2021-22 COULD BE TRIP 25 TO STATE

By William

MOUNDRIDGE – After slumping to a 10-11 record in 2019-20, the Moundridge girls basketball program made a sizable rebound this season by gaining eight more wins overall, winning a sub-state title and gaining a trip to the Class 2A state tournament.

The Lady Wildcats were led once again this season by head coach Vicky Kessler who has now completed six seasons at the helm and holds a sparkling overall record of 110-34 as she broke the 100-victory mark during the season.

We had a chance to get some reflections from Coach Kessler on the 2020-21 season, the players leaving and returning plus a peek at next season from her viewpoint. Here are her reflections:

HOW DID YOUR TEAM FINISH THE SEASON OVERALL?

For the 2020-21 season the Lady Wildcats showed a markable improvement overall by finishing 18-6 for the season which is an eight-game increase in wins over the 10-11 record of the previous season.

Moundridge also went 7-2 in league play, improving from 5-4.

The Lady Wildcats captured a low-scoring, hard fought, 36-30 victory over Hillsboro to be crowned sub-state champions before losing in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament to Garden Plain 48-39.

WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 2020-21 SEASON?

Coach Kessler looked at many things in sharing highlights from the season, including a few references to the teams they played and the schedule they played.

“Although we lost the first game of the season to Hillsboro, 48-46, I believe it was a huge confidence builder for our team,” explained Kessler. “We were faced with a strong league schedule as well as a strong non-league schedule, but the team never backed down.”

Continuing her reflections on the teams they faced, Kessler added, “Three teams from our league made the state tournament, our Lady Wildcats, Berean Academy and Sterling, who won the Class 2A state title. Several teams from the Haven Tournament we played in also made state appearances with Cheney winning the Class 3A state title. The strength of our schedule forced us to be ready to play every single game.”

“The Lady Wildcats concluded their season by facing off in the sub-state finals with Hillsboro, who was one of the top ranked teams in Class 2A most of the season, and the team was ready and executed the game plan to make the Lady Wildcats 24th appearance in the Class 2A state tournament.”

WHAT PLAYERS AND PRODUCTION WILL THE TEAM LOSE?

Moundridge will lose five seniors to graduation and Coach Kessler had reflections on each of their contributions:

  • Kourtney Kaufman – Kaufman averaged 12 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game in the 2020-21 season. “Kourtney was known for her 3-point game and always garnered the best defensive player from opposing teams, but she worked hard on the rest of her game. She became the second leading rebounder and assist leader for the Lady Wildcats.”
  • Erin Durst – Durst averaged 10.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.8 steals per game in 2020-21. “Erin improved her offensive game tremendously. Her strength and speed made her hard to guard and her leadership was invaluable.
  • Alea Durst – “Alea was such a positive force on our team as she took on whatever role asked to help her team. One of the three seniors who did not lead in any statistical category but led the team with hard work, dedication, and commitment.”
  • Myiah Logue – “Myiah was our track star as she could go from one end of the court to the other in a flash and although basketball was not her first love, she gave us some valuable minutes. Again, she was one of the three seniors who did not lead in any statistical category but led the team with hard work, dedication, and commitment.”
  • Kenzie Elmore – “Kenzie added strength and physicality to our team this season. She was often asked to get a rebound or become a physical presence on defense while being one of those three seniors that I keep saying did not lead in any statistical category but led the team with hard work, dedication, and commitment.”

TAKE AN EARLY LOOK INTO THE 2021-22 SEASON AND TELL US WHAT YOU SEE?

Despite losing five key seniors, Coach Kessler has much to look forward to in 2021-22 as she can get excited when talking about those Lady Wildcats coming back, while wanting to remind us that the Lady Wildcat junior varsity team finished the season 13-3. Among those returning next season are:

  • Kate Eichelberger, a junior in 2020-21. “At six-foot-one, Kate will be one of the top post players in the state of Kansas next season and will be getting a lot of defensive attention for our opponents. She uses her sizable wing-span to cover a lot of area inside the paint and her ability to score in a crowd has been impressive.”
  •  Kindall Elmore, a sophomore in 2020-21, she was the fourth leading scorer, averaging 7.3 points per game while pulling down 4 rebounds a game as well. “Kindall has always been a spark on the offensive and defensive end. She also became a strong rebounding force for our team.”
  • Emily Durst, a sophomore in 2020-21. “Emily covered a lot of real-estate on defense and was becoming more confident on offense by hitting several double-digit games toward the end of the season. She is truly a great defensive player and I look for her to continue to improve her offensive game as well.”
  • Emma Blough, a junior in 2020-21. “Emma spent every day in practice guarding Kate Eichelberger. Not only did that make Kate a better player, but it also made Emma a better player.”
  • Aubree Durst, a sophomore in 2020-21. “Aubree was the leader of our Junior Varsity team and because of the leadership role, she earned more time at the varsity level as the season went along. She was a great court leader and is strong on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.”
  • Reese Schmidt – “Reese is a six-foot sophomore who got stronger and stronger throughout the season and should continue to improve and become a key member of varsity next season.”
  • Kaelyn Wedel, just a freshman in 2020-21. “Kaelyn was really coming around toward the end of the season as she can spot up and shoot the three and recorded six three-pointers in one junior varsity game.”

DO ANY TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE OR STATE LOOK TO BE THE CREAM OF THE CROP FOR NEXT SEASON?

When asked to give us a peek ahead to the 2021-22 season, Coach Kessler acknowledged it will be a tough road once again when she said, “Both Sterling and Berean Academy were the top teams in the league this season and with most of their players returning, they will be back on top. However, do not overlook Remington and Inman as they had a lot of younger players that will make a difference in the upcoming season.”

OUR FINAL REFLECTIONS:

As we look at the improvement the second half of the season by the Lady Wildcats, we acknowledge that the five seniors will each be tough to replace for various reasons, but do note that due to a strong junior varsity team and the five underclassmen that played extensive varsity ball – the future for the Lady Wildcats looks strong and if they play in 2021-22 like they did this season, we see them having a shot at returning to the state tournament next season for the 25th time.

{Moundridge Wildcat Postings are SPONSORED by CrossDove Creations}