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Coffeyville women have long passed the test of
time with their consistent winning
Their offices aren’t that far apart,
but don’t expect to see Coaches Jay Herkelman and Emily Washburn of Coffeyville,
constantly huddled together discussing game strategy, motivational techniques,
ways to conduct productive practices or personnel situations.
Herkelman has had unbridled success as the men’s coach (a string of six
successive National JC Athletic Association tournament appearances in the
2000s), and while Washburn hasn’t been that successful yet at Coffeyville (no
NJCAA tournament appearances) she has carved our her own nice little niche with
the women’s team. No matter how you cut it, there’s no question that Coffeyville
and winning consistently go hand-in-hand. “Their (the men’s) success has gotten
them a good reputation, and it helps us when players you are recruiting know who
Coffeyville is,” said Washburn, in her seventh season as head coach. “But it’s a
different game. The strategy in the men’s and women’s games are not close to the
same. They play the game above the rim, we don’t. We don’t get to rely on our
athleticism like they do, nor do girls have the great instincts like the men.”
The game may be vastly different but Washburn has figured things out well enough
to lead Coffeyville to five of the last six Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division
championships. Her teams have consistently been among the best in the state,
with a 75.9 per cent overall winning record (148-47) and an 87 per cent winning
mark (94-14) in Eastern Division games. “They have a great tradition of winning
that breeds success,” said Labette Coach Jaime Green, whose team was the No. 1
pick in the East in the pre-season coaches poll. “It’s evident that her kids
play hard, and that has to be a credit to Coach Washburn and her staff.”
Washburn, a pretty fair player at Caney Valley high school and then a two-year
starter at Coffeyville (an Academic All-American) in the mid-to-late 1990s - “I
know how they (her players) feel, I have been there,” she says - has won by
recruiting top-tier players and then fitting a system around their varied
skills. That means playing a rugged full court man-to-man defense about 90 per
cent of the time. For the most part her players have bought into the one-for-all
and all-for-one attitude, as attested by the fact she has not coached one
Eastern Division Player of the Year or a Freshman of the Year.
This year’s team has some talent, including Britnee Foster (5-7 sophomore guard,
who is a nice scorer), Sheay Longstaff (5-9 sophomore guard who plays smart),
Keshia Primo (5-10 red-shirt freshman guard who is a transfer from U. of
Buffalo) and Arienne Smith (5-9 sophomore guard who is a grade A athlete). And
if you go by last year (that team averaged 75.6 points, the best overall showing
among all 19 conference teams) the offense will be there. Defensively, the Red
Ravens work at it just as hard.
It’s all a long and productive way from where Washburn was as a 25-year-old
first-year head coach. “Not only was I a young and insecure coach, I really
didn’t have much experience,” said Washburn. “I felt I needed to prove myself
daily.”
She has done just that. She knows the road to a winning season starts by good
recruiting, and that’s why she puts her heart and soul into that particular part
of the coaching process. “We talk about the team concept (with potential
players),” said Washburn. “We look for kids who want to play for a winning
program. We don’t want kids who would rather be the best player on a bad team,
but ones who want to be one of many good players on a good team. We stress the
importance of not only being successful, but of setting your teammates up for
success on the court.”
It’s a philosophy that has put Coffeyville among the nation’s elite wth its
women’s and men’s programs.
JAYHAWK CONFERENCE PREVIEW
(Listed in order of predicted order of finish in pre-season coaches poll)
Western Division
1. Hutchinson
Coach John Ontjes
Last season’s records Overall 31-6, Conference 13-3 (Tie 2nd)
Top players Naudia Campbell, 6-2, sophomore, forward...An all-region pick as a
freshman, she is talented.
Arielle McGhee, 6-0, sophomore, forward...Being named Region VI MVP shows
quality of her game as a freshman.
Heather Robben, 5-9, sophomore, guard...Game has zip, having earned HM NJCAA
All-American honors last year.
Notes Ontjes played
the game with abandon at Hutchinson and now he’s trying to get his players to do
the same. That’s why a year ago it wasn’t that surprising that the Blue Dragons
gave up the fewest average points per game in the West (54.3).
2. Seward County
Coach Toby Wynn
Last season’s records Overall 28-6, Conference 13-3 (Tie 2nd)
Top players Rachel Barnes, 5-9, sophomore, forward...Led team in scoring (13.1)
and rebounding (7.6) last season.
