2030 | Clara Robinson | #RLHoops
⭐️ Attacking guard likes to get downhill ⭐️ Unselfish playmaker sees the floor well ⭐️ Competitor plays with pace & urgency
🙏🏾To God be the glory!! This team bought in, fought hard for each other and never cared who got the credit. 🏆🥇Congrats to @ellerobinson07@IrelandSul2028 and @StellaSacks_5 on making KSHSAA covered All State teams!
F.A.M.I.L.Y.
St. James Academy girls 🏀 coach Justin Snell @Thatsnellguy talked about what convinced him to take the job at St. James. @sjagirlsbball@SJA_Gameday@SJAThunder
"I'm enjoying it. I'm happy that I'm here for sure."
Watch the full show on YouTube⬇️
Congratulations, Coach Snell! We knew it from Day1 at St. James! Thanks for your leadership and capitalizing on the girls’ strengths, their love for each other and the game. @Thatsnellguy
2026 Sports in Kansas 5A Girls🏀 Coach of the Year: Justin Snell, St. James Academy
Justin Snell led St. James Academy to a historic season, capturing the program’s first-ever girls basketball state championship and the first basketball state title in school history, defeating Hays 49-48 in the 5A title game.
The Thunder also reached their first-ever state championship game and won their first league title in school history, navigating one of the toughest leagues in the state in the EKL.
In a loaded 5A field, St. James proved to be the team to beat, knocking off Andover 61-44 in the semifinals and emerging over traditional powers in a wide-open bracket with state power Aquinas losing to De Soto in substate.
“Our seniors led a very balanced, very unselfish team this year,” Snell said. “It’s amazing what can happen when your group is truly bought in and really loves each other.”
Snell has built the program into a consistent contender, compiling a 97-43 record over six seasons. A Wichita native and graduate of Wichita North, he attended Newman University and credits Mark Huppe and Mark Potter as major influences on his coaching career.
With multiple historic firsts, a championship run through one of the state’s toughest classes and a team built on unselfishness and balance, Snell and St. James Academy delivered one of the most impressive seasons in Kansas this year.
#sportsinkansas