League Preview : United Kansas Conference

Big changes in the make-up of the United Kansas Conference could not just result in the crowning of a new league champion but a team that was not part of the conference a season ago. With Topeka Seaman and Topeka West joining from the Centennial League and Kansas City - Piper from the Frontier League League, the UKC now comprises nine teams. Below is a quick look at returning players to know for each team.   Basehor-Linwood (2022 record 14-5)   [player_tooltip player_id='606249' first='Harley' last='Baker'], 5'7", CG, 2024 - UKC honorable mention. Derek Wiley quoted Coach Jason Tatkenhorst Nov. 23 in the Leavenworth Times as saying "She's so good at being in the right spot, whether it's a rebound or a putback." Plays with a lot of confidence.   Taylor Cruse, 5'4", PG 2023 - The UKC honorable mention selection has good transition speed and quickness. Leads the two-on-one break with good spacing. Solid mid-range shooter with plenty of air under the ball. Cruse is a Ohio State University   [player_tooltip player_id='396412' first='Kodi' last='Greer'], 5'6", PG/SG, 2024 - The second team UKC selection had a terrific summer and was named to a pair all-event <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2022/11/notes-on-team-5-kansas-pgh-top-250-expo/">teams</a> at the of Kansas Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo that was held back in October. Many players defend with physicality and have terrific lateral quickness and hand speed like Greer does. What separates her is her great balance and positioning.   [player_tooltip player_id='522434' first='Emma' last='Johnson'], 5'5", CG, 2023 - A tough player who missed substantial time last season and over the summer due to injuries. In early January the Leavenworth Times she was tabbed as one of Leavenworth County's 10 players to watch. She was described as "One of the Bobcats best overall players, Johnson can fill up the scorebook in points, rebounds and assists." Great athlete who can take players off the bounce and shoot from the perimeter.   De Soto (2022 record 15-8)   [player_tooltip player_id='298582' first='Mack' last='Carson'], 5'8", CG, 2023 - Carson only one of two returning all-UKC first team selections and leads a sizeable group of returners that earned a trip to the 5A state tournament. A lefty, Carson will shake defenders with a strong head and shoulder fake to get to the basket. A dangerous perimeter shooter, the lefty will pull the trigger from just inside the parking lot. Legit 30' range.   [player_tooltip player_id='743327' first='Violet' last='Conley'], SF, 2024 - Conley is a returning UKC second team selection. Conley is a do everything player who competes inside, plays on the perimeter, and works well in transition.   [player_tooltip player_id='539007' first='Makenzie' last='Farmer'], 5'9", CG, 2025 - Farmer has the build and footwork to keep basket drives in front and to wall up well to challenge interior shots. Active and physical, Farmer actively boxes on the perimeter away from the shot. She also is the team's best shot blocker.   [player_tooltip player_id='453778' first='Ava' last='O'Brien'], 5'11", PF, 2024 - Long with good, athletic size O'Brien has good north-south transition speed and will be counted on to provide a strong interior presence.   [player_tooltip player_id='668859' first='Addison' last='Tower'], PG, 2024 - A UKC honorable mention selection, Tower has quick hands and protects the ball well with her body when handling. On the move, Tower will stop on the dime to pop the quick release three off the catch. she also will pull the quick trigger off the dribble. Tower is fast and athletic.   Lansing (2022 record 20-5)   Ashlynn Jaccard, 5'8", SF/PF, 2024 - Only one of two players returning from the rotation on last season's 5A state tournament run.   [player_tooltip player_id='390363' first='Skylar' last='Weaver'], 5'8", SG, 2023 - The only returning starter from Lansing's 5A fourth place state tournament run, Weaver averaged 9.5, points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals. Arguably the top perimeter shooter in the league, Weaver shot a whopping 40% from three (36/90) and 68% from the line. Weaver also had a healthy 1.43 assists to turnovers ratio.   Leavenworth (2022 record 7-13)   [player_tooltip player_id='349797' first='Avi' last='Garrett'], 5'7", CG, 2025 - Garrett's SHOtime club coach Jason Tatkenhorst commented to me that Garrett, while not polished, is athletic and can get to the rim. Also, when she does get polished, "look out!" Garrett has good transition quickness, speed with the ball, good length, and trickiness as a defender. She is also a solid free throw shooter.   [player_tooltip player_id='335965' first='Monece' last='Thomas'], 5'7", CG, 2023 - PGH Top 250 Expo Oct 2022 Shawnee - The only returning starter, Thomas has a solid build and showed consistent athleticism.  She hustled back well on defense against run-out plays and had awareness to pick off the leading pass.  She is also able to absorb contact on finishes.   Kylee West, 5'8", SF/PF, 2024 - Derek Wiley, in the November 22 Leavenworth Times, quotes coach Ryan Foster as describing West as "...super physical and athletic, just snatches rebounds." Expected to be an impact player around the paint.   Piper (2022 record 3-17)   Sage Grann, 5'11", SF/PF, 2024 - A Frontier League honorable mention selection last season, Grann has a solid build and is a physical competitor around the paint. Grann is a Southern Illinois University softball commit.   