Megan Lassley, 5-4, sophomore, guard....Scrappy point finds open player and
plays relentlessly on defense.╩
Nadia Rosario, 6-3, sophomore, forward...Returns from injury last season (6.9
points, 4.4 rebounds a game).
Notes The Lady
Saints know how to score, as attested by a best-in-the West average last season
(77.5 points a game). They bring back a solid core of sophomores to go with a
group of freshmen who should be able to make an immediate impact. Although
injuries have kept them from putting their entire team on the court anytime
during the pre-season they should still be ready to go for the season.
3. Cloud County
Coach Brett Erkenbrack
Last season’s records Overall 26-7, Conference 12-4 (4th)
Top players Mariah Metoyer, 5-9, freshman, forward...Transfer from Denver U. is
a tough, physical player.
Christy Nelson, 5-7, sophomore, guard...Averaged 6.5 points, 1.8 rebounds with
50 threes last season.
Emma Ostermann, 5-8, sophomore, guard...Averaged 9.7 points, 2.4 rebounds as a
freshman.
Notes The
Thunderbirds were hit hard by graduation, including the loss of Carolyn
Blair-Mobley (MVP and Freshman of the Year in the West last season) who left for
Oklahoma State. There are only two returnees on the 15-player roster. Cloud
County may be down but it is far from out, having won 26 games in each of the
last four seasons.
4. Butler
Coach Mike Helmer
Last season’s records Overall 14-17, Conference 6-10 (Tied 5th)
Top players Alysia Hart, 5-9, sophomore, guard...Best returning scorer. Very
athletic, Great leader
Abby Henning, 5-10, freshman, guard...Long and athletic, she is also a very good
shooter.
Abby Fawcett, 5-6, freshman, guard...Great shooter who is also a very smart
player.
Desirai Smith, 5-6, freshman, guard...Very fast,
defends well, gets to the rim nicely and can shoot well.
Notes The roster is
loaded with freshmen, with only two sophomores. The team’s strength should be
overall speed and so good rebounding is paramount for the Grizzlies to compete
with regularity.
5. Garden City
Coach Alana Sharp
Last season’s records Overall 12-19, Conference 6-10 (Tie 5th)
Top players
Cheree Freeman, 5-10, sophomore, guard... All-West
HM last year/10 points a game. Long, athletic, good in transition.
Deirdre Mays, 6-1, sophomore, post...Will get major minutes with more scoring
expected. Averaged 7.5 rebounds as frosh.
Notes With only 28
returning points from a team that averaged 59 last season much will be expected
of the newcomers in particular. There is a nice mix of returnees/freshmen.
Expect an athletic team with an up tempo style. It will take some time for
first-year Coach Alana Sharp to get in the flow of things.
6. Barton County
Coach Keith Ferguson
Last season’s records Overall 25-7, Conference 14-2 (lst)
Top players
Alisha Fanisher, 5-8, freshman, guard...Athletic, scorer, KBCA All Star, led
team to state title at St. John high school last year.
Annie Kassango, 6-2, sophomore, post...Geneva, Switzerland product is long, shot
blocker, runs floor well. Only returnee.
Hannah Rotollo, 5-3, freshman, guard...Hard-nosed, physical, pushes ball well.
Led Liberal to 21-2 record/state meet.
Notes In his first
season at the helm, Coach Keith Ferguson has a big transition year in front of
him. He has only one returnee, not much height but a lot of athletic ability.
This team must gel quickly but should be able to pressure ball out front. The
Cougars are coming off back-to-back West championships.
7. Pratt
Coach Stephanie Shanline
Last season’s records Overall 10-21, Conference 3-13 (8th)
Top players Phylicia Freeman, 5-9, sophomore, forward...She is a long and
athletic player who is a scorer.
Corinna Hoyt, 5-6, sophomore, guard...A very hard
worker she also puts the ball in the hoop with regularity.
Taylor Lockridge, 5-6, sophomore, point guard...Played sparingly last season but
will get more minutes.
Laramie Lawrence, 5-6, freshman, guard...A tough and strong player she also
shoots the ball very well.
Jordan Moss, 5-10, freshman, forward...A big and strong athlete who is able to
score effectively.
Notes With 10
freshmen on the roster Pratt has its work cut out for them if they expect to
improve on an sub . 500 record of a year ago.
8. Colby
Coach Brady Jasper
Last season’s records Overall 9-22, Conference 4-12 (7th)
Top players Danisha Cole, 5-6, sophomore, guard...Talented. A Region VI
honorable mention pick as a freshman.
