Baldwin

Head coach: Bob Martin (first season). 2004-05 record: 11-12 overall, 4-8 Frontier League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Iola in Class 4A sub-state finals.

Key players: Kelsey Verhaeghe, 5-5, Jr., G; Katelyn Miles, 5-8, Sr., F; Denise Orloff, 5-11, Sr., C; Ellie Meinen, 5-5, Sr., G.

Outlook: A longtime mentor on the Baldwin athletic scene, Martin returns to the head-coaching ranks this winter with a roster featuring six players that started at least five games last winter and 10 letterwinners overall, led by Verhaeghe (10.2 ppg) and Miles (8.7 ppg). The biggest concern is keeping Miles injury-free and finding more offensive productivity to complement that duo.

De Soto

Head coach: Dwight Spencer (sixth season, 64-44). 2004-05 record: 14-8 overall, 7-5 Frontier League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Kansas City Sumner in Class 4A sub-state semifinals.

Key players: Kira Gonzalez, 5-7, Jr., G; Jackie Goleman, 5-11, Jr., F; Jessica Blankenship, 5-5, Sr., G.

Outlook: Defense is the buzzword for De Soto this season, where a collection of quick players in the backcourt will try to disrupt opposing offenses and lead the Wildcats to another top-tier league finish. The big question will be whether Spencer’s squad can hold its own on the boards and keep teams from making the most of second-chance opportunities.

Eudora

Head coach: Ryan Luke (first season). 2004-05 record: 9-12 overall, 7-8 Frontier League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Spring Hill in Class 4A sub-state quarterfinals.

Key players: Erin Kracl, 5-10, Jr., F; Carrie Lister, 5-9, Sr., F; Michelle Deluna, 5-6, Sr., G.

Outlook: Luke walks into a nice situation at Eudora, taking over a team that offers an experienced core of veterans mixed with young, athletic talent. Kracl, Lister and Deluna each averaged better than eight ppg last season, providing a solid offensive base. Should everyone mesh, the Cardinals could find themselves in the top tier of the Frontier League.

McLouth

Head coach: Keith Miller (first season). 2004-05 record: 1-20 overall, 0-10 Delaware Valley League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Osage City in Class 3A sub-state quarterfinals.

Key players: Heaven Mills, 5-8, Sr., F; Holly Kitterman, 5-6, Sr., F; Rachel Thompson, 5-5, Jr., G.

Outlook: A major rebuilding job awaits Miller, first hired as McLouth’s athletic director seven years ago before returning to his coaching roots as an assistant with the boys basketball program the last three seasons. The Bulldogs are short on experience, having lost five seniors to graduation. Kitterman is the top returning scorer at seven ppg, while Thompson will be counted on to add scoring punch after leading the JV team at 13 ppg last winter.

Mill Valley

Head coach: Betsy Meeks (fourth season, 24-39). 2004-05 record: 5-16 overall, 2-11 Kaw Valley League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Gardner-Edgerton in Class 5A sub-state quarterfinals.

Key players: Cat White, 5-7, Sr., G; Maggie Barnett, 5-8, Soph., F; Stanisha Garlington, 5-7, Jr., G; Elise Umbarger, 5-7, Jr., F.

Outlook: The Jaguars are lean on varsity experience, having lost the bulk of the scoring from last year’s team. However, Meeks has a group of solid athletes to work with and likes the overall balance she has this winter. The big key will be making progress in the win column while learning on the fly.

Oskaloosa

Head coach: LeeAnn Tufte (fourth season). 2004-05 record: 10-13 overall, 4-6 Delaware Valley League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Osage City in Class 3A sub-state semifinals.

Key players: Megan Reed, 5-9, F, Sr.; Ali King, 5-6, G, Sr.; Kari Bellinger, 5-6, G, Sr.

Outlook: After finishing sixth last winter, the Bears hope to move into the top half of the league ledger behind an experienced senior class. Reed leads the way, averaging 12 ppg and 10 rpg to earn all-league honors as a junior. Guard play will be a strength, with Tufte counting on her backcourt to run an up-tempo offense and provide defensive pressure.

Ottawa

Head coach: Clifton McCullough (sixth season, 88-25). 2004-05 record: 18-3, 11-1 Frontier League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Newton in Class 5A sub-state quarterfinals.

Key players: Megan Ramsey, 5-9, Sr., G; Jill Spratt, 5-8, Sr., G; Karessa Lewis, 5-8, Sr., F.

Outlook: The Cyclones lost six players off last season’s squad that shared the Frontier League championship, leaving McCullough to look at a talented yet inexperienced junior class to fill the void. They’d do well to follow the leadership provided by Ramsey, a three-year starter who averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds last winter.

Perry-Lecompton

Head coach: Mark Armstrong (second season, 5-16). 2004-05 record: 5-16 overall, 2-14 Kaw Valley League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Santa Fe Trail in Class 4A sub-state quarterfinals.

Key players: Megan Blosser, Sr., F; Kristin Weatherford, Sr., F; Laura Smith, Jr., F.

Outlook: The Kaws are optimistic about a turnaround now that they have a year of experience with Armstrong’s system under their belts. Everything revolves around Blosser, an all-league pick last year who averaged 10.2 ppg. The big key will be developing a supporting cast around her and picking up victories early in the season to build confidence heading into league play.

Santa Fe Trail

Head coach: Jayson Duncan (first season). 2004-05 record: 14-8, 10-3 Kaw Valley League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Jefferson West in Clas 4A sub-state semifinals.

Key players: Hannah Hicks, 5-6, Sr., G; Brooke Pryor, 5-11, Jr., F; Katie Barezinsky, 5-8, Jr., F.

Outlook: Duncan inherits a team that finished second to unbeaten Tonganoxie in league play last season and counts physical toughness as one of its biggest strengths. Santa Fe Trail should also get a nice mental boost thanks to a number of key players who also led the Chargers’ to the Class 4A state volleyball title in the fall. A big key will be the ability of a young backcourt to take care of the ball.

Tonganoxie

Head coach: Randy Kraft (fourth season, 49-20). 2004-05 record: 22-4 overall, 13-0 Kaw Valley League. 2004-05 postseason: Finished fourth in Class 4A state tournament.

Key players: Ali Pistora, 6-0, Jr., G; Elizabeth Baska, 5-10, Soph., F; Rebecca Bogard, 5-9, Jr., G.

Outlook: There are big shoes to fill after the graduation of four senior starters who led the Chieftains to a perfect league mark and a state berth last winter. Kraft knows he has good athletes, led by point guard Pistora, who tallied impressive numbers (13 ppg, 7.5 rpg) as a sophomore. However, the remaining youngsters must grow up in a hurry.

Wellsville

Head coach: Bernie Smith (second season, 7-15). 2004-05 record: 7-15 overall, 2-10 Frontier League. 2004-05 postseason: Lost to Kansas City Christian in Class 3A sub-state semifinals.

Key players: Erica Patton, 5-8, Jr., F; Aubrey Moore, 5-5, Jr., G; Korey Higbie, 5-4, Jr., G.

Outlook: Smith has high expectations for 2005-06 thanks to a core of athletic players who return from last season. The leader of that group is Patton, who averaged 13 points and seven rebounds last winter as a sophomore. Meanwhile, newcomer Higbie will be counted on to run the offense at the point.