Think you know who will win Centennial League high school girls basketball title? Here's what coaches say.
We talked to Centennial League girls basketball team coaches for breakdowns on their teams, their top players to replace, their top returning players, key position battles and new players that could make an impact this season along with their outlook and schedules for this season.
*Home games are in bold, all Varsity start times are 6 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Emporia
Last season: 15-7
Top players to replace: None
Top returning players: 5'7" senior guard Gracie Gilpin (15.8 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game, 2.7 steals per game, 2 assists per game), 5'5" senior guard Allie Baker (5.3 ppg, 2.9 apg), 6' junior forward Rebecca Snyder (10.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
Top newcomers, other players that could make an impact: 5'6" senior guard Avery Gutierrez, 5'6" senior guard Maddyn Stewart, 5'6" senior guard Isabel Garcia, 5'9" senior forward Brooklyn Wiltz, 6' senior forward Rylee Peak, 5'7" sophomore guard Addie Kirmer, 5'8" sophomore guard Kyla Herfkens
Eighth-year head coach Carolyn Dorsey: We have a lot of talent returning. We fell short last season and return the majority of our team. We are fast, scrappy, and tough defensively. Our Centennial League will give us some good challenges and I believe we will be extremely battle tested in the Post-Season.
Schedule
12/3 at Highland Park
12/7 at Washburn Rural
12/10 vs. Seaman
12/14 vs. Topeka High
12/17 at Great Bend
1/4 at Manhattan
1/7 at Junction City
1/11 vs. Topeka West
1/14 at Hayden
1/18 vs. Highland Park
1/21 vs. Washburn Rural
2/4 at Topeka High
2/11 vs. Manhattan
2/15 vs. Junction City
2/18 at Topeka West
2/22 vs. Hayden
2/25 at Seaman
Hayden
Last season: 9-12
Head coach: Carvel Reynoldson, 3rd season
Top players to replace: Center Rhen Calhoon (10 points per game, 7 rebounds per game)
Top returning players: 5'9" senior guard Macy Smith, 5'6" senior guard Carly Stuke
Top newcomers, other players that could make an impact: 6' sophomore forward Lauren Sandstrom
Schedule
12/7 at Highland Park
12/10 vs. Manhattan
12/14 vs. Washburn Rural
12/17 at Junction City
1/4 at Seaman
1/7 at Topeka West, 6:45 p.m.
1/11 at Topeka High
1/14 vs. Emporia
1/21 vs. Highland Park, 7:30 p.m.
1/25 at Top Gun Tournament, TBD
1/27 at Top Gun Tournament, TBD
1/29 at Top Gun Tournament, TBD
2/4 at Washburn Rural
2/8 vs. Junction City
2/11 vs. Seaman
2/14 vs. Tonganoxie
2/15 vs. Topeka West, 6:45 p.m.
2/18 vs. Topeka High
2/22 at Emporia
Highland Park
Last season: 0-15
Head coach: Rob Brown, 1st season
Top players to replace: Isabella Carter
Top returning players: Aisya Taylor (4-year varsity player, 14 points per game, 3rd team All-City, 2 sport athlete), Akira Shutts (4-year varsity player, 4 points per game, 7 rebounds per game)
Top newcomers, other players that could make an impact: 5'5" senior guard Atiya Gonzales, 6' freshman forward Amelia Ramsey, 5'5" freshman guard DeAsia Sanders, 5’5”, 5'5" guard Mariah Parker-Brown, 5'5" sophomore guard Victoria Reed, 5'7" senior guard Destiny Nunez
Schedule
12/3 vs. Emporia
12/7 vs. Hayden
12/10 at Washburn Rural
12/14 vs. Seaman
12/17 at Topeka Hugh
1/4 vs. Sumner Academy
1/7 vs. Manhattan
1/11 at Junction City
1/14 at Topeka West
1/18 at Emporia
1/21 at Hayden
1/27 at Tournament, TBD
1/28 at Tournament, TBD
1/29 at Tournament, TBD
2/4 at Seaman
2/8 vs. Topeka High
2/15 at Manhattan
2/18 vs. Junction City
2/22 vs. Topeka West
2/25 vs. Washburn Rural
Junction City
Last season: 7-13
Head coach: Tim Testa, 3rd year
Top players to replace: Lucy Rivera-Ramirez (PG), Andrea Davis (G), Dorian Robinson (F), Mellana Davis (F)
Top returning players: Amyah O’Neal (PG), Jayda Harris (G), Sara Rexrode (F), Ava Deguzman (F)
Other returning players, players that could contribute: Addy Hatcher (G), Mariah Jeter (G)
Season outlook:
Schedule
12/6 at Shawnee Mission Northwest, 5:30 p.m.
12/7 at Topeka High
12/10 at Great Bend
12/14 vs. Manhattan
12/17 vs. Hayden
1/4 at Topeka West
1/7 vs. Emporia
1/11 vs. Highland Park
1/14 at Washburn Rural
1/18 at Seaman, 7:30 p.m.