Hannah Thornton, 6-1, freshman, post...From Dublin, Ireland she has good hands
and should be in asset in time.
Tasha Wagoner, 5-8, sophomore, guard...Hometown player who is steady with her
game and a team leader.
Notes There are some
very hard working players on the roster and that may allow for some improvement
over time. Staying healthy is a must for a team that does not have a lot of
depth but which should be competitive.
9. Dodge City
Coach Steve High
Last season’s records Overall 5-25, Conference 1-15 (9th)
Top players Treshay Adams, 5-7, freshman, guard...Athletic and a very good spot
shooter who can take it off the bounce.
Kayla Jensen, 5-4, freshman, combo guard...Big motor in a small package. Very
physical for size. Nice 3-point range.
Robin Parker, 5-9, sophomore, forward... Averaged 12.3 points/7.3 rebounds last
season. In better shape, very motivated.
Marcella Sedoc, 5-5, sophomore, guard...Point has improved in all areas with
great attitude. Runs team well.
Notes Season will
depend on how quickly the seven freshmen adjust to the college game because they
are going to have to contribute. Good news: this is a much more cohesive team
than the last two, both of which struggled to win.
Eastern Division
1. Labette
Coach Jaime Green
Last season’s records Overall 22-10, Conference 15-3 (2nd)
Top players Lauren Andrews, 5-10, sophomore, forward...Strong post, physical
inside with soft touch beyond arc.
Satoria Bell, 5-10, sophomore,
guard-forward...Athletic and experienced player who can get to the rim and
shoots 3 well.
Monique Johnson, 6-1, sophomore forward...Very good and strong player in the
paint. Can also finish behind the arc.
Philicia Kelly, 5-9, sophomore,
guard...Demonstrates very physical play on the inside. Can also penetrate and
finish.
Sheiterra Pledger, 5-9, sophomore, combo
guard...Quick, athletic and long. Can handle it, dish it and elevate to finish.
Jasmine Smith, 5-8, freshman, combo guard...Super athletic player who is quick,
can penetrate and dish it.
Kellindra Zackery, 6-0, sophomore, foward...Physical
player inside who can rebound and finish with contact.
Notes Replacing five
players who had mucho experience (aka leadership) is a lot to lose, but her
peers obviously felt Green and Co. would not be green. The group must
collectively be in a learning mode and that should come about with a tough
non-conference schedule. The transfers (Bell of Central Florida CC, Kelly of
Florida-Jacksonville CC and Zackery of Rutgers U.) will carry a bulk of the load
so they have to come out with fire in their eyes.
2. Independence
Coach Tony Turner
Last season’s records Overall 22-11, Conference 11-7 (Tie 4th)
Top players
Tori Halvorsen, 6-2, sophomore,
forward...Tremendous range for frontliner. Runs floor well. Good scorer.
Jordan Hines, 5-5, sophomore, point guard...Has a very high basketball IQ and is
a great floor leader.
Brittany Johnson, 5-11, sophomore, forward...Very talented and athletic player
who also shoots ball well.
Sadie Webb, 5-10, sophomore, forward...Terrific all-around player, great
shooter. East’s Freshman of the Year.
Notes Experience
should be a plus for the Lady Pirates. They have a very tough non-conference
schedule but that should prepare them for rigors of the East.
3. Coffeyville
Coach Emily Washburn
Last season’s records Overall 28-4, Conference 16-2 (1st)
Notes See story.
4. Cowley
Coach Todd Q Clark
Last season’s records Overall 24-8, Conference 14-4 (3rd)
Top players Maylisa Johnson, 5-10, freshman, guard...Tough! Player of Year in
Tulsa area as high school senior.
Kaneesha Lee, 6-2, sophomore, forward... Long,
athletic, averaged two blocks a game last year.
Ariani Silva, 5-9, freshman, guard...International
PG. Very skilled with a chance to be real good.
Anna Sonka, 6-0, freshmen, forward...Brazilian wing who is a very good shooter.
Notes There are 13
freshmen on the roster and so there will be the usual growing pains early in the
campaign. The Tigers are known for a relentless defense, No. 1 among all 19
conference schools last season (51.2 points per game).
5. Johnson County
Coach Ben Conrad
Last season’s records Overall 19-13, Conference 11-7 (Tie 5th)
Top players
Crista Bechard, 5-6, sophomore, guard...Returning
starter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists last season.
