Staff Photo by Steve Sell
McPherson High girls coach Scott Schaefer, in his 13th year, has led the Bullpups to three Class 5A state titles and three second-place finishes. His MHS career record is 269-43 and he's piloted the Bullpups to state in 12 of his 13 years.

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor
At first glance, it would appear McPherson High's girls received an easy draw for their first-round Class 5A State Tournament game Wednesday.
After all, the Bullpups are 22-0 and have barely been tested. And many of the players have been part of back-to-back state runnerup teams.
Meanwhile, MHS' opponent, Blue Valley West, is an unassuming 13-9, which drew it the No. 8 seed. It's a second-year school, so it doesn't have a basketball legacy to uphold.

But when these polar opposites meet at 3 p.m. at the Topeka Expocentre, it could be a much closer game than most might imagine.
"They play unlike any team we've seen," said MHS coach Scott Schaefer, who is trying to lead the Bullpups to their sixth 5A title overall and the fourth under his guidance. "They are super aggressive. They pressure you like you can't believe."

So what's stunning is that the Jaguars started the year 0-7, but since have won 13 of their last 15. One of their losses wasto Shawnee Heights, which is the No. 3 seed in this state tourney, and recently they routed Bishop Miege, also at state, by 30.

"The people I've talked to say they just found ways to lose," Schaefer said of the Jags' start. "They were picked by the coaches to win their league."
In fact, Schaefer said one Eastern coach told him the Jags are probably the best team in the Kansas City area at this point in the season.

The players to watch are 5-10 forward Mary Pishny (who had 23 points and 10 rebounds Saturday in the sub-state title game against Kansas City Washington) and 5-6 guard Becca Boan. Schaefer says, "they're the real deal," and they have a lot of AAU experience, as they're well known to MHS' Marlies Gipson and Ashley Sweat.

Then there's fiery 5-3 point guard Elizabeth Valenti, whom Schaefer said conjures up memories of his former point guard, Lauren Schwindt. And like Schwindt, Valenti is a soccer player.

The Jags also have plenty of size. Their other starters are 5-11 Kayla Ubel and 5-11 Brittany Hale, but they also have 6-0 Diann Beuthin and 6-1 Abbie Jensen among their top 11.

Ubel had a double-double Saturday with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Schaefer said, "we can't go into it thinking it's a typical No. 1 vs. No. 8," he said. "We know it's going to be a tough game."

If the Bullpups get past the Jags, they'll probably face defending Bishop Carroll.

McPherson Unified School District 418
514 N. Main
McPherson, KS 67460
620-241-9400
It is the policy of McPherson USD 418 not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race,
religion, color, age, or national origin in its educational programs and/or activities, nor in its employment practices.

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