Standouts From the Seaman at Salina Central 5A State Quarterfinal

Topeka Seaman traveled to Salina Central for a class 5A state quarterfinal game Monday night, March 8.  The Vikings, who entered the game with a 8-12 record had upset Emporia in their sub-state final to advance to State.  Salina Central, 17-4, reached the state after outlasting rival Salina South in their sub-state championship game.  This article highlights several players who stood out in Salina Central’s 66-38 win. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Salina Central</span> [caption id="attachment_261568" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-261568" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/Mykayla-Cunningham-2023-Salina-Central-300x280.jpg" alt="Salina Central 2023 [player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="140" /> Salina Central 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="94956" first="Mykala" last="Cunningham"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="94956" first="Mykala" last="Cunningham"], 5’9", SF, 2023 -- Cunningham was consistently battling Seaman’s ball handlers. Her length and quick hands deflected several passes and generated a pair of half-court steals that she her speed enabled her to scoop up and turn into layups, including a bucket right as the second quarter was ending.  Cunningham’s strong handles and quickness with the ball proved to be difficult for Seaman to defend especially when she worked off the bounce to get to the paint. She finished with 5 points but the two steals for layups were huge. [player_tooltip player_id="23467" first="Aubrie" last="Kierscht"], 5’6", PG/SG, 2022 -- Kierscht had a monster game on the offensive end in scoring a personal record 34 points.  After scoring 12 points in the first quarter, including a pair of threes, she would finish the game with 6 threes and 6/6 from the line.  Repeatedly she was able to create space on the perimeter with some subtle quickness to create a shot or just take advantage of space allowed.  She was also able to get into the lane to score or draw a foul. [caption id="attachment_261570" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-261570" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/Chaliscia-Samilton-2022-Salina-Central-300x296.jpg" alt="Salina Central 2022 [player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="148" /> Salina Central 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="158591" first="Chaliscia" last="Samilton"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="158591" first="Chaliscia" last="Samilton"], 5’11", C, 2022 -- Samilton had an extremely difficult time getting opportunities to catch entry passes due to the tight Seaman interior defense.  Although she scored 9 points, what she was successful at was tying up interior defenders and in the rebounding department.  Second chance points and just getting touches to move the ball around freed up teammates for scoring. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Topeka Seaman</span> [caption id="attachment_261571" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-261571 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/JahnAsia-Anderson-2021-Seaman-300x290.jpg" alt="Seaman 2021 JahnAsia Anderson following the ball to go rebound." width="150" height="145" /> Seaman 2021 JahnAsia Anderson. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption] <strong>JahnAsia Anderson</strong>, 5’7", C, 2021 - Anderson had a terrific final game of her high school career.  Because of her strength, length, and smarts Samilton could not push her around nor get many clean looks for entry passes and was the primary reason why Samilton’s 9 points were mostly quiet ones.  Anderson showed the ability to drive the lane and finish with both hands, protect the ball, and transition with speed.  She finished 7 points and had many shots rejected but she was an absolute force defensively. [caption id="attachment_261572" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-261572" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/Brooklyn-Gormley-2024-Seaman-For-Three-300x296.jpg" alt="Seaman 2024 [player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="148" /> Seaman 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="231284" first="Brooklyn" last="Gormley"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="231284" first="Brooklyn" last="Gormley"], 6’0", PF, 2024 - The biggest mismatch Seaman benefited from was Gormley’s presence on the floor when Anderson was also on the floor or Samilton was on the bench.  Leading the Vikings in scoring with 11 points she showed perimeter shooting ability knocking down a three, ability to finish around the rim with both hands on both sides of the basket off the catch or post move, and that she’s money from the line (4/4).  The Mustangs had nothing for her unless Samilton matched up with her. [caption id="attachment_261573" align="alignleft" width="155"]<img class="wp-image-261573" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/Taylin-Stallbaumer-2024-Seaman-Baseline-Drive-300x274.jpg" alt="Seaman 2024 [player_tooltip player_id=" width="155" height="142" /> Seaman 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="231289" first="Taylin" last="Stallbaumer"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="231289" first="Taylin" last="Stallbaumer"], 5’7", PG, 2024 -Stallbaumer made a statement about her game by scoring the games first three and how she ran the show in the half court.  And while she showed up very strong handles, quickness off the bounce, and speed with the ball what stood out the most was her poise.  Even as Salina Central roared back after the Vikings scored the game’s first 5 points to take a 15-7 lead into the second quarter, and made other runs, she never looked frustrated or shook up.  Ultimately Stallbaumer would finish with 7 points including 3/4 from the line. <em>Featured image: Salina Central 2022 Aubrie Kirscht. Photo: Robert Kelly</em>