By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
After starting each of their seasons on the right foot, the Chapman and Wamego girls’ basketball teams will meet on the campus of the Lady Irish tonight, looking to keep the good times rolling in the month of December.
The Lady Raiders enter this contest undefeated at 3-0, ranked as the #2 team in Class 4A, while Chapman comes in at 2-1 amidst a resurgent 2022-23 start.
Much of Wamego's success has come from hampering opposing offenses, exemplified by holding Tonganoxie to just 15 points last week, and in playing an unselfish brand of offense.
“Our defensive pressure has been really good so far,” Lady Raider head coach Brian McIntosh said. “I think we've done a good job of keeping teams off balance. We are also sharing the ball well and passing up good shots for great shots.”
That defensive excellence has been a staple of the Lady Irish as well, who held Bishop Ward to just three points for the full 32 minutes last week at the Irish Classic.
While Chapman’s defense has stolen the headlines, it’s the Lady Irish offense that has stood out to Coach Wahlmeier, despite the occasional need for more efficiency.
“I’ve been impressed with our ability to score in multiple ways,” Wahlmeier said. We’ve gotten buckets inside, outside, and in transition. The girls’ confidence has increased and they're learning more and more of our system.”
For Wamego to collect a fourth consecutive win to open their season and maintain their hold on the #2 spot in Class 4A, the Lady Raiders will have to have to contend with Maya Kirkpatrick, who has had her way with opposing defenses in Chapman’s two wins.
“Coach Wahlmeier does a great job with his teams,” McIntosh said. “They are feisty and play hard. The Kirkpatrick girl is one of the best players in the league, so she will definitely be a focus for us. We need to play hard-nosed defense and force them into tough shots, keep them off the glass, and continue making the extra pass on offense.”
On the other side of this matchup the Lady Irish will have to contend with a deep Wamego roster, hungry to position themselves for another deep playoff run, but with that pressure comes an opportunity for Chapman to post a season-defining win.
Wamego is so very well-coached,” Wahlmeier said. “They are good at taking away the things that you want to do. We will need to be strong with the ball on offense and solid on defense. Mentally we have to go into the game knowing we belong. We have put in the time and worked hard and confidence will be key.”
Tip-off between the Lady Irish and Raiders is set for 6:00 at Chapman high school with the boy’s game to follow at 7:30.
For continuing coverage of all four teams all season long stay tuned to the Salina and Little Apple Posts and follow us on Twitter @spostsports.