The girls varsity basketball team is currently ranked third to last in the state. While their standing has been a challenge this season, the team continues to focus on growth and improvement with each game.
Top Performers
Senior Fina Kessler has been a key offensive leader for the team, currently leading in scoring with an average of 13.5 points per game.
Senior Paige Stanfield is currently ranked second in the Sunflower League in rebounding.Stanfield made history early in the season by breaking the SM East girls’ career rebounding record during the first game on Jan. 6.
By the third game, she had already surpassed her previous total of 663 rebounds. Head Coach Douglas Archer expects her to pass 700 rebounds as the season continues.
Upcoming Competitions
SM East vs. Olathe North on Feb. 6
SM East vs. Olathe East on Feb. 17
Strengths
Throughout the season, the team has shown noticeable improvement in ball movement, rebounding, and defensive play according to Kessler Their chemistry and teamwork have become a major strength and have helped them stay competitive.
The team brings a lot of energy to the court, and their post players are strong passers and capable three-point shooters, Kessler says. The connection the players have built over the season has become an advantage during games. They are also using their last two wins as motivation moving forward.
Weaknesses
Handling full-court pressure has been difficult at times, and the limited rotation has created challenges Kessler says. With only seven players consistently seeing game time, newer players may not always be familiar with all of the plays according to Kessler. Additionally, many players participate in multiple sports, which can impact overall experience and consistency.
Injuries
There are currently no injuries on the varsity roster.
Lineup Changes
There have been no recent changes to the starting lineup.
Other Standouts
Despite their current ranking, their recent wins have boosted their motivation to work harder to continue to win, Kessler says. The team is currently emphasizing defensive closeouts and other defensive strategies in hopes of improving their overall performance and climbing in the standings.
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