McPHERSON — Great Bend High School girls’ head basketball coach Jason Tatkenhorst genuinely believes his team made some positive gains during practices over the Christmas holidays.
“I really feel like it,” he said. “But sometimes, throughout our history, the first game back from Christmas doesn’t prove that.
“In the long run, I feel like you’ll see a much better team.”
After resuming drills on Dec. 28, Tatkenhorst said his team has bonded while practicing daily.
Great Bend (1-4) travels to McPherson (4-1) tonight for a 6 p.m. tipoff. McPherson is ranked No. 7 in the latest Kansas Basketball Coaches Association poll, which was released on Dec. 20.
“We really need to reduce our turnovers,” Tatkenhorst said. “Defensive rebounding. We need more stops on the defensive end. I feel like the girls know what they need to do, and practice time is over.
“It’s now game time.”
McPherson opened its season with a loss to Salina South, which is ranked No. 6 in 5A, but has responded by winning four straight.
McPherson is lead by the multiple-threat Casyn Buchman, who is averaging 17 points, six rebounds and four assists per game.