Players to Watch at the 2023 3A State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class 3A state tournament begins Wednesday, March 8, at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson. Take a look at one of the many key players from each team. Players are listed in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":174864,"width":100,"height":100,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/05/Taryn-Sides-2023-Phillipsburg.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-174864" width="100" height="100" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='94968' first='Taryn' last='Sides'] Phillipsburg 2023 CG from 2020 3A state tournament. Photo by Robert Kelly</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='94968' first='Taryn' last='Sides'], 5'7", CG, Phillipsburg, 2023 - The Kansas State commit is among the most dominant players in the state regardless of class. She reaches the State Tournament for the first time since her freshman year and looks to lead her top-seeded [mascot] to finish the season as undefeated champion. Extremely unselfish, Sides has always made everyone she plays with better. What she is most known for is scoring and does it in many, many ways. Sides has a shot at reaching the top 15 scorers in Kansas girls basketball history. Long-limbed with quick hands, she has a high basketball IQ and a quick step. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":554644,"width":106,"height":107,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/Lindsay-Cure-right-2023-and-Olivia-Lehman-2023-Goodland.jpg?w=425" alt="" class="wp-image-554644" width="106" height="107" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Goodland 2023s [player_tooltip player_id='298246' first='Lindsay' last='Cure'], right, and [player_tooltip player_id='298247' first='Olivia' last='Lehman']. Photo: Robert Kelly</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='298246' first='Lindsay' last='Cure'], 6'0", Power Forward, Goodland, 2023 - Cure is arguably the best post defender in the class and had a major role in smothering Silver Lake's post game on the way to win the 2022 state title. An active player with quick feet, strength, and length she has long taken on the task of defending opposing team's top post player. She is also a substantial threat on the offensive end. Cure uses her physical skills to post-up and to finish through contact. A terrific athlete, Cure is committed to play volleyball for Regis University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":335618,"width":192,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/10/86-Hattie-Pyle-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-335618" width="192" height="256" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Frontenac 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='191489' first='Hattie' last='Pyle']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='191489' first='Hattie' last='Pyle'], 5'7", PG, Frontenac, 2023 - Pyle led her team through the Girard sub-state and soundly beat top seed Cherryvale to get to the state tournament. A starter in her fourth straight tournament, Pyle has one of the highest basketball IQs around. Pyle is athletic, strong, and elevates well on scores and rebounds. A player who can score at all three levels, she is a very in-control player who keeps her head up looking for opportunities in transition and the half court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='265128' first='Ashley' last='Singhateh'], PG, Eureka, 2023 - Regardless of class Singhateh is among the most athletic players in the state and has terrorized defenses with her speed, agility, and hops for four years. She puts together an extremely quick first step, serious hops, and speed off the bounce to score over and around defenders. Singhateh is also a threat in the mid-range and perimeter games. She pushes game tempo very well and makes down-the-floor passes well to pick up an assist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='453757' first='Makenzie' last='McDaniel'], 6'0", C, Silver Lake, 2023 - Silver Lake returns everybody from last season's tournament team that lost to eventual champion Goodland in the semis. McDaniel will again be a key to the team's success with her size and strong post game. She catches entry passes well and has been a double-double player in points and rebounds for the past two seasons. If opponents do not have strength and size inside McDaniel can take over a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":459336,"width":157,"height":106,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/07/Makenzie-McDaniel-2024-Silver-Lake-Boxing-Out.jpg?w=629" alt="" class="wp-image-459336" width="157" height="106" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Silver Lake 2023 McKenzie McDaniel, left. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396406' first='Kaelee' last='Washington'], 5'10", PF, Santa Fe Trail, 2023 - The Kansas softball commit has been a strong player for the Chargers for a couple years. She is quick and has a good wing span. Using her athleticism and transition speed shes those attributes well to slide between defenders on the finish. Washington is very solid at staying with the ball in transition to challenge shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":409686,"width":111,"height":106,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/Leah-Durr-2023-Cheney-KS-Dream-Team.1.jpg?w=444" alt="" class="wp-image-409686" width="111" height="106" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cheney 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='227692' first='Leah' last='Durr']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='227692' first='Leah' last='Durr'], 5'11", C, Cheney, 2023 - Durr is no stranger to state tournament action, having been a member of the 2021 state champion team. As college coaches have commented to me, Durr is put together. With solid size on a terrific frame she is a strong player who elevates well, which she does quickly off entry passes and offensive rebounds. She changes ends, boxes, and creates space inside well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='94966' first='CJ' last='Rignell'], 5'7", PG, Riley County 2023 - After returning from an injury that caused her to miss summer ball Rignell has the Falcons on a major heater. The team had picked up steam heading into the Marysville sub-state. Seeded fourth the [mascot] they proceeded to beat Sabetha in the quarterfinals, top seed Atchison Community in the semis, and second seed Nemaha Central in the finals. While Rignell has been known for her shooting over the years what makes her so effective is her handles with speed, strength, and high IQ to create in the half court. She also plays with strength and physicality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->