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