hamblin) Andover is loaded with experience - four starters return. The campaign for a winning season doesn't start easy with 5A champ McPherson on the schedule. Seniors G/F Olivia Banks (5-10, 8 ppg) and G Devan Farha (5-9) lead the defense, and junior C Kylie Cooper (6-2, 12 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 bpg) was first-team all-league as a sophomore. Sophomore PG Taylor Tilson (5-9, 3 apg) started as a freshman. -KDK 11. Circle (10-11, Brian Henry) The Thunderbirds return two all-league starters, senior G Abbey Nicholas (5-9, 8 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 stpg) and sophomore G Kyrstie Ehm (5-10, 10 ppg, 5 rpg). Only two other letterwinners join them, junior G Ally Burden (5-7) and sophomore G Charity Hon (5-3). Coach Brian Henry won a state championship in 2003 at 1A Ness City. -KDK 12. Kingman (9-13, Steve Bangert) Returning starters for the Eagles are senior G Lindsey Smith (5-6) and junior G Steph Funke (5-5). Three other seniors also return, including G Crystal Gantz (5-4), C Anna Govert (5-9) and G Kristen Wollen (5-7). Bangert hopes to use 8 to 10 girls in a high-pressure rotation. -KDK 13. Independent (11-10, Rhonda Moore) First-year coach Rhonda Moore has plenty of senior leadership to build around. Seniors PG Lauren Stricksaden, G Sandy Eaton, F Kacey Eaton and C Lauren Brown (6-4). A pair of underclassmen are also expected to contribute, sophomore F Anique Valmont and junior F Dana Loveland. -KDK 14. Mulvane (6-14, Dale Landes) Mulvane must improve its shooting percentage. Two starters return, senior G Maddie Wise (5-4, 3 apg) and junior F Taylor Parsons (5-9, 8 ppg, 4 rpg). Wise is a three-year starter, and junior G Stephanie Wilson (5-6, 9 ppg) scored well as a sophomore. -KDK 15. Wellington (2-18, Kevin Hackerott) First-year coach Kevin Hackerott brings a wealth of experience to Wellington program, in need of a turnaround. Hackerott previously coached at the collegiate level at Highland College, Pratt Community and Cameron (Okla.). Three starters return, including G Jlynn Ledesma (5-8), F Sarah Amrein (5-10) and G Brooke Biles (5-5). -KDK 16. El Dorado (5-15, Kevin Wishart) First-year coach Kevin Wishart is the third coach in three seasons at El Dorado. Four seniors and two starters steady a tumultuous situation. Seniors G Shelby McAllister (5-9), F Alexa Kuskelly (5-10), F Megan Fleener (5-11) and G Katie Bayard (5-3) return. -KDK 17. Nickerson (12-9, Lynn Vick) Class 3A 1. Collegiate (22-4, Terrence Phox) Seven of nine players return for Collegiate, which placed third at Class 3A state last season. Carrying the offensive load is sophomore F Ashia Woods, who was one of the top scorers in the MCAA last season. On the defensive end, PG Kamri Phox will be counted on to lead. The Spartans should challenge for a state title. -MB 2. Garden Plain (20-3, Sarah McCormick) Garden Plain returns a core group of three players from last season's team, which won the Central Plains League. Ann Pauly and Sarah Loehr, both double-digit scorers a year ago, form an explosive duo. Throw in F Camille Hubert (5-8), who was a pivotal player on the Owls state-title volleyball team, and Garden Plain has the pieces to return to state. -MB 3. Trinity Catholic (15-7, Vance Lee) Trinity lost to Southeast Saline in the sub-state semifinals, as seniors Melissa Maldanado (5-6) Maggie Vieyra (5-9) try to get the Celtics back to the sub-state finals after the loss of star Debbie Ohl to Hutchinson juco. -TW 4. Conway Springs (13-9, Ryan Rusco) Four starters return for Conway Springs, including all-league Kim Holt (9 ppg). Conway must find depth alongside returning guards Sheri Zoglman, Allison Gerber and F Caroline Winter. -MB 5. Halstead (10-11, Jason Wilson) Expectations are higher than usual for Halstead, which returns 12 of its 14 players from last year's team. Backcourt play will be strong, as the Dragons' two leading scorers return. PG Alexi Bohling and G Marissa Vermillion averaged nine points last year. C Rebecca Denny (6-2, 8 rpg) also return. -MB 6. Sedgwick (9-12, Shannon Murphy) The goal for Sedgwick is to be in thick of the race in the Heart of America. It's possible, as many key players are back from last season, including G Laramie Lawrence and F Riley Busenitz. -MB 7. Belle Plaine (10-12, Brant Brittingham) Belle Plaine lost in the sub-state semifinal a year ago and it has three key players back from that team, forwards Kim Jerrick and Jeri Burrows along with G Rhonda Siegrest. -MB 8. Douglass (7-14, Hallie Munroe) The Bulldogs won four games in 2007 and seven a year ago as they continue their gradual climb. With many returners, a record over .500 is expected. G Cara Barnes and F Rachelle McDaniel allow Douglass to play at a fast pace. -MB 9. Remington (16-6, Ben Wertenberger) As many as three freshmen could see significant minutes. Junior F Katie Regier (8 ppg) is the Broncos' leading returning scorer. -MB 10. Bluestem (5-16, Bob Jackson) Longtime Augusta coach Bob Jackson gives hope to a struggling Bluestem program. A pair of guards, Jordan Cox and Whitney Cox, will take over some of the scoring load. There is some size in the frontcourt, F Rachel Servis (5-9) and C Jessica Albers (6-1). -MB 11. Chaparral (1-20, Justin Hill) Three starters return for Chaparral, which struggled mightily a year ago. Depth, which was an issue last season, should be more of an asset this season behind juniors Heather Cox and Katie Capps. -MB