Opening Night Takeaways : Buhler at Nickerson

Following on the heals of a short schedule of games for Thursday's opening night of basketball season, Friday brought a loaded schedule. This evening I made the short trip from Hutchinson to Nickerson see the Panthers host the Buhler Crusaders. Both programs return a roster of inexperienced/new to me and young players, and tonight was an opportunity to see how much each team has grown over the summer. Below is a quick summary of the game followed by takeaways on several players for each team.   <h3>Game Summary</h3>   On both ends of the floor Nickerson relied on the interior work of their post players on to gain a 12-9 first quarter lead. Buhler had some good interior moments as well but had the majority of their scoring success from the shot creating abilities of a couple guards. The last basket gave the Crusaders a one point half time lead. Buhler would control much of the third quarter action with transition hoops and some timely shooting, leading until Panthers tied the game at 41 with around four and a half minutes left. Starting late in the third quarter Nickerson shifted to perimeter shooting due to constant double teaming of Panther post players by Buhler, canning four three balls leading to the tie. Buhler continued to get transition opportunities and even picked up a couple key offensive rebounds. The Crusaders would outlast Nickerson to escape with a 45-43 win.   <h3>Buhler</h3>   Charley Baxter, 5'8", CG, 2025 - A lefty who loves to work the baseline, Baxter has a solid build to go with some size working guard and small forward positions. Able to score in a variety of ways, Baxter also keeps her head up to find teammates when she draws defenders. Baxter has good strength and transition speed.   [player_tooltip player_id='822712' first='Sammie' last='Brooks'], 5'9", SF, 2025 - Brooks is arguably the team's best athlete. She showed an ability to quickly pull up in transition and hit the challenged 8'-10' jumper, finish with length, work with quickness in the half court and on defense. Brooks has good length and got to the free throw line several times off her scoring looks. Makes her free throws.   Emmie Stallman, 5'10", C, 2023 - With her good physical size and long arms Deviney competed well inside on both ends of the floor. She scored by collecting garbage around the basket as well as out of the block game.   [player_tooltip player_id='539011' first='Gracie' last='Oard'], 5'8", PG, 2025 - Oard played hard every moment she was on the floor. Handles the ball with confidence and with her head up. A strong build for her height, she was hard to force off the ball and stop when she got into a crease creating in the half court. A solid mid-range scoring threat.   [player_tooltip player_id='822746' first='Claudia' last='Taylor'], 5'6", CG, 2025 - While not the quickest laterally Taylor showed good speed as well as athleticism off the catch to get good scoring looks. and Good speed, average quickness, not a strong offensive threat. Showed some athleticism on the catch and shoot   <h3>Nickerson</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='817390' first='Kalyse' last='Abernathy'], 5'9", C, 2024 - Abernathy was able to bully defenders inside to collect several baskets on the block post up, working both directions. She also gathered several rebounds due to strength and athleticism. Solid north-south speed. Eventually got double-teamed every time she touched the ball. Out of it she was able to find open perimeter teammates to hit with a pass, and then move into space for a potential return pass due to defenders releasing.   Carlee MacDonald, 5'10", PF, 2023 - Unless she was basically climbed all over, whomever she was boxing out was not going to touch the rebound. She then elevated well to gather it, controlled it well, and even showed some ability to take off in transition with it. MacDonald elevates well with good timing, scored well around the basket, and hit her free throws well. She hustles, runs well, and can finish off the transition catch at speed.   Adaylee Morrell, 5'6", SG, 2025 - Morrell handled the point from time to time but principally found herself benefiting from good passes while on the perimeter. While not the quickest laterally, Morrell showed herself to be a solid three point threat who hustles and competes well in the half court.   Ayla Ontjes, 5'4", PG, 2024 - Ontjes showed some defensive quickness and a good stroke on the perimeter when shooting in flow. She also has solid transition speed.   Destiny Ponds, 5'5", PG, 2024 - Ponds showed herself to have the best handles on the floor for either team. Very athletic and a very good perimeter shooter, ponds also elevates well near the basket and absorb a hit on the finish. Ponds also has solid defensive quickness.

Following on the heals of a short schedule of games for Thursday's opening night of basketball season, Friday brought a loaded schedule. This evening I made the short trip from Hutchinson to Nickerson see the Panthers host the Buhler Crusaders. Both programs return a roster of inexperienced/new to me and young players, and tonight was an opportunity to see how much each team has grown over the summer. Below is a quick summary of the game followed by takeaways on several players for each team.