The Larned Lady Indians basketball team has been having great success this 2023-24 season, despite the preseason rankings. The team has had so much success that they are now ranked in the top half of their sub-state bracket, which means Larned gets to host a home game against the Russell Lady Broncos. The Lady Indians are ranked fourth, out of eight in their sub-state, with a record of eight wins and twelve losses. The two teams will face off against each other on February 27, at Larned.
Near the beginning of the season, the head coach, Mr. Jerrod Smith, told the team they were predicted to be dead last within their league. Just about everyone predicted the Larned Lady Indians would lose to every single team in their league, and the girls on the team knew this, but through their hard work and determination, they proved everyone wrong. Coach Smith mentioned in an interview, “I think the biggest difference this year was made by the five seniors with three years experience with me; they know what to expect, and developing consistency with them along with having the experienced freshmen has helped raise the expectations of the whole team.” The Lady Indians came out with three league wins and a home sub-state basketball game this season, so they have proven these predictions wrong! Additionally, Coach Smith said “We will be the true underdogs from the Russell win on, so we have to defend like we can and focus offensively, and you never know, every year there is some team that surprises everyone, so we will continue to work hard and prove some more people wrong.”
The Lady Indians face off against the Russell Lady Broncos, and they have a record of seven wins and thirteen losses. The girls have a good chance of winning, since they have more wins and the higher seed; these two teams have not played against each other at all this season, so it will be a brand new match-up.
Coach Smith mentioned in an interview, “My expectations are to win the sub-state, and it’s currently something that we can do. I expect us to play as hard as we have been all season, and take the win for our sub-state.” Once the girls win their first round sub-state game, they will go on to play in a tournament style competition, starting on Thursday the 29th. After the first sub-state games, the rest of the games will be held at Hoisington, no matter the match-up. Once a team enters the sub-state tournament, if they lose, they are done with their season for good, so they have to win to keep playing.
Overall, Larned’s Girls’ Basketball Team has had a great season, and they have a good chance of winning their sub-state and going to the state tournament! The girls have proven those preseason rankings wrong, and they have been rewarded with a home sub-state game. Hopefully, they battle till the end of their season and they come out with a few more wins in their sub-state tournament!
