Area high school girls basketball preview

By John Mesh

The 2024-25 high school girls basketball season begins Friday night with several area schools in action:

Hutchinson High girls

The Hutchinson High School girls basketball team, guided by Kalen Hilst in his second season, return three starters and two key letterwinners from a team that posted a 13-9 record in 2023-24 and placed third in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division I with a 7-5 league record.

“We return a lot of productivity from last year’s team and are looking to continue to build our program into a contender in Year 2 of our new staff and system,” Hilst said.

The Salthawks return their top two scorers in Kaia Smith and Grace Posch from the 2023-24 season as well starting point guard Lily Rodriguez.

Smith, a 6-foot-1 senior, averaged 13 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2.3 steals a game.

Posch, a 5-7 senior, averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals a game. Posch is on track to surpass the 1,000-point mark.

Lily Rodriguez, a 5-7 senior, averaged 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Also projected as starters are juniors Ava Krone and Kohlbie Craft. Krone, a 6-foot power forward, averaged 1 point, 2.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.5 steals a game last year. Craft, a 5-10 center, averaged 3.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.4 steals a game.

Top newcomers for the Salthawks are Clara Ontjes, a 5-6 junior, and Tenley Keeton, a 5-4 sophomore.

The Salthawks lost Azariah Dawes and Rachel Tomac to graduation.

KSHSAA Covered: “Despite losing standout Aliyah Green to a transfer to Andover, Hutchinson still managed a trip to the sub-state finals before losing to undefeated Andover. The Salthawks could make a return trip to state this season with the return of seniors Grace Posch and Kaia Smith. Smith averaged 13 points per game, just ahead of Posch’s 12.4 average, giving the Salthawks a strong 1-2 punch to build around.”

The Salthawk girls’ last trip to the state tournament was in 2007 and the last state title came in 1985. The Salthawks’ last league title came in 2003 and the team has not a losing season since 2020-21.

The Salthawks open the season next Tuesday at the Salthawk Activity Center against Maize.

Hutchinson plays road games at Buhler Dec. 13 and Haysville Campus Dec. 17. The Salthawks’ last game before the Christmas break is Dec. 20 at home against Arkansas City.

Hilst said Maize South likely is the best team in AVCTL I and Topeka Seaman likely is the best team in Kansas Class 5A.

2024-2025 Hutchinson High School girls basketball schedule

Dec. 10 Maize

Dec. 13 at Buhler

Dec. 17 at Haysville Campus

Dec. 20 Arkansas City

Jan. 7 at Maize South

Jan. 10 at Salina South

Jan. 14 Valley Center

Jan. 17 Great Bend

Jan. 21 Derby

Jan. 30 McPherson Tournament

Jan. 31 McPherson Tournament

Feb. 1 McPherson Tournament

Feb. 4 Maize South

Feb. 7 Salina South

Feb. 11 at Valley Center

Feb. 14 at Derby

Feb. 18 Haysville Campus

Feb. 21 at Newton

Feb. 25 at Maize

Feb. 28 at Andover

March 4-8 Class 5A West sub-state

March 12-15 Class 5A state tournament, Emporia

Hutchinson Trinity girls

The Hutchinson Trinity Catholic High School girls basketball team has one senior, one junior, seven sophomores and four freshman on the roster.

The Celtics graduated three seniors from a team that posted a 3-18 last season.

Returning players are Gillian Schletzbaum, senior G/F (team captain); Azul Maciel, junior G; Alex Suter-Tan, sophomore PG; Cienna Maskil, sophomore F; Eilley Cost, sophomore F; Brecken Downey, sophomore G; Kara Nelson, sophomore G/F; Audrey Wilson, sophomore, G; Sally Hynuh, sophomore G.

Incoming freshman are Anika Paulsrud, G; Clara Robinson, F; Emma Martin, G; Alyssa Guajardo, G; Andelynn Obermite, G; Mia Vega, G.

Shannon Obermite is the head coach. Assistant coaches are Katelynn Sanger and Kristen Harroald.

