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Can the Rebels rise again? South Gray girls have the experience, talent to do it

Published 12/4/2008 in Special Sections : Area High Schools

By BRETT MARSHALL

bmarshall@gctelegram.com

Nobody could really blame Tasha Trundle if she opted for early retirement.

After all, in her first year as a head coach, she guided the South Gray Lady Rebels to the Class 1A state championship, the first in school history, with a 27-1 record. That title came with a come-from-behind 61-47 triumph against Weskan.

Their lone loss came to Class 3A state runner-up Cimarron on the Lady Blue Jays home court during the Cimarron Invitational in early December.

Trundle, though, while still recalling that memorable March day in Hays, realizes that yesterday is done, today is here and tomorrow soon will be.

"This year, we're preparing the same way that we did as a year ago," Trundle said. "A lot of teams will be gunning for us. We're not flying under the radar with anybody this year. We've got to work even harder because we've got that target on our back."

That target, however, is something Trundle does not shy away from.

"Some high school girls don't like this kind of pressure but our girls seem to thrive on it," Trundle said. "I remind them and they remind each other in practice of how hard they have to work."

Goals are high. Expectations are high. And Trundle doesn't mind.

"I'd be lying if I said expectations are not high for this season," she said. "You always want to push teams, but not for the wrong reasons. The girls got a taste of it last year, they put a lot of heart and soul into it and it has been a lot of fun to watch this group."

Expectations are high for a number of reasons. First and foremost is the returning group.

Start with 5-9 junior forward Kayla Thomas. All she did was average 15 points and earn The Telegram's first team All-Area honor. Next is 5-7 junior Brigit Hesser, a forward who averaged 12 points. The third returning starter is 5-6 sophomore guard Mikayla Skidmore, who also scored in double figures at 10 points per game.

"This group is pushing themselves and pushing each other," Trundle said. "Where as last year I had to do some of the pushing, this year they've taken it upon themselves. They're all out there just killing themselves in practice. I had to get on them a little last year, this year I hardly have to say a thing."

Trundle said her leaders do it by example.

"Kayla and Brigit are paying the price in how hard they are working," Trundle said. "We're not very big, but we have big hearts."

Trundle's venture into head coaching came nearly four years after she had last coached, and that was as an assistant in Garden City (2002-2004).

"This was just an unbelievable opportunity and I couldn't be happier," Trundle said.

The experience of being part of a double-double state championship school with the Rebel boys is something that will last Trundle a lifetme.

"(Coach Mark Applegate) has a handful of rings and I wouldn't mind having a few rings like he has," Trundle said with a laugh.

Nearly nine months after the final buzzer sounded, the trophy had been presented, Trundle says she still can picture the moment at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

"I still get goose bumps just talking about it," she said. "It was so special to have almost the entire city there. Montezuma and Copeland has just been really special."

Trundle also said it was an emotional high to sit and watch the Rebel boys claim their second straight championship.

"I was sitting with my girls and saw the guys battling so hard," Trundle said. "When you see another team that works so hard, it makes you appreciate how difficult it is to win one."

With her trio of standout players anchoring this year's team, Trundle can also rely on the only senior on the team -- 5-8 forward Kelli Watts -- to add extra leadership.

"She is one of, if not the hardest, workers we have," said Trundle of Watts, who averaged 7 points her junior season. "You couldn't say enough about her."

Shaelyn Kisner, a 5-6 junior, and 5-8 sophomore Cori Watts, Kelli's younger sister, will also see playing time this year. Trundle expects 5-8 junior Baylie Zehr and 5-9 freshman Hannah Thomas (younger sister to Kayla) to bolster the depth of this year's team.

"I want us to be the best, but more importantly I want their effort to be the best," Trundle said. "I have a lot of passion for the game and I enjoy it when I see that passion in the girls."

Trundle, in fact, has just the eight girls out for the team this year.

"If I had to hand pick 'em, these would be the eight I'd choose," she said. "They're not tall, but boy they like to run and play defense. They go a little crazy out there at times, but our defense is our offense. We'll do some things differently this year just to give teams a different look."

Trundle has now earned one ring for her hand and she's looking down the road with a clear vision of where No. 2 might be waiting. Hays in March never looked so good.

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South Gray Lady Rebels

League: SPIAA

Class: 1A

Girls Coach: Tasha Trundle (2nd year, 25-1)

2007-2008 Record: 25-1 (1A State Champions)

Returning Starters: Brigit Hesser (5-7 Jr., F), Mikayla Skidmore (5-6 So., G), Kayla Thomas (5-9 Jr., F).

Other Top Returners: Kelli Watts (5-8 Sr., F), Cori Watts (5-8 So., F), Shaelyn Kisner (5-6 Jr., G).

Key Newcomers: Baylie Zehr (5-8 Jr.), Hannah Thomas (5-9 Fr.).

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SCHEDULE (Home Games in ALL CAPS)

Dec. 5-SATANTA; Dec. 9-13-at Cimarron Blue Jay Invitational; Dec. 16-SPEARVILLE; Dec. 19-at Ingalls; Jan. 6-at Meade; Jan. 9-PAWNEE HEIGHTS; Jan. 13-at Minneola; Jan. 16-at Haviland; Jan. 20-JETMORE; Jan. 24-31-SPIAA League Tournament at Dodge City; Feb. 3-at Ashland; Feb. 6-at Bucklin; Feb. 10-FOWLER; Feb. 13-at South Central; Feb. 17-at Sublette; Feb. 20-GREENSBURG.

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