Mid America Classic: The Guard-Forwards

The 24th annual Mid America Classic drew teams representing classes 4A-6A and provided opportunities to look at talent from Ulysses to the west, Olathe South to the east, Wellington to the south, and Manhattan to the north. After watching all four second round games here's my look at the guard-forwards. [caption id="attachment_25982" align="alignright" width="200"] Ulysses' Madison Haney reaches for a pass back to the point from McPherson's Lakyn Schiefereke.[/caption] <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Upperclassmen</span></span></h2> <strong>Madison Haney</strong>, Ulysses, 2019, 5'10" -- Haney is the team's most versatile player. She has the ball handling skills to lead the break, work against substantial pressure, and take care of the ball. She is also a perimeter shooter with the ability to finish off the drive. Solid defensively she has enough length to defend shooters and quickness to pick up a couple steals per game. Evidenced by missing only a couple minutes after chipping a tooth in a collision, she has toughness to go with a solid frame to compete inside for rebounds. Haney has committed to play for University of St. Mary's. <strong>Chidera Okoro</strong>, Dodge City, 2020, 5'8" -- Especially on the offensive end Okoro is a project with a solid foundation and a great deal of upside. She posts up strongly (see featured photo) and is fast and athletic in pressuring opponents in the back court. With Dodge being an undersized team she typically defends opponents' bigs. <strong>Lakyn Schiefereke</strong>, McPherson, 2020, 5'8" -- Schiefereke played nine more minutes than any of her teammates against a quick, equally undersized, but very experienced Ulysses squad. She is fast in transition with the ball, can run the point, and is a three point threat on the offensive end. On the other end she is an aggressive, steady defender and defensive rebounder. A notable area she needs to improve upon is with her vision and decision making with wing and cross-court passes. They were the sources of her five turnovers. [caption id="attachment_25967" align="alignleft" width="262"] After getting a steal Wichita Southeast's Chariah Daniels drives to the basket on Dodge City's Amaya Perez.[/caption] <strong>Chariah Daniels</strong>, Wichita Southeast, 2020, 5'11" -- Daniels is fast, athletic, and can finish well off of post moves. She is also a solid defensive rebounder and freethrow shooter. To improve as an offensive threat she needs to develop a perimeter game. [caption id="attachment_25983" align="alignright" width="146"] Wellington's Airalyn Frame shots a three over Valley Center's Kassie Kinniburgh.[/caption] <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size: 12pt">Underclassmen</span></h2> <strong>Airalyn Frame</strong>, Wellington, 2022, 5'8" -- While Frame is the team's starting point guard she regularly moves to a wing when opponents apply significant pressure. She handles the ball well but needs to improve her speed with the ball and decision making with passing. [caption id="attachment_25966" align="alignleft" width="182"] Dodge City's Lauren Gleason.[/caption] <strong>Lauren Gleason</strong>, Dodge City, 2021, 5'9" -- Like her teammate Okoro, Gleason has a great deal of upside. A three point threat, she can beat defenders off the dribble to set up teammates. A terrific move she showed while driving to the basket was a combination cross-over change of pace move that created separation. As part of a young team that did not suit a senior, she needs to improve her ball control and decision making when she starts to fatigue later in games against ball pressure. &nbsp; &nbsp;