STOCK RISERS: KC area forwards raising their profile

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Prep Girls Hoops takes a look at several prospects who are raising their profile this season in the Kansas City area.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><b>Abby Couch, 5’9, G, 2020, Kearney</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Couch is a good option for Kearney when they’re looking for a bucket. She’s comfortable on the floor and is comfortable taking big shots. She’s averaging 8 points, 2.2 assists, 3.8 Rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Couch is an underrated defender in the area and shows good hustle and looks to contest shots and force turnovers however she can. A nice senior player for Kearney who can come up big when it matters.</span> <b>Sierra Culver, 5’11, F, 2020, Kearney</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">An impressive athlete who brings intelligence, flexibility and physicality under the basket. Culver has a strong IQ and just understands her role and how to capitalize her size and speed. She plays hard and runs the floor well and can get out and make plays in transition. Culver is a two-way standout who adds 7.5 points, 7.7 rebounds one block and nearly one steals per game. She’s shooting 50 percent from the field and from the free throw line.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><b>Hunter Keithley, 5’10, F, 2020, Chillicothe</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">A smart player who has good size, length and shows a solid understanding of the game on both ends of the floor. She’s averaging 12 points, 3.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds and one steal per game and is shooting 77 percent from the free throw line and 54 percent from the field. Kiethley has the ability to play several positions and has good flexibility as a defender as well as a scoring option and the leader in total points for Chillicothe. A seasoned team leader as well.</span> <b><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kyndal-lewis/">Kyndal Lewis</a>, 5’10, SF, 2021, Belton</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">An impressive player for Belton who adds good size, length and a lot of hustle to the floor. Lewis has a good shot inside the perimeter and is comfortable absorbing contact and finishing plays. She is also good at scoring second chance points and understands spacing and timing. Lewis is averaging 16.6 points per game. She’s also averaging 11.8 rebounds per game (7.8 defensive, 4 offensive), showing her physicality and hustle on both ends of the floor. Lewis is also good at defense and can come away with at least one steal per game.</span> <b><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/natalie-rippy/">Natalie Rippy</a>, 5’9, F, 2021, St. Pius X</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Rippy is a strong, intelligent forward who is both terrific on the low and high post. She has a good touch around the basket and can get around opponents and finish through traffic. A standout performer who gets a lot of attention with the ball in her hands, Rippy showcases strong handles and terrific awareness on both sides of the floor. She’s averaging 8.9 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field. Rippy also adds 4.6 rebounds, one steal and 1.4 blocks.  A strong leader game after game.</span>