Sustained success has become familiar territory for the West Platte girls basketball program. The next step, however, remains the ultimate goal.
Entering the 2025-26 season, the Blue Jays return a core group that has helped deliver three consecutive winning seasons, including a 16-11 finish last winter. While district titles have been elusive, head coach McKenzie Reagan believes the foundation is firmly in place as she begins her third year at the helm.
Reagan is joined this season by new assistant coach Alexa Vandel, adding another layer of leadership and support to a program that continues to trend upward.
“We do bring back some key returners, and add some freshmen to the mix this year that will help our team be more competitive all around,” Reagan said. “We are aiming to be competitive in the conference, and give ourselves an opportunity to finish high in the conference and district play.”
West Platte graduated one of its three all-district selections in Samantha Baker, but returns two key honorees who are expected to anchor the team on both ends of the floor. Senior Blair McHenry, last season’s leading scorer and top assister, headlines the group while fellow all-district performer, junior Catelyn Carlson, also returns after playing a significant role in the Blue Jays’ offensive attack.
“Catelyn Carlson will continue to have a big role on the offensive end, but we are also asking her to take on a tougher role defensively this season,” Reagan said.
McHenry’s experience and leadership provide stability, while Carlson’s growth on both ends could elevate West Platte’s ceiling. The Blue Jays also welcome back Sophie Grier, last season’s leading rebounder, whose presence in the paint gives West Platte a reliable interior option.
Beyond the familiar names, Reagan expects several others to take meaningful steps forward. Juniors Brook Allison and Ella Davis are poised for increased roles, while a group of freshmen could also become regular contributors throughout the season.
Defensive effort was a point of emphasis during preseason preparation, and Reagan believes it could be a defining characteristic of this team.
“I think one of our strengths this season will be our defensive efforts, along with having more individuals who can help score on the offensive end,” she said.
That balance could prove critical in a competitive conference race. Every KCI matchup carries significance, and Reagan acknowledged there will be little margin for error night to night.
“All of our conference games this season will be big games for us, along with the North Platte Tournament, which is always full of tough teams,” Reagan said.
West Platte enters the year with momentum built from recent success, including third-place finishes at both the Lawson and North Platte tournaments last year, as well as a district runner-up finish in 2024. Those results have reinforced belief within the program while underscoring the importance of consistency.
“A successful season for West Platte girls basketball involves us continuing to improve throughout the season, while also being competitive in every game we play, no matter the opponent,” she said.
With experienced leadership, developing depth and a renewed focus on defense, the Blue Jays aim to turn steady progress into a postseason push in districts, hoping to finally break through when it matters most.