The West Prairie Press

By Madilynn Tones

The West Prairie girls basketball team has stormed out of the gate this season, piling up wins at a record-setting pace.

The West Prairie Girls basketball team is 13-13 at the moment. They have really shown this year that they wanted a change in the stats. Last year the West Prairie Girls basketball team had a record of 6-25.

Head coach Grant Bland is feeling proud of how the team is banding together this season on the court. 

“I am very happy with how our season is going. We’ve accomplished our goal of winning double-digit games! I think the experience everyone got from a year ago has been very helpful this season. Also having Coach Rigg alongside has been a huge help. For the rest of the season, I’d like for us to finish with 15+ wins and play well in regionals. The wins have made the vibes better at each practice and in-turn has made our players work harder. It’s also nice going into games and having the feeling that you can win this particular game,” Bland said. 

Senior Madelynn Sullivan is feeling proud of where the team is headed. 

“The season so far has been the best I feel West Prairie has seen in a while. I believe this year is a big step up from previous years because it’s been a long hard road for girls basketball, but now we have the numbers and we have the talent to truly start competing and also beating these higher level teams. Our intensity and grit to get better has impacted how we play in such a positive way and it’s very exciting to finally see that. For the rest of the season, I believe seeing 16 wins on our record would be the highlight of the season,” Sullivan said.

Junior Emily Martin echoes what Sullivan has said, and Martin also is feeling pumped for this season. 

“This season is going well. I would have to say this year is probably my best season yet because of the coaches and the girls on the team.This year is better than last year because we have grown so much sense last year and I am excited for the rest of the season to see how it goes. A goal I have for the rest of the season is to learn from my mistakes and never give up!” said Martin.

Sophomore Ashlynn Kelley is also pumped about this season and has high hopes for the stats. They only have five more games left and only need to win two of those to meet the cyclone girls goal!

 “I think this season is going super well! I feel it is the best season West Prairie has seen in a very long time. This year we have gotten to co-op with SouthEastern which has definitely been a huge help, as well with Coach Rigg who has been an amazing asset to the team. For the rest of the season I would like to continue to push hard and hopefully be able to get up to 15+ wins!” Kelley said. 

The team has improved so much from last season and their stats are making these statements true! Not only has the West Prairie GIrls Basketball team improved but this year we have hit a new high score which the Lady Cyclones have never hit it before but in the Galva game had a score of 80-58 co-oped with the South Eastern team and have juniors Tegan Rigg Kara Steven a part of our Cyclone Family. The Galva game was an amazing experience for the girls and was the first time ever in Cyclone history the Girls Basketball team hit 80 points. 

Sophomore Braelyn Reeves thinks very highly of the team and their performance after this game. 

 “I would say this game in particular was so important because it shows the improvement we have made as a team. The galva game was the first time the cyclone girls basketball team has scored 80 points. I think we have a good start coming into the last portion of our season, I believe we can maintain our record of higher wins than losses,” said Reeves.

Senior Maciyn Shipman thinks preparation and pressure made all the difference this year.

“We went in confident, prepared from film and practice, and played together,” Shipman said. “Our defense was locked in, we pushed the pressure, and it led to a huge win. Scoring 80 points for the first time in program history felt incredible, especially as a senior. It set the tone for the rest of the season, and we’re ready to lock in as we head toward postseason play.”

Come out and support the Lady Cyclones! They only have a few games left that you don’t want to miss! 

Games and team stats can be found at this website. Below is a list of the remaining scheduled games:

Feb. 4 @ Cuba/Spoon River Valley 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 @ Astoria/VIT 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 vs. Bushnell-Prairie City 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 12 vs. Lewistown 7:30 p.m.