CLASS 4A: Young Prospects who Impressed

Israel Potoczny

March 21, 2020 @ 11:39 PM

The Kansas 4A state championships were short lived in Kansas as the Kansas High School Activities Association announced on Thursday the remaining state tournament games will not be played following a single quarterfinal round of play. Here, Prep Girls Hoops takes a look at several players who stood out at the event, with a look here at several young prospects who stood out. To recap the quarterfinal scores, Nickerson beats Buhler, 63-36; KC Piper 63 got past Baldwin 48; Clay Center Community defeated Eudora, 47-42; and Bishop Miege defeated Chapman 60-45. Gabriella Henderson-Artis, G, 2022, Bishop Miege Henderson-Artis is an athletic player who gets up the floor and scores well through contact for her size. She’s a thin guard who has long arms and shows a lot of potential to her game as she’s active and has a solid skill set. Henderson-Artis had 11 points in the win over Chapman. Another productive sophomore for Bishop Miege. [player_tooltip player_id="94960" first="Ava" last="Jones"], 6’2, F, 2023, Nickerson An athletic and quick-moving forward who contributes on offense and can make an impact on the defensive end given her size and agility. Jones is listed at 6’2 and looks to run the floor and put herself in a position to rebound. She is yet another problem for opponents in the post and her athleticism can catch them by surprise. Jones had 10 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Another strong freshman to watch closely. Josie McLean, 5’7, G, 2023, Nickerson McLean is a nice young guard who is active and looks to jump passing lanes and make plays on the opposite side of the floor. She’s a good defensive player in full-court situations and stays with the ball and looks to apply pressure and keep an eye out. [player_tooltip player_id="124975" first="Kieryn" last="Ontjes"], G, 2022, Nickerson Another guard for Nickerson who is young and has the ability to score for herself. She is quick and can handle the ball at times and looks to score and bring positive and productive minutes to the floor for Nickerson. Ontjes scored nine points in their win over Buhler. Riley Smith, 5’7, G, 2022, Baldwin An accomplished guard for Baldwin who plays quick and makes moves with and without the ball. Smith is a solid sophomore guard who can see the floor and make an impact as a rebounder, facilitator, defender and all-around scorer. A young leader who takes pressure off her team and shows a solid upside moving forward. Riley Smith finished the game against Piper with 11 points.