Part 1: Returning All-Leaguers + Newcomers + Added Team = Loaded Mid-Continent League

A year ago the then ten-team Mid-Continent League (MCL) produced the class 3A state championship third place team, Norton, and the class 2A fourth place team, Trego. Neither team won the league. Thomas More Prep earned that reward. This year's version of the MCL is promising to be even more challenging. Of the 15 players who filled out the first, second, and honorable mention all-MCL teams in 2019 only six were lost to graduation. Norton, Phillipsburg, and TMP - three of the top four teams - each lost two. Just that little shave off the top will make the league even more competitive, but that is not all. Now add new 2A league member 2A Hoxie, which brings with it a pair of all-Northwest Kansas League players. Now figure in recognized talents from a year ago who did not make an all-league team and freshmen who will make a splash. This league will be absolutely brutal. The 2020 version of the league is now composed of eleven teams that compete in the post-season in three different classifications: 3A (three), 2A (seven), and 1A (one). The lone 1A, Stockton, is only a few students below the 2A enrollment cutoff. The size of the league and depth of the talent pool necessitates turning this into a two-part player report. This part 1 will focus on the returning nine all-league players. The forthcoming part 2 will look at incoming and unrecognized, all-league honors standpoint, talent to look for. Players are listed in by class, rank, and school name for those soon to appear in the rankings. <h2>2020</h2> [caption id="attachment_75801" align="alignright" width="300"] Wheat State Elite 2020 - Loecker's and Plainville's point guard Aubree Dewey dishes to a shooter after drawing a crowd of Ohlde Elite 2020 Yellow players on a drive down the lane.[/caption] #11 Aubree Dewey, 5'8", PG, Plainville, Wheat State Elite - Dewey is one of four returning first team all-league players. She also was a Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) 2A first team all-state selection and led the state in scoring with 28.3 points per game. She also averaged 6.3 rebounds, 4.2 steals, and 3.9 assists. At the July Reign the Plains event she showed wicked speed and quickness, great court vision, and an ability to this the three. She had a three game average of 10.3 points (4/7 from three), 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Dewey is extremely versatile. She possesses great vision and athleticism in the full and half court, is very fast with the ball with the handles to get by defenders, elevates well on jumpers, and can finish around the basket. Dewey has shown strength by hitting teammates on the run with 3/4 court passes with accuracy. Noted for her speed, Dewey won a class 2A 400 meters state chamionship last spring. She has signed with Washburn University. #119 Shae Griffin, 5'7", CB, Stockton, Ohlde Elite - Griffin was a second team all-league selection. Slight of build, she has shown 20' three point range as well as the defensive prowess to commonly draw opposing point guards. NR Jordyn Lowrie, 5'11", F, Oakley - Lowrie is one of two returning senior first team all-league players. She makes use of good footwork, ball fakes, and a variety of post moves to score from anywhere within 12' of the basket. Lowrie is heady, is always looking for the ball or to find an open teammate, and has good hands to catch lob passes. NR Bree Frieling, 5'9", G/F, Smith Center - Frieling was a honorable mention selection last year. She averaged 11 points (31% from three), 4.9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. No stranger to getting in the air, Frieling won a class 2A pole vault championship as a sophomore followed by a second place a year ago. NR Libby Frost, 5'8", F, Trego - Frost was a honorable mention selection last year. She averaged 9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. While she has a quick first step on the wing Frost is most commonly found laying post moves on defenders inside. Able to score with either hand and go to either direction from anywhere in the paint, Frost has a nose for the hole. Her IQ shows with her box-outs, passing lane denying and jumping, her rebounding, and how she gathers herself before getting off a shot or making moves. <h2>2021</h2> #28 Lili Shubert, 5'8", SG, Trego, NWK Stars - Schubert was a first team all-league selection and earned KBCA 2A honorable mention all-state. She also was selected to the Sports In Kansas 2A all-state tournament team. In 2019 she averaged 15.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Has shown quick 15' and step-back jumpers as well as 25' three point range. One 134 attempts she also shot 78% from the line. She makes good use of head and shoulder fakes, is fast in transition with the ball, is quick to the basket and able to split defenders on the dribble drive, and can athletically finish - especially with her right - around the basket with contact. To read more visit this <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2019/07/stock-risers-underrated-junior-guards-2021/">article</a> from July. [caption id="attachment_58501" align="alignright" width="300"] Ellis 2021 point guard Grace Eck is a returning first team all-Mid Continent League selection.[/caption] #42 Grace Eck, 5'4", G, Ellis - Eck was a first team all-league selection last year<span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"First team Mid-Continent League. Averaged 19.5 ppg, 54% 3p%. Sports In Kansas 2A honorable mention. "}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4609,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"15":"Verdana"}">. She averaged 19.5 points per game and shot 54% from beyond the arc. Eck has solid handles and is able to eurostep around defenders to finish. She just missed a winning a track championship last spring, finishing second in the class 2A 800 meters. To read more visit this <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2019/06/gbb-stock-risers-a-look-at-underrated-pgs-2021/">article</a> from June. #47 Tessa Hauser, 6'2", PF, Norton - Hauser was a honorable mention selection a year ago. She averaged 10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. <h3>2022</h3> #20 Tallon Rentschler, 6'0", C, Smith Center - The only 2022 to make the all-league team, Rentschler was a honorable mention selection. She averaged 10.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. Featured image: Oakley's Jordyn Lowrie blocks a shot by Stockton's Ellie Bellerive. Image courtesy of Stockton Sentinel.