By Matt Browning

The Wilson girls basketball team was chosen the Visit Wichita Team of the Month for February. The Dragons have been one of the top teams in Class 1A Division II this season.

“Before the season I thought we had every opportunity to be a very good team,” said Wilson coach Ted Long. “But I did not think we would have a 9-0 start. Not too many teams in the state have that opportunity at a start like ours.”

Last season, Wilson went just 6-14, but many of those players returned. Long credits that continuity as a key reason as to why the Dragons are playing the way they are.

“We have a group of eight girls that get along and do everything together,” Long said. “They work hard in practice and know what we want to do on the court. We returned all of our starters from last year’s team and added a senior, Cara Criswell, who missed last year due to a medical issue.”

Wilson has two players averaging double figures in Anna Thielen and Serenity Steinike and when those two players are at their best, so is Wilson.

“They are the type of players that stuff the stat sheets with rebounds, assists and steals,” Long said. “One of the big differences in our team this year is we have more scoring options and Anna and Serenity are definitely a big part of that.”

This is the last year for Wilson High School as it is going to be consolidated with Claflin next year, so Long hopes the season goes out with something memorable.

“It’s been since 2014 since the Wilson girls have been to state,” Long said. “A lot of the players on this team remember that 2014 season and it would mean a lot to them, parents and the community if we could make it back.”