Summer Ball Watch: Kansas Elite 17U

Kansas Elite 17U puts two teams on the floor that includes players from Missouri as well as Kansas. Some were fortunate to enjoy appearances in state tournaments this past year. While experienced at the varsity level, some will have more opportunity to shine next year due to graduation. Here's a look at some of the Kansas team members. <strong>Sophie Reed</strong>, 2020, 5'10", SG/F -- The Olathe South guard makes strong and consistent use of head and shoulder fakes to get to the basket from either side off the dribble drive.  She is able to finish athletically with either hand and has shown strong inside post up ability. She also has the speed in transition to get her easy baskets. Her threat to drive is especially effective given her three point range. Defensively her hand speed, quickness, and ability to anticipate enable her to jump passing lanes, work over ball handlers, and challenge and block shots. <strong>Dani Winslow</strong>, 2020, 6'1", C/F -- The Olathe South post is hard to type fit because she has a diverse talent set and is able to play every position. The Missouri State bound, KBCA 6A first team all-state player is also rated on GirlzHoops a 3-star ESPNU HoopGurlzSuper 60. She can score from all over the court, handle the ball full court, has good speed with the ball, and has good strength to defend on the interior. <strong>Mandy Truitt</strong>, 2020, 6'0", PF -- The Olathe South PF too often found herself a victim of a talent laden team that resulted in not seeing as much court time as she would probably have liked. Truitt has the potential to develop into a solid, all-around player. She already has good speed, elevation for and adeptness at blocking shots. Around the basket she catches and scores quickly off the pass or rebound. Truitt needs to accelerate both her inside and perimeter development as a scorer. She can bang inside but needs to continue improving as a physical force inside against other top bigs. <strong>Aiden Moxness</strong>, 2020, 6'3", C -- The Shawnee Mission West center has great size with length to alter shots and runs the floor well. Boxes out well but improving footwork, quickness, and court awareness will improve her ability to be a defensive force. <strong>Bailey Collar</strong>, 2021, 5'6", PG -- The Olathe West point guard has emerged as one of top players in her class. With her ball handling skills, good court vision, motor, and three-point shooting she is difficult to stop on the take due to her ability to score from either side of the basket and set up teammates for a dish or kick-out. She was third team all-Sunflower league this past season. <strong>Katelynn Ostronic</strong>, 2021, 5'11", PF -- The De Soto post player was a Sunflower League honorable mention this past season. Good size who's footwork enables a quick perimeter shot, including behind the line. Moves to open spots well and works hard offensively to post. <strong>Julia Elsener</strong>, 2021, 5'10", P -- This is this St. Thomas Aquinas post's first year with Elite. With the talented players ahead of her on a team that won its fourth consecutive state championship a month ago. Elite coaches believe she has substantial upside, works hard and is very coachable, and has good footwork in the paint. Development in her face up game will improve her offensive effectiveness. <strong>MacKenzie Shupe</strong>, 2020, 5'8", G/F -- The De Soto guard was KBCA 5A honorable mention all-state and United Kansas Conference first team. Strong three point shooter with good interior footwork to kick ball out to the perimeter. Good length and hands to work at top of presses. <strong>Claire Thomas</strong>, 2020, 5'10", PF -- Like Julia Elsener this is this St. Thomas Aquinas post first year with Elite. Limited in time at the varsity level due to playing behind a Div I all-state starer. Coaches say she "She is a very active Big with a high motor, very aggressive rebounder, and will hit the floor with every loose ball, can step out and hit the occasional 3." They also describe her as a great leader and is very coachable. <strong>LaMyah Ricks</strong>, 2020, 5'6", PG -- The De Soto point guard was United Kansas Conference first team. Quickness and aggressiveness on the defensive end enables strong ability to deny passes and jump perimeter hand offs. Good spot up three point shooter. <strong>Dariauna Carter</strong>, 2020, 5'5", G -- The Highland Park guard is back on the court after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined her for more than eight months. As a sophomore she averaged 17 ppg, 2.4 spg, 1.7 apg. Solid, controlled ball handling with good mid-range and three point shooting abilities. She has good vision and passes well in the half court. &nbsp; &nbsp;