BonnerSprings.com

With five returning letterwinners and 10 players back with varsity playing experience, the Basehor-Linwood High School girls' basketball team has high expectations for the 2000-01 season.

First-year head coach Mardy Robinson, last year's freshman girls' coach, has taken over for Dan Miller, who moved on to become the Bobcats' boys mentor.

Miller, however, didn't leave the cupboard bare after last year's 9-12 campaign, including a fifth place 6-8 finish in the Kaw Valley League. The Lady Bobcats have three starters back, all seniors, and a pair of junior reserves who will make up the heart of the squad.

Basehor-Linwood will be led by 5-11 senior F Jackie Horn, an All-Kaw Valley League pick a year ago. Horn averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals last year.

"It's no secret around the league that Jackie is one of the best players in the area," Robinson said. "She'll be our go-to player. We just want to get her a lot of touches and get her the ball so she can score."

Horn will be complimented by the two other senior starters returning, 5-9 G Jeni Purtee and 5-6 G Kelly Laffere. Purtee, after a year of rehabilitation after knee surgery, averaged 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, while Laffere averaged 5.5 points and 2.7 assists.

"We have three really good seniors coming back that are really talented," said Robinson. "They are good leaders, good people and good students. That in itself will be good for our team.

"If teams double or triple-down on Jackie, she can kick the ball out to Jeni or Kelly. If they make the shots, it will make a huge difference."

A pair of juniors, 5-11 C Courtney Reed and 5-10 F Tara Lucas, also lettered last season, coming off the bench and playing a lot of valuable minutes as sophomores. Reed averaged 2.8 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Lucas averaged 1.3 points and 1.8 rebounds.

Five other juniors, 5-7 G Emily Hoffman, 5-5 G Jamie McDonald, 5-6 G Kara Lackner, 5-6 G Lesley Hancock and 5-8 F Ryan Wohletz, got limited varsity playing time but were all important members of last year's JV team.

"We have some great young talent coming up, including some freshmen and sophomores who've been working hard in the off-season," Robinson said. "And hopefully, the juniors will step up this year."

Robinson also mentioned sophomore forwards Aubrey Bittel, 5-10, and Sara Chrisman, 5-11, are also candidates for playing time.

The Lady Bobcats, who haven't won a first round sub-state game in the past three seasons, hope a new home court and the fact that Basehor-Linwood will host a 4A Sub-State tournament will turn the tide.

"I hope we're successful and that the girls have fun and learn to play basketball," said Robinson. "Of course, we'd like to have a winning season and do well at sub-state. With sub-state here, I think we'll have a good chance to compete and hopefully go to state."

Besides the usual league slate, Basehor-Linwood will also host the Bobcat Invitational, Jan. 15-20, with teams such as Fort Scott, Lincoln Prep, Paseo, St. Teresa's, St. Joseph (Mo.) Benton competing

The Lady Bobcats will open play on Friday, Dec. 1, hosting Bonner Springs. Tip-off for the girls' varsity game should be around 6-6:30 p.m.

No comments

Commenting is turned off for this story.