Avary Vallejo, PG, 2025 - Quick with strong handles, fast with the ball in transition.   Tatum Vallejo, PG, 2023 - Quick with solid handles and good transition speed. Able to shoot the three ball with range.   [player_tooltip player_id='231415' first='Lauren' last='Marron'], 5'5", PG, 2024 - Marron returned to summer ball in late August after missing the majority of last season due to a knee injury. While Marron will not be the fastest player on the floor she uses her handles and court awareness to create in the half court and lead transition play. She is also a solid three point threat. As she continues to gain strength expect more of her quickness to return as well.   Shawnee Heights (2022 record 10-11)   [player_tooltip player_id='606232' first='Breezy' last='Canaday'], 5'5", PG, 2024 - Canady is a Top Sports News player to watch. Rick Peterson wrote that she is "...one of the most experienced players..." and averaged 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals as a season ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='127284' first='Emari' last='Doby'], 5'10", SG, 2023 - Doby is only one of two returning all-UKC first team selections. Offers from Newman University, Bethel College, and several Jucos in different states. I first saw Doby at the very first Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo back in 2019. She more than held her own against a very strong field and showed a great deal of play making ability. She plays inside and out, is a credible perimeter threat, and plays well in transition with good vision. Will work over shorter defenders inside.   Haydin Hill, 5'6", SG, 2023 - Hill has active feet on both ends of the floor and good speed in transition with the ball. Finishes at speed with length, Hill also keeps her eyes on the ball to gather a weak side offensive rebound.   Topeka Seaman (2022 record 16-6)   [player_tooltip player_id='349798' first='Anna' last='Becker'], 5'10", CG, 2025 - Becker, already with a offer from Drake University in her pocket, earned Centennial League first team and newcomer of the year honors a season ago. She also was a Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 5A honorable mention selection. Very head and athletic, Becker jumps well and has good speed. She can play three positions and led the team in scoring last season at 14 points per game. She is a Top Sports News player to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='231289' first='Taylin' last='Stallbaumer'], 5'7", PG, 2024 - I first saw the second team Centennial League selection at Salina Central for a 2021 first round 5A state playoff game. Starting as a freshman against a very strong Mustangs team, she is a clear floor leader with creativity and three level scoring ability. She averaged 11 points last season, around 2.5 steals and assists, and canned 43 three pointers. Very fast, very quick. She is a Top Sports News player to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='766538' first='Ava' last='Esser'], 6'1", C, 2025 - An impact player in the post a season ago, foes will have to wait a year to engage her as Esser will miss the season due to injury. She earned Centennial League honorable mention honors as a freshman.   [player_tooltip player_id='231284' first='Brooklyn' last='Gormley'], 6'0", C, 2024 - Like Stallbaumer I first saw Gormly at Salina Central for a 2021 first round 5A state playoff game. Coming off the bench Gormly then, she brought height; length; rebounding; and raw ability to the team. Two seasons removed the Top Sports News player to watch will bring size, experience, and an all-around game to the middle.   Topeka West (2022 record 2-19)   [player_tooltip player_id='669098' first='Zoe' last='Clark'], 5'7", CG, 2024 - Clark was a Centennial League honorable mention selection in 2022. A Top Sports News 20 players to watch selection, Rick Peterson wrote that Clark averaged "... 5.2 points and 1.5 steals and hitting 13 3-pointers for Topeka West...."   [player_tooltip player_id='597029' first='Jazmyn' last='Ford'], 5'9", SF, 2023 - A Top Sports News 20 players to watch selection, Rick Peterson wrote "Ford is a top returner for Topeka West, earning TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention in the 2021-2022 season. Ford averaged a team-high 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals and shot 55 percent from 2-point range last season for the 2-18 Chargers." Ford is wiry, athletic, and is fast with the ball in transition.   [player_tooltip player_id='191476' first='MaKinsey' last='Jones'], 5'11", SF/PF, 2023 - Lanky with some mid-range and perimeter shooting ability. Competes inside, looks to box. Jumps well to rebound. Good transition speed.   Turner (2022 record 3-18)   Arlyne Carrillo, 5'5", PG, 2023 - Carrillo, a UKC honorable mention selection, has handles to set defenders up to get beat to the basket straight up or off a quick crossover. Athletic with good transition speed.   Jerzey Hanna, PG, 2025 - Hanna has a growing game in the handles department. As she gains in experience, quickness, and speed she will be able to create more consistently.

Big changes in the make-up of the United Kansas Conference could not just result in the crowning of a new league champion but a team that was not part of the conference a season ago. With Topeka Seaman and Topeka West joining from the Centennial League and Kansas City - Piper from the Frontier League League, the UKC now comprises nine teams. Below is a quick look at returning players to know for each team.