Guards and Wings to Watch: 4A Sub-State Semis and Finals

The road to the state tournament for the 4A and 6A classes began Saturday, February 27, with a few quarterfinal games. Semi-final games will be played Wednesday, March 3, with games being held at the higher seed. The March 6 finals will also be at the higher seed. In this article I take a look at guards and wings to watch in the 4A sub-states. <h2>Point Guards</h2> [player_tooltip player_id="162171" first="Emma" last="Malm"], 5’4", McPherson, 2021 - Malm has run the show at McPherson for a couple years now and has the IQ to go with her experience to deal with anything that comes her way. She has good open court handles against presses, has good full-floor vision, and passing strength to get balls to the right teammate at the right time. Not a statistics generator is consistent defensively and can get into the paint to create or finish herself. Malm is uncommitted. [player_tooltip player_id="160909" first="Reaghan" last="Henry"], 5’7", Clay Center, 2021 - Henry was instrumental in her team’s run to the 2020 Class 4A state tournament after the team advanced to the 3A a year ago. She handles with speed in the open court, is able to attack the basket while defended in transition, and has quick hands to pick pockets. She is a quality three point threat off the catch. Henry is uncommitted. [player_tooltip player_id="93974" first="Emajin" last="McCallop"], 5’7", Bishop Miege, 2022 - MAYB Tournament (7/11/20) - Strong build, athletic, fast. Gets to the basket quickly. Good half court vision to distribute. 2020 Eastern Kansas League honorable mention. 2020 state tournament game was the only reason the team stayed in the game the first half against Chapman, due to foul trouble, was her ability to handle the ball, go end to end to score, and her ability to get to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="124975" first="Kieryn" last="Ontjes"], 5’4", Nickerson, 2022 - Solid ball handler with good speed whose three-point shooting makes her basket attacks very effective. Very good 8’ pull-up jumper in the lane. Has good length and elevation on her jump shot. Boxes well and is a solid off-the-ball defender. <h2>Shooting Guards</h2> [player_tooltip player_id="91913" first="Kori" last="Babcock"], 5’6", Chanute, 2021 - MAYB Summer Kickoff (June 2020) - Solid handles, good head fake on the wing. Jumps to the rebound. 2020 KBCA 4A second team. 2020 Southeast Kansas League first team. Averages 19.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.5 steals. Shoots 30% from three (66 made). Shoots 73% FT. Willie Dotson, Lady Prospects Exposure (Nov. 2019) - Perimeter shooter particularly around the high-elbow area. Averaged 11.7 points per game in 2019. Seven made threes vs Labette County. Neosho County Community College. [player_tooltip player_id="123522" first="Kassidy" last="Beam"], 5’7", McPherson, 2021 - Two summers ago Beam put a substantial amount of work in to improve her perimeter shot. Her work has turned her into one of the top money shooters beyond the arc who can rack points in a hurry. Beam also has good speed, solid handles, and defensive quickness. A year ago she averaged 14.6 points, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals. Beam will stay close by at the next level as she will be playing for Tabor College. [player_tooltip player_id="123545" first="Kimalee" last="Cook"], 5’6", Circle, 2021 - <span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"2020 KBCA 4A honorable mention. 2020 AVCTL Div III first team. 1.28.20 Israel - Is averaging 16.5 points, 2 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 4.1 steals per game while shooting 43 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the free throw line hitting 21-28. She has great strength and speed and good handles and the ability to stop and pop from three-point range. 2019 4A state champion in 100 and 200 meters."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4609,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"15":"Verdana"}">Cook averages 16.3 points, 3.7 steals, and 2.2 assists. She is also shooting 33% from three and 73% from the line. She has great speed, good handles, and the ability to stop and pop from three-point range. Cook will play for Southern Nazarene University next season. [player_tooltip player_id="48295" first="Harper" last="Schreiner"], 5’7", Eudora, 2022 - MAYB Summer Kickoff (June 2020) - Schreiner is a scorer with deceiving quickness. With her strong build and mid-range game, including in transition, she is difficult to guard. Tough defensively including works to prevent ball handlers from using screens effectively. [player_tooltip player_id="124982" first="Ali" last="Zeka"], Wellington, 2022 - Zeka has a solid build which she uses to box well with. She has a strong ability to score off the drive, the step back, from beyond the arc, and in traffic. <h3>Combo Guards and Wings</h3> [player_tooltip player_id="91874" first="Grace" last="Pyle"], 5’10", McPherson, 2021 - Pyle has a strong all-around game whose presence on the floor elevates the play of her teammates. Can score off the dribble and on the perimeter, handle the ball well in transition, and distribute in the half court. Notable ability to weak side rebound. Good ball-handler against pressure and can play four positions. Pyle will play for Pittsburg State University next season. [player_tooltip player_id="123513" first="Saydee" last="Tanking"], 5’8", Holton, 2021 - Strong perimeter shooter who gets her shot off quickly. Solid build and transition speed. Usually plays inside but would be a terrific wing at the next level. Tanking is uncommitted. [player_tooltip player_id="94955" first="Carli" last="Carlson"], 5’8", Clearwater, 2023 - Carlson is a very athletic three point shooter with range. She shoots quickly, can beat people off the dribble, has good speed in transition, and has quick hands. Able to head fake in transition to sell a pass and then finish, move well without the ball, and elevate and jump to the ball when rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id="156306" first="Shiney" last="Hughes"], 5’9", Wellington, 2023 - Hughes has solid speed and is a good perimeter shooter with range especially off the catch. Follows her shot and protects the ball well of rebounds or steals.