Returning Mid-Continent League All-Leaguers & Newcomers : Part 1

A year ago I <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2019/11/part-1-returning-all-leaguers-newcomers-added-team-loaded-mid-continent-league/">explored</a> how loaded the Mid-Continent League (MCL) was in a pair of articles. Fifteen first, second, and honorable mention all-MCL players were returning and the league had gained a 2A member, Hoxie. The Indians were bringing with them a pair of players who were all-Northwest Kansas League players in 2019. At season's end the league would send Phillipsburg to the state 3A championship and Trego to the 2A championship. Trego would advance to the semi-finals, where their season would end with the cancellation of the rest of the tournament due to Covid-19 concerns. Fast forward to the 2021 season, the league is once again adding another team (3A Russell). However, due to high graduation numbers, only six all-MCL players return. The Broncos return one North Central Activities Association all-league player. The 2021 version of the league is now composed of twelve teams that compete in the post-season in three different classifications: 3A (four), 2A (seven), and 1A (one). The lone 1A, Stockton, is only a few students below the 2A enrollment cutoff. The size of the league and depth of the talent pool necessitates turning this into a two-part player report. This part 1 will focus on the returning nine all-league players. The forthcoming part 2 will look at incoming and returning talent to look for. Players are listed by class, school name, and then alphabetical by last name. <h2>2021</h2> [player_tooltip player_id="123515" first="Grace" last="Eck"], 5'4", PG, Ellis, Western Kansas Elite - Eck is a two-time MCL first team selection. In 2020 she averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.5 assists. She also shot 32% from three (32 made) and 74% from the line. In 2019 she averaged 19.5 points per game. This past summer she showed good handles to attack and create, speed, and defensive quickness. Eck also showed the ability to finish strongly against transition pressure. A high IQ player, she can create in the half court to get her shot off against taller opponents and eurostep around defenders to finish. Of note, in 2019 Eck finished second in the class 2A 800 meters state championship. The 2020 season was cancelled. [player_tooltip player_id="123505" first="Lili" last="Shubert"], Trego, 2021, 5'8”, SG - Shubert is a two-time MCL first team selection and earned first team selection to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 2A first team after being a honorable mention selection in 2019. Also in 2019 she was selected to the Sports In Kansas 2A all-state tournament team. In 2020 Schubert averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. She also shot 74% from the line and 32% from three (40 made). In 2019 she averaged 15.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 2019. Shot 78% from the line. This past summer she showed a pair of notable habits. Yes, she showed 25' range and quick 15' and step-back jumpers; speed with the ball; finishing ability on both sides of the basket with contact and athleticism; and she made good use of head and shoulder fakes to get into the lane; speed with the ball. What puts her a cut above is that she follows her own shot well and she jumps to the ball on the boards. [player_tooltip player_id="186677" first="Hannah" last="Bailey"], Norton, 2021, 5'7”, SG - Honorable mention MCL. Averaged 10 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 2 assists [caption id="attachment_195445" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class=" wp-image-195445" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Tessa-Hauser-Norton-Twin-Lakes-Stars-2021-257x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="175" /> Norton and Twin Lakes Stars 2021 PF [player_tooltip player_id="123520" first="Tessa" last="Hauser"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="123520" first="Tessa" last="Hauser"], Norton, 2021, 6'2”, PF, Northwest Kansas Stars - If Hauser is not selected to the MCL first team, after being named to the second team a year ago and honorable mention in 2019, there is something wrong. The Colorado Christian University commit has terrific size and strength and plays hard on both ends of the floor. This past summer she showed a solid face-up and back-to-basket game with good feet. She follows missed shots well and can take a hit on the finish. Hauser also runs well. In 2020 she solidly averaged a double-double with 16 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. She also collected 1.4 blocks per game. Hauser is a three point threat despite not taking many. She lead the team with 35% three point field goal percentage. Second team MCL. MAYB scrimmage (May 2020) - Showed good interior ball fake and inside up-and-under move. Follows missed shot. <h2>2022</h2> [caption id="attachment_193446" align="alignright" width="139"]<img class=" wp-image-193446" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Tallon-Rentschler-Smith-Center-Wakonda-Lakers-2022-271x300.jpg" alt="" width="139" height="154" /> Smith Center and Wakonda Lakers 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="124976" first="Tallon" last="Rentschler"] calling for the ball. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="158588" first="Rylan" last="Reeves"], Russell, 2022, 5'6", SG - Reeves comes off a season where she averaged a near double-double with 11.9 points and 9.7 rebounds and was selected to the NCAA first team. Elevates well to challenge shots and on perimeter jumper, has quick hands, and keeps her head up under control in transition. She is also active around the basket looking for second chance points. [player_tooltip player_id="124976" first="Tallon" last="Rentschler"], Smith Center, 2022, 5'10”, PF/SF, Wakonda Lakers - Rentschler comes into the season ready to step into a first team MCL seat after being selected to the second team in 2020 and as honorable mention in 2019. She also is primed for a big season following the Lady Red's second place finish at class 2A state volleyball championship. Rentschler has a motor and a heavy dose of persistence against shot blockers in her game. She is able to ale to go end-to-end off the rebound, can use both hands around the basket and in transition, and will work out of her face-up and back-to-basket game to get a score. [player_tooltip player_id="125027" first="Emilee" last="Lane"], TMP-Marian, 2022, 6'0”, PF/C, Twin Lakes Stars - A second team MCL selection a year ago, Lane has ball skills to get to the lane off the dribble. Having a long, solid build she runs well in transition and makes herself available well in the early offense. <h3>2023</h3> [player_tooltip player_id="94968" first="Taryn" last="Sides"], Phillipsburg, 2023, 5'6”, CG, CIA -- Sides' impact on the MCL was, as I expected, immediate and substantial. The result was propelling the team to the class 3A state basketball championship for the first time in school history. Clearly a first team selection, she was also selected to the KBCA 3A second team. A high IQ player, she brings to the table a combination of length, athleticism, creativity, quickness, vision, deep perimeter accuracy, and a scorer's mentality. She also is a good, active offensive rebounder. What she is not is selfish. She is generating interest from Power 5 programs.