'Play to our strengths': This key aspect will help Washburn Rural girls in the postseason

TOPEKA — Inside Washburn Rural’s practice, head coach Kevin Bordewick is directing his Junior Blues team that's ranked No. 9 in Class 6A with a 13-6 record. They're is full of experienced players who helped take second place last season and hoist the state title in 2022.

Yet, in practice, Bordewick is helping freshman Maddie Vickery understand the nuances of high school basketball.

“I said, ‘You know I can yell at you,’” Bordewick recalls.

“I want you to,” Vickery responded.

The 6-foot-1 Vickery has been a key force this season. She has shown her skills with her back to the basket, running the open floor and protecting the rim. In Washburn Rural’s latest win, Vickery scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds and finished with five blocks over Manhattan.

“It is helping me get better and he is helping me become the best version of myself every single day,” Vickery said. “I think that has helped my development here at Rural.”

With all of these great traits, Vickery is still learning how to succeed at the high school level. Along with Bordewick, there isn’t a better senior to learn from than Zoe Canfield. The University of Kansas basketball signee was a part of the state title-winning Junior Blues and the second-place team from a year ago.

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In the win over Manhattan, Canfield added 16 points to balance out Vickery’s interior play. The duo offset each other perfectly. Canfield raining deep 3-pointers and Vickery adding size to the paint.

“It has really clicked for us and has come naturally,” Canfield said. “In pick-and-rolls and definitely in feel plays where we know that the other person is going to be there.”

In late January, Washburn Rural was tested with three straight losses. Since then, it's peeled off five wins in six games. The continuity of the roster stems from their team camp at Pittsburgh State last summer. That was when upperclassmen Destiny Ochs, Tenly Bunck and Canfield started to teach the younger players how to succeed in this program.

“It’s really pretty cool because those young girls watch the older ones," Bordewick said. "They watched them win a championship and get second place last year. I think those young kids want to emulate that and just work hard. I think the older kids have been really good mentors.”

Washburn Rural’s regular-season finale comes against Emporia at home on Friday night. The Junior Blues are tied for third place in the Class 6A West standings with Wichita South and Liberal. The first round of the Sub-State Tournament will begin on Tuesday with Washburn Rural expected to host a first-round matchup.

“Gelling as a team is one of the biggest aspects that you can have leading into the state tournament,” Canfield said. “I think it will really play to our strengths.”

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural girls basketball is developing its young KSHSAA stars