Senior Mandy Rush was a second-team all-state selection last season.

Hailey Edwards

• 2010 record: 18-10

• Coach: Alisha Rush, 13th year

• District: 2-B

• Last state appearance: 2010, lost to Magdalena in Class 1A state quarterfinal

• State titles: 1985, 1986

• Top returning players: Mandy Rush, PG, 5-5, Sr.; Joni Lampley G, 5-3, Jr.; Kaitlin Grau, G, 5-6, Sr.; Brenna Thomas, G, 5-6, So.

• Top newcomers: Kortney Bone, P, 5-6, So.; Brenda Sotelo, P, 5-8, Jr.; Mackenzee Starbuck, G, 5-6, So.; Josy Sepulveda, G, 5-3, Fr.

• Outlook: The Bronchos return one of the state’s top scorers in senior PG Mandy Rush, who averaged 20 points a game last season. “Her biggest strength is her ability to take the ball to the hole and get to the foul line,” Grady coach Alisa Rush said of her niece. Rush said she needs other players to step up their scoring to complement Rush. Senior G Kaitlin Grau, junior G Joni Lampley and sophomore G Brenna Thomas are the most likely candidates, with Thomas being a top 3-point threat. Sophomore Kortney Bone and junior Brenda Sotelo are the top options inside, while Rush likes the speed and hustle freshman G Josy Sepulveda brings to the team.

• On the run: “We’re really going to try to press and get up and down the floor, because we’re not going to beat anybody with our size,” Rush said. “We have to play smart. We can’t make the silly mistakes and throw the ball away a bunch.”

• Reinforcements: Grady is one of several small-school area teams that have formed co-ops with other schools with limited numbers. Sepulveda is one of three players from House.

• New look: Grady is in the newly formed Class B, which is one step below Class 1A in enrollment. The Bronchos’ five-team district includes Clovis Christian, Elida, Roy and San Jon. Rush said she is ambivalent about creating the new classification. “I guess for schools out size it gives us a better chance to compete for a state title. But I think we’ve been able to be competitive anyway.”

— Compiled by Rick White