HUHTAMAKI CLASSIC: Standouts

Several players shined on Wednesday at the Huhtamki Classic hosted by DeSoto High School. The tournament featured Olathe Northwest getting past DeSoto and Shawnee Mission West getting past Olathe North in the semifinals, while Truman defeated Gardner-Edgerton and Blue Valley Southwest knocked off Mill Valley in the consolation bracket. Here, Prep Girls Hoops takes a look at several players who stood out in Wednesday's contests. <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>10 — Vania Barnett, 5'9, G, 2021, Mill Valley</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">A smooth guard who can put the ball on the floor and attack the basket, Barnett showed the ability to score in a variety of ways, getting to the basket and to the free throw line. A good defensive player, Barnett got in the passing lanes several times and turned steals and turnovers into easy chances in transition. </span></p> &nbsp; &nbsp; <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>32- <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maddie-garretson/">Maddie Garretson</a>, 5'10', F, 2020 Blue Valley Southwest</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">An inside-out forward, can put it on the floor and attack the basket off the bounce. Garretson has a smooth free throw stroke and does a good job on the boards. She finished with 11 points in the first half for the Wolves.</span></p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>21 — S'Mya Nichols, 6'0, G, 2023, Shawnee Mission West</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">Nichols is a rising star in Kansas' freshman class. Armed with a strong and athletic 6'0 frame, Nichols does it all and came up big in the Vikings' win over Olathe North in Wednesday's semifinal game finishing with a game-high 21 points. She is a tough defender, can take the ball coast-to-coast and gets to the basket well off the bounce.</span></p> &nbsp; &nbsp; <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>5 — Taliyah Scott, 5'7, PG, 2023, Truman</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">One of Missouri's most talented incoming freshmen, Scott is a talented playmaker who brings a good first step, a smooth outside shooting stroke and terrific court vision to the floor. She is a knock down 3-point our of the corners and has the quickness to get to the basket. She led all scorers with 20 points in Truman's win over Gardner-Edgerton on Wednesday.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2"><b>25 — <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/riley-wade/">Riley Wade</a>, 5'9, F, 2020, Olathe Northwest</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">Wade is an impressive inside-out player who likes to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. She has terrific footwork and the ability to step around defenders as they set up in the lane and has an array of crafty scoop shots she uses to finish. Wade went for 14 points to help lead the Ravens past host DeSoto in Wednesday's semifinal contest.</span></p> &nbsp; &nbsp; Friday 7th, Mill Valley vs. Gardner-Edgerton, 3:3- p.m. 5th, Truman vs. Blue Valley Southwest, 5 p.m. Saturday Third, Olathe North vs. DeSoto, 1 p.m. Championship, Olathe Northwest vs. Shawnee Mission West, 4 p.m.