Standouts from 4A #8 Wellington at 3A #2 Cheney

Robert Kelly December 11, 2021 @ 12:55 AM

The class 4A #8 ranked Wellington Crusaders traveled to the defending class 3A #2 ranked Cheney Cardinals for an early season measuring stick game. Two freshman joined three experienced, returning experienced starters for Wellington while Cheney returned a big, experienced team working out their identity following the graduation of shooting guard Kylee Sheer (now at Emporia State University) and Lexi Cline, consistently one of the top point guards in the state in assists to turnover ratio.

Both teams were inconsistent. Each showed strengths, including resilience, as well as areas needing substantial improvement if either will seriously challenge for a state tournament birth. Wellington nearly ran away with the game by half time. Cheney took a 46-45 lead late before finally falling 55-49.

Below is a look at players who stood out for both teams.

Cheney

Brynn McCormick Brynn McCormick 5'7" | SG Scott Community | 2022 State KS , 5’7″, SG, 2022 – McCormick racked up 21 points including a hat trick of three pointers. She was the team’s most effective scorer off the bounce, played some point, and also frequently matched up defensively with Wellington PG Valorie Norwood.

Leah Durr Leah Durr 5'11" | PF Norwich | 2023 State KS , 6’0″, C, 2022 – Finishing with 10 points, including 4/6 from the stripe, and at least a half dozen rebounds, Durr showed great strength and effective positioning inside. She also caught nearly every entry pass lofted to her. A college coach in attendance afterward told me he would never take her off the floor unless she needed a quick blow – a high complement.

Olivia Albers Olivia Albers 5'10" | SF Cheney | 2022 State KS , 5’10″, SF/PF, 2022 – While Albers did not pack the stat sheets her presence on the floor was huge. Outside of McCormick, Albers was the team’s best off the bounce player. She was quite effective working from the elbow areas. She also showed quickness and back court handles against pressure. Defensively she closed out on potential perimeter shooters consistently well.

Campbell Hague Campbell Hague 6'2" | PF Cheney | 2023 State KS , 6’2″, C, 2023 – Hague was very active. Despite scoring just 4 points she finished with several blocked shots, a couple assists, a couple turnovers, and a couple steals. While she occasionally looked to get to the basket from the free throw line area, Hague was most effective out of her post game. She made a slick under-the-basket, over-the-rim lay-in.

Elina Bartlett, SG, 2022 – Bartlett played a big role in the Cheney second half rally. Finishing with 3 assists, 3 steals, and a pair of turnovers, she also buried a pair of three balls on the way to scoring 9 points. Whether off the catch or using a dribble to set her feet Bartlett was an effective perimeter shooter. As Bartlett’s confidence on the floor grew her athleticism increased. Definitely great timing to show her potential.

Wellington

Ali Zeka Ali Zeka 5'8" | CG Wellington | 2022 State KS , 5’9″, SG/SF, 2022 – Playing through an injury Zeka was instrumental in the Crusader’s run to break the game open by half time. Foul trouble plagued her in the second half. She eventually fouled out with approximately 7 minutes to go in the game. Finishing with ten points, Zeka showed the ability to score at all three levels and to split defenders off the bounce. She also tossed out a sweet spin move left from the top of the key, finishing with a scoop shot. Zeka spent a great deal of the game defending the 6’2″ Hague inside.

Ashlyn Gerten Ashlyn Gerten 5'4" | PG Wellington | 2023 State KS , 5’4″, PG, 2023 – Gerten played tough on both ends of the floor matched up with Cheney PG Brookelyn Wewe. She picked up full court, hit the mid-range jumper, got to the free throw line (5/6), picked up a few steals, and hit a huge corner three late after Cheney took a 46-45 lead late. At times she made defenders look like they were playing a matador defense.

Valerie Norwood Valerie Norwood 5'7" | CG Wellington | 2025 State KS , 5’7″, PG, 2025 – Norwood made a solid argument for being the most athletic Crusader on the floor. She used it to go effect using her half court vision to pick off ball reversals, handle the ball in transition and against half court pressure, and in creating off the catch. She did have a nearly a half dozen turnovers but she also defended well on the perimeter and used her length to good effect. Norwood showed very quick moves off the bounce to create. She led Wellington with 16 points.

Airalyn Frame Airalyn Frame SG Belle Plain | 2022 State KS , 5’7″, SG, 2022 – Frame showed good vision off baseline drives to kick the ball in traffic to the corner or the opposite wing as well as make teams pay for fouling her when she gets to the basket. Finishing with 11 points, including 5/6 from the line, Frame showed creativity with the ball, solid speed in transition, and overall headiness.