Wheat State Slam 15U GameChangers

This content series is sponsored by GameChanger – The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Girls Hoops.

A game changing player has a presence that is significantly impactful when they step on and off the floor. It could be handling a floor leadership, lock-down defense, offensive rebounding, scoring, passing, being the glue that holds makes the team work, and a myriad of other reasons. While not probably exhaustive enough of a list, the players listed below were important game changers for their teams.

Justine Berlin Justine Berlin 5'11" | PF Clearwater | 2026 State KS , 6'1", Clearwater (KS), Next Level Eclipse 2026 McCorry, 2026 - Berlin's shot blocking and rim protecting was game changing. Being a strong shot blocker requires quick feet, athleticism, an ability to anticipate plays and actions, and the ability to set up players to get the block. She showed all of that. Berlin even showed smarts to anticipate to close off drivers from the help side and just walling up - generating shot blocks with just that action. Berlin had a strong event, earning first team all-tournament selection.

Regan Dusenbery, 5'10", SG/SF, Andover (KS), Next Level Eclipse 2026 McCorry, 2026 - Dusenbery is a multi-position, high potential player. She has very good transition speed, handles, and quickness with the ball in the half. She is also a fairly good shooter working from the wings and corners. But what is game changing is her ability to score the mid-range jumper with elevation and against a challenger. Being a consistent mid-range shooter is disruptive partially because most high school defenses are not oriented to stopping the mid-range "J." A good shooter collapses the defense in the shooter's area, leaving more open court space, and can draw rebounders away from the basket.

Emerson Kirk Emerson Kirk 5'6" | CG Bucklin | 2026 State KS , Bucklin (KS), Magic Basketball 2026, 2026 - Kirk can change the flow of a game with her overall disruptiveness. She has a high motor but not in a run an opponent into the ground fashion. Kirk is just very active and seems to be in the mix everywhere. She has terrific scoring ability off a steal, a three point shot, and off the dribble. Kirk also makes quick, catchable entry passes and on the fly to teammates. Her head is always on a swivel in the open court looking for the ball or looking to make a play with it.

Bella Galliart Bella Galliart 5'5" | CG Holcomb | 2026 State KS , 5'5", Holcomb, Magic Basketball 2026, 2026 - It took a couple games for her to get it going but once she did Galliart immediately impacted the game. A streaky perimeter shooter she can drop bombs from everywhere and release them quickly. She made a game changing impact, making defenses scramble in the half court and in transition.

Kate Sell, 5'8", Liberty (MO), Flash KC 2026, 2026 - Sell showed good speed and an ability to move into space to spot up. Once set she brought impactful three point shooting, especially from the corners, off the catch. Her shooting enabled teammates to take advantage of scoring and rebounding opportunities inside.

Hannah Tapp, 5'9", St. Pius (MO), Flash KC 2026, 2026 - Making good use of her frame and footwork Tapp played with physicality in showing scoring ability around the basket. I really like her turn-in move from the block that she uses to score a little push shot.

Laila Johnson-Berndt Laila Johnson-Berndt 5'10" | CG Shawnee Mission South | 2026 State KS , 5'8", Shawnee Mission South, Kansas Elite 2026 Red, 2026 - Berndt's game got stronger with each game. By the last game her speed, spotting up ability, and especially her quick release shooting had game changing impacts. Not just in scoring and speeding up defenders but her effectiveness made everybody else around her better. Defenders had to know where she was, creating more opportunities for her teammates to work in the extra space.

Molly Numrich Molly Numrich 5'3" | SG Blue Valley Northwest | 2026 State KS , 5'3", Blue Valley Northwest, Kansas Elite 2026 Red, 2026 - Numrich played very well in fast paced games where her shooters were getting out in transition and knocking down shots. Numrich has disruptive speed and physicality. Combined with her quickness with the ball in the half court, she caused defenses to collapse or give up a layup.

Abbey Liby, 5'5", St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas Elite 2026 White, 2026 - Among the players I saw with quick releases Liby stood out. With the potential to become an elite shooter, Liby's was just dangerous. She worked well with her point guard and knew where to expect to receive passes. A smart, good shooter.

Macy Price Macy Price 5'5" | CG/SG Olathe South | 2026 State KS , 5'4", Olathe South, Kansas Elite 2026 White, 2026 - Of all the ball handlers I saw the confident Price was the top floor general. I am talking a couple steps higher up the ladder than her tournament peers leadership. Much of being a floor general is settling a team and enabling the offense to run well. She used her passing, handles, quickness, and poise to keep her team together.

Harper Floyd Harper Floyd 6'0" | PF Willard | 2026 State MO , 5'11", Willard (MO), Missouri Legacy 2026, 2026 - Floyd can wear opponents out. She showed strong post play all event but her consistency and effectiveness took advantage of mistakes. She did not make plays just because of that. Even when defenders were on point she was able get baskets.

Alissa Owens Alissa Owens 5'10" | SF Joplin | 2026 MO , 5'10", Joplin (MO), Missouri Legacy 2026, 2026 - Owens ability to work from a triple threat position on the perimeter is game changing. She plays confidence out of it. And being poker faced, defenders frequently have no idea what she is going to do. Her jump shot wastes no movement from the position. She attacks the basket well out of it as well.