Get to Know the ’24 class’ Next 9 Fall Debuters
In this article:
A large group of 28 players debuted in the fall 2024 class rankings update that was recently released. Having already released a look at the top nine I now turn to the next nine. This look kicks off with a…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA large group of 28 players debuted in the fall 2024 class rankings update that was recently released. Having already released a look at the top nine I now turn to the next nine. This look kicks off with a Eastern Kansas League honorable mention selection who was errantly left out of the first release as a top 100 debuter. As before, players are listed in rank order.
Makenzie Galliart Makenzie Galliart 6'0" | PF Blue Valley Weat | 2024 State KS , 6’0″, PF, Blue Valley West – The Eastern Kansas League honorable mention selection looks to garner more attention with a big senior season after sharpening her craft with EWA over the summer. Joining the ranks at #61 holding offers from Butler Community College (NJCAA Div I) and Missouri Valley College (NAIA). Using her solid size and good length she can gather boards and power through contact to get the put back. She uses her hands well to call for the ball and uses power dribbles to get the shot she wants off with good air under it. My colleague Jeremy Deckard recently reported on her and clearly liked her physicality, transitioning and passing ability, and willingness to do the dirty work.
Katie Spielman Katie Spielman 5'10" | PF Rossville | 2024 State KS , 5’10”, PF, Rossville – Entering the rankings at #162 is a player I anticipate will have growing importance on a roster with experienced seniors who are working to overcome the major, sub-state final road block that is Silver Lake to reach the 3A state tournament. Spielman has solid size, good length, and good quickness on both ends of the floor. She is also a solid shot blocker who can take up space inside as well as transition with the ball showing surprising speed.
Taylee Tacner Taylee Tacner 5'11" | PF Valley Center | 2024 State KS , 5’10”, PF/C, Valley Center – Probably one of the most unknown bigs around is this Hornet who joins the ranks at #164. Against Olathe South this past January she caught my attention with her terrific combination of abilities. She has good length, runs well, uses the glass well, and sells the long ball well to set up a drive. If she ups her transition handles game a couple notches, look out.
Makiya Barker Makiya Barker 5'1" | PG Leavenworth | 2024 State KS , 5’1″, PG, Leavenworth – Running with a Della Lamb squad over the summer fans should expect the super quick and very talented point guard to be a strong presence on the floor even moreso than the past. She has great handles with which to dribble out of trouble, quick hands to generate steals, and vision to find her teammates in transition and in the half court. A player that just makes everybody else around her better. Barker debuts at #166.
Londyn Soto Londyn Soto 5'4" | PG Circle | 2024 State KS , 5’4″, PG, Circle – Coming in at #175. is a somewhat unheralded floor leader who could enable her running mate Kya Thornton Kya Thornton 5'5" | CG Circle | 2024 State KS to spend more time at the two to take advantage of her perimeter shooting skills. Soto is athletic on the finish, including on the wrap around; has solid speed; has good speed; and passes well in transition. She runs the break very well and is a solid free throw shooter. Last season she shot 37% from the floor (28% from three -5/18) and 68% from the line to average 5.7 points, 2.2 steals, and 1.9 assists. Her assists-to-turnovers ration was just under 1.
Ariana Rivera Ariana Rivera PG Sumner Academy | 2024 State KS , 5’3″, PG, Sumner Academy – If there is a player who is among the favorites to rocket up the ranks this season it is this baller entering at #176. She can play! Athletic, very fast, able to score over bigs, as well as in the mid-lane area, Rivera reminds me a great deal of former Maize South PG Amani Lipscomb (now at Houston High, TN) not only in how she knows where to be in the backcourt to get the ball but in also her ability to get out of trouble and look ahead early to find her teammates with barely a look with the pass. Keep an eye on this former KC Atchison League 2022 honorable mention and newcomer of the year and, this past season, Meadowlark Conference honorable mention selection.
Kayton O’Brien Kayton O’Brien 5'6" | SG Labette County | 2024 State KS , 5’6″, SG, Labette County – I enjoyed getting some good eye time watching O’Brien and her Missouri Legacy teammates. Entering at #180, O’Brien uses her quickness and physicality to generate turnover and get downhill quickly off the bounce. She is also a strong perimeter threat. Expect the Southeast Conference first teamer to move up the ranks well by season’s end.
Bella Nadeau Bella Nadeau 5'4" | PG Olathe Northwest | 2024 State KS , 5’4″, PG, Olathe Northwest – Nadeau is a tough, streaky shooter with good quickness “Bella” is looking to emerge from bench to take on a starting role after spending a rigorous summer with KC Eclipse’s 17U Red team. I will be watching her numbers because colleges are always on the look out for strong perimeter shooters.. Nadeau enters at #181.
Janae Granere Janae Granere 5'8" | SG Marmaton Valley | 2024 State KS , 5’8″, SG, Marmaton Valley – Granere has been tearing up the Three Rivers League for a while now. Joining at #184 she earned Three Rivers League first team honors this past season after picking up a honorable mention nod in 2022. A basketball guy like Uniontown HS Superintendent Bret Howard once described her as having a build and style of play similar to his daughter, Emporia State’s Danielle Howard. Keep an eye on this one!