Nickerson's girls are 6-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.
A few days removed from his team's victory over Pratt that completed an unbeaten pre-holiday run, Nickerson girls coach Jon McLean liked the Panthers' position if not always how they got there.
"In my heart I think we can play a lot better," McLean said. "I'm happy we're 6-0, but excited because we haven't shot the ball very well from the guard position, and I know we're capable."
With all-state junior forward Ava Jones leading the way, Nickerson has climbed to No. 2 behind Hugoton in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association's Class 3A rankings. The Panthers resume their regular season at home Tuesday against Andale, No. 5 in 4A.
Jones, an Arizona State commit, averaged 21.2 points and 17.3 rebounds in December as Nickerson won three games decisively and withstood challenges from Hesston, Garden Plain and Pratt in the others. The Panthers have held all their opponents to 40 points or less.
"We do a pretty good job rebounding the ball," McLean said. "It's just a matter of our perimeter players making some shots and getting some confidence."
Jones is one of three returning starters from last season's 18-4 team that fell to McPherson in the 4A sub-state final, ending a run of three consecutive state appearances. McLean's daughter, Josie, is second on the team in scoring at 7.8 points and senior Kieryn Ontjes averages 5.3.
Senior guard Alexis Allen, a part-time starter last season, also averages 5.3 points.
McLean has moved the 6-foot-2 Jones away from the basket at times this season, allowing her to handle the ball more.
"She sees a lot of double teams," McLean said. "When she catches it in the post, a lot of times there will be two people on her and it makes it four on three on the perimeter. We're getting open shots. We just need to hit them."
A trio of sophomores – guards Destiny Ponds (5.2 points) and Ayla Ontjes (2.5), and forward Kalyse Abernathy (5.0) – complete Nickerson's primary seven-player rotation. While the Panthers restart their regular season looking for more consistency from complementary scorers, their defensive philosophy won't change.
"We really want to play as fast as possible," McLean said. "We're predominantly a half-court team, really trying to apply pressure with our man and half-court trap.
"We've done enough to win the games we've played. I just believe we can play a little better."
Hugoton, a 3A semifinalist last season, dropped its opener to 6A state qualifier Olathe West 48-31 in the Hays City Shoot-Out. But the Eagles hold the top spot in the 3A rankings after winning their final four December games. Junior Mikyn Hamlin is averaging 19.6 points and junior Summya Adigun averages 14.8 points and 10.4 rebounds for Hugoton, which forces more than 24 turnovers a game.
Hugoton will host 3A's No. 3-ranked team, Goodland, on Jan. 14. The Cowgirls reached the break at 6-0, holding three opponents to under 20 points.