Wiggins High School’s girls basketball team is setting its sights on a championship following a strong performance in the 2024-25 season, where they reached the Class 3A Final 4 as a No. 10 seed. Despite a challenging semifinal match against No. 3 Denver Christian, which ended in a 63-49 defeat, the experience has only fueled the Tigers’ ambition for the upcoming season.
The pivotal player in last season’s success was senior Kennedy Kerr, who averaged an impressive 15.4 points per game. Coach Andy Schon highlighted her leadership as a key factor in the team’s journey to the semifinals. “It started with our senior leadership,” he stated. “Kennedy was the one senior that we still had playing last year, surrounded by a bunch of sophomores and freshmen. Her leadership in practice and in the locker room propelled us to make a run at the end.”
Kerr’s influence extended beyond her scoring. She played a significant role in mentoring younger teammates, including her sister, sophomore Karsyn Kerr, who is now the top returning scorer with 7.3 points per game.
As the team prepares for the new season, they are determined to build on last year’s foundation. “It’s a physical game, and for younger kids, that takes a little time to figure out,” Schon explained. “But they embraced the physicality, especially in our league. Once we started to understand that, things started to click.”
The Tigers concluded the season with an 18-10 record. After experiencing a mid-season slump where they lost four out of five games, the team rallied to perform strongly during the 3A tournament. Recognizing that reaching the semifinals was not enough, they are committed to improving their shooting in the off-season to fill the gap left by Kennedy Kerr.
Defense remains a cornerstone of the program, as Schon emphasized the importance of maintaining strong defensive strategies to counterbalance any potential shooting struggles. The coaching staff has commended the team’s work ethic. “They did absolutely everything we’ve asked of them,” Schon stated. “You can’t ask for more than what kids can honestly give you. I’m just really proud of them.”
With the upcoming season on the horizon, the Wiggins Tigers are not only hoping to return to the Final 4 but aim to make a deeper run in the tournament. The team’s commitment to improvement and accountability is evident, as they strive to establish Wiggins as a formidable force in high school basketball.