Nebraska Girls Basketball Showcase – Anselmo-Merna, Cross County

PGH Nebraska will preview the prospects that will be competing in the Nebraska Girls Basketball Showcase that will take place Saturday, January 8th at Kearney High School. Weather permitting, I will be in attendance and have coverage of the event. Beforehand, I will preview the standout prospects to watch from each team. Should be a good day of basketball! Let’s first get to know some prospects from the first matchup: Anselmo-Merna Coyotes (6-3) vs. Cross County Cougars (6-3). Both teams are coming off of wins on January 27th. Anselmo-Merna has a couple prospects with length on the inside and versatility on the perimeter. The two, [player_tooltip player_id="369320" first="Jaide" last="Chandler"] (2022) and [player_tooltip player_id="369315" first="Shaylyn" last="Safranek"] (2023), combined for 33 points in their game on Monday. I haven't seen these teams extensively, but have a good feel on the standout prospects, and those with a special skill to one or two areas of the game. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Cross County Cougars (6-3)</strong></span> <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">[player_tooltip player_id="369243" first="Josie" last="Noble"] </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">- 5’6 G 2022 - Cross County - </strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Josie is a leading guard and the second leading scorer for Cross County, with 9.3 ppg. She opened the season with 20 points and also had a 17 point game. She’s a highly active guard on the defensive side of the ball and plays with a ton of overall energy and quickness.</span> <p style="text-align: left;">[player_tooltip player_id="369152" first="Chloe" last="Sandell"] <strong>- 5’11 F 2022 - Cross County - </strong>Chloe is a starting forward for Cross County. Chloe can play inside and battle with consistency, and also roams around a little. Mostly likes to find a body and loves contact.</p> [player_tooltip player_id="369218" first="Lilly" last="Peterson"] <strong>- 5’10 G 2024 - Cross County - </strong>Lilly has good size as a 5’10 guard and is a vital piece to the Cross County team. She chips in quite nicely in all major stat categories, with 9.6 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 1.6 apg., and 3.1 stls. She can be a threat from three-point land. <strong style="font-size: 18pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Anselmo-Merna Coyotes (6-3)</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="369326" first="Kirsten" last="Myers"] <strong>- 5’6 G 2022 - Anselmo-Merna - </strong>Kirsten is very solid and a steady contributor across the board. 7.6 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 3.0 apg., and 3.4 stls. [player_tooltip player_id="369322" first="Hadlee" last="Safranek"] <b>- 5’8 G 2022 - Anselmo-Merna - </b>Hadlee is a very long guard and long arms for her listed 5’8. She uses her length to make plays on defense. Scored 11 points Monday. [player_tooltip player_id="369320" first="Jaide" last="Chandler"] <strong>- 5’11 F 2022 - Anselmo-Merna - </strong>Jaide is a long, versatile playmaker for her team. After the eight game mark, she has averages of 14.4 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 3.0 stls., and 1.5 blks. Jaide is the definition of versatility, as she can play with length inside and bring the ball up-court as well. She is the top prospect in this matchup and is added to the next upcoming rankings update. Jaide can be top of a press and run-and-jump, trap, etc. She will score inside then immediately turn around and press full-court. <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">[player_tooltip player_id="369315" first="Shaylyn" last="Safranek"] </span><b style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">- 5’11 F 2023 - Anselmo-Merna - </b>Shaylyn is athletic as can be, and also has a lot of toughness to her game. Runs the floor at an A+. Putting in 14.0 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.7 stls., and 2.0 blks. per. [player_tooltip player_id="369400" first="RayLee" last="Downing"] <strong>- 5’5 G 2022 - Anselmo-Merna - </strong>RayLee's defense on the ball is standout excellent. Wise and aggressive on the ball.