Head coach Brandon McDonnell on Rossville basketball’s War-on-24 win
Rossville head coach Brandon McDonnell speaks after the Bulldawgs defeated Silver Lake 79-74 at home on Tuesday.
TOPEKA — Through the first month of high school basketball, programs are looking for consistency and continuity. This is pivotal when teams look to the postseason in a few months. From practice and games, the opening weeks are crucial for building team chemistry and trust.
Rossville girls basketball doesn’t need a lot of time to build continuity. They have been playing a lot of basketball together for a long time.
Rylee Dick and Nora Burdiek are the Bulldawgs’ leading scorers. They have been side-by-side since elementary school.
“I think it’s really cool to have this opportunity to play with Nora,” Dick said. “It’s been really cool and a fun time together.”
The duo provide a one-two punch for the Bulldawgs on offense. Dick is a great ball-handler with a 3-point shooting stroke that would make anyone jealous. Her movement off of the ball is a difference-maker, too. Rossville does a great job of setting off-ball screens to open up their junior guard.
“It’s been so much fun,” Burdiek said. “Rylee is a much better shooter than I am, so to kick it out and then give her a good high-five when she makes it.”
Burdiek, a sophomore forward, grabs almost every rebound in site. She doesn’t pass the ball off when grabbing boards, instead, she’s pushing the pace forward. Burdiek’s ball-handling ability has only improved while her touch around the rim has been flawless.
Dick has been seeing her friend’s success for years.
“My earliest memory was here for a tournament in fourth grade,” Dick said as she ooked across the Rossville High School gymnasium. “Nora made a 3-pointer and she kept letting them fly. She made it and it was so fun.”
“I don’t remember that, I don’t remember being a good shooter,” Burdiek laughed.
The two friends have Rossville off to a 3-2 start. The Bulldawgs have dropped back-to-back games to Silver Lake and Holton, but they are hopeful these losses can only fuel the team following winter break.
“They don’t get jealous of another one’s success,” said Derick Dick, Rylee’s father and Rossville’s head coach. “They have the stats, but for our team to be successful, they are doing what we ask them. Rebounding, passing, scoring, those two get enough defensive attention that will get shots up for other girls.”
Shyanne Haehn and Sydney Sumner are Rossville’s only seniors and have played a big role in the early this season. Although she’s been scoring in double-figures of each game, Dick made it clear that it’s all because of the team.
“A lot of our success comes from our teammates, too,” Dick said. “It’s not just us doing it on our own.”
Rossville’s next game will be on Jan. 7 at home against Jefferson West.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
