Eight Players Climbing the 2021 Ranks
Even with the addition of 48 players to the 2021 rankings there have been a small collection of players who have managed to advance their standing in the ranks. Here’s a look at the top eight in that collection listed…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEven with the addition of 48 players to the 2021 rankings there have been a small collection of players who have managed to advance their standing in the ranks. Here’s a look at the top eight in that collection listed in order of positions climbed.
Natalie Payne
Natalie
Payne
5'9" | SF
Shawnee Mission South | 2021
State
KS
, 5’9″, SF, Shawnee Mission South, Kansas Elite 17U Zars – A player climbing a whopping 75 spots obviously deserves explanation. While I saw her play at the Mid American Classic this past season, it was at July’s MAYB Reign the Plains where I had an extended opportunity. Coming in at #102, she showed good end-to-end speed off the steal and finished well versus a chaser. Defending GameBall Basketball PF
Aubrey Warden
Aubrey
Warden
5'10" | PF
Liberal | 2021
State
KS
, a Newman University commit from Liberal, Payne was occasionally out-muscled. She does have good strength, though, and is very active. She can score with physicality, is tough, and has a quick mid-range jumper and good three point stroke.
Jennifer Jacobs Jennifer Jacobs 6'0" | SF Kapaun Mt. Carmel | 2021 State KS , 6’2″, PF, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Next Level Eclipse 2021 Holmes – Jacobs continues to climb, moving up 25 spots to #88. Having grown two inches and gained in weight and strength, she has also gotten more physical. A 2020 Greater Wichita League honorable mention, what stood out was that she works hard on both ends of the floor whether her team was up 20 or down 20. Jacobs has a solid mid-range and face-up game, and has become more effective beating people off the bounce. Watch out for her hands and passing ability in the high-low game.
T’Yonne Duncan
T’Yonne
Duncan
6'1" | C
Olathe South | 2021
State
KS
, 6’1″, C, Olathe West, Kansas Elite 17U Zars – Climbing 24 spots to #94, Duncan has effectively raised her profile at the center position. 2020 USJN Battle at the Border pool D 17U all star. At MAYB Reign the Plains opposing posts found difficulty in defending her without help. Active and physical on both ends. Quick post moves especially back-to-basket. A transfer from Olathe South, she was a recent USJN Battle at the Border pool D 17U all star.
Cali Foltz
Cali
Foltz
5'10" | PF
Anderson County | 2021
State
KS
, 5’10”, PF, Anderson County, Khaos – This 2020 Pioneer League first teamer climbed 22 spots to #130. Seeing her at MAYB Summer Kickoff brought comparisons to West Virginia signee, and former Baldwin and Hutchinson Community College standout, Abby Ogle with her weak side defensive smarts to shoot underneath a post-up for the steal. A highlight game of 23 points and 11 rebounds against Louisville is reflective of her ability to get into the lane off the drive and put together moves to create a shot. Foltz transitions well and has a strong build.
Tessa Hauser
Tessa
Hauser
6'2" | PF
Norton | 2021
State
KS
, 6’2″, PF, Norton, Twin Lakes Stars – Hauser climbed 21 spots to #41. After being a 2019 Mid-Continent League honorable mention selection, she earned second team honors this past season. At the May MAYB scrimmage, the first since time I had seen her since the 2019 3A state tournament, she used her size; strength; and length to good effect. Her play this summer attracted plenty of attention. Colorado Christian University recently received a commitment from her.
Austin Broadie
Austin
Broadie
6'2" | SF
Wichita Trinity Academy | 2021
State
KS
, 6’2″, W/PF, Trinity Academy, Wheat State Elite 2021 Crain – Broadie climbed 8 spots to #19 and made my 2021 summer ball all-Kansas team. The Washburn University basketball and volleyball commit has earned selections to the 2020 KBCA 3A second team, the list of 2019 KBCA honorable mentions, and the Central Plains League first team twice. Able to play multiple positions on both ends of the floor, she is a strong athlete who goes end-to-end with speed and finishes, helps well from the weak side, and stays with the up and under move well inside.
Lilly Smith
Lilly
Smith
5'0" | PG
Topeka | 2021
State
KS
, 5’0″, PG, Topeka – The Centennial League second team selection climbed 8 spots to #44. In January Prep Girls Hoops’ Israel Potoczny stated that she brings speed and overall toughness to her team; is able to create plays with the ball or operate well off the ball, and can score from distance. Smith averaged 10.3 points per game while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range. She added two assists, a steal, and shot 78% from the line. 580preps, in a January tournament preview, described her as a breakout player and having “…one of the best three-point strokes around.” She was also a WIBW all-city selection.
Reagan Brake
Reagan
Brake
6'1" | C
Inman | 2021
State
KS
, 6’1″, C, Inman – Brake climbed 8 spots to #151. Brake was a player I had hoped to see play over the summer but, unfortunately, did not. I still fully expect her to be a top center in class 2A. In a regional tournament game against Hutchinson Trinity she showed an ability to hold inside post-ups, good hands to catch lobs on the release, and went up quickly after the catch including after using a power dribble. Long and slender, she is a shot blocker. Brake is raw but with substantial upside. I would like to see and an improved verticle, strength, and post move repertiore.
A little recognition is due for Halstead’s G/F Madison McClain Madison McClain 5'9" | SF Halstead | 2021 State KS . Madi was unable to play her junior season after having strong freshman and sophomore years. In 2019 she was a KBCA 3A honorable mention and Central Kansas League first team selection. When I saw her in July playing a tournament with her Dragons teammates, it was her first competition in more than a year. Her stamina was not back yet, but her game had not dimished. Thus, she advanced 6 spots to #118. Without a senior on the roster and McClain out, Halstead reached the 3A state tournament for the first time in 2020. They won its first game ever – a double-overtime thriller battle with Scott City. With McClain back, look out.