The manager is Bella Bergmeier. Sally Haroald videotapes the games.

“We are a predominantly young team looking to gain experience, improve and grow as as a team, and come out and compete every night and win some games,” said Shannon Obermite. “While we are short in numbers, we are big in heart. Our girls are very coachable and are hard workers and always give their best effort on the court.”

Hutchinson Trinity girls schedule

Dec. 6 Haven Away Cheney Tourney

Dec. 9 Pratt Away

Dec. 10 Wellington Home

Dec. 14 at Cheney Away

Dec. 17 Wichita Classical Home

Jan. 7 Sterling Away

Jan. 10 Marion Home

Jan. 14 Ell-Saline Home

Jan. 17 Remington Away

Jan. 20-24 Sterling Tourney (Boys/Girls) Sterling

Jan. 28 Smoky Valley Away

Jan. 31 Sacred Heart Home

Feb. 4 Central Christian Academy Away

Feb. 7 Sedgwick Home

Feb. 14 Berean Academy Home

Feb. 18 Bennington Home

Feb. 20 Moundridge Away

Feb. 21 Inman Away

Hutchinson Central Christian boys

The Hutchinson Central Christian High School boys basketball team returns four starters from a team that posted a 10-12 record in 2023-2024, but placed third in the Heart of the Plains League play with a 6-2 league mark.

Returning starters for the Cougars are Brady Froese, 5-11 senior point guard (10 points, 2.6 assists, 2.1 steal a game); Piercen Huff, 5-11 junior guard (11 points a game); Ry Kooiman, 5-9 senior guard (4 points a game); and Tucker Clark, 6-1 senior guard/forward (5 points, 6.5 rebounds a game).

Other returning players are Luke Eigsti, 5-10 sophomore (5 points a game); Keaton Miller, 5-10 senior (2 points a game); Kaleb Sullivan, 6-1 senior; Jayden Lienschied, 6-1 senior (5 points a game).

Top newcomers are Terren Scripsick, 6-2 senior; Hunter Franz, 6-2 senior; Konner Sullivan, 5-10 junior guard/forward; and Cael Kooiman, 5-11 sophomore.

The Cougars lost three key players to graduation from last year’s team: Justus Huff, Blake Yoder and Hudson Clark.

Cougars’ coach Alan Clark will enter his 24th season as Central Christian boys coach. He has a career record of 310 wins, 208 losses.

“We should be solid at the guard position,” Clark said. “We will need to focus on rebounding as a group since we are going to be slim on the interior. It should be an exciting season. The guys are working hard with a great attitude.”

Central Christian’s last trip to the Kansas Class 1A Division II state tournament and last league title both came in 2018. The Cougars placed fourth at state. The program’s last winning season was 2020.

Clark said Cunningham is the best team in the league. Cunningham, Dighton and Elyria Christian are the top teams in Class 1A Division II for 2024-2025.

Buhler girls

Buhler High School girls basketball coach John Darrow said the keys to success in 2024-25 are: Our key to success will be the commitment from our entire group to buy into the unselfishness that’s necessary for us to be successful this year. We have to own our identity as a team that plays tough, disciplined, and together. This group has great balance between experience and depth and needs to use that to our advantage this year.  

Buhler schedule: 

Dec. 6 at Nickerson

Dec. 10 Goddard

Dec. 13 Hutchinson

Dec. 17 at McPherson

Dec. 20 Mulvane

Jan. 7 Circle

Jan. 10 Winfield

Jan. 14 at Augusta

Jan. 17 at Clearwater

Jan. 23-25 at Salina Invitational TBD

Jan. 31 at Hesston

Feb. 4 El Dorado

Feb. 11 at Wichita Collegiate

Feb. 14 McPherson

Feb. 18 at Mulvane

Feb. 21 at Circle

Feb. 25 at Winfield

Feb. 27 Augusta

Buhler High Girls Basketball Roster

Varsity Number Player Grade Height

1 Lillian Horne 11 5-3

2 Ella Voss 10 5-6

4 Tori Tustian 10 5-6

10 Jenna Lackey 11 5-5

11 Nyah Sewell 11 5-5

13 Natalya Krafels 12 5-9

14 Sammie Brooks 12 5-9

15 Claudia Taylor 12 5-6

22 Charley Baxter 12 5-8

23 Harlie Terrell 11 5-9

25 Aidan Howard 11 5-9

32 Gracie Oard 12 5-8

League: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League, Division III

2023 Record: 11-10

2023 League Record: 7-4

Coach Darrow’s Record: 11-10

Returning Starters’ Previous Season Averages:

