Little River has long been known for outstanding girls sports.
In recent times, Little River has boasted one of the top volleyball teams and one of the top girls basketball teams, regardless of classification, which is an accomplishment for the tiny Class 1A school nestled in eastern Rice County.
But while the volleyball team was racking up state championships, winning the last four 1A Division 1 state championships, the girls basketball team had experienced heartbreak.
That heartbreak, however, ended this year, as Little River won the 1A Division 1 state title.
Thanks in part to that championship run, Little River coach Cy Rolfs is the area coach of the year. Little River senior Arika Feldman is the area player of the year.
“Simply happy for our young ladies, and proud of them,” Rolfs said. “They are all great kids who have put in a lot of work together. It’s a huge accomplishment for them to make the state finals three years in a row, and after being close for two years, they were even more motivated to get it done.”
The previous two years, Little River was the state runner-up. In 2024, Little River fell 47-41 to Doniphan West, Little River’s only loss of the season. The next season, Little River lost to Centralia 50-43.
Undaunted, Little River went back to work. The basketball players who also played volleyball took home another championship. Then came the basketball season, a season that included marquee matchups with Class 6A semifinalist Wichita East and Class 3A semifinalist Halstead.
While Little River lost those two games, the Redskins did beat 1A Division 2 semifinalist Central Christian, 2A semifinalist Moundridge, 1A Division 2 champion Linn, and perennial power Central Plains.
“This team’s competitiveness is unmatched,” Rolfs said. “I think they showed that by how they competed against quality opponents from various classifications this season. To have a group so focused and ready to compete was a lot of fun. So much success can be attributed to teams that work hard, making each other better every day, and they did that.”
At the state tournament in Dodge City, Little River beat Central Plains, avenged the championship loss to Centralia, and then routed Wabaunsee 59-24, securing the program’s fifth state title and first since 1998.
Player of the year, Arika Feldman, Little River
On a team filled with top players, Feldman stood out.
But it wasn’t her stats, and they were impressive, that stood out to Rolfs.
“Arika’s biggest effect came from her daily leadership and attitude,” Rolfs said. “She had a focused mindset day in and day out. Arika also played with a lot of determination and passion, and was always encouraging her teammates. Beyond her leadership, Arika is a very skilled basketball player who was a tough matchup for many.”
Feldman averaged 19 points per game in a season where she had many games with limited minutes, due to Little River being up by at least 30 points in the second half. She also averaged 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2 assists, and 1.9 blocked shots per game.
Feldman, who will play college basketball at Fort Hays State, had one of her best games in the semifinal against Centralia, scoring 28 points, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking two shots.
Ad Astra Radio’s 2025-2026 All Area girls basketball team
First team
Avery Brawner, sr., F, Haven
Arika Feldman, sr., F, Little River
Jessa Losew, sr., F, Central Christian
Cammi Unruh, sr., G, Moundridge
Addisen Wills, sr., G, Halstead
Player of the year – Arika Feldman, Little River
Coach of the year – Cy Rolfs, Little River
Second team
Avery Lafferty, jr., F, Little River
Danai Morgan, fr., G, Hutchinson
Piper Schroeder, jr., G, Halstead
Aevyn Siemsen, so., G, Central Plains
Abbi Winter, jr., G, Andale
Third team
Brooke Doile, sr., McPherson
Trinity Espinoza, sr., G, Canton-Galva
Havana Olander, sr., G, Little River
Tori Tustian, jr., Buhler
Kayleigh Vogt, jr., G, Pretty Prairie
Honorable mention: Centhiyah Bankston, sr., Nickerson; Bailey Bernal, jr., Halstead; Raegen Black, sr., Cheney; Raegan Bonner, sr., St. John; Gentry Bright, jr., St. John; Mackie Conkling, so., Moundridge; Arianna Delgadillo, so, Stafford; Brecken Dowsey, jr., Trinity Catholic; Delaney Duerksen, so., Goessel; Morgan Froese, sr., Inman; Ava Goering, so., Pretty Prairie; Brooke Grimes, sr., Andale; Audrey Haukap, so., Garden Plain; Hattie Hecox, jr., Moundridge; Caylor Helm, sr., Kingman; Ellie Helms, sr., Izzy Hurley, sr., Central Plains; Macy Kaminkow, sr., Moundridge; Avery Kauffman, jr., Central Christian; Evie Look, sr., Little River; Fionna Morgan, sr., Berean Academy; Grace Prescott, sr., Elyria Christian; Jacy Proctor, so., Hesston; Ella Potucek, jr., Hillsboro; Joy Pyle, jr., Elyria Christian; Saelyn Raleigh, jr., Little River; Jordy Schroeder, jr., Halstead; Emery Siemsen, so., Central Plains; Addelyne Strecker, sr., Little River; Reese Stuhlsatz, sr., Garden Plain; Reese Swanson, jr., Central Christian; Ellie Thimmesch, jr., Inman; Ella Vondracek, so., Sedgwick; Landry Voth, so., Cheney; Amyah Werth, jr., Hillsboro; Rylie Whitfield, jr., McPherson; Kenna Woods, sr., Inman; Callie Yoder, sr., Hesston
