Andover Central girls no longer content as a surprise team

One year ago, the Andover Central girls were coming off a losing season. They had one senior who played significant minutes, and were very much under the radar. They went on go 15-7, capturing victories over the eventual state champions in Class 5A (Kapaun Mount Carmel) and 4A (McPherson) along the way.

This season, the Jaguars won’t be content in the spoiler role. They’re contenders.

Central returns four solid starters, including Skyler Snodgrass, a do-everything guard who was all-Ark Valley/Chisholm Trail Division II last season as a sophomore. Snodgrass has battled injuries throughout her high school career, but coach Stana Jefferson said he’s stronger and quicker than ever.

“I’m expecting great numbers from her as she enters her junior season,” Jefferson said. “From defense to ball handling to scoring, I have watched her game elevate to a new level.  She’s a very coachable kid that comes to work hard every day. I’m very excited for her to be a great threat this year.”

The 5-foot-9 Snodgrass averaged 10.9 points last season. She got better as the season went on, and is one of the top Division I prospects in the state.

“I am looking for her to step up into a leadership role,” Jefferson said of Snodgrass.

Jefferson said Central is in good shape in the leadership department, thanks to her senior class. Evan Stamp (5-6 guard) and Meg Huelskamp (5-7 forward) were both second-team all-league last season.

The fourth returning starter is Katie Kretchmar, a 5-9 junior forward. Sophomores Brooke Pederson, Mason Stamp and Becca Schulte could also be playing big roles.

“I feel great about our experience,” said Jefferson, who takes a 154-30 record into her ninth season at Central. “We will build on what we started last year.”

Jefferson is due to give birth in late December. The Jaguars’ early-season schedule is highlighted by the Nov. 30 season opener at Campus, a Dec. 7 home game against Andover High and a Jan. 5 rematch with Kapaun in Koch Arena.