The only thing that may prevent Blue Springs from capturing a fourth consecutive Suburban Big Seven title may be Blue Springs itself.
The Wildcats, in The Examiner’s poll of the coaches, are a solid choice for a four-peat. Liberty placed second followed by Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit North, St. Joseph Central, Blue Springs South and Raymore-Peculiar. Liberty received the other first-place vote because Blue Springs coach Mark Spigarelli could not vote for his own team.
Blue Springs takes a 36-game conference winning streak and three-year record of 73-12 into the new season.
And with letter winners Cee Cee Burris, Tyonna Snow, Jamesia Price, Madison Porter and Marida Lewis returning from a 28-3 team that lost in the state Class 5 finals the winning beat should continue.
“We will have a tremendous amount of talent with our returning players, our freshmen and transfers,” Spigarelli said. “If we can mesh every thing together and maintain good chemistry it should be as very exciting year.”
Six newcomers, freshmen Lizzie Wendell and Trya Bickham, sophomores Karyla Middlebrook and Azia Washington, junior Jenn Wendell and senior Shelby Hartley are others who figure in Spigarelli’s plans.
LIBERTY: New coach Mike Morley takes over one of the conference’s most successful programs.
“We have only one senior and not much size but athletic and quick,” Morley said of this season’s team. “We will rely on defense and speed. We must fine some consistent scoring to have a good year. We have good depth at all sports.”
Nine letter winners return from a 17-10 team.
LEE’S SUMMIT: An eighth consecutive winning season is likely because of letter winners Desiree Smith, Krysten Maddox, Samantha Gilkey, Natalie Branch, Breana Washington, Aly Mosier and Ali Patterson returning from a 14-12 team.
Rachel Oziomek, a six-foot sophomore newcomer, also is expected to contribute.
“Our team has good team speed and athletic ability,” coach Brian Bubalo said. “We will play an up tempo game with a lot of full court defense and fast break offense. We need to improve our 3-point shooting and our free throw shooting.
“We believe we will be very competitive and should be in contention for the conference and district championships.”
LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH: Prospects are bright the Broncos can rebound from an 11-14 season.
Letter winners are Lauren Dudenhoeffer, Ashley Creason, Codi Fritchie, Gina Lowery, Simone McGautha, McKenzie Kellogg and Meredith Stark. Sophomore newcomer Mollie Williams also figures in coach Tricia Lillygren’s plans.
