The class of 2021 has nearly a dozen centers that are at varying levels on the development ladder. This article takes a look at a hand full that are have been notably building their game to move up the ladder. Each excel in a variety of areas but are continuing to mature in other areas. All have the potential to reach the highest rungs by the end of the season if not as they enter their senior seasons a year from now.
<strong>Jordyn Beard, 6'1", Hugoton, Wheat State Elite 2021 - Crain</strong> - Beard was selected Great West Activities Conference second team all-conference. She averaged 12.2 points, 12.1 rebounds (6th in the state) with 35% being offensive, 3.4 blocks, and 2.6 steals. She has good size and uses her long arms to great effect as one of the best shot blockers in the state. Last season she set a new school record of 21 rebounds in a game. As good of a shot blocker and rebounder as she is she needs to improve her vertical. She also needs to consistently show development in her mid-range and perimeter shooting as well as ball skills to get to the hole off the drive and around the basket.
<strong>Clara Edwards, 6'0", Clay Center</strong> - Even with an opening round loss last spring to Nemaha Central in the 3A state tournament that limited her to one game, Edwards was arguably, along with now graduated Mary Broxterman of Royal Valley, the best center in the tournament. Edwards is long and strong with a solid build; fast in transition; looks to drive from the elbows; has good hops; seals defender well; defends well over the top; is a three point threat; and has good ball handling skills and vision. The one glaring opening in her game is that she but has a tendency to pick up the ball after one dribble when she is not looking to do something with it. Edwards was selected North Central Kansas League first team all-league and Topeka Capital Journal third team all-state.
<strong>Aiden Moxness, 6'3", Shawnee Mission West, Kansas Elite</strong> - While not the shot blocker Beard is, Moxness alters shots due to her g<span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Great size and length alters shots. Runs well in transition. Looks to get transition game going outletting off the rebound."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":12801,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"15":"Verdana","16":10}">reat size and length. She runs well in transition and looks to get the transition game going off the rebound. She is a solid passer with good half court vision but she needs to consistently show more on the offensive end in all aspects to sell herself to opponents as a threat.
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<strong>Kennedy Taylor, 6'3", Shawnee Mission Northwest, KC Dream 2021</strong> - Taylor was selected Sunflower League third team all-league. With arguably the most raw talent and athleticism of this group, Taylor can have some explosive moments due to her size, strength, and speed. This past season she averaged 10.3 points and 9.3 rebounds. Blue Star Media's Mark Lewis noted in May: "Size with strength…Has agility to go with it…Young power player…Gets out and runs the floor…Hi-Lo passing is there…Offense is still more a thought than a reaction but it’s coming." Sshe needs to slow down on the volleyball spike shot block, box out better, and expand her offensive game especially outside the paint. Taylor was a pool all-star in May's USJN Great Plains Challenge.
<strong>Olivia Wedman, 6'0", Maize, Ohlde Elite 2021</strong> - Wedman is a quickly developing, raw talent who will get better as she gets stronger. She has a t<span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Thin and angular build but posts up very well. Seals and calls for the ball well. Some ability to finish in transition. Raw talent who will get better as she gets stronger."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4512,"8":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"10":2,"11":0,"15":"Verdana"}">hin and angular build but posts up, seals, and calls for the ball well. She has shown some ability to finish in transition. </span>
<em>Featured Image: Nemaha Central point guard Alleigh Kramer challenges Clay Center center Clara Edwards during the first round of the 2019 Class 3A state tournament.
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