Girls At Mid-Season

Carroll girls basketball coach Don Racine goes for his 500th win today in the opening round of the Kapaun tournament against Maize High. In 30 seasons at Carroll, Racine has a record of 499-161. The team, meanwhile, is undefeated this season and a contender for a state title once again, following their appearance in the Class 5A state title game last season. (Carroll won it all for the first time under Racine in 2004.) With two opening round wins at the KMC tourney, Carroll could meet up with perennial 6A titan Olathe South, which has two losses this season. Racine and the Carroll girls program are reaping the fruits of an early commitment to the players of the Class of 2009. Abby Fawcett, Julia Marshall and others started as sophomores, went to the state title game as juniors and now are atop the City League as seniors. Their 75-58 win over Heights at home on Jan. 13 was very convincing. There is a blockbuster tournament at Newton this weekend. Andover Central (8-2), which is reasserting itself after a slow start, Rose Hill (9-1), which must find an inside presence now that 6'3" Audra Pfannenstiel has left the team, and host Newton (5-5) go up against a strong field, including undefeated Liberal, 10-win Marion and one-loss Salina South. Andover Central opens against Salina South this afternoon at 3 p.m. Other tourneys to watch are McPherson and El Dorado. At El Dorado, undefeated Collegiate could earn a shot at 6A Olathe Northwest or 5A Gardner-Edgerton in the final on Saturday. At McPherson, Buhler looks the favorite. On the other side of the bracket, Goddard (6-3) and Andale (4-5) meet this afternoon at 4:45. Goddard, without Sam Soyez, is not clearly favored in this game.