My Class 6A All-First Round State Tournament Team

Following on the heals of my class <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/03/my-class-3a-all-first-round-state-tournament-team/">3A team</a> is my 6A All-First Round State Tournament Team. Teams that get knocked out in the quarterfinals of the state tournament are about never included in all-tournament teams. Just the semifinalists are represented. Top performers who should be included get left out. So, after attending the opening day of the 6A tournament, I present my 6A All-First Round State Tournament Team.   [player_tooltip player_id='94954' first='Addyson' last='Brown'], 6'3", PF, Derby, 2023 - Brown powered the Panthers to a hard-fought, close win over Olathe Northwest. She proved to be nearly impossible for the Ravens to stop within six feet of the basket, led dominance on the boards (40-22), made touchdown pass outlet passes to streaking receivers, and played a terrific point forward role bringing up the ball and starting the offense. And while she had 9 turnovers, she scored 18 points and collected 4 assists and 2 steals. Stats aside Brown did a terrific job of getting her floor mates to take a deep breath and settle down when she felt things were getting too ragged and frantic. She led, 'nuff said.   [player_tooltip player_id='522445' first='Ainsley' last='Lister'], 6'0", PF, Blue Valley, 2023 - In the unlikely come-from-behind victory by the tournament's eight seed Lister was huge all game long, making plays and getting big rebounds and points at key moments. She finished through contact and defended Shawnee Mission South standout [player_tooltip player_id='430812' first='Azailah' last='Funches'] well. Lister finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots; stepped in to draw a charge on a driving Raider guard' and hit a couple important free throws at the end. And she canned a corner three. There was not much she did not do. A solidly built post, Lister is not a slash and flash type of player. She hustles, competes, and uses her body and skill set well.   [player_tooltip player_id='192840' first='Jillian' last='Huckabey'], 6'0", SG/PG, Olathe Northwest, 2024 - Huckabey had a day. She gave Derby problems all game with her size, handles, and perimeter shooting. Only in the back court did Derby have some success with her, turning her over 7 times. If she was after a rebound, the far smaller Panther guards could do little with her. With terrific size, length and speed with the ball Huckabey displayed range on her three ball. And being at the top of the Ravens' half court defense her length inhibited perimeter shots and easy basket drives. In a hard fought loss Huckabey finished with half of the Ravens' points (19), 3 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 blocked shots, and an assist.   [player_tooltip player_id='197235' first='Camryn' last='Smith'], 5'9", PG/SG, Shawnee Mission South, 2024 - While Smith is known for her creativity, quickness, and scoring what she did best on the day was defend Blue Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='198386' first='Jadyn' last='Wooten']. Not until the end of the game was Wooten able to shake loose. She used her quickness, length, smarts, speed, and physicality effectively. Although Wooten would finish with 9 points, 5 assists, 4 steals and 8 rebounds she also turned the ball over 5 times. Before fouling out in the overtime loss Smith generated 10 points, 5 offensive rebounds (8 total) and 4 assists to go with 4 turnovers against Wooten. Their individual competition was terrific to watch but Smith just would not let Wooten shake free in half court play.   [player_tooltip player_id='335955' first='Brynnae' last='Johnson'], 5'8", CG, Lawrence, 2025 - It was very difficult to select a Lion to the team due to the depth (9 players in the rotation), physicality, speed, and determination that challenged defending champ Washburn Rural time and again with big runs. They would turn the Lady Blues over 18 times to just 11 for the Lions with their relentless full court pressing and trapping. Had they not spotted Washburn Rural a 9-0 run to start the game the outcome could have been very different. Johnson led all scorers with 21 points (2/6 from three), 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists while turning the ball over three times. With nice size and length, Johnson is the real deal. Her quick hands and feet are effective on both ends, she is terrific off the bounce, and even better in transition (Who missed the left-side, challenged, transition basket using a reverse spin right hand shot?).   [player_tooltip player_id='127286' first='Brooklyn' last='DeLeye'], 6'2", C, Washburn Rural, 2023 - Aside from one sub who playing sparingly, mostly after DeLeye fouled out, Washburn weathered a ferocious full court defensive effort by Lawrence playing only 5 players. But the defending champs had experienced players on the floor who just kept playing, counter-punching everything the Lions threw at them, and playing solid defense without fouling until late. In the center of everything, so to speak, was DeLeye. Finishing with 11 points and 15 big rebounds (7 offensive), the Lady Blues won the battle of the boards 46-26. She showed quickness and speed to breeze by Lawrence posts from the wing, shoot the three, ball skills in transition and in the half court. Her solid defensive play in the face of basket drive after basket drive to alter shots was a huge difference maker.   [player_tooltip player_id='349796' first='Jaliya' last='Davis'], 6'2", C, Blue Valley North, 2025 - With 27 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a blocked shot versus 4 turnovers Davis was the key to the Mustang victory. Arguably the top center in the state, Davis used her great size; length; strength; and transition speed to weather the triple teaming she would face especially on entry passes from the much smaller Wichita Southeast Buffaloes. In a contest featuring two completely contrasting rosters and styles of play the Mustangs took advantage of their interior size and had effective shooting and passing guard playto keep the interior open for her to work.   [player_tooltip player_id='335956' first='Alana' last='Webb'], 5'6", PG, Wichita Southeast, 2025 - Webb made significant contributions of 15 points, especially the long ball game. Shooting 3/6 from beyond the arc Webb showed range and a quick release. She also was part of the tandem of guards who worked to push the ball down the floor to create transition baskets. Blue Valley North was able to limit those in the third quarter, ending it up 11 after only leading the Buffaloes by a point at half time. The Mustangs were able to keep them at arm's length during the fourth to wrap up a 12-point victory.

Following on the heals of my class 3A team is my 6A All-First Round State Tournament Team. Teams that get knocked out in the quarterfinals of the state tournament are about never included in all-tournament teams. Just the semifinalists are represented. Top performers who should be included get left out. So, after attending the opening day of the 6A tournament, I present my 6A All-First Round State Tournament Team.