A Bit Short, But Some Positives

The 2019-20 season for the Kimball High girls basketball team shows 8 wins and 13 losses, a bit short of what Coach Chauncey Pedersen was hoping for, but in all fairness, it was a season where it seemed on a weekly basis he was short a player or two due to injuries.

The lack of experienced height also hurt the cause, but like most years, there were some positive stats.

The Lady Longhorns will graduate only two seniors off this year's club, so there is experience returning for next season, but for certain the two seniors will be missed. Carli Wurdeman was a four season standout who wrote her name into the Kimball High School record books, and Jenna Greenwood, who returned to the program after sitting out her junior year, played big roles in this year's success.

Wurdeman was the leading scorer with 202 points averaging 10.6 points a game and was also the top 3 point shooter with 28 on the year, and also was the top free throw shooter hitting 52 of 80 attempts for 65%. Her 90 rebounds were second high behind Sam Bemis with 110. Her 52 steals were also second only to the 61 by Bemis and she charted 30 assists.

Greenwood ended up with 81 points, averaging 3.9 a game, but was strong on the boards with 69 rebounds, and charted 20 steals and 22 assists.

Coach Pedersen used a roster of 10 players for varsity play, so 8 will return next season. A trio of juniors will return for their senior season with good credentials.

Megan Spicer was the second high scorer this season with 171 points, while Sydney Biesecker had 144 and Sam Bemis 122.

Bemis was top rebounder with 110, while Biesecker had 72 and Spicer 50. Bemis led the team in steals with 61, Spicer had 51 and Biesecker 17. Bemis also led the team in assists this year with 41, Spicer had 24 and Biesecker 11.

Sophomore Katie Heeg saw starting roles this season and scored 70 points, charted 72 rebounds, 44 steals, and 33 assists. Sophomore Payton Wise scored 60 points, had 47 rebounds, 14 steals, and 12 assists. Sophomores Chantel Malson, Maddison Merryfield, and Amy Birkhofer also saw varsity play and came on strong at the end of the season.

As a team, Kimball scored 876 points this season averaging 41.7, while allowing 956 and 45.5 points per game. Kimball was 32% from the field and 25% on 3 pointers making 80/319. At the foul line they made 192/401 for 48%. They also averaged 27 rebounds a game, 13.4 steals, and 8.7 assists. There is a need to improve on turnovers as this year's club had 452, averaging 21.5 a game.

It will be interesting to see what next season brings, and who will head up the program next season. The younger classes have some players in the 5'10" category, but still no 6 footers, at least at this time. There will be some experience returning and some team leadership.

This year's team wrote its name into the school record books in a few categories. They scored the most 3 point field goals in a game with 13, and allowed the fewest points scored in a game of 5 against Potter-Dix, and tied the record of 0 points allowed in a quarter against Potter-Dix.

Carli Wurdeman moved into the number 12 spot in points scored in a career with 650. Her 65% free throwing this season is now the 22nd best ever. Her 28 three pointers this season is now holds the number 15 spot along with Melissa Christensen and Danielle Perry, and her 103 three pointers in her career takes over the number 4 all time spot for Kimball High.

Congrats to Carli for an outstanding career and congrats also for her being named to the Western Trails Conference All Conference team! Congrats also to Megan Spicer and Sam Bemis for being named Honorable Mention All Conference.

Sydney Biesecker also wrote her name into the school records with her 6 three point field goals in a game, which she will share with Hannah Stull and Danielle Perry (twice) for 3rd place in the Kimball High School records. Wurdeman and Alexis Lulf hold the record at 8 in a game. Wurdeman also hit 5 in a game this season.