LADY WILDCATS SEEK STATE TITLE in 2026/27
By Staff
The Moundridge High girls basketball program will open the 2026-27 season with a simple problem most programs would love to have: how do you follow up a 24-4 season that ended with an undefeated Heart of America League championship, a runner-up finish in the Hillsboro Classic and a fourth-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament?
Head coach Kaleigh Huxman, 89-31 in her career, all of it at Moundridge, likes the group she will be working with. The Wildcats return plenty of experience, but almost everyone will be stepping into a new role this winter after the graduation of three key players.
“I am really excited for this group,” Huxman said. “Although we are returning a lot of experience, every one of them will be stepping into new roles and responsibilities this season. I see this group scoring and defending by committee, and there may be a different standout each night. That is a fun way to play and they are a great group of girls to have the opportunity to coach.”
What they lost
Graduation took three of the team's strongest contributors when Addysen Patrick, Cammi Unruh, and Macy Kaminkow grabbed their diplomas. The minutes they played and the leadership they invoked will be the biggest holes to fill.
Key returning players
Junior guard Mackie Conkling is the top returning scorer at 8.8 points per game, and senior forward Hattie Hecox does a little of everything at 7.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Both were second-team All-Heart of America League selections, while senior guard Halle Hecox earned honorable mention after averaging 4.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Senior center Aspyn Stos (2.4 points, 3.6 rebounds per game) and junior point guard Ashtyn Patrick (2.5 points per game) round out the returning core, giving Huxman five players with varsity experience stepping into bigger roles.
Others to watch
Senior shooting guard Izzy Durst joins the varsity, along with sophomores Payton Wilson and Anna Galle, both forwards. All three are in line for varsity minutes as the rotation reshuffles around the new roles.
Outlook: by committee
Huxman expects scoring and defense to be shared. On any given night, a different Lady Wildcat could be the standout, and the coach is counting on that depth rather than one star. The assistants are Andrew Scheef and Kimbra Den Hartog, who also coach the junior varsity.
2026-27 schedule
Date | Opponent | Site |
Tue., Dec. 1 | Haven | Home |
Thu., Dec. 3 | Garden Plain | Home |
Fri., Dec. 4 | Elyria Christian | Away |
Tue., Dec. 8 | Inman (tournament) | Home |
Thu., Dec. 10 | Lyons (tournament) | Home |
Fri., Dec. 11 | Hillsboro (tournament) | Home |
Tue., Dec. 15 | Little River | Away |
Fri., Dec. 18 | Sterling * | Home |
Tue., Jan. 5 | Bennington * | Away |
Fri., Jan. 8 | Classical * | Away |
Tue., Jan. 12 | Central Christian Academy * | Home |
Fri., Jan. 15 | Marion * | Home |
Jan. 19, 22, 23 | Tournament, opponents TBA | Away |
Tue., Feb. 2 | Berean Academy * | Away |
Fri., Feb. 5 | Inman * | Home |
Mon., Feb. 8 | Canton-Galva | Away |
Tue., Feb. 9 | Ell-Saline * | Home |
Fri., Feb. 12 | Remington * | Away |
Mon., Feb. 15 | Hesston | Home |
Tue., Feb. 16 | Trinity * | Home |
Fri., Feb. 19 | Sedgwick * | Away |
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)
Comments