In her first two seasons at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Martina Mihailovic has not been blessed with a lot of size on the basketball court.

That all changes in 2023-24. Thanks to the arrival of a pair of 6-foot transfers to go along with the return of the top two scorers from a year ago, the Blue Devils have been pegged to be the top challenger to defending champion Johnson County in the Jayhawk Conference preseason poll.

"With more size and experience, we definitely should be better," said Mihailovic, whose Blue Devils are coming off an 18-13 season and a fourth-place finish in the conference. "We'll still play fast, but should be better in our half-court offense. Defensively, I think we should be really good, especially with our inside presence on the boards."

Shooting may be of a concern because the Blue Devils will be without the advantage of a home court. Because of damage to the field house basketball court, the college has relocated practices and games to alternate locations out of an abundance of caution for player safety. Home games for the 2023-24 season will be played on the road at three locations – Hy-Vee Arena, Rockhurst University and Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley.

"We're disappointed, but we're looking forward to making the best out of it," Mihailovic said. "Who knows, it may make us tougher, both mentally and physically."

The Blue Devils are scheduled to open the home season with six straight games starting with St. Mary JV Nov. 2 at Hy-Vee Arena and NJCAA DI power Iowa Western at Rockhurst Nov. 7 before the KCKCC Hall of Fame Classic Nov. 10-11 at Hy-Vee Arena.

The Blue Devils will be led by 5-10 guard Jada Johnson of Shawnee Mission North and 5-6 point guard Victoria Jones, of Raytown. Johnson was named Jayhawk Freshman of the Year and first team all-conference after averaging 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists while Jones led in assists with 3.5 per game while averaging 8.2 points.

"Jada really improved her shot in the summer and will give us a lot of rebounding," Mihailovic said. "Victoria has matured on and off the court and is very good at making others better."

The veterans will be joined in the starting lineup by Jailynn Schmaltz, a 6-3 transfer from Jacksonville College (Texas) and 6-0 Symiah Bradley, a Blue Springs grad who transferred from Daytona State College.

"Schmaltz brings toughness and size with a real good finishing touch around the rim," Mihailovic said. "Bradley will be a mismatch for a lot of teams. Very athletic. She can score off the dribble and inside."

Mihailovic has several options for the fifth starting spot with several sophomores on the roster. Kaylyn Rogers, a 5-8 forward, averaged 4.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 29 games last season (16 starts) while 5-2 guard Sarah Khamis brings leadership and a defensive presence. Kardae Gales, a 5-9 guard from White Castle, La., returns after sitting out last season with a torn ACL.

Ti'Ye Davis, a 5-4 point guard from Houston, heads a quartet of freshmen. The others include 5-9 Alexis Duke of McPherson; 5-9 Claire Suchma, of Blue Valley Northwest and 5-7 Bennett Peck, of Shawnee Mission Northwest.

Mihailovic is being assisted by Willis Allen, who played collegiately at Queens University of Charlotte and University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth. He also coached at both colleges.