1/20 vs. Lawrence, 7:30 p.m.
1/21 vs. Shawnee Mission South, 7:15 p.m.
2/1 vs. Topeka High, 7:30 p.m.
2/4 at Manhattan
2/8 at Hayden
2/11 vs. Topeka West
2/15 at Emporia
2/18 at Highland Park
2/22 vs. Washburn Rural
Manhattan
Last season: 11-10
Top players to replace: Taylor Claussen (F, 8 pts, 6 reb), Gillian Awbrey (G, 3 pts, 2 reb), Paige Chauncey (F, 5 pts, 4 reb)
Top returning players: Grace Dixon (6’ 0, Sr, F, 7 pts, 4 reb), Destiny Yates (5’ 4, Jr, G, 6 pts, 2.2 stl), Avery Larson (5’ 7, Jr, G, 8 pts, 2.2 ast)
Other returning players, players that could contribute: Maxine Doering (5’ 8, So, F, 5 pts, 5 reb), Emery Ruliffson (5’ 6, So, G, 2 pts, 2 stl), Ally Ingram (5’ 5, Jr, G), Saylor Salmans (5’ 8, Jr, F)
29th-year head coach Scott Mall: We have more returning experience than we have the last couple of years, which is a plus. We lost an impact player when Chauncey was injured this fall. It’s tough to make advances in the Centennial League when Washburn Rural returns all of their players from an outstanding team. Emporia returns their top players and has a strong senior and sophomore class. Despite their graduation losses and the loss of their top Senior, Topeka High still has a very strong team, which will probably be guard-led this season. Hayden, with the return of Stuke and Smith back from injury, along with their strong sophomore class will be much improved. Seaman also has strong sophomores, led by Stallbaumer and Gormley. Topeka West played 11 young players on their varsity last year and should profit from that.
Schedule
12/10 at Hayden
12/14 at Junction City
12/17 vs. Topeka West
1/4 vs. Emporia
1/7 at Highland Park
1/11 vs. Washburn Rural
1/14 at Seaman
1/18 at Topeka High, 7:30 p.m.
1/27 at McPherson Tournament, TBD
1/28 at McPherson Tournament, TBD
1/29 at McPherson Tournament, TBD
2/4 vs. Junction City
2/8 at Topeka West
2/11 at Emporia
2/15 vs. Highland Park
2/18 at Washburn Rural
2/22 vs. Seaman
2/25 vs. Hayden
Topeka High
Last season: 23-2
Top players to replace: JaNeysha Hendrick, Lilly Smith, Jae’Mya Lyons, Zoe Caryl, NiJa Canady
Top returning players: Tae Thomas (Sr, G), Kiki Smith (Jr, G)
Other returning players, players that could contribute: Dayshauna Wiley (Sr, F), Jada Fulton (Sr, G), Faith Shields (Jr, G), Adisyn Caryl (Jr, G/F), Ayana Leesman (So, G), Ladaysha Baird (So, G), Avery Zimmerman (So, G)
8th year head coach Hannah Alexander: Expectations remain high as we enter the 2021-22 season. We return several key players from last year’s 23-2 state runner-up champion team. We will be a more balanced scoring team, as we do have several girls that are capable of leading us in scoring on any given night. The girls will have to step up their games collectively to make up for what those two outstanding players provided for us last year.
In league play, I really think Rural is going to be outstanding this season. They return a lot of scoring and rebounding from last year’s team. Emporia will also be strong this year as they return their top players and have some talented freshmen. Manhattan is always competitive and brings the heat.
We will have some very tough decisions to make as far as personnel, starting lineups, etc. Some of the girls are very interchangeable but also bring their own unique strengths to the floor. That should make for some very competitive practices as there will be some excellent battles for playing time at certain spots.
Schedule
12/7 vs. Junction City
12/10 at Topeka West
12/14 at Emporia
12/17 vs. Highland Park
1/4 at Washburn Rural
1/7 vs. Seaman
1/11 vs. Hayden
1/18 vs. Manhattan
1/27 at Capital City Classic, TBD
1/28 at Capital City Classic, TBD
1/29 at Capital City Classic, TBD
2/1 at Junction City
2/4 vs. Emporia
2/8 at Highland Park
2/11 vs. Washburn Rural
2/15 at Seaman
2/18 at Hayden
2/22 vs. Bishop Miege
2/25 at Topeka West
Topeka West
Last season: 3-17
Top returning players: Jazmyn Ford (5'9", Jr, F, 5 ppg, 5 rpg), Zoe Clark (5'7", So, G/F), Whitley Benson (Sr), Siani Sanchez (G, So), Rebecca Bearman (So, F), Brynna Mays (Sr, G/F)
Other returning players, players that could contribute: Azaryah Duncan (5'8", Jr, G/F),
First-year head coach Jeff Skar: Our numbers are down from last year, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I really like our team! We have a core group of girls that are really devoted to each other, and to the team. Our team chemistry is so much better than last year.