Melissa Nelson, 5-9, sophomore, guard...All-Region VI DII pick as a freshman,
she led team in scoring (14.9 points).
Katie Nietzke, 5-6, sophomore, guard...Lansing product had 3.3 points, 2.9
rebounds as a freshman.
Notes Some of the
many newcomers (11) will be called on to produce often and quickly. Last
year stumbled out of the blocks (2-5), but rallied (10-2) to finish the season
by winning the 10th successive Region VI championship. Defense again will be
paramount, that on the heels of a season in which the Cavaliers finished No. 15
among NJCAA schools in team defense (56.4 points a game).
6. Neosho County
Coach Tonika Bruce
Last season’s records Overall 11-20, Conference 6-12 (7th)
Top players Riley Stephens, 5-7, sophomore, guard...She plays hard and a has a
good work ethic, great attitude.
Notes There are 13
freshmen on the roster so you can expect some growing pains. Four sophomore
transfers will be an asset on a team that has a solid work ethic and attitude on
and off the court.
7. Kansas City
Coach Valerie Stambersky
Last season’s records Overall 12-19, Conference 5-13 (8th) RECHECK
Top players Shannon Carlin, 5-10, sophomore, guard...Quick, athletic, can get to
hoop and score well.
Sarah Craft, 5-10, sophomore, forward...Leading rebounder last season (6 a
game). Can score from 2-20 feet.
Alyssa Rushton, 5-10, freshman, guard...Can attack off the dribble and score
from perimeter. Hard worker.
Laci Schreiber, 6-2, freshman, post...Strong.
Boards well. Physical inside and runs well on the fast break.
Michelle Selbe, 6-1, freshman, post...Can score with back to basket. Nice 3
point shot. Good high/low passer.
Notes For this team
to fare well they are going to have to be patient and quick studies, given that
there are 11 freshmen. Should get better as the season ages. Time will take care
of a lot of things.
8. Allen County
Coach Andy Hamilton
Last season’s records Overall 5-26, Conference 2-16 (Tie 9th)
Top players Jennifer House, 5-10, sophomore, forward...Has good leadership
skills, nice work ethic. Only returnee so she is a big key to team's success.
Dysyan Malone, 5-9, freshman, forward...Can do a
lot of things well on the floor. Utility player of sorts but highly-regarded
and valued asset.
Lacey Thomas, 5-5, freshman, guard...Much effort and leadership is needed from
her: on and off the court. Gifted player with lots of potential.
Notes There 13 are
freshmen, but the talent level is up from last season. And while this team won't
bowl you over with their vast array of talent, they should be able to compete
well on a regular basis.
9. Highland
Coach James Arnold
Last season’s records Overall 9-22, Conference 2-16 (Tie 9th)
Top players Karli Abbey, 5-11, sophomore, forward...Only frosh in conference
last year with double-double (11.5 points/10.2 rebounds).
Amy Green, 5-10, sophomore, guard...Frosh of Year of NAIA D1 Heart of
America last year at Mid America Nazarene.
Tanna Prenger, 5-8, sophomore, guard...Averaged
11.5 points as a freshman (20 points per over the last five games).
Eryn Stepherson, 5-11, sophomore, guard...Transfer
from Southern Ilinois averaged 14 minutes with two starts last year.
Notes In year three
for the coaching staff here, it's deja vu in part for Coach Arnold. When he was
coaching at North Central Missouri juco his teams in his third and fourth years
there were a combined 53-13. Last season the Scotties upped their level of
competitiveness but lacked depth, size and overall skill. With four significant
sophomores (who averaged a combine 33 points a year ago), some talented
transfers and a good freshman class, the outlook is promising. Whatever
transpires, the in-state players may well be the best-ever at Highland.
10. Fort Scott
Coach Diana Couch
Last season’s records Overall 15-16, Conference 8-10 (6th)
Top players Brittany Demery, 5-11, sophomore, forward...Texas Pan Am transfer is
an explosive player who can finish.
Shadara Hampton, 5-4, sophomore, point guard...Has
incredible vision and can get in the paint. Great floor leader.
Valencia Kelly, 5-6, sophomore, guard..Returnee (from Georgia) is versatile,
athletic and coachable. A very good student.
Notes
With only nine players on the roster, depth could be troublesome before all is
said and done. The six returnees have to learn a new system with a new attitude
and a new coach (one of three at the 19 Kansas schools).
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