Campus at Hutchinson : Takeaways and Standouts

In an Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div I contest Tuesday evening the 0-3 (0-1) Haysville-Campus Colts traveled to Hutchinson to take on the 1-1 (0-0) Salthawks. With seniors composing much of both teams' starting lineups each also came into the game looking to generate some stability and consistency before taking on the stronger programs in the league. Lack of consistency was evident particularly through the first three quarters. Both teams struggled to take care of the ball and to score. While deadlocked at 22 at halftime, the Colts had only attempted 11 shots while Hutchinson was 6/22 from the field. At one point through the third quarter the Salthawks had missed more than a dozen straight shots. The fourth quarter finally saw offenses start clicking as the teams traded leads. The Colts led by as much as five behind quality free throw shooting and a pair of made threes. The Salthawks finally quit turning the ball over trying to make entry passes to get scores inside, made a couple threes, and finished off their 40-35 victory with strong free throw shooting of their own. Below we take a look at takeaways and notable players for each team. Campus Colts <h2>Three Takeaways</h2> Post Play - The Colts need more production inside. While there is size little scoring comes from the front line. Someone needs to step up as a on-the-block threat to help guard play create. Guard Play - The Colts' strength is with their ball handlers and there are several of them. Senior leader Venus Thanasouk appeared to re-injure her right knee on a drive to the basket mid-way through the fourth quarter. Losing her for any amount of time will hurt given how much she's relied upon as a scorer but a bigger loss may be in her on-the-floor leadership. If the guard tandem can get in better sync this group will cause serious match-up problems for other teams. Rebounding - The Salthawks generated double the number of shots taken in the first half than the Colts. Control of the boards on both ends continued on both ends during the second half as well. Had Hutchinson shot even 30% from the floor the game would have been a run away. Campus boxed poorly and did not match Hutchinson's rebounding energy. <h2>Key Players</h2> Venus Thanasouk, 5’6”, CG, 2020, NR – Best handles on the team and is very fast with the ball. Looks to score off the dribble and perimeter but doesn’t get stopped well when help gets there. Needs improvement as a perimeter shooter and from the free throw line. Sadie Hubbard, 5’8”, SF, 2022, NR – Arguably the best athlete of the forwards and posts, Hubbard has the ability to score in transition and in the mid-range. Tya Tindall, 5’5”, PG, 2022, NR – Speedy with quality handles Tindall has scoring ability. With Morales' and Thanasouk's play-making abilities Tindall being able to run the show can be a key to success. Analysia Morales, 5’5", SG, 2022, NR – Deep three point range. Can beat people off the dribble left and finish. Looks for backdoor opportunities. Kelsey Huggans, 5’11”, PF, 2020, NR – Huggans' length helps defensively. She needs to be more active offensively and on the boards, and more physical in all aspects of her game. A strong free throw shooter (6/7). Hutchinson Salthawks [caption id="attachment_63522" align="alignright" width="153"] Hutchinson 2020 guard <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tina-robertson/">Tina Robertson</a> shoots a three during a game at Hutchinson Community College's team camp.[/caption] <h3>Three Takeaways </h3> Entry Passes - Salthawk guards have a legitimate scoring threat inside in Hefley. At least eight times poor entry passes resulted in turnovers or poor scoring opportunities due to the position the guards put the post in. If the seniors cannot get the job done they need to sit because there are hungry underclassmen more than willing to take over. Roster Rotation - With seven seniors and three underclassmen, including an impact junior transfer, who saw substantial playing time the Salthawks need to get their rotations adjusted to have their most productive players starting and on the floor more. Additionally, even if she's in foul trouble Hefley has to be smartly used on the floor offensively because there is a serious drop off in interior offensive play without her. Campus had no answer for her inside. There is no value in fouling her, she is money from the foul line. Scoring - The Salthawks have three guards with the ability to effectively create their own shot off the dribble and only one of them starts. Another is buried deep on the bench. Not until late did Posch and Robertson get the lid off the basket and hit from the perimeter. For Hutchinson to have any chance of success in the AVCTL Div I and in the post-season these two must consistently shoot well from perimeter. <h4>Key Players</h4> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/gabbie-posch/">Gabbie Posch</a>, 5’9”, CG, 2020, #18 – Strong free throw shooter and perimeter threat. Not a great athlete but high IQ. Does not turn the ball over against pressure. Didn't last night. Didn't all summer long playing against elite players for Ohlde Elite. Didn't all last season. Didn't play the point at all against Campus. A 3-star ESPNU player, Newman University signed a good one. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mekenzie-hefley/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mekenzie-hefley/">Mekenzie Hefley</a></a>, 6’1”, C, 2020, #98 – “Grizzley” is a big, strong bodied, pure center with a strong inside game especially back-to-basket that aches for a higher vertical. She helps well from the weak side on cross lane drives and runs the floor well and smartly. Hustles off her outlets and is usually ready to score immediately in transition. Heffley is a very strong free throw so fouling her is usually not rewarded. Hefley has committed to Sterling College. Ziya Sims, 5’10”, PF, 2021, NR – The transfer from Central Christian is an impact player for the Salthawks. She can go end-to-end off the rebound and runs the screen and roll well. Sims is raw but athletic and is relentless on the boards, especially on the offensive end. Offensively she lacks fluidity with the ball and at times seems to lack recognition of when she should be attacking the basket. High upside here. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tina-robertson/">Tina Robertson</a>, 5’8”, SG, 2020, #76 – Robertson has a quick perimeter shot and is especially good from the corners and the high elbow. She is also a solid free throw shooter. Lateral quickness needs improved to keep quicker guards consistently in front of her in the front court. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/harlie-wilson/">Harlie Wilson</a>, 5'4", CG, 2022, #70 – One of three players able to consistently create her own shot. Is effective at attacking the basket with both hands. Quick hands defensively, she is always a steal threat. Has the speed to go end-to-end with the ball and finish when defended. All-around improvement in her game is noticeable after playing for Next Level Eclipse over the summer. Featured Image: Hutchinson 2020 center <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mekenzie-hefley/">Mekenzie Hefley</a> boxes out an opponent during a MAYB tournament game.