Soeken sparks Oilers' basketball
By Gary Van Cleave
Special to Great Bend Tribune
CLAFLIN -- Marilyn Soeken’s senior year at Central Plains High School just keeps getting better.
Over the weekend, she helped her Oiler basketball team to a substate championship. Earlier this year she announced on social media she had committed to play basketball at Cloud County.
The Oilers started their quest for a ninth state basketball championship against Troy in a Class 1A DI state quarterfinal in Dodge City’s United Wireless Arena.
“It’s just an amazing opportunity,” Soeken said of playing at the next level. “Basketball will always be my first love. I’m happy that I get to play it for two more years! My goal is hopefully play D1 after my two years at juco so hopefully I will play six years of college ball and play professionally after!”
“Marilyn is relentless on the court, always plays so hard, especially on the defensive end,” coach Pat Stiles said. ““Marilyn has good lateral quickness and anticipates so well. She leads the team in steals. She has an amazing work ethic and has taken on a leadership role her senior year.”
In the 14-year history of Central Plains High School, the Oiler girls basketball team has qualified 12 times for state. They have eight state championships in those 12 appearances.
“Going to state makes me feel like I’m a part of something big allowing me to do what I love with the team that feels like family,” teammate Maggie Strouse said.
Now they’re 96 minutes from hanging another banner. A banner Soeken helped raise her freshman year.
“It was an amazing experience. We had a lot of upperclassmen, so I didn’t get to play very much,” Soeken said. “It was still such a great experience. It showed me what it is going to take us to win state again.”
The Oilers are primed for another title run, according to Soeken who praises her teammates.
“Grace Lamatsch she’s a co-leader with me, a scorer when she needs to be.
"Maggie Strouse she’s our post, she is the reason my assist stat is always so high every time. I drive I know she will be there to score,” Soeken said.
“Aveyn Simpson is just an athlete, she is a scorer and has grown so much just being a freshman.
"Izzy Hurley she is a key defender and helps run point when I’m playing post.
"Emery Simpson comes off the bench and is just a totally stud great defender and great scorer.
"Ady Green is the fastest girl on the team, such a great defender. She is always getting her hands on everything.”
Soeken scored 16 points and handed out seven assists in the substate championship.
“Even when things get tough she keeps a positive and winning attitude and mentality,” Lamatsch said. “Her dedication, determination and leadership has helped us tremendously throughout this season. Qualifying for state is a huge stepping point for our end goal. It reflects how hard we’ve all worked and how much time we’ve put in. It’s a feeling like no other.”
“Playing with Marilyn has been so much fun,” Strouse said. “She has good leadership making it easy for the team to move around and do the things we need to do. She also makes basketball so much fun. Without her I don’t think I would love basketball as much as I do.”
Soeken considered several colleges.
“I wasn’t really sure I wanted to stay in Kansas and was really close to picking an Idaho school,” Soeken said. “But Cloud ended up being the best decision.”
She has goals and aspirations after her days as a T-Bird.
“It would be a dream come true. I’ve worked for this goal since I was in the 5th grade and little Marilyn would just be so happy to make it to the next level,” Soeken said.
The Association - the Women’s National Basketball Association - would be her next crowning achievement.
“To go to the WNBA would be amazing. There are very limited spots and it would probably be my biggest accomplishment if I would be able to accomplish that,” she said.
Soeken said she is a team leader who wants to bring energy to Cloud.
“I define my success as just growth. I feel that I have expanded my game every year,” Soeken said. “And hopefully I will keep doing that in college.”
This week her focus is on the eight-team field competing for a state championship.
“It’s been amazing. I get to play basketball with my best friends and the best coaches ever,” Soeken said. “Committing to Cloud was the right decision for me. Even though I’m still in high school they have been there for me this whole year. And going to state is a dream come true. I got to go my freshman year and win it and I want to do that this year.”
Her love and passion for basketball can be seen how she plays on the court.
“It’s indescribable honestly. I love the game I would do anything for it,” said Soeken, a unanimous all-league selection as a junior. “I want to be known as a team leader and someone that would do anything for her team.”
