31 Days to Tip Off, 5 Rising 2025s to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newly minted upperclassmen that is the class of 2025 will find great opportunities to fill voids left by seniors and out-bound transfers. It is their turn to make arguments for all-league team honors, all-state teams, to lead teams into tournament championships, and to otherwise emerge. Some teams, like Buhler and Arkansas City, are stocked with a large number of focused and ambitious juniors who have made their teams more competitive since stepping on the floor as freshman. Others are emerging from behind wall of older players. Others are just now maturing with the game. Here is a look at some to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='616745' first='Kaliyah' last='Fulton'], 5'6", CG, Hayden - Seven seniors graduated off the all-Centennial League teams. That provides the opportunity for the crafty Fulton to advance from the honorable mention list. A protege of the great Highland Park/Topeka all-stater Ariyana Grassity, Fullton is solid and strong defensively. She finishes smartly against challengers and is a solid three point threat. She is among several pieces the Wildcats return from the 4A state tournament qualifier that immediately makes them a top 3A title threat for 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456532' first='Halle' last='Jones'], 5'5:, PG, Holcomb - For the past two seasons the Great West Activities Conference has been dominated by 3A and 4A state champion and final four teams and other players off playing college basketball now. Jones, a 2023 second team and 2022 honorable mention selections is set to step forward into GWAC first team country at the minimum. A heady, confident player Jones is quick and fast in full-court defense and a important scorer for her Longhorns. Shoots the three with bounce and little wasted movement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='539011' first='Gracie' last='Oard'], 5'8", PG, Buhler - Left off the Arkansas Valley Chisholm Trail League Div III all-league teams in 2023 Oard is an important driver for the Crusaders to be successful. Playing the point frequently but with the ability and physical size to play the forward spot Oard dribbles well with speed and control. Aggressive on both ends of the floor Oard is player looked to to get a basket when the team needs one. Not a prolific three-point shooter but she will shoot with 25' range. A team leader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='453762' first='Reece' last='Smith'], 5'5". PG, Trego - Smith enters her second year following her transfer from Rawlins County. She was a Northwest Kansas League selection in 2022. She followed that with a third team selection in the brutal and deep Mid-Continent League. Smith also received Varsity Kansas honorable mention honors. A good facilitator who creates off-the-bounce opportunities with head fakes Smith has solid interior vision to find shooters. On the move herself she catches and finishes with either hand. She will be a key component in the Golden Eagles push to reach the 2A state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='688063' first='Kierslynn' last='Waggoner'], 5'9", PG, Arkansas City - Waggoner is part of the three-headed monster emerging in south-central Kansas. She also did not make a Arkansas Valley Chisholm Trail League Div II all-league team. I have been telling people they best pay attention to what is boiling up with the Bulldogs for the past two seasons. Waggoner has good speed with the ball, finishes through pressure and with athleticism, and has a quick release on her perimeter shot. Passing is a strong point as well, she makes quick and catchable entry passes to the block and high elbow posts love. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->