Ella Voss 5-5 So., 5.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0 bpg, 2.3 spg

Gracie Oard 5-6 Sr., 9.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 0 bpg, 1.2 spg

Natalya Krafels 5-9 Sr., 9.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.1 bpg, 1.1 spg 

Charley Baxter 5-8 Sr., 4.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.2 bpg, 1.2 spg

Claudia Taylor 5-6 Sr., 2.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.0 bpg, 0.6 spg

Top Newcomers: 

1 Tori Tustian (sophomore)

2 Aidan Howard (junior)

Darrow on Natalya Krafels: Natalya Krafels has a natural feel for the game that can’t be taught. She leads her team by example and uses her athleticism to finish in the paint and rebound on both ends of the court. She can defend a variety of positions defensively, stretch the floor offensively and is the first player up and down the court on almost every possession.  

Darrow on Gracie Oard: Gracie Oard is one of the major anchors to our defense.She prides herself in picking up the other team’s best player full court and welcomes the challenge every week. Offensively she attacks the basket, distributes well to her teammates and has expanded her game in the mid-range and from 3 (point range). We look forward to watching her further develop as a leader for us on both ends of the floor this year.  

Underclassman to Watch: Tori Tustian (sophomore)

Unsung Hero: Sammie Brooks (senior)

Academic Athlete: Charley Baxter (senior)

Character Counts: Claudia Taylor (senior)

Nickerson girls basketball schedule

Dec. 6 Buhler

Dec. 9-13 Larned Keady Classic

Dec. 17 at Haven

Jan. 3 Cheney

Jan. 10 Kingman

Jan. 14 Larned

Jan. 17 at Smoky Valley

Jan. 20-25 St. John Mid-Winter Classic

Jan. 31 at Pratt

Feb. 4 at Andale

Feb. 7 Pratt

Feb. 11 Halstead

Feb. 14 at Hoisington

Feb. 18 at Hesston

Feb. 21 Hillsboro

Feb. 25 Haven

Feb. 27 3A Girls Sub-State quarterfinals

March 4 3A Girls Sub-State semifinals

March 7-8 3A Girls Sub-State finals

March 12-15 3A State Basketball Tournament, Hutchinson Sports Arena

Halstead girls basketball

Head Coach: Derek Schutte, 12th year at Halstead, 18th overall.

Assistant Coaches: Kyle Regier, Keely Orr.

Record at Halstead: 156-106, 221-175 overall.

State Appearances: 2020 Final Four (Covid), 2021 Lost 1st round.

2023-24 Record: 19-4 Substate runner-up.

League: Central Kansas League (CKL)

League Record: 7-2 (3rd)

Returning Starters

Dalaina Schutte 5-9 Senior 6.5 pts/g, 3 reb/g – HM CKL

Kaci Young 5-3 Senior 7.7 pts/g, 2 stl/g – HM CKL

Addisen Wills 5-5 Junior 7 pts/g, 3.5 stl/g, 4 reb/g, 3 ast/g – 2nd Team CKL

Other Returning Varsity Letterwinners

Bailey Bernal 5-10 sophomore

Jordy Schroeder 5-7 sophomore 7 pts/g

Piper Schroeder 5-4 sophomore  10 pts/g, missed all but 2 games due to knee injury

