After losing a large group of seniors last season, the Cardinals girls basketball team is working to reach its potential with a new group of players this year.
Head coach Brandon Parker said it has been a fun start to the season with a wide cast of players contributing and vying for playing time. Although he knows it will take some time for the new group to gel, he’s excited about what they can accomplish,
“We feel good about what they’re capable of,” he said. “We just know that, no matter what, there’s going to be a lot of learning moments for us this year.”
A core group of returners, including seniors Miranda Kuntz and Hanna Keltner, alongside sophomores Brynn Deterding and Izzy Brunkow, are leading the Cardinals.
“They’re good with people,” Parker said of the returners. “They have an expectation, and they’re on point with what they’re doing. They just give a really good feel from the gym with their leadership.”
Keltner said she’s focused on lifting up younger players so they can reach their full potential.
“All these girls are really, really talented,” Keltner said. “So, we’re making sure that we can show them that their talent is worthy and that they’re good enough to be on this team. Bringing that positive environment is really crucial.”
Deterding comes off a stellar freshman season and will look to lead the Cardinals on offense. She said the team has bonded well early.
“I think we all just have really good trust with each other,” Deterding said. “I think that also, like, helps on the court. We know we can trust each other every single time we step on the court.”
The Cardinals don’t have a lot of height this season, but they make up for it with speed. It was on clear display at a scrimmage Tuesday, when Brunkow pressured opponents nonstop on defense and Keltner regularly slipped past defenders to get to the basket.
Keltner and Deterding said they will be focused on rebounding and exploiting their speed advantage to win games.
“I think that, like, we can’t just have one person go do it all,” Deterding said. “It will be a huge team effort. And I think that if we just continue building off of each other, that will be fine.”
The Cardinals open their season at home Tuesday against Wamego.
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