Schedule
12/7 at Seaman
12/10 vs. Topeka High
12/14 at Shawnee heights
12/17 at Manhattan
1/4 vs. Junction City
1/7 vs. Hayden
1/11 at Emporia
1/14 vs. Highland Park
1/18 at Washburn Rural, 7:30 p.m.
1/21 vs. Seaman
1/27 at Tournament, TBD
1/28 at Tournament, TBD
1/29 at Tournament, TBD
2/8 vs. Manhattan
2/11 at Junction City
2/15 at Hayden, 7:30 p.m.
2/18 vs. Emporia
2/22 at Highland Park
2/25 at Topeka High
Seaman
Last season: 8-15
Top returning players: Taylin Stallbaumer (5'7", So, G, 10 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg), Carstyn Anderson (5'5", Jr, G, 3 ppg, 1 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg)
Other returning players, players that could contribute: Jaycee Schumann (5'5", Jr, G, 2 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), Brooklyn Gormley (6', So, F, 6 ppg, 4 rpg), Lindsey Smith (5'9", Jr, G/F, 2 ppg, 2 rpg), Lauren Stuewe (6', Sr, F)
Fifth-year head coach Matt Tinsley: We will be looking for leadership (lost Raigan Kramer who played varsity since her freshman year – 3 great seniors from last season's team). Only one senior on this year's roster.
We have a very young team this year, but we still return 6 girls from last year’s State tournament qualifying team (our 3rd in a row). Our expectations will continue to be high and I look forward to the challenge that each season brings in finding out how to put the puzzle together. We had commitment this summer through our camps and individual workouts and I’m excited to see the continued growth. I don’t consider this a rebuilding year considering we have many underclassmen making up our roster, but I look at it as a way to re-establish our core beliefs that have led us to success.
We have a very deep and talented freshman class and I expect several of those kids to earn playing time on the varsity level right away.
Schedule
12/7 vs. Topeka West
12/10 at Emporia
12/14 at Highland Park
12/17 vs. Washburn Rural
1/4 vs. Hayden
1/7 at Topeka High
1/14 vs. Manhattan
1/18 vs. Junction City, 7:30 p.m.
1/21 at Topeka West, 7 p.m.
1/27 at Tournament, TBD
1/28 at Tournament, TBD
1/29 at Tournament, TBD
2/4 vs. Highland Park
2/8 at Washburn Rural
2/11 at Hayden
2/15 vs. Topeka High
2/18 vs. Lansing
2/22 at Manhattan
2/25 vs. Emporia
Washburn Rural
Last season: 17-3
Top returning players: Emma Krueger (5'11", Sr, G/F, 11.7 ppg, 6/7 rpg, 3.1 apg), Brooklyn DeLeye (6'2", Jr, G/F, 17.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 apg), Campbell Bagshaw (5'7", Sr, G, 3.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.8 apg), MaRyah Lutz (5'5", Jr, G, 5.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg), Katelynn Brogan (5'10", Sr, G, 2.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg), Zoe Canfield (5'10", So, G, 7.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.4 apg), Jada Ingram (5'11", So, G/F), 6.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.2 apg)
Other returning players, players that could contribute: Chloe Carlgren (5'11", Jr, F), Destiny Ochs (5'9", So, G/F)
13th-year head coach Kevin Bordewick: We are still going to be a pretty young team this year. We will look to increase our scoring from the three-point line from last year, and be able to attack the rim and finish from there or the free-throw line. We will also have to have some people step up and be able to handle the ball under pressure. With a year or two of varsity experience behind us I think we have a better understanding of what it will take to win some more games and maybe make a big postseason run. Defensively we were and have been pretty solid and have been efficient with rebounding. Those are staples that we have to maintain. Offensively we have got to find some scoring to be able to have a shot at league and to have a shot to get back to state. I do think we will once again have a hard working and competitive group who trust each other and will push one another in practice to get better. Our only three losses last year were all to T-Hi, the last one coming in sub-state because of what KSHSAA did to the postseason playoffs.
Schedule
12/7 vs. Emporia
12/10 vs. Highland Park
12/14 at Hayden
12/17 at Seaman
1/4 vs. Topeka High
1/11 at Manhattan
1/14 vs. Junction City
1/18 vs. Topeka West
1/19 at Shawnee Mission Northwest, 7 p.m.
1/21 at Emporia
1/27 at Free State Tournament, TBD
1/28 at Free State Tournament, TBD
1/29 at Free State Tournament, TBD
2/4 vs. Hayden
2/8 vs. Seaman
2/11 at Topeka High
2/18 vs. Manhattan
2/22 at Junction City
2/25 at Highland Park
Contact Seth Kinker at skinker@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @SethKinker.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Analyzing Centennial League high school girls basketball for 2021-22