Other Notable Players

Brett Young 5-3 Senior

Tess Williams 5-9 Junior

Ainsley Farmer 5-7 Junior

Season Outlook: The Dragons will continue to play fast and pressure opponents. Halstead returns four players that averaged over 6 pt/g from last year’s sub-state runner-up team. Four-year starters Dalaina Schutte and Kaci Young will lead the Dragons. Dalaina is a vocal leader and knockdown shooter.Kaci can defend and score in a variety of ways. Addisen Wills has a unique floor game and is a disruptive defender. Jordy Schroeder is a crafty scorer and twin sister Piper Schroeder, returning from a knee injury, will provide the team with an explosive ball handler and finisher.Bailey Bernal provides length and shooting as well. Halstead should continue to be a competitive team at the top of 3A.

KSHSAA Covered: “The depth in the Central Kansas League goes beyond Hesston and Haven. Halstead could very well challenge both. Sure, the Dragons must replace first-team All-3A pick Dominique Schutte, who averaged 15.7 points per game. But the Dragons come in with a huge boost of momentum after the bulk of the squad helped the volleyball team to the program’s first-ever state championship in the fall. Junior Addisen Wills and seniors Dalaina Schutte and Kaci Young earned all-league honors of some kind a year ago as Halstead finished the season 19-4, falling to Hesston in the sub-state finals.”

Top Teams in CKL

 • Hesston

 • Halstead

 • Haven

 • Hillsboro

 • Hoisington

 • Pratt

Halstead girls 2024-2025 schedule

Dec. 6 at Rose Hill

Dec. 10 Wichita Defenders

Dec. 13 Tournament, Conway Springs

Dec. 14 Tournament, Opponent TBA

Dec. 17 Hillsboro

Dec. 20 Smoky Valley

Jan. 7 at Abilene

Jan. 10 at Wichita Trinity Academy

Jan. 14 Pratt

Jan. 16 Larned

Feb. 4 at Hesston

Feb. 7 at Hillsboro

Feb. 11 Nickerson

Feb. 18 at Smoky Valley

Feb/ 21 Elyria Christian

Feb. 25 at Hoisington

Inman girls

HOA League

2023-24 record 15-7

3rd place finish HOA

Head Coach: Matt Harris

Returning Starters

Morgan Froese JR (8.6 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.8 bpg)

Kenna Woods JR (8.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

Suttyn Harris JR (16.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3 spg)

Returning Letterwinners

Katie Nichols SR

Abigail Siemens JR

Allison Schrag JR

Taylor Froese SO (3 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Raynee Eddy SO (4.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

Ellie Thimmesch SO (2.5 ppg, 1.2 apg)

Newcomers

Ella Tatro JR

Leah Black SO

Maddie Parsons  FR

Olivia Brunk FR

Team Goals: Our goal is to win the league and improve during the season in hopes of making a run late in the season. We want to optimize everyone’s individual talent to make us the best possible team. We want to be a balanced team that plays fast. 

Team’s Key to Success: Think our key to success is getting all the newcomers and starters comfortable with their roles on the team. Understanding our strengths and playing to them. Being able to use our depth to wear teams out and using our length to frustrate teams.

KSHSAA Covered: Inman was 15-7 and is coming off a big volleyball season. Junior Suttyn Harris averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds as a sophomore and has strong complements in fellow juniors Morgan Froese and Kenna Woods, who both earned all-league honors of some kind. … Inman knocked out Chase County, which finished 14-7.

