INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - Basketball season is right around the corner and the Independence Women's Basketball Team has been selected to finish 11th out of 13 teams in the KJCCC preseason poll.

The results come as part of a league-wide vote amongst all of the head coaches to determine the predicted order of finish in the league.

The Pirates have their sights set on a big bounce back season in Coach Shavonda Price’s second year at the helm. After a full offseason of recruiting and training the Lady Pirates look to put themselves on the map as they aim to well surpass their win total from 2024. 

The Pirates bring in a seemingly whole new roster, filled with experienced transfers and talented freshmen who are excited for the opportunity to compete in the elite Jayhawk Conference.

Dodge City claimed the top spot in the preseason poll, just barely edging out Hutchinson 153 votes to 149. Right behind them by just six votes was Coffeyville. All three teams received the same amount of first place votes (3). Rounding out the top four was Butler who received 139 votes. 

The 5-8 spots are Garden City, Cowley, Seward County, and Barton in that order, with those four teams being separated by only 10 votes. 

Voted just above the Pirates was a two way tie for 9th between Colby and Cloud County with 62 votes. 

Independence received 33 votes, and rounding out the poll just behind the Pirates is Pratt and Fort Hays Tech with 31 and 23 votes respectively. 

Independence will kick off their season on October 31st with the Moberly Classic in Missouri. KJCCC play will begin on Wednesday November 19th when the pirates travel to take on Colby. 

The full schedule for the Independence Women’s Basketball team can be found here: 

https://independence.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/schedule