By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
Despite a disappointing 1-4 start to their 2022-23 campaign, the Wabaunsee girl’s basketball team is refocused and ready to get back on track after the holiday break, with an opportunity to answer the bell at home on Friday night.
The Lady Chargers (1-4) will open the new year with a league and sub-state opponent in St. Mary’s (1-5), who has also struggled off the starting line this season.
Despite the record on the stat sheet, this Wabaunsee team had a very limited sample size of games in 2022, and was trending in the right direction going into the break, something that should serve them well as they look to pick up where they left off.
“We made small steps towards becoming the team that we hope to be in late February,” Lady Charger head coach Trevor Keller said. “We have had some ups and downs and I would like for us to be more consistent, but I am excited about the direction that we are headed in.”
In addition to the pressure of a critical early-January game, Wabaunsee will also have to settle in quickly as the Lady Chargers look to knock off the rust of the winter break against a St. Mary’s team with a 2023 matchup already under their belts.
“We need to continue to get better at limiting turnovers as well as rebounding on both ends of the floor,” Keller said. “Getting back in game shape and getting back into a rhythm after a break can be challenging. St. Mary's was able to play on Tuesday against Wamego who plays very fast so we will need to be ready to play from the start.”
In addition to this being a big league matchup, Wabaunsee and St. Mary’s share a sub-state this season, adding to the already high stakes of what could be a pivotal game later down the road.
In terms of the matchup on the floor, the Lady Chargers will have to find an answer for one of the best bigs in the league in Hayden Heim, who has had her way with opponents in the paint so far this season.
“Offensively they can play both inside and out,” he said. “They have guards who can shoot it from three and they have one of the best posts in the league. It will be key for us to not give up any open looks and to rebound it well on the defensive end. Defensively they have played a number of different defenses so it will be important for us to recognize what they are in and then attack.”
On their side of the contest, working to control, or at the very least compete on the boards will be critical for the Chargers, who cannot afford to give Heim second and third chances at easy buckets.
“We will need to start fast and play with toughness,” Keller said. “It will be really important for us to share the ball well on offense and defensively we have to do a good job of limiting them to one shot.”
Tip-off between the Lady Chargers and Bears is set for 6:30 pm in Alma with the boys’ game to follow at 7:00.
For continuing coverage of Wabaunsee hoops all season long, stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.