17U MAYB Hall of Fame Showcase Strong Performances, Part 1

The 2023 edition of the <a href="https://mayb.com/">MAYB</a> Hall of Fame Showcase held at the Wichita Sports Forum was a strong event that was a blast to cover. 25 Teams from Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas composed of 14U to 17U teams in Big 12, Big 10, SEC, and 13/14U. Every coach I spoke with had this event on their calendar not just because it was an exposure event open to non-NCAA Division I coaches. It was also a great, pressure-free, early start to summer ball for programs to knock the rust off a bit and to even give players unfamiliar with each other an opportunity to build some chemistry. And for such an early event the quality of play was high level and only just got better as the hours passed. Serious kudos to the referees that worked the event. Some worked as many as 15 boys and girls games in the 2 days. Across the board games were called solidly. As really as best as can be hoped for. Players had a feel for what they could or could not do. The refereeing had a big impact on the quality of play for sure.   Now, how about we take a look at Kansas players that had strong performances. Below are some of the players who stood out in the Big 12 Division   [player_tooltip player_id='192780' first='Hailey' last='Contreras'], 5'5", PG, Liberal, Gameball Fusion NXT, 2024 - Contreras has developed into a confident, steady point guard with terrific three point range. She also might be the best passing point guard in the state while she is in the air. She just sells that she is going at a big to launch a floater. Instead, a dime gets dropped for a layup. Contreras has very quick hands and has slimmed down some, increasing her transition speed and especially her lateral quickness. She is becoming hard to read what she is up to with the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='398375' first='Kennadi' last='Jackson'], 5'8", PG/CG, Wichita Heights, Gameball Fusiion NXT, 2024 - Jackson emerged quickly last year. College coaches marveled at her explosiveness and man are they right to be. She changes gears off the bounce and elevates very quickly. Her first step is strong but it is that third and fourth step that hurts people. The burst with her hops, length, and finishing ability are difficult for even the quickest defenders to deal with effectively. Her explosiveness is different that most opponents will ever see so knowing how to defend it is a mystery. Although knowing how and actually doing it is an entirely different conversation. Jackson is very quick defensively and off an outlet or steal her end-to-end speed with the ball, she is as close to automatic as can be.   [player_tooltip player_id='349450' first='Valorie' last='Norwood'], 5'8", CG/SF, Wellington, Kansas United 17U Soyez, 2025 - Norwood was an absolute beast, especially against Gameball Fusion Elite 40. Playing at the top of her game she was physical on both ends of the floor and just would not be denied at times. She showed three level scoring ability. Not shooting, scoring. Active on the glass, boxing out, attacking closeouts, scoring through contact. Just wore defenders out. There is no doubt about her ability to handle and finish at speed using either hand. Works her pivot well to create shots. Not a black hole either. She was just flat tough.   [player_tooltip player_id='265117' first='Elizabeth' last='Romer'], 5'10", SG, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 17U Soyez, 2024 - Romer has long been known as a perimeter shooter and she showered that skill on every opponent. Shoots in good flow as well. Romer is long, has filled out her frame, and has terrific transition speed. She also showed good quickness and ability to use her length to advantage defensively.   [player_tooltip player_id='396405' first='Alana' last='Shetlar'], 6'2", PF, Andover, Kansas United 17U Soyez, 2024 - Shetlar is one of my top picks to have a big summer and she was strong from the start. She continued to show why I feel she is the strongest mid-range shooter in the state. And has been for more than a year. Challenged, unchallenged did not matter. Money. She also continued to show that she is a strong perimeter shooter as well, knocking down threes from all over. She showed handles, rebounding ability, and handles. Opponents, she has been hitting the weight room too and is far stronger than this time last year. Already has a handful of Div I and II offers and I cannot help but believe more are coming.   [player_tooltip player_id='192778' first='Jaden' last='Wilson'], 5'11", PG, Derby, Gameball Fusion Elite 40, 2024 - There was not a player on the floor that Wilson would not go toe-to-toe with. She defends and rebounds with physicality and persistence, uses her strong frame with solid handles to beat people along the baseline and out of the short corner, and uses her post game to create shots she can finish with either hand. Wilson can also run and has good quickness on both ends.

The 2023 edition of the MAYB Hall of Fame Showcase held at the Wichita Sports Forum was a strong event that was a blast to cover. 25 Teams from Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas composed of 14U to 17U teams in Big 12, Big 10, SEC, and 13/14U. Every coach I spoke with had this event on their calendar not just because it was an exposure event open to non-NCAA Division I coaches. It was also a great, pressure-free, early start to summer ball for programs to knock the rust off a bit and to even give players unfamiliar with each other an opportunity to build some chemistry. And for such an early event the quality of play was high level and only just got better as the hours passed. Serious kudos to the referees that worked the event. Some worked as many as 15 boys and girls games in the 2 days. Across the board games were called solidly. As really as best as can be hoped for. Players had a feel for what they could or could not do. The refereeing had a big impact on the quality of play for sure.