The Wichita Area’s All-Class, 2023, Top 10
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With the releases of the fall rankings updates and the 2027 class watch list completed it is time to take a step back and revisit the Wichita area’s all-class Top 10. In the year since the last update many new…
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Continue ReadingWith the releases of the fall rankings updates and the 2027 class watch list completed it is time to take a step back and revisit the Wichita area’s all-class Top 10. In the year since the last update many new faces have stepped in.
Much has changed in the year since the topic was last visited. Six seniors graduated. Four, including pair who are now college teammates, moved on to play ball at Arkansas, Iowa State, and Fort Hays State. Two others are on the track teams at West Point and Texas A&M. For the four returners, a substantial amount of talent has developed in the past year to challenge for a top 10 spot. Take a look at the updated list on the cusp of the 2024 season.
#1 A recent commit to University of Utah Walker has been a area standout since day one. the #3 ranked 2024 in the state moves up to the top spot from last year’s #4. After playing out of position for her first two seasons Walker and the Trojans, as I predicted a year ago, tore nearly everybody up on the way to a class 5A fourth place finish. Being freed up to focus more on scoring she did just that – from everywhere – averaging 17.5 points. She shot 47% from the field, 39% from three point land, and 78% from the line. She also had a very good 1.74 assists-to-turnovers ration while averaging 3.1 assists and 3.4 steals per game. Walker can play multiple positions, fluidly finish with either hand, light up from three point land, defend smartly, and absorb contact for many a three point play..
#2 Transferring in from Hutchinson Green joins a couple long time club teammates on the Trojans roster. Ranked #7 in her class statewide Green is a terrific combination of size, strength, speed, and especially quickness. A very strong rebounder Green improved her shot selection, perimeter shooting ability, and handles to become a dangerous shooter who will attack the basket with authority. In her block game double-ball fake specials can be expected. She will then either go through, around, or over an opponent. Uncommitted, Green has received division I offers and interest. Green’s addition solidifies a shot at the 5A trophy appearing in a public school trophy case.
#3 After heating up at the beginning of the summer of 2022 Shetlar’s recruitment concluded a couple months ago with a commitment to Oral Roberts University. She has long been the best mid-range shooter in the state. And with her length, hops, swift release and terrific release point her shot has been pretty much unblockable at the high school level. When her perimeter drive game locked in, I knew then she was only weight room work and game sharpening for her commitment to one day come. Moving up from #7 a year ago what Shetlar especially brings to the next level is transition speed, three point shooting, and rebounding.
#4 Veteran point guard Smith returns with other 6A state tournament veterans. Despite the graduation of McDonald’s All-American and Iowa commit Addy Brown the Panthers are poised to improve upon their third place finish a year ago. Taking over at the point last season when Maryn Archer elected to go to grey shirt at University of Arkansas, Smith averaged 11.1 points on 38% shooting, 1.8 steals, and had a assists-to-turnovers ration of 1. She shot 28% from three on 136 attempts and 83% from the line. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Smith grow and mature over the years. She may not be the speediest, quickest, and most athletic guard you can think of but I would be hard pressed to think of another who is as smart, composed, selfless, and tough as she is. What seals it is how well she has performed against stronger, quicker defenders. Heady in the half court she uses what defenders anticipate against them and, whether to get free or to create a shot, understands how to create space. She can score but knows what the team needs in order to be successful and provides it. Currently uncommitted, Smith holds offers from division I and II schools.
#5 Another team-oriented player I have watched for years is Barber. Transferring from Wichita Northwest, her third school in three years, I sense this will be her final stop. Barber is comfortable running the point and playing the two but I see her as most impactful at the latter unless she decides to lead like she did last season. Ranked #10 statewide in her class, she moves up from #8 in the city from last year. What Barber generally brings to table is the ability to quietly destroy people. She has a high level, diversified skill set and the ability to change gears. As I said last year, 25′ three ball over a backed-off defender or very high screen – check. No-look pass on the break to gather the assist – check. Attack the close-out and score fluidly with either hand – check. Take a hit, free throws, defend solidly – check, check, and check. It will be interesting to see how things shake out for a 11-9 Falcons team with multiple, talented returning starters which has had several all-GWAL players transfer in. With most of the transfers and talented incoming freshman being guards, what I will be looking for is how she leads in a new environment. Holding an offer from University of Texas – Rio Grande, Barber is just getting started.
#6 The returning KBCA 6A honorable mention and Varsity Kansas third team selection has been a all-Greater Wichita Area League selection for three years. She received first team honors in 2023 following a season where she averaged 17.3 points while shooting 32% from three and 62% from the line. She also grabbed 5.3 rebounds and generated 3.3 assists (1.52 assists-to-turnover ratio) and 2.5 steals. Very fast with strong handles and a strong build Butler not only can finish through contact but gains opportunities working in space because she has near parking lot range. Butler leads a Titan team with every starter back from a 15-7 season.
#7 Komaszynska might be the best power forward in that state that nobody has ever heard of. That happens when you play for a KSHSAA approved, prep school, high school level team. The Fire can be found taking on not just other prep schools but also high school, home school, junior college, and Kansas Christian Athletic Association teams throughout the season. Komaszynska has aterrific build with a diversified skill set. She shoots well at all three levels, finishes with either hand, rebounds and goes end-to-end well, and holds her ground well defensively. What sets her apart is her ability to play a point forward role and lead from it. Even after picking up the ball and defended nine feet from the basket she controls the ball and directs traffic simultaneously. That shows great poise, game understanding, and strength. She is currently ranked #17 in the state.
#8 The transfer from Wichita Southeast is clearly the most aggressive, physical player on both ends of the floor in the Wichita Area. Confident, strong, quick, fast, and with strong handles Harris showed literal scorer’s table range against Blue Valley North in the 6A tournament last March. A Greater Wichita Area League honorable mention selection in 2023 she has elite hand speed to go with her footwork as well. Even when strong ball handlers pause or even get a complacent moment that ball will be hers. And she will be gone. Period. Joining a Falcons team with several other all-league transfers that already has several returning, all-league starters the question is going to be who will lead. As strong as Harris is individually I will watching how she develops as a player running a team. With three high school seasons ahead of her, the player coming out the other end of them will be an interesting player to see.
#9 Long known as a great shooter Tjaden is a two-time Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League division IV first team selection who also received KBCA 4A honorable mention honors in 2023. A commit to Emporia State University Tjaden’s game exploded over the summer of 2022. Bigger, faster, stronger, and quicker. She rebounds with strength, gets to the hole off the dribble, and is a two-way player who can wear defenders out. With the loss of a couple senior starters, including her long time running mate Carli Carlson (Newman University) the dynamic of the 13-7 Indians is likely to change. It will be up to the #19 ranked Tjaden to lead a younger, inexperienced roster with some size and speed that played a very short rotation last season.
#10 The University of Texas – Rio Grande commit completes the list of top 10 players in the Wichita area. After a sub-par season as a sophomore Romer got things together over the summer of 2022 and helped make the Crusaders a night-in, night-out challenge to take out. The team ended a game under .500 for the year. “Lizzie” earned Greater Wichita Area League first team and Varsity Kansas 5A honorable mention honors for her play. Romer played well this past summer. My colleague Simmie Colson liked how she roamed the perimeter to get open. Once found she quickly buried shots on the “catch and shoot.” Her ball skills caught up with her shooting ability over the years and she now handles well in transition as well as off the dribble. Of all players I was asked about by college coaches this past summer Romer was near the top of the list. With the loss of her long-time point guard Sophie Gimino to the West Point track program it will be interesting to see who will step forward as the assist generator to feed Romer.