By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
Four members of this season's Kansas preseason girls All-State basketball teams may be on opposing sides for now.
But soon Lindsey Keller (Goddard), LaSharra Riley (Washburn Rural), Heather Howard (Shawnee Mission West) and Tiffany Bias (Andover Central) will have to get used to the idea of playing together.
Keller, Riley and Howard will be joining Oklahoma State head coach Kurt Budke's Big 12 basketball program in a little less than a year. Bias will have to wait another season before completing the foursome.
For now, however, the closest three of the four future Cowgirls can begin the process by headlining the 2008-2009 Kansas Super Five basketball team.
Keller, Riley and Bias will join forces with Oklahoma recruit Joanna McFarland (Derby) and Julia Marshall (Bishop Carroll), who is set to play college ball at Boise State, to make up the cream of the crop of Kansas girls prep basketball for the 2008 season.
Keller led the Lions to the Class 6A state title game after averaging 18.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 blocks a game last season. She led all scorers in the 2008 state tournament by averaging 18.7 points per game in three games.
The three-time All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League selection scored 20 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a state semifinal win over Wichita Heights.
Through three seasons, Keller has scored 979 points and pulled down 606 rebounds.
McFarland owns school records for points in a game (39) and field goals in a game (19). She needs just 261 points and 57 rebounds this season to surpass her sister Jackie atop the Derby scoring and rebounding charts.
The three-time first team All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League selection averaged 21.4 points and 13.6 rebounds a year ago. McFarland has ripped the cords for 1,231 points and pulled down 822 rebounds through the first three seasons of her prep career.
Riley is a beast on the glass for Blues coach Bill Annan. She averaged 11.8 points and 10 rebounds a game a year ago. The three-time all-league selection was chosen as the 2008 Centennial League Player of the Year.
Due to her powerful and athletic play, Riley has been selected as a nominee for the 2009 McDonalds All-America Game.
Bias, a 5-foot-6 guard, averaged 17.0 points, 5.4 assists and 4.0 steals a year ago.
With plenty of speed, Bias can either go to the rim or stop on a dime and pop the short jumper. She has range all the way out to the 3-point line and is considered to be a clutch player by Jaguar coach Stana Jefferson.
Marshall averaged 16.6 points a year ago in leading Bishop Carroll to the 5A state title game. She can hit the three or drive the lane.
The 5-9 guard is a great ball handler and will get plenty of rebounds. Her knowledge of the game may be her biggest asset.
Below is a class-by-class look at the 2008-09 Kansas Girls Preseason All-State Teams
Kansas Super Five
Lindsey Keller, Goddard, Sr.
Joanna McFarland, Derby, Sr.
LaSharra Riley, Topeka Washburn Rural, Sr.
Tiffany Bias, Andover Central, Jr.
Julia Marshall, Wichita Bishop Carroll, Sr.
Class 6A
1st Team
Lindsey Keller, Goddard, Sr. 6-2
Joanna McFarland, Derby, Sr. 6-2
LaSharra Riley, Topeka Washburn Rural, Sr. 6-1
Tania Jackson, Lawrence, Sr. 6-2
Mary Sims, Wichita Heights, So.
2nd Team
Heather Howard, Shawnee Mission West, Sr.
Taylor Bird, Lawrence, Sr.
Alexis Boeh, Olathe Northwest, Sr.
Jocelyn Cummings, Shawnee Mission South, Sr.
Janna Graf, Shawnee Mission East, Jr.
Class 5A
1st Team
Tiffany Bias, Andover Central, Jr.
Julia Marshall, Wichita Bishop Carroll, Sr.
Abby Fawcett, Wichita Bishop Carroll, Sr.
Alex Hartig, Great Bend, Jr.
Jessica Raplinger, Bishop Miege, Sr.
2nd Team
Taylor Floyd, Shawnee Heights, Sr.
DeShawn Harden, St. Thomas Aquinas, So.
Hannah Rotolo, Liberal, Sr.
Ashley Thayer, Bishop Miege, Sr.
Amanda Dreiling, Great Bend, Sr.
Class 4A
1st Team
Rachel Hanf, Paola, Sr.
Jolee Sharp, Fort Scott, Jr.
Lindsay Biggs, Topeka Hayden, Sr.
J. C. Carroll, Kansas City Piper, Sr.
Morgan Rolls, Caney Valley, Sr.
2nd Team
Carly Twarog, Girard, Jr.
Karly Buer, Concordia, Jr.
Kylie Burns, Bishop Ward, Jr.
Kristy Herman, Rose Hill, Sr.
Morgan Skomal, Haven, Sr.
Class 3A
1st Team
Hayli Bozarth, Norton, Sr.
Dana Elliott, Rock Creek, Sr.
Beth Husted, Riley County, Sr.
Laura Lee Baird, Norton, Sr.
Deni Jacobs, Southwestern Heights, So.
2nd Team
Nicole Rockhold, Oskaloosa, Sr.
Missy Rome, McLouth, Jr.
Ashia Woods, Wichita Collegiate, So.
Crysta Brockmeier, Herington, Sr.
Kelsey Overacker, Cherryvale, Sr.
Class 2A
1st Team
Laura Kinderknecht, St. Marys, Sr.
Whitney Taylor, Ellis, Sr.
Kathryn Flott, Olpe, So.
Lisa Elmer, Pittsburg-Colgan, Sr.
Katie Vogts, Moundridge, Sr.
2nd Team
Ashley Wham, Central-Burden, Sr.
Lexi Hardiek, Hill City, So.
Chelsea Marquette, Valley Heights, Jr.
Kayla Eilert, Berean Academy, Sr.
Katie Moyer, Olpe, Sr.
Class 1A
1st Team
Bethany Cornwell, St. John, Sr.
Kayla Thomas, South Gray, Jr.
Kaitlyn Morris, South Barber, Sr.
Mollie Winkler, Centralia, Sr.
Alisha Fanshier, St. John, Sr.
2nd Team
Kendra Spresser, Hoxie, Sr.
Payton Walker, Weskan, Jr.
Natalie Zink, Claflin, Sr.
Kelli Crittendon, Tribune, Jr.
Shelby Birk, Southern Coffey County, Jr.
