2011-12 Basketball preview: Circle Thunderbirds
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Wichita Heights Falcons
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Wichita East Blue Aces
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Goddard Lions
- Other area high school basketball capsules
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Wichita Northwest Grizzlies
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Trinity Academy Knights
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: Garden Plain Owls
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Wichita West Pioneers
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: Wichita Southeast Buffaloes
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Kapaun Mount Carmel Crusaders
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: Goddard Eisenhower Tigers
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Cheney Cardinals
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: Bishop Carroll Eagles
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: Newton Railers
- 2011-12 Basketball preview: Andover Central
- 2011-12 Basketball preview: Maize South Mavericks
- 2011 Basketball Preview: Maize Eagles
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Clearwater Indians
- 2011 Basketball Preview: North Redskins
- Heights begins rare quest for hoops dynasty
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Collegiate Spartans
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: Independent Panthers
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Derby Panthers
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: Mulvane Wildcats
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Wichita South Titans
- 2011-12 Basketball Preview: El Dorado Wildcats
- 2011-12 basketball preview: Augusta Orioles
- Gallery: 2011-12 High school basketball preview
BOYS
Coach
Burt Helmer
50-19 in three seasons
Probable starters
G, Caleb Kirkpatrick, 6-1, Sr.
F, Adam Ronnebaum, 6-3, Sr.
Top Reserves
G, Logan Breault, 5-11, Sr.
F, Gage Walker, 6-0, Sr.
F, Evan Unruh, 6-1, Sr.
F, Stewart Dennison, 6-5, Jr.
BREAKDOWN
Helmer’s biggest concern is developing depth with only Kirkpatrick, Ronnebaum and Unruh returning with varsity experience. Helmer was encouraged by his JV’s last year and thinks it will transfer to the varsity level.
Kirkpatrick and Ronnebaum, who has decent forward size at 6-foot-3, started in stretches last season. Dennison will need to help provide additional post presence.
girls
Coach
Brian Henry
75-36 in six seasons
Probable starters
G, Courtney Kifer, 5-7, Sr.
G, Alexis Ellison, 5-5, Sr.
G, Taylor Adlesperger, 5-5, Sr.
G, Ashley Frankenbery, 5-5, Sr.
F, Josie Wright, 5-9, Sr.
Top Reserves
G, Jacy Gibbs , 5-5, Jr.
G, Alexis Weibe, 5-5, Jr.
F, Leslie Geist, 6-0, Jr.
BREAKDOWN
Circle only returns three letterwinners from last season’s senior-heavy team, but Henry believes this group’s experience playing together will be a plus. The Thunderbirds’ projected top eight players have played together on the JV the last two seasons.
None of Circle’s projected starters averaged over two points per game last season although Kifer, a senior guard, averaged three rebounds.
The guard-oriented offense will need someone to rebound, and 6-foot junior forward Leslie Geist seems like the likeliest candidate because of her height.
— Tony Adame
The Schedule
December
5-11—Circle tournament; 13—Clearwater; 16—at Andale.
January
3—at Maize South; 6—Wellington; 10—at Collegiate; 13—Augusta; 17—at Rose Hill (G); 19-21—at El Dorado tournament (B); 23-28—at El Dorado tournament (G); 24—at Rose Hill (B); 31—Mulvane.
February
7—at Winfield; 10—at Clearwater; 14—Andale; 17—at Wellington; 21—Maize South; 23—Collegiate.