By Matt Browning

The Ell-Saline girls basketball team was chosen as the Visit Wichita Team of the Month for February. The Cardinals traveled to Hutchinson Trinity and Remington throughout league play defeating the Celtics and falling to the Broncos.

Ell-Saline has been ranked in the VYPE basketball rankings throughout the month of January after winning only six games last season.

“Most of these girls played on a very successful softball team and know how winning feels,” said head coach Bill Gies. “We are benefiting from that now as well as from the girls being more comfortable with their role on the team.”

Defense and rebounding are vital to the Cardinals’ success and four players lead the way in those areas: Sadie Bradley, Raleigh Kramer, Bayleigh Schneider and Keala Wilson.

“Senior Sadie Bradley is a solid defensive player along with Raleigh Kramer, who works hard on the boards and contributes points as well,” Gies said. “Bayleigh Schneider has been scoring more as of late and has been important.  Keala Wilson has been great on the boards all season.”

While the marked improvement has been a nice accomplishment for the Cardinals, there is still plenty left to achieve this season.

“Our goal is to be in the top four of our league and to represent our school in the state tournament this year,” Gies said. “Improving on last year is what we planned on, worked for.  We are having more success than the last couple of seasons, but we have bigger plans.”