by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — A few years back, if the Wellington girls basketball team went 13-8 and advanced to the second round of sub-state as it did last season, it would have been a cause for celebration.

Eric Adams – WHS girls coach.

But the Wellington girls basketball program is now getting to a state where expectations far exceed last year’s accomplishments.

Eric Adams, the new head WHS girls basketball coach, is well aware of that fact. After all, during his years as the eighth grade girls coach at the Wellington Middle School, he helped foster in the new era of girls basketball in Wellington.

After a year coaching at South Haven, which saw the Cardinals reach the state tournament in Class 1A, Adams is taking over for Kevin Hackerott, who spent five years as head coach at WHS. Hackerott has moved on to coach at Goddard High School.

Going into Adam’s first season, no one is quite sure how the Lady Dukes will perform.

Wellington has lost several key seniors from 2012-13. However, it is bringing in a good nucleus of returning players with solid varsity experience. Adams also has depth that has probably never been seen in a WHS girls system. There is a blend of solid senior leadership with some new upcoming underclassmen.

The Lady Dukes, as always, have a tough-as-nails schedule to contend with being members of the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div. IV. Also, Wellington is now in Class 4A Div. 1. It won’t be was easy for the Lady Dukes.

But it also will be fun.

“These girls really get along with one another,” Adams said. “I think they will do what it takes to win.”

The first game starts with Haven in the Kingman Basketball Tournament Classic a week from today at 6:20 p.m.

Wellington girls enjoy a phone picture during team pictures. WHS coach Eric Adams said this is a very tight-knit group.

Wellington’s record in 2012-13: 13-8, lost to Augusta 28-26 in the second round after beating Winfield.

Number years at the school:  First year, after one season at South Haven.

Number of Returning Starters: 2

What Style of the Game will the Wellington girls play?

Adams: Uptempo with high demand on the defensive side of the ball. We feel like we have athletes so we want to make this a 94-foot game with a variety of full court man and some zone press.”

What are your strengths?

Adams: Very athletic group that can defend and run. With as much full court man and trapping as we do, our depth is key.

We feel we can go 10 deep this season. We have a lot of girls that can shoot the three/ball as well.

Also this is a very tight knit group.  Spent six weeks playing this summer and they bonded very well.

What are your weakness?

Adams: We’re not small by any means but we don’t have that six-foot post presence. What we have are a bunch of 5-9 post girls that will battle you.  We have a great group of seniors but a lot of these girls will be asked to play bigger roles this season.

Also, a lot of underclassman that have no varsity experience yet.  Talented but inexperienced.

Key Stretch For You?

Adams: Kingman Tournament followed with Andale to open league play.  We need a good positive start.

Talent is there but a lot of youth and inexperience is on the roster.  We need some early W’s to jump start our confidence.

The personnel:

Adams has five seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores, and 10 freshmen.

Carlie McComb (5-7, sr.) will return as a starter and is projected to be the team’s top scorer.

“She’s got a great shot going to the rim,” Adams said. “And she is very vocal in a positive way.”

Kelsey Whaley (5-3, sr.) is known to push the ball up the court and play great defense.

Jaedyn Ledesma (5-9, sr.) is a great leader on the court.

Holly Wright (5-7, sr.) won’t put up huge numbers, Adams said, but will make things happen defensively.

Avery Lewellen (5-9, sr.) is a spot up 3-point shooter.

As far as the younger players are concerned, Catie Williams (5-7, junior) is returning from a torn knee. “You can’t hardly tell she has been injured,” Adams said.

Taylor Zimmerman (5-10, so.) has been showing great strides in practice, Adams said.

Mireia Salvador (5-8, jr.) is a transfer student from Spain. “She’s a player. I don’t know what she will do when the play clock starts and the band is playing and the crowd is cheering. But she has looked good in practice.

Also, three freshmen are already in the varsity unit: Tayland French (5-8), Lauryn Snipes (5-11) and Auni Williams (5-9).

The league: Andale has been winning the league the past few years and is the proverbial favorite again. VYPE Magazine has the picks in following order:

1. Andale.

2. Clearwater.

3. Circle.

4. Augusta.

5. Wellington.

6. Collegiate.

Adams said the Crusaders are in an unique situation where they are flying under the radar of other teams.

The regional: Wellington is playing at Rose Hill in a four-team Class 4A – Div. 1 tournament with Mulvane and Winfield. None of those teams were on the preseason Kansas Basketball Coaches Association list. So a state tournament berth is attainable. But, of course, there is a lot of basketball between now and then.

2013-14 Wellington girls basketball team.

The full roster:

The full schedule:

* League Game