The girls basketball team has one returning starter, senior Addy Brown. 

While people might question how far the Panthers can go this season, coach Daniel Harrison and Brown are positive. 

But if the Panthers have to build around anyone, Brown is an excellent option. At 6-foot-2, Brown, forward who has signed to play at Iowa State, is one of the best players in Kansas.

“Obviously our linchpin coming back is Addy Brown, and she’s one of the best players in the top 40 players in the country. So anytime you have a person of that talent … but also she has the ability to be a positive leader,” Harrison said. 

Junior Natalie Wilson agreed.

“You can just see that she has stepped into that leader role as she has come along,” Wilson said. 

In March, the Panthers played for a 6A title and finished in second place with a 23-2 record.

But two starters won’t return – junior Naomi White and senior Maryn Archer. White, whose family is in the military, moved, while Archer will graduate at semester. Archer, who signed with Arkansas, plans to grayshirt in the spring for the Razorbacks.

“Yes, we have lost a lot of significant pieces, but what it does is open the door of opportunity for some young players that have been waiting their turn,” Harrison said. “This is their chance, so I am excited for this season.”

But the young players need a strong leader to lead them to victory, and Brown embraces the role.

“My role on the team this year is probably just being the senior leader,” she said. “I mean, I have been on varsity (since freshman year), so I know what it’s like to be on varsity. And, as a senior, just being a leader for the younger kids and showing them the way to do things.”

Harrison believes in Brown.

“She works hard,” Harrison said. “She does what she’s supposed to do. She (encourages) instead of pointing fingers or yelling and accusing. And people want to play with her.”

Even with an incredible leader, doubts will likely exist.

“I think this season will look different for us,” Brown said. “… People are used to seeing us have like 4-5 really good basketball players… but I think this year we have like a solid 3-4 players who really play basketball a lot and take it seriously.”

The Panthers also have a healthy number of role players who will contribute.

“So I am excited,” Brown said. “I think a lot of people are already counting us out, though, because we did lose a lot of pieces. I mean, I think I am the only starter returning but I think we are going to be just fine.”