3 Days to Tip Off: 10 Top 3A Players to Know
In this article:
The days left to first tip off of the 2024 KSHSAA high school season are almost gone. The count down continues to it continues though. After taking a look at 1A Division I and Division II players to know I…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe days left to first tip off of the 2024 KSHSAA high school season are almost gone. The count down continues to it continues though. After taking a look at 1A Division I and Division II players to know I move into the 3A ranks. With several top-to-bottom strong leagues in the notoriously deep 3A classification and the numerous strong players already committed to play college sports picking several players for this article was very tough. Enjoy this look at this very interesting group of 10 top players to know. Of note, the Central Kansas League returns every first team selection plus 10/16 from the second team and honorable mentions list and had a all-league caliber player transfer in.
A defensive monster, the 2023 Great Western Activities Conference second team and Varsity Kansas honorable mention selection is terrific combination of speed and quickness at both ends of the floor. She also has good floor reading and three point shooting abilities. Barton scores in traffic and passes through defenses well.
Highlights
Through watching her play last couple of seasons and over the summer I guarantee Boughfman will have a big impact on the Central Prairie League. Due to injury she returned to her starting role late to last season’s top ranked Little River team that got upset in the sub-state semifinals. Boughfman brings size, strength, athleticism, speed, and quickness. She also has the handles to play the point, scoring ability to play on the wing, and power to work people over inside.
I first saw Brueggan against the Ava Jones led Nickerson Wildcats in a sub-state semi-final game on the Wildcats’ floor. Despite losing she served notice that she was a shooter with range and good transition speed. Fast forward to today, her game has only continued growing. Her defensive abilities have notably improved to the point where she now holds offers from division I and II schools with a long way to go in her high school career. The Central Prairie League first teamer also earned KBCA and Varsity Kansas second team honors in 2023.
DeFrain is a part of the experience, strong, returning cast that will make the Wildcats a very tough out this season. She is lefty who finishes well with either hand, is strong around the hoop, has solid speed and athleticism, and will punish from the line if fouled. A Central Kansas League first team selection in 2023 she also received KBCA and Varsity Kansas 3A honorable mention honors.
As a freshman last season on a loaded, deep, and experienced Eagles team Hanni showed how much of an impact player she is by being a core part of the top rotation. She is a key part of the large chunk of the two-time semi-finalists returning for a run at finally taking home all the marbles. While having a slightish to average build Hanni has shown she is a high level guard during HS and summer ball seasons. Quick and smart on both sides of the ball she effectively stays in front of and challenges ball handlers and takes it them on the other end. She has good speed with the ball, is an effective three level scorer, a terrific transition passer, and an astonishing shot blocker. Hanni holds at least a pair of division II offers.
Highlights
The Bears from the Mid-East League slide up from 2A this season and Heim and company are primed to ruin a lot of team’s plans to ship the 3A crown. A double-double machine Heim averaged 16.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in 2023. Athletic and quick she is a formidable opponent on both ends in the paint. Her size alone is one thing but she has ball skills to put together moves, including a sweet whirl move, to score over defenders. The first team all-leaguer was a KBCA 2A first team and Varsity Kansas 2A third team selection in 2023. She holds a least one division II offer.
Highlights
Th3 Emporia State University commit enters the season determined to not let Goodland or any other team get in the Eagles’ way of winning a state title. A walking double-double the two-time Mid-East League first team selection also earned KBCA and Varsity Kansas first team honors after another trip to the quarterfinals. McDaniel not only has good size and strength but long has had quick feet on the interior and a well-developed inside game. She also has solid north-south speed and good hands.
Highlights
Among the hardest working players around, Mitchell has put in serious time over the years to become the athletic, all-around player that she is. The Varsity Kansas honorable mention and routine all-Mid-East League selection is also a Emporia State University commit. She brings hustle, good length, competitiveness and finishing ability to the table. Mitchell also is a solid perimeter threat and has the quickness and physical skills to defend multiple positions. She often flat out-works opponents.
Highlights
The Rockhurst University commit returns with a strong Wildcats team that dropped down a class for 2024. Following last season Sandstrom received Varsity Kansas 4A third team, KBCA 4A honorable mention, and Centennial League first team honors. A ball handler with size and length Sandstrom has good vision in transition and half court, has a back-to-basket game and finishing ability in the paint; and has good hands. She is also a good perimeter shooter who leads breaks with purpose and control.
If she was not already a Kansas University softball commit Washington would be among state’s top basketball prospects. With good length and size she is also very fast with the ball. Washington slides well between defenders on the finish and defensively stays well with the ball in transition to challenge shots. Her quickness, athleticism, and length arr extremely disruptive defensively. Washington has led the Chargers to the state tournament in back-to-back seasons and is poised to drive the team past the first round in 2024. She averaged 13.5 points and 8.7 rebounds in 2023 after averaging 15.9 points and 8.4 rebounds in 2022. A two-time Pioneer League first team selection Washington also earned Varsity Kansas third team and KBCA honorable mention honors last season.