Annan, Junior Blues add to impressive resume

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 14, 2008

HONORABLE MENTION ALL-CITY GIRLS SELECTIONS

Hayden: Jordyn Montgomery, sr.; Jayde Reid, fr. Highland Park: Ashley McClelland, sr.; Andrea Rhoiney, so. Seaman: Emily Gatewood, jr.; Rachael Solis, sr. Shawnee Heights: Cierra Ceazer, fr.; Sara Schreiner, jr. Topeka High: Ashley Lutz, fr.; Sheronda Patton, so.; Brittney Redmond, fr. Topeka West: Amelia Anderson, sr.; Sarah Henry, sr.; Amber Stanley, sr. Washburn Rural: Maggie Holmberg, so.; Paige Ladenburger, jr.By Rick Peterson

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Sure, Washburn Rural girls basketball coach Bill Annan was disappointed after a loss to Goddard in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament.

But Annan, 279-108 in his career, refuses to let that loss to the state runner-up Lions detract from what the Junior Blues accomplished this past season or his enjoyment of the season.

The Junior Blues rolled to a perfect 13-0 record in the Centennial League and advanced to the state tournament for a second straight year en route to a 19-4 season, earning Annan city girls coach of the year honors.

"With the season we had and the kids we had, it was a fun year and I also think it was a year where every kid showed up every day to get better," said Annan, who coached Washburn Rural to 6A state championships in 1996 and '99. "As a coach that's what you want.

"You'd love to win state games and all of that, but I think the bottom line is you want your kids to want to be good and you want them to show up every day in practice that way. This truly was a year that they did that."

That dedication showed up time and time again for the Junior Blues, whose only losses came against 6A state champion Lawrence, 6A runner-up Goddard, 6A state tournament qualifier Blue Valley and 6A stalwart Derby.

"From a team standpoint there's not a whole lot more you can ask for but that attitude of wanting to get better," Annan said. "Not advancing in the state tournament doesn't mean you're a bad team.

"Not advancing just means that it's one of those games you'd like to have back, but you can't. At the same time I don't think it detracts from the season you had because we were pretty successful this year."

Although Rural loses three standout seniors - second-team All- City pick Sheay Longstaff and third-teamers Morgan Barrett and Laura Caby - the Junior Blues' future also looks bright because seven players off their 10-player state tournament roster return for next season.

That list will include 6-foot-2 junior LaSharra Riley, the city and Centennial League player of the year, as well as All-City first- teamer Alexa Bordewick, a sophomore point guard.

The proud Junior Blues also figure to be extremely hungry after back-to-back first-round state tournament losses the past two seasons.

"In state tournament games there really is no margin for error," Annan said. "In league and sub-state you can stub your toe a little bit and have a chance to get it back. In the state tournament there's not that chance, You've got to play very good basketball three games in a row, especially the first one.

"I think our girls understand that. I think we've got a group that wants to get better and they'll put the time in this summer to do that."

Rick Peterson can be reached at (785) 295-1129or rick.peterson@cjonline.com.