MHS - Women's Basketball / March 3, 2022 By Kasey McDowell
The unexpected and sudden loss of former girls head basketball coach and former Athletic Director, Doug Evers created the opportunity for an inspirational turnaround this season. Improving from last year’s 3 win season, finishing 8-13, accomplished a mid season 5 game winning streak, and finished in 3rd place at the Wildcat Classic.
“This season was about much more than basketball. Basketball just gave us the opportunity to lay a strong foundation and create a culture based on relationships, love for each other, and learning how to compete to win,” said Head Girls Coach, Kadee Carpenter.
The Lady Cats were led by So. Teagan Garrison who averaged 9.2 pts. per game and Jr. Karlie Kanaga who averaged 8.3 pts. per game and team leading 2.7 steals per game.
Sr. Kamryn Nolan led the team in rebounds 6 games this season with a season high of 11 rebounds against Parsons. Nolan was the top scorer against North, with 15 points.
So. Ashley Young, was the top rebounder in 5 games this season, grabbing 10 rebounds against Eldorado and tied with Nolan at the top of the team rebounding leader board with 110 total rebounds. Young and Nolan averaged 5.5 rebounds per game.
But the season became about much more than stats and results for the players. Basketball provided the distraction and the avenue to heal from the loss of Evers. His name was present in conversations with the team, but Carpenter also knew she had to allow this team the space to create its own new identity.
"This season I really wanted us to become more of a family and just play the game," said Jr. Karlie Kanaga. "In past years, yes we've played basketball, but this year everyone was in it 100 percent and we played a completely different game."
"I really enjoyed this season and I’m proud of our progress from last season," said So. Teagan Garrison. "Really connecting with the girls this year helped me on a personal level. I’m so thankful for our coaching staff and making it a great season for us as a team. I’m really going to miss this season but I can’t wait for more to come."
"The best part of this year was definitely all the connections I gained during the season," said So. Ashley Young.
Key contributors, like Jr. Lauren Young, twice was the teams leading rebounder with a game high 8 rebounds against Labette County. L. Young finished with 78 rebounds on the year, finishing as the team’s 3rd highest rebounder this season.
Effort and heart may not be a statistical category, but So. Madison Shaw earned her way on hustle plays and defensive intensity. Shaw averaged 5 pts. per game this season and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Also a good source of team energy, was So. Madison Phipps. She saw action in 19 games and averaged .7 rebounds per game along with creating a fair share of defensive havoc for opponents.
"We played hard. We loved each other. We had fun. We created something worth missing. We did all of it TOGETHER," said Coach Carpenter to sum up this special season.
