GWAL/AVCTL Shootout : Takeaways from Wichita East v Maize South

My first full game of the night was between two of the top teams from the two leagues: Greater Wichita Area League’s Wichita East and Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League’s Maize South. Both teams are deep and experienced at every position.  Several players have offers or are already committed to play collegiately, including in sports other than basketball. Playing on the big Wichita State Shockers’ home floor of Koch Arena enabled players to take advantage of the extra space to show their game. <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Maize South </span></h2> [player_tooltip player_id="191470" first="Avery" last="Lowe"], 6’1", PF, 2023 - The recent University of Nebraska-Kearney commit finished with 7 points including 5/9 from the line. Lowe consistently shined on both ends of the floor with her activity. She moved well off the ball flashing to the ball, setting screens, and giving guards good targets inside.  Defensively she used her peripheral vision to deny passing lanes to cutters and step up to defend on the perimeter.  The fourth quarter she really challenged the Blue Aces post players on the block. [caption id="attachment_361505" align="alignleft" width="160"]<img class="wp-image-361505" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Jenna-Euling-2022-Maize-South-1-300x296.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="158" /> Maize South 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="294923" first="Jenna" last="Euhling"]. Photo: Robert Kelly,[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="294923" first="Jenna" last="Euhling"], 5’6", SG, 2022 - Euhling really had a difficult time beating the quick, physical, and speedy group of guards East runs out but she shook lose in the third quarter and showed her perimeter prowess.  Euhling has strong handles, good strength, and scoring ability but her perimeter shooting with range sets her apart. Going 3/3 from the line, she also can complete old-fashioned three point plays. Euling finished with 17 points with a pair of three balls. [caption id="attachment_361511" align="alignright" width="160"]<img class="wp-image-361511" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Isis-Sanders-2022-Maize-South-300x274.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="146" /> Maize South 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="125011" first="Isis" last="Sanders"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="125011" first="Isis" last="Sanders"], 5’9", CG, 2022 - Playing for her third Wichita area team, watching Sanders go up against her teammates from last season was a treat. Sanders played smart, kept her head in frustrating situations, and showed her physical strength playing on the three.  She took quality shots, solidly battled the quickness of the East defenders, and overall played within herself on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id="265120" first="Ava" last="Howie"], 5’9", SF, 2024 - Howie was a big part of the third quarter explosion that powered the Mavericks past East.  Finishing with a pair of three pointers and 6/6 from the line, Howie racked up 16 points.  A solidly build small forward, she showed solid speed and ability to move into space in anticipation of a shot attempt off a feed. [caption id="attachment_361496" align="alignleft" width="160"]<img class="wp-image-361496" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Alexa-Davison-2023-Maize-South-272x300.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="176" /> Maize South 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="260026" first="Alexa" last="Davison"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="260026" first="Alexa" last="Davison"], 5’6", SG, 2023 - While Davison did not score she worked hard using her speed, athleticism, quickness, and handles combating the extremely deep East back court bring the ball up the floor, defending perimeter shots, otherwise working hard from the top of the 2-3 zone. [caption id="attachment_361497" align="alignright" width="160"]<img class="wp-image-361497" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Piper-McCann-2023-Maize-South-289x300.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="166" /> Maize South 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="227855" first="Piper" last="McCann"]. Photo: Robert Kelly[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="227855" first="Piper" last="McCann"], 5’3", PG, 2023 - Without question McCann will be the straw that stirs the Maverick drink.  She has a strong ball handler with speed, quickness, court awareness, and a mature game combating back court pressure and partnering with Davison on the top of the 2-3 zone.  