Inman girls schedule

Dec. 6 Minneapolis 4:30 Minneapolis

Dec. 10, 12, & 13 Moundridge Early Season Tournament  

Dec. 10 Moundridge 6:00/7:30 Moundridge

Dec. 12 Hillsboro 3:00/4:30 Moundridge

Dec. 13 Lyons 3:00/4:30 Moundridge

Dec. 17 Kingman 4:30 Inman 

Dec. 20 CCA 4:30 Inman

Jan 7 Ell-Saline 4:30 Ell-Saline

Jan 10 Classical 4:30 Inman Homecoming

Jan 14 Berean Academy 4:30 Inman 

Jan 17 Marion 4:30 Marion

Jan 20, 21, 23, 24, 25 Boys/Girls Tournament TBD St. John

Jan 31 Bennington 4:30 Bennington

Feb. 4 Sedgwick 4:30 Inman

Feb. 7 Remington 4:30 Inman

Feb. 11 Sterling 4:30 Sterling

Feb. 14 Moundridge 4:30 Moundridge

Feb 18 Little River 4:30 Inman

Feb. 21 Trinity 4:30 Inman

Feb 27-March 8 Sub -State Tournament TBD

March 12-15 State Tournament TBD

Head coach: Matt Harris

Assistant coach: Darrin Eddy

Reno County Sabres girls

Coach: Patrick Masar (1st year).

Last year: 11-16 (2nd place B division National Division 2 homeschool tournament)

Key returning players: 5-8 sr. G, Anne Schawe, 5-11 sr F, Megan Asberry, 5-6 sr. G, Shania Schrock, 5-7 sophomore. G, Auna Walton, 5-6 jr. F, Leila Goble, 5-6 sr. F, Bryleigh Cable 5-6 sr. G.

Notes: Coach Patrick Masar takes over a senior-laden squad that should compete at a high level this season! The Sabres return five starters and have size inside as well as shooting from outside. The Sabres also added at least four newcomers and four freshman which will bolster depth, size and athleticism. Look for them to use their experience to carry them this season.

Sterling girls

Record last year: 6-15

HOA record: 3-6

Coach Kylah Hayes’ comments on returning players: This season we have most of our varsity players returning. I look forward to watching the girls grow in their individual skills and as a team this season. I have already seen improvement from last season throughout the first week of practice

Key Players: Blaine Locke (honorable mention all league last season), Shklar Farney, Aleya Ravenstein.

Key losses from last year: Avery Linden (honorable mention all league last season).

Coach Hayes’ goals/expectations for this year’s team: This year, our goal as a team is to become more physical and to become “everyday tough.” Becoming everyday tough is about more than basketball, and we believe that this sport can help prepare these young women to be successful in their futures outside of sports. If we can push ourselves to be our best each day, we believe that will show in our performance during games.

Sterling girls roster

Freshman: Allie Gray, Karis Dillard, Stokley Smith, Elizabeth Buchberger, Kadi Schecter, Levi Miller.

Sophomores: Blaine Locke, Milly Rincon, Ady Surface.

Juniors: Julia Wohler, Kaylee Spangenberg, Kasey Spangenberg, Lydia Webb, Julia Kilgore, Aleya Ravenstein, Chloe Garrett.

Seniors: Caitlin Oden, Carli Wilkey, Katie Conard, Shklar Olsen.

Sterling girls basketball schedule

Friday Dec. 6 at Hillsboro

Tuesday Dec. 10 Kingman Tournament against Great Bend at 3:00

Friday Dec. 13 Kingman Tournament against Clearwater at 3:00

Saturday Dec. 14 Kingman Tournament TBD

Tuesday Dec. 17 at Hoisington

Thursday Dec. 19 at Marion

Tuesday Jan. 7 (H) Trinity

Friday Jan. 10 at Moundridge

Tuesday Jan. 14 (H) Central Plains 

Friday Jan. 17 (H) Bennington

Monday Jan. 20 Sterling Boys & Girls Invitational

Tuesday Jan. 21 Sterling Boys & Girls Invitational

Thursday Jan. 23 Sterling Boys & Girls Invitational

Friday Jan. 24 Sterling Boys & Girls Invitational

Tuesday Feb. 4 at Wichita Classical School

Friday Feb. 7 at Berean

Tuesday Feb. 11 (H) Inman

Friday Feb. 14 (H) Remington

Tuesday Feb. 18 at Central Christian Academy Wichita

Friday Feb. 21 at Ell-Saline

Tuesday Feb. 25 (H) Sedgwick

Feb. 27-28 Sub-State Quarterfinals TBD

March 4-5 Sub-State Semifinals TBD

March 7-8 Sub-State Finals TBD

March 12-15 State TBD

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