I-35 Showcase Wichita : 2023 Standouts

Of the 108 players attending the Wichita I-35 Showcase event, September 13, nearly a quarter of the field were 2023s.  Kansans made up 75% of that number.  Below are notes on eight players I saw that stood out. [caption id="attachment_203884" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class=" wp-image-203884" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/09/Aileen-Becerril-Garden-City-2023-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Garden City 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="156293" first="Aileen" last="Becerril"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156293" first="Aileen" last="Becerril"], 5’8", SF/PF, Garden City</strong> -- Becerril is a good combination of solid stature and speed.  She showed an ability to finish on the break at speed following a catch on the wing.  She also was active in the paint, scoring in a variety of ways.  Defensively, Becerril closes out and stays with her opponent well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127279" first="MyKayla" last="Cunningham"], 5’9", SF, Salina Central</strong> -- Cunningham had a very strong event and garnered substantial attention from coaches I talked with.  She was a perimeter threat as well as difficult to contend with in transition and the half court due to a solid combination of handles, speed, and finishing ability.  Her ability to elevate was evident around the basket and on the perimeter.  A "wow" moment for her was a swat of a <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chorus-davis/">Chorus Davis</a> three point shot that turned into a transition basket for her team. <strong>Addison Denney, 5’8", SF, Wamego</strong> -- Denney showed athleticism, strength, physicality, and speed. Watch for her to debut in the next rankings update. <strong>Trista Hoobler, 5’6", SG, Wamego</strong> -- Hoobler showed solid handles and speed in transition.  Consistently knocking down the mid-range jumper in the transition game was a strong point.  Look for her to also appear in the next update. [caption id="attachment_203886" align="alignleft" width="149"]<img class=" wp-image-203886" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/09/Ava-Jones-Nickerson-2023-300x282.jpg" alt="" width="149" height="140" /> Nickerson 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="94960" first="Ava" last="Jones"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94960" first="Ava" last="Jones"], 6’2", PF, Nickerso</strong>n -- Jones has been piling up D I offers all summer and her play underscored why.  One early match-up with another large school big resulted in two notable moments: A right-side block score off a post up and a fade away jumper off a left side block post up.  Her opponent had nothing for her.  Jones continued to show an all-around game on both ends as well as transition speed and headiness. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156308" first="Trinity" last="Lutters"], 5’4", PG, Osborne</strong> -- Lutters is not just a perimeter threat but one who shoots the three with elevation. [caption id="attachment_204241" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class=" wp-image-204241" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/09/Saige-Scott-Caney-Valley-2023-274x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="164" /> Caney Valley 2023 SG [player_tooltip player_id="156300" first="Saige" last="Scott"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156300" first="Saige" last="Scott"], 5’3", SG, Caney Valley</strong> -- A three point threat with range, Scott showed quickness off the bounce.  On the drive she will aggressively look to split defenders and elevate to finish. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127282" first="Becca" last="Unruh"], 5’6", SG, Dodge City</strong> -- Unruh has grown in strength and physical maturity in the past year.  Including in transition she showed a quick, accurate perimeter shot. Note: This is a updated version.  Caney Valley’s [player_tooltip player_id="156300" first="Saige" last="Scott"] was errantly excluded. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;