Wichita Area Standouts : A Look at the Top 10 2023s

After presenting the top 10 Wichita area <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/08/wichita-area-standouts-a-look-at-the-top-10-2021s/">2021s</a> and<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/09/wichita-area-standouts-a-look-at-the-top-10-2022s/"> 2022s</a> Prep Girls Hoops Kansas turns its attention to the 2023s. While more is known about some players than others, nearly every athlete listed earned all-league honors in 2020. #1 [player_tooltip player_id="94952" first="Maryn" last="Archer"], 5'6", PG, Derby, Wheat State Elite Paul -- The #2 ranked player in the state had a big 2020, earning Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 6A honorable mention and Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League first team honors. A major characteristic of her game is that she plays with composure - head up, controlled, deliberate about looking at openings and options. Archer is strong off the bounce, able to split defenders, and drops dimes to teammates. She also has a very strong offensive arsenal including step-back, floater, jumper, and three-point shot. For her freshman year she averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.6 steals. She also shot 32% from three (38 made) and 67% from the line. #2 [player_tooltip player_id="94954" first="Addyson" last="Brown"], 6'2", CG, Derby, PBR Lex Nation -- Not far behind her teammate overall, at #6, Brown also had a big freshman year. Her honors include being ranked #23 in the ESPNU Terrific 25 and earning KBCA 6A honorable mention and AVCTL Div I first team in 2020. A physically strong player who uses her frame well to power through a defense, Brown is versatile on the perimeter as well. A three point threat, she also will beat defenders off the dribble. In 2020 she averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds per game. #3 [player_tooltip player_id="127278" first="Weronica" last="Tomaszuk"], 6'1", W/PF, Word of Life Prep -- Tomaszuk is solidly ranked at #19. Coach Jeff Henry describes her as a guard "... who can score at all three levels. She also has great lateral movement which will allow her to defend a very athletic three or two at a high D1 level." #4 [player_tooltip player_id="191470" first="Avery" last="Lowe"], 6'1", PF, Maize South, Wichita Lady Defenders -- Lowe is among the top <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/08/top-newcomers-to-the-2023-rankings/">newcomers</a> to the overall rankings, coming in at #29. A athletic power forward who plays with physicality, she will be one to watch as she gets bigger and stronger. She smartly uses her length around the basket, making effective use of post moves to score. Look for her to have a substantial role on a very strong Mavericks team. [caption id="attachment_199735" align="alignright" width="149"]<img class=" wp-image-199735" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/09/Maddi-Amekporfor-Andover-Central-2023-SSA-Elite-2023-300x277.jpg" alt="" width="149" height="138" /> Andover Central and SSA Elite 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="94951" first="Maddi" last="Amekporfor"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption]#5 [player_tooltip player_id="94951" first="Maddi" last="Amekporfor"], 6'0", PF, Andover Central, SSA Elite 2023 -- Ranked #31 in the class, Amekporfor was an impact player as a freshman. The Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div II second teamer averaged 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.2 assists. She is an effective post defender and is fast in transition. Amekporfor can finish around the basket with either hand. As she gets quicker, stronger, and more fluid expect big things in the future from this power forward. #6 [player_tooltip player_id="156319" first="Sophia" last="Gimino"], 5'4", PG, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Wheat State Elite Paul & Wood -- As announced in a recent <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/08/eight-players-climbing-the-2023-ranks/">article</a> about 2023 players climbing the ranks, Gimino is ranked #41 in Kansas. With her ability to see the floor and use her quickness to create off the bounce, look for her to keep the big front line of [player_tooltip player_id="91875" first="Ella" last="Anciaux"] and [player_tooltip player_id="123557" first="Jennifer" last="Jacobs"] busy on the receiving end of her entry passes. Gimino earned Wichita City League honorable mention in 2020. #7 [player_tooltip player_id="156303" first="Addison" last="Verbeck"], 5'7", CG, Eisenhower -- Verbeck earned AVCTL Div II honorable mention in 2020 and is ranked #51. She is heady and fast in transition, especially hustling back to disrupt a fast break. Verbeck handles well under back court pressure and will quickly hit the downtown three off the catch. #8 [player_tooltip player_id="191475" first="Karsyn" last="Slothower"], CG, Maize -- The #59 ranked Slothower is fast and is able to finish athletically while splitting defenders. Seems to have a sense of where the basket is when not looking and uses a solid ball fake to get a step. #9 [player_tooltip player_id="191478" first="Mallory" last="Hertzel"], SF, Maize -- The lanky Hertzel has good vision with an ability to make the quick, catchable pass to a cutter off the bounce. Ranked #67, she can go end-to-end off the rebound and finish with speed. #10 [player_tooltip player_id="156320" first="Allana" last="Nobles"], 5'5", G, Wichita South -- Nobles earned Wichita City League honorable mention honors in 2020. Ranked #84, I look forward to seeing her at an upcoming exposure event.