MOUNDRIDGE LADY WILDCAT BASKETBALL

LADY WILDCATS LOOK TO REACH STATE IN 2024/25

By Staff

            MOUNDRIDGE – After finding some success last season that left them one step from the Class 2A state tournament, the Moundridge girls basketball program returns nearly the entire team with the passion and dedication to make the step to state.

            The Lady Wildcats under leadership of head coach Kaleigh Huxman, finished 2023/24 9-0 in the league and 19-4 overall after losing to Hillsboro in their  Class 2A sub-state championship matchup.

            Coach Huxman begins her fourth season and carries an overall mark of 41-25 into the new season with help on the bench from assistants Kimbra Den Hartog and Andrew Scheef.

            Returning four starters and a pair of solid backups gives Moundridge an early edge.

            Cammi Unruh, a five-foot-nine junior point guard, returns to quarterback the offense after averaging 14.8 points, 2.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and three steals per game last season. Unruh was named first team All-Heart of America while also finding a spot on third team all Class 2A State team.

            Junior Addy Patrick, a five-foot-five guard was also named first team all-league after recording 11.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in 2023/24.

            Macy Kaminkow, a five-foot-eleven junior  forward, was on the second team all-league  when she led the team in rebounds with 7.2 per game to go along with 8.0 points, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals.

            The fourth returning all-league player and starter is five-foot-ten sophomore guard Hattie Hecox who connected for 8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game a year ago.

            “We are returning most of our team this season,” noted coach Huxman in her pre-season reflections. “We will also add some exciting new pieces/players. These girls are passionate, dedicated, and genuinely care for one another.”

            Two other Lady Wildcats return after seeing a lot of varsity time as freshman, sophomores Halle Hecox (a five-foot-five guard) and Aspyn Stos (a five-foot-nine forward0 combined to pitch in with 4.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game coming off the bench.

            Among newcomers coach Huxman looks to see contributing valuable varsity minutes in the upcoming season will be five-foot-five sophomore Izzy Durst, along with three freshman, Mackie Conkling (a five-foot-ten guard), Harper Rierson (a five-foot-nine forward) and Ashtyn Patrick (a five-foot-five guard).

            While finishing her pre-season reflections, coach Huxman added, “We are eager to get back in the gym and continue to build on the growth we saw last season. Inman, Bennington, Remington, and Berean Academy will continue to be great match-up games for us within the Heart of America League play while Little River, Hillsboro, and Garden Plain are solid non-league games we will face as well.”

            The Lady Wildcats will open the 2024/25 season on the road at Elyria Christian on Friday, December 6 before making their home season debut against county rival Inman on Tuesday, December 10.

            Other battles due before the holiday break in December include hosting Lyons and Hillsboro on December 12 and 13 before traveling to Little River on Tuesday, December 17 and to Sedgwick on Friday, December 20.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)