6 Days to Tip-Off: 10 Top 1A Div I Players to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just over a week remains until the 2024 KSHSAA high school season tips off. Now is a great time to get in the know about top players in each classification. Here's a look at 10 top players to watch in 1A Division I.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349457"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Deters is a returning KBCA and Varsity Kansas 1A first team and two-time Twin Valley League first team selection who has already racked up 825 points.  A quick, heady guard with terrific scoring ability from range.  Perhaps her strongest trait is her poise.  A high IQ, consistent team player.  The Panthers 2023 season ended with a 5-point sub-state finals loss to event state champion Doniphan West.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["456514"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The Buffaloes return to 1A D I after a season in the 2A classification.  Through her first two seasons the small forward has averaged 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.  The two-time Northwest Kansas League first team selection also was named Varsity Kansas 2A honorable mention. Dewey is a nice combination of lithe athleticism, quick hops, length, and solid transition speed.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["192785"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Eck is a returning KBCA first and Varsity Kansas second team selection.  She also two-time Wheat State League first team selection.  From the moment I saw her the summer before her freshman year Eck has shown herself to be a very fast, high motor, extremely quick and fearless point guard.  A three level scorer with quick hands and strong handles Eck will step up and carry her team on her back to get the bucket, the win her team needs.  She leads a highly motivated team that was upset in their sub-state semi-final in 2023 after entering as the state's #1 ranked team.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["773191"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Espinosa play had an immediate impact on the Eagles as a player in the Wheat State League. The team locked up 15 wins in 2023, a dozen more than the season before.  Her play earned her KBCA and Varsity Kansas honorable mention and WSL first team honors. She averaged 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 steals, and 1.5 assists. Canning 34, she shot 26% from three point land and 70% from the line on nearly 150 attempts. A swift, all-around player Espinosa has a nose for the basket and works well in the transition game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["192789"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Gros is a returning, two-time Twin Valley League first team selection who also earned KBCA first team and Varsity Kansas second team honors.  The Benedictine College commit is a all-around player with quality perimeter shooting and back-to-basket games. She also has handles and poise to dribble out of trouble and to set defenders up to work the baseline.  She finishes with athleticism and defends solidly within a variety of schemes. Gros looks to push her Wildcats beyond 2023's state tournament third place finish.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["675833"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":667040,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The defending state champion Mustangs, despite the loss of a couple all-state players, are reloading and Johnson can be expected to be a huge part of a repeat run.  Johnson not only has solid transition speed but is extremely active working the paint.  With her long limbs and interior game and smarts she is a quality scoring threat from the elbow in.  She also is adept at finding shooters and clearing rebounds to get the transition game going.  Johnson is effective at altering shots as well.  Johnson is a lock to earn a minimum of all-league second team and several all-state honors as the Mustangs are a favorite to repeat.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["810246"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Norwich returns several pieces off the 2023 state tournament fourth place finisher.  Unranked, but not for long, heading into December's class ranking updates Kelly brings size, perimeter shooting, and shot blocking to the team.  The Heart Of The Plains League first team selection also has coast-to-coast ability off the rebound.  A legitimate three point threat","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["396397"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The two-time Lyon County League first team selection also earned KBCA and Varsity Kansas second team honors following the 2023 season.  Noonan averaged 20.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in 2023 and has racked up 1,198 points in her career.  A solid shooter with a smooth, soft release in the mid-range and beyond the arc Noonan also works smartly off the dribble.  She is effective at attacking the basket and splitting defenders on the finish with either hand.  Defensively she works effectively on the ball and has the build and smarts to disrupt inside.  Noonan will be propelling the Bearcats make a deep post-season run.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["335932"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Central Plains reached the state tournament in 2023 despite only being the third seed in their sub-state.  Soeken looks to drive the team past a one-and-done this time.  The Central Plains League second team and Varsity Kansas honorable mention selection is active on the glass, works well in space, and gets to the hole quickly off the bounce.  She has also improved over the summer as a clutch perimeter shooter.  With her improved three point shot expect Soeken's game attract serious attention.  Watch out on the defensive end as well.  Quick hands, transition speed off the steal, and a strong rebounder.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["192784"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"The two-time Twin Valley League first team selection also earned KBCA and Varsity Kansas honorable mention honors in 2023.  Averaging 12.1 points and 8.1 rebounds last season she makes the athletic transition play as well as the power play around the block.  Wurtz is effective at clearing rebounds well also.  After a tough sub-state loss to eventual state third place finisher Frankfort the Eagles will be working to deeper post-season run in 2024.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6560f174be23c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->