By Staff

            MOUNDRIDGE – Despite graduating their go-to player, the Moundridge girls basketball program looks to have numbers and an attitude of relentlessness to make a push forward in 2022-23 with hopes of making the state tournament in March.

            Kaleigh Huxman begins her second season at the helm of the Lady Wildcat program and after going 12-9 over all and 6-4 in league play, is looking forward to working with a “great mix of returnees and a solid group of freshmen” in the upcoming season.

            Project number one will be to find ways to cover the loss of 16 points and eight rebounds per game that left with the graduation of Kate Eichelberger, who along with Emma Blough will be key losses to replace.

            Providing leadership for the Lady Wildcats will be a core of four seniors including five-foot-four Emily Durst, five-foot-five Kindall Elmore, six-foot Reese Schmidt, and five-foot-five Aubree Durst. The four combined to score 22 points per game in 2021-22 while grabbing 11 rebounds, making four steals, and dishing out seven assists as well.

            Looking for some height under the basket, coach Huxman will lean on five-foot-nine junior Kaelyn Wedel, who was a key reserve a year ago, along with talented freshman Cammi Unruh and Macy Kaminkow who are listed at five-foot-eight and five-foot-ten, respectively. Five-foot-five freshman Addy Patrick is another newcomer Huxman is looking at being in the mix for playing time.

            “I am really excited about this group of girls,” noted coach Huxman when sharing her reflections on the upcoming season. “We have a great mix of returners with experience and several freshmen who are eager to make an impact. We will have several players who are capable of being on the floor, which will allow us to play fast and to be relentless on defense.”

            The Lady Wildcats will begin their journey toward the Class 2A state tournament in March on Friday, December 2 when they hit the competitive court at Elyria Christian.

 (The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)