Standout 2020s from the 3A First Round Games

All season long the girl’s class 3A was the most wide open.  A number of leagues, at different times of the year, had as many as three teams ranked in the top ten.  At least one league could easily have had four.  The quarterfinal games of the 3A state tournament brought together a pair of teams from the Big 7, from which last year’s Royal Valley won the championship as a 6 seed, including top ranked Nemaha Central and Jefferson West. While a ranked team did advance to a sub-state championship game before losing to another ranked team, #5 Haven lost to #7 Halstead is one instance, five unranked teams advancing to state tournament testifies to the strength of the class. [caption id="attachment_155821" align="alignleft" width="201"] Jefferson West 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="90186" first="Kiley" last="Biltoft"] awaits the rebound while boxing out a Frontenac opponent during their 2020 3A state tournament game. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption]With the cancelling of the remaining state tournament games for all classes, the quarterfinal games saw some individuals stand out for their play.  This post lists seniors who stood out.  Do note that Halstead, Cheney, and Osage City either did not have a senior on their roster, did not play a senior on their roster, or did not have a senior that played more than a minute or two. [player_tooltip player_id="90186" first="Kiley" last="Biltoft"], Jefferson West -- Biltoft registered 2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist in the overtime loss to Fontenac.  One of leaders on the floor she showed her speed and desire to push the ball in transition.  She did not shoot well from from the perimeter but helped her team by blocking out consistently to gather rebounds and with her floor vision. [caption id="attachment_155822" align="alignright" width="203"] Nemaha Central 2020 Emma Elder scores over Osage City defenders during their 3A state tournament game. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption] Emma Elder, 5’8", F, Nemaha Central -- Elder had 8 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocked shots, and 1 steal. She also was 2/2 from the line.  Elder played with strength and physicality in the Thunder’s win over Osage City.  While she struggled a bit making entry passes she showed good ability to get to the basket, including by going baseline from the corner, using strong ball fakes.  Strong on the boards, not only were half of her rebounds on the offensive end but those five were nearly half of the number the Thunder gathered as a team. [caption id="attachment_155823" align="alignleft" width="201"] Frontenac 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="121793" first="Karma" last="Fields"] fights to get around a Jefferson West opponent boxing her out during their 3A state tournament game. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="121793" first="Karma" last="Fields"], 5’5", PG, Frontenac -- Fields had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist. She also was 6/10 from the line.  While at times she had trouble getting by quick handed defenders, Fields showed an ability to finish once she got to the lane.  She knocked down her team’s only made three. Heather Kahler, Jefferson West -- Kahler had a big game with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 assist. She also was 5/6 from the line.  At times Kayler showed lack of confidence to take the open three.  But when she did shoot from the perimeter it was with confidence - which lead to knocking one down late in the overtime decided contest.  She showed strong ability to hit the pull-up 8-footer off the bounce but I would have liked to have seen her get to the basket more after beating people with her quick first step. [caption id="attachment_155825" align="alignright" width="203"] Nemaha Central 2020 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="121727" first="Alleigh" last="Kramer"] skies to score over Osage City defenders during their 3A state tournament game. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="121727" first="Alleigh" last="Kramer"], 5’7", SG, Nemaha Central -- Kramer finished her high school care with 17 points, 4 rebounds, two assists, and 1 steal. She also was 4/7 from the line.  The Benedictine commit can shoot the three as well as finish aggressively and athletically.  Fast with the ball, she is most dangerous in transition due to her ability to split defenders, take the hit on the finish, or get the assist on the break. [caption id="attachment_155826" align="alignleft" width="201"] Phillipsburg 2020 Emily Schneider hustles across the lane on defense in their 3A game against Cheney. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption] Emily Schneider, 5’7", W, Phillipsburg -- Schneider had 6 points including . 2/4 from the line. Schneider consistently showed an ability to get into the lane with good head and shoulder fakes. She also was able to athletically finish on both sides of the basket. [caption id="attachment_155827" align="alignright" width="201"] Scott City 2020 guard Madison Shapland awaits the ball to swing her way in their 3A state tournament game against Halstead. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption] Madison Shapland, 5’6", G, Scott City --  Shapland has a strong game with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist. She also was 4/5 from the line. Shapland showed aggression on the dribble drive and the ability to knock down the mid-range jumper.  She has good hand speed and is fast with the ball in transition off the steal.  Shapland is committed to Fort Hays State University for track. [caption id="attachment_155828" align="alignleft" width="201"] Scott City 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="121715" first="Emily" last="Weathers"] calls for the ball in their game against Halstead at the 3A state tournament. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="121715" first="Emily" last="Weathers"], 5’10", PF, Scott City -- Before fouling out during the second overtime Weathers had amassed 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots, and 1 assist.  As she has all season long, Weathers drew the other team’s top post player as a defensive assignment.  In Scott’s double overtime loss to Halstead that matchup was with the Dragons’ best player, 6’0", junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id="123495" first="Karenna" last="Gerber"].  The Emporia State University commit showed perimeter range with a made three.  She also posted up strongly.  Defensively Weathers consistently showed why she is such a strong defensive player - her uncanny ability to read plays and anticipate what’s going to happen and who the ball is going to go to enables her to get into position before the offense can act.  Weathers also showed transition speed.  In overtime she was able to run Gerber down, off a turnover that she took to the hole, and block her shot from behind. <em>Featured image: Jefferson West 22020 guard Heather Kayler tries to finish in traffic during the Thunder’s 3A state tournament game against Frontenac. Photo by Robert Kelly.</em> &nbsp; &nbsp;