I really liked her toughness against a very physical East team and loved her quick, catchable passes off the bounce or as entry passes. McCann finished with three points. &nbsp; <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wichita East</span></h2> [player_tooltip player_id="124980" first="Asia" last="Dawson"], 5’6", SG, 2022 - Asia showed herself to be a strong defender and that her perimeter shooting game has caught up to the rest of her game.  Finishing with 11 points, including a pair of made three balls, Dawson is fast, physical, and very quick.  She continues to like the challenge of defending an opponent’s best ball handler. [caption id="attachment_361524" align="alignright" width="160"]<img class="wp-image-361524 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Aubree-Dawson-2022-Wichita-East-Isis-Sanders-2022-Maize-South-300x263.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="140" /> Wichita East 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="191199" first="Aubree" last="Dawson"] challenges Maize South 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="125011" first="Isis" last="Sanders"] for a rebound. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="191199" first="Aubree" last="Dawson"], 5’6", PG, 2022 - Aubree’s perimeter game did not stand out but she did finish with 5 points.  Like her sister Asia, she elevates well and with power on her jumpers. Like the rest of the team, Dawson is a physical defender and loves the transition game.  Her head is always up looking for opportunities and is the team’s best attacker off the bounce. [caption id="attachment_361517" align="alignleft" width="160"]<img class="wp-image-361517" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Tiana-Winn-2022-Wichita-East-Jenna-Euhling-2022-Maize-South-300x293.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="156" /> Wichita East 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="94012" first="Tiana" last="Winn"] positions to box out Jenna Maize South 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="294923" first="Jenna" last="Euhling"] on a shot. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="94012" first="Tiana" last="Winn"], 6’0", SF, 2022 - Like other East bigs Winn plays a physical defensive game.  She is also the Blue Aces strongest offensive threat inside due to her ability to create and extend on mid-range jumpers and handles to create a variety of shots.  Fast and athletic, Winn is also a formidable interior defender who elevates well when rebounding and on the finish.  She finished with 5 points. [player_tooltip player_id="191223" first="Akeir" last="Scales"], 6’1", PF, 2022 - Especially in the fourth quarter when the Mavericks repeatedly tossed the ball inside to Lowe, Scales showed why she is by far the best defensive center in the league. Strong, physical, and with superior hops Scales plays well denying over the top as well as from behind.  She alters shots consistently and even nearly took a head off at the scorer’s table with a volleyball spike sounding shot block on the wing.  Long and fast, Scales also can make the elite play whipping the ball to a perimeter shooter from the baseline. [player_tooltip player_id="223391" first="Denae" last="McElrath"], 5’7", CG, 2022 - While it has been a year+ since I have really seen her show her stuff McElrath is a lengthy, physical, fast, and quick defender. McElrath has solid handles and is a perimeter threat, finishing with 5 points.  McElrath is arguably one of the most off-the-radar players in the city. [caption id="attachment_361536" align="alignright" width="160"]<img class="wp-image-361536 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/Jalyiah-Manuel-2024-Wichita-East-207x300.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="232" /> Wichita East 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="335962" first="Jalyiah" last="Manuel"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="360940" first="Ariaunna" last="Moore"], 5’7", SG, 2023 - Moore was on the receiving in of that elite kick-out by Scales and proved she is a strong jump shooter off the catch.  Like her running mates, Moore is fast, quick, strong, physical, and a terrific defender. As a group they limited the Maverick starting trio of Sanders/Davison/McCann to few points and generated a bunch of turnovers. [player_tooltip player_id="335962" first="Jalyiah" last="Manuel"], 6’0", PF, 2024 -  Manual came off the bench and showed that she uses her size, strength, speed, and quickness to great effect.  On the raw and unpolished side defensively, she held her own inside when the Mavericks made a concerted effort in the fourth quarter to go at her and Scales - generating turnovers, challenging shots, and gathering rebounds.  Manual has a high ceiling so people need to be watching.  Manual got to the line frequently, but only hit 5/10 to score her only points. <em>Featured image: Maize South 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="191470" first="Avery" last="Lowe"] 2023 faces up with the ball against Wichita East 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="191223" first="Akeir" last="Scales"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.</em> &nbsp; &nbsp;