Day 17 to Tip Off, Heart of America League Preview Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Heart of America League must be doing something right as the league has taken down the class 2A state title three years running. Berean Academy shipped it in 2023. Sterling went back-to-back, winning in 2022 and 2021. The question now is what teams are poised to continue the run? And, with the league's expansion to twelve teams, how do Classical School of Wichita (2A) and Central Christian Academy of Wichita (1A D I) figure in the league mix. A dozen all-league players return. The many players listed below are poised to fill the empty spots on all-HOA and all-state teams due to graduation. Schools are listed in alphabetical order. This part one of two is composed of the first five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bennington</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kolbie Bartlett</strong>, 5'10", PF, 2024 - Bartlett returns from the 2A state tournament qualifier. Averaging 11.3 points and 11 rebounds per game she earned 2023 Heart of America League honorable mention honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='803968' first='Rori' last='Miles'], 5'6", PG, 2025 - Miles returns after putting up 10.6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist per game. She earned Heart of America League first team and Varsity Kansas 2A honorable mention honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Berean Academy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822729' first='Flora' last='Morgan']</strong>, 5'6", SG, 2025 - Morgan is a returning Heart of America League second team and Varsity Kansas 2A honorable mention selection. Sheis also a returning starter from the Warriors' 2A state championship team. . </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avery Wiebe</strong>, 5'8", 2024 - Wiebe is a returning starter from the Warriors' 2A state championship team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Classical School of Wichita</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flannery Black</strong>, 5'7″, CG, 2024 – The Varsity Kansas 1A Div I honorable mention selection averaged 5.2 points and 1 assist per game. She shot 30% from three and 67% from the line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201690' first='Nevi' last='Wilkey']</strong>, 5'9″, SF, 2025 – With 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds Wilkery led the team in several categories including scoring and rebounding in 2023. She also chipped in 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ell-Saline</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brin Hecker</strong>, 5'8", CG, 2024 - Solidly build wing who can make the pass in transition and shoot the three-ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bayleigh Schneider</strong>, 5'5", SG, 2024 - Heart of America League honorable mention. Solid speed with the ball in transition. Perimeter threat off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Inman</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='773201' first='Morgan' last='Froese'], 5'9", PF, 2026 - Froese has a solid, strong build. Defensively holds her ground well. Inside looks to score either direction using power moves. Athleticism to catch and turn on the fly to score and good transition speed makes her a dangerous transition finisher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='621258' first='Suttyn' last='Harris'], 5'11", CG/PF, 2026 - Harris kicked off her high school career by earning KBCA 2A honorable mention and Varsity Kansas third team as well as Heart of America League first team honors. Runs the offense well when needed, shoots the three with range, has very good footwork creating scores, and is athletic with solid build. Harris out-jumps the crowd and will catch and score the offensive rebound in the air. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='719107' first='Kambrey' last='Woods'], 5'8", PF, 2026 - Woods arguably has the strongest build on the team and is solid garbage collector. She finds and boxes out opponents well. Her ball control continues to improve clearing rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='719108' first='Kenna' last='Woods'], 5'9", PG, 2026 - The lengthy, assertive ball handler looks to go at defenders off the bounce and exploit shorter defenders around the block. Athletic and quick she generates turnovers defending the ball. Woods elevates and strokes it smoothly on the mid-range jumper. She shoots with little wasted movement. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->