9 Movers to Know in the Kansas 2022 Rankings
Since the October rankings update several players have strong, if not massive moves, up the ranks. Enjoy a look at nine rank climbers to know as we look ahead to the post-season. Maize South 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="294923" first="Jenna" last="Euhling"], left,…
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Continue ReadingSince the October rankings update several players have strong, if not massive moves, up the ranks. Enjoy a look at nine rank climbers to know as we look ahead to the post-season.
Jenna Euhling Jenna Euhling 5'6" | CG Maize South | 2022 State KS , 5’6″, CG, Maize South – Up until September what made up the bulk of what I was aware of regarding Euling was that she was a terrific shooter. Getting a shortish look at a September showcase event and then a long look against a team loaded with quick guards at the Wichita City League/Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League shootout provided substantial support to rocket Euhling 108 spots up the rankings to #127. Euhling is among the strongest perimeter threats in the city due to her range and swift trigger. She is also solidly built and has strong handles. An extra step of quickness would help her against teams like the Wichita East team that she faced at the shootout. Her frame and IQ enable her to finish well off the catch and drives with contact.
Akeir Scales Akeir Scales 6'1" | PF Wichita East | 2022 State KS , 6’1″, C, Wichita East – Without question Scales is the top defensive center in the Wichita area and it isn’t close. Her length, strength, size and smarts make it difficult for top bigs to catch a pass inside much less score it. A strong multi-sport athlete who can dunk a football on a goal post/grab the rim with two hands, Scales gets up quick and swats and alters shots without fouling. I have long thought if her offensive game catches up, look out below! Slim, athletic, and fast, Scales blasts up 69 spots to #89.
Summer Wieneke Summer Wieneke 5'5" | PG Shawnee Mission North | 2022 State KS , 5’7″, SG, Shawnee Mission North – There is a lot to like about Weineke and her 46 spot move to #53 shows it. Currently averaging 17.1 points per game in the toughest 6A league in Kansas, Weineke is a two-time Sunflower League honorable mention selection. She has 23′ range and an ability to shoot quickly in flow. In the past year she has improved her point guard and defensive skills. She has also improved her ability to lead. Not just a perimeter threat, Weineke has the ability to get into the lane as well.
Macy Smith
Macy
Smith
SF
Hayden | 2022
State
KS
, 5’8″, SG, Hayden – Smith has recovered nicely from a mid-January 2021 knee injury. Her play has vaulted her up 38 spots to #100. She is fast with the ball even in traffic and can finish with either hand on both sides of the rim at speed. Smith shoots quickly off the catch and has deep three point range. Even with the injury Smith came into this season as a two-time Centennial League honorable mention selection.
Anna Eldridge
Anna
Eldridge
5'6" | SG
Peabody-Burns | 2022
State
KS
, 5’8″, SG, Valley Center – Since transferring to Valley Center from Peabody-Burns two seasons ago Eldridge’s game has only continued to grow. Attention from college’s began growing in early 2021 due to her offensive mindset, particularly her high elevation perimeter shooting and earned 2021 AVCTL Div II honorable mention honors. A slashing scorer she has finishing ability and is fast in transition. She is long limbed and combines her length with her quickness and vision to be a major steal threat. When Eldridge’s defensive energy is on she can be disruptive and create several transition baskets. Eldridge advanced 21 spots to #63.
Brooke Berlin Brooke Berlin 6'1" | C Clearwater | 2022 State KS , 6’2″, PF, Clearwater – Up 20 spots to #83 – Berlin has long used her quickness on both ends of the floor but this season she has been an absolute physical beast. The returning AVCTL Div IV second teamer and The Tabor College commit climbed 20 spots to #83 on the back of her strength around the basket on both ends of the floor, her quickness to play the point on the press, speed, length, and good hands. Have hung nearly 20 points on teams like Circle and Wellington, she shoots quickly off the catch and does a good job of keeping the ball up high off rebounds to go back up or to clear to her guards.
Jada Hopson Jada Hopson 5'8" | SG Derby | 2022 State KS , 5’8″, SG, Derby – The 2022 class includes an abundance of shooting guards so climbing 20 spots #188 is a big deal. In addition to catching her against Hutchinson in January I also saw her at two showcase events including at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Exposure Event in Kansas City. She is an athletic player who can play with an edge. She has shown quickness with the ball and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. Hopson also uses her solid build well not just in transition to finish with contact but also to post up other guards inside. Using her quick hops and release she can score inside and from beyond the arc. She does have a couple rough edges that can easily be sharpened. I would like to see her gain an extra half step of quickness to defend on the wing and to transition on breaks in a position to catch and finish rather than down the middle of the floor. I love her potential.
Rachel Fischer Rachel Fischer 6'0" | PF Medicine Lodge | 2022 State KS , 6’0″, C, Medicine Lodge – Over the past couple of years Fischer has been improving her quickness and athleticism to catch up with her strength and offensive capabilities. Climbing 10 spots to #81 Fischer has emerged as one of leading scorers and rebounders in the state, averaging a big double-double of 24.3 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. Fischer is blessed with a great frame, lengthy arms, and great hands. A physical player, she is among the most automatic scorers around the basket to be seen because she knows how to score with contact; score over other bigs; runs the screen roll as good as anybody; and has a variety of shots in her face up and back to basket games. She also is a 75% from the foul line shooter, hits the mid-range shot well; and has three point range. Kudos to Northern Oklahoma College – Enid for landing Fischer’s commitment to play after high school.
Aisya Taylor Aisya Taylor 5'10" | SF Highland Park | 2022 State KS , 5’9″, CG/SF, Highland Park – Jumping 9 spots to #118, Taylor brings athleticism, hops, strength, and rebounding. With her transition speed she is able to finish well. She is also a heady perimeter shooter with a quick release who moves well into space.
Featured image: Wichita East 2022 Akeir Scales Akeir Scales 6'1" | PF Wichita East | 2022 State KS , right, challenges Maize South 2023 Avery Lowe Avery Lowe 6'3" | PF Maize South | 2023 State KS . Photo: Robert Kelly.