Team Preview: Shawnee Mission West Lady Vikings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we rapidly approach the 2025–26 high school basketball season here at <strong>Prep Girls Hoops</strong>, we continue to be amazed by the year-to-year growth we see in programs across the state. We're always excited to cover teams and highlight the evolving makeup of their rosters. In this article, we take a closer look at the <strong>Shawnee Mission West Lady Vikings</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings compete in the always-competitive <strong>Sunflower League</strong>, which features programs from across some of the most talent-rich areas in Kansas, including <strong>Shawnee Mission, Overland Park, Olathe, Gardner, and Lawrence</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shawnee Mission West enters the 2025–26 season determined to turn things around after a challenging 2024–25 campaign. The Lady Vikings finished <strong>1–11 in conference play and 3–16 overall</strong>, but with new energy and a developing roster, they're aiming to take a meaningful step forward this year. They are lead by Coach Sta'Nisha Hersey in her 3rd year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Key Returners:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Garcia</strong> - A junior wing returns to provide the Vikings with added depth and perimeter shooting. Her ability to stretch the floor and contribute offensively makes her a valuable piece of the rotation, and she's expected to take on an increased role heading into the 2025–26 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230328' first='Jamiya' last='Carter']</strong> - At the point guard spot, the Vikings return sophomore <strong>Jamiya</strong>, who steps into her second year as a starter and an emerging leader for this group. She brings toughness to the floor, earning a reputation as a hard-nosed defender who embraces physical play and consistently pressures opposing guards. With a full season of varsity experience behind her, Jamiya is poised to take another leap in her development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aubrey Armour</strong> - Another key returner is sophomore forward <strong>Armour</strong>, whose role on varsity expanded significantly toward the end of last season. Her versatility stands out — she impacted the game in multiple ways and finished among the team leaders in <strong>rebounds, steals, assists, and blocks</strong> during the 2024–25 campaign. With her ability to contribute across the stat sheet and play multiple positions, Armour is expected to be a major piece of the Vikings' growth this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emery Goodwin</strong> - A versatile sophomore guard/forward also returns to the lineup, bringing toughness and reliability on the defensive end. She does an excellent job on the glass and consistently makes her presence felt defensively, using her activity and instincts to disrupt opponents. Her ability to impact the game with effort plays will continue to be a valuable asset for the Vikings this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Newcomers:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Andre </strong>- The Vikings also add a talented freshman guard in <strong>Andre</strong>, who brings an impressive blend of size, skill, and basketball IQ to the shooting guard position. She shoots the ball effectively from both long range and the mid-range, shows a confident handle, and finishes well at the rim. With her offensive versatility and poise, Andre is expected to play an important role for Shawnee Mission West in her first high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sammie Auar - Another newcomer to watch is a freshman guard who adds valuable depth to the backcourt while bringing additional shooting and defensive reliability to the Vikings' rotation. She's expected to step in early and earn meaningful minutes as she adjusts to the varsity level, providing energy, toughness, and stability on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->