Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Pedersen prepares for tough season following loss of key starter

As the 2017/18 basketball season has just kicked off, fifth year head coach of the Lady Longhorns Chauncey Pedersen, is ready to get the season underway with four returning starters and six returning letter winners for the Lady Horns.

Returning for her senior season is Alex Reader, during the Lady Horns fourth game last season Reader was injured and was out for the rest of the season, but she is back and ready for her last year as a Lady Horn. During her sophomore year she received All Conference WTC, All Conference SPVA, NSAA Academic All-State, OWH All-State Honorable Mention, and the Star Herald All Region 4th Team honors. She is expected to be a game maker in this, her final season for the Kimball team.

Junior Kate Reader was back to start another season for Kimball, averaging 11.2 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 1.8 assists per game coming into this year. In the second game of the season, however, she suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The younger Reader has received All Conference WTC, First Team SPVA, OWH Class C-2 All-State Honorable Mention, Lincoln Journal Star Class C-2 All-State Honorable Mention, and Star-Herald All Region 3rd Team honors.

Seniors Hannah Biesecker and Justine Heeg also earned their starting spots back in Pedersen's line up this season with Biesecker averaging 3.7 points per game, with 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. Heeg came into the 2017/18 season averaging 4.6 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1 assist per game.

Along with this group of very well rounded upperclassmen, keep an eye out for junior Madison Wynne and sophomore Carli Wurdeman as Pedersen has high hopes, and expectations, for both of these players.

Kimball will be competing in both the WTC and SPVA conferences again this year, Coach Pedersen is putting the Mitchell Tigers as the team to beat in the WTC with the talented club and the addition of Victoria Schwartz.

As for competition in the SPVA, Pedersen is looking at North Platte St. Pat's and Chase County.

"Both return plenty of experience and returning starters," said Pedersen.

Good luck Lady Horns, keep an eye out for more game coverage as the season progresses.

 
 
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