Early Standouts from the Hays City Shootout

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were some strong opening season performances at the Gerald Mitchell Hays City Shootout. Having caught a couple of the games via live steam enjoy this report on several players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='621235' first='Kat' last='Ball'], 5'3", PG, Manhattan, 2026 - Although she picked up two quick fouls to start the game she also generated turnovers with her quick hands. She showed good speed, some ball and defensive anticipation skills, and perimeter shooting ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tenly Bunck</strong>, 5'6", SG, Washburn Rural, 2025 - Bunck moves into space well in the half court and runs well. Has ball skills to create off the dribble. Especially effective dribbling through the defense and finding the next pass. Created shots effectively working from the wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827709' first='Josie' last='Carlgren']</strong>, 5'8", SF, Washburn Rural, 2026 - Best pass of the games says a great deal. Defended on the right wing and shot the quick, soft pass toward the left block where teammate Maddy Vickery was calling for the ball holding inside position. Sweet assist play. Good interior vision and passing ability. Catches well on receiving end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='192791' first='Maxine' last='Doering'], 5'9", SF, Manhattan, 2024 - Doering showed her perimeter shooting ability from everywhere, defensive smarts and disruptiveness, and solid transition speed. Played like the experienced veteran she is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='616734' first='Kate' last='Hinck'], 5'3", PG, Washburn Rural, 2025 - Without question the straw that stirs the Junior Blues drink. Very quick with the ball with great anticipation. Quick hands. Good ball speed in transition, strong defender attacking ability, and finishes at speed with extension. Showed very strong passing ability in the half court and in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827717' first='Delaney' last='Larson']</strong>, 5'5", SG, Manhattan, 2026 - Dropped bombs from several spots with range. A dynamic offensive threat with quick hands, good speed, and finishing ability. An effective half court defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emma Pfannenstiel</strong>, 5'4", SG, Newton, 2025 - Pfannenstiel showed range on made three balls off the catch and walk up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817405' first='Emery' last='Ruliffson']</strong>, 5'6", CG, Manhattan, 2024 - Ruliffson was an especially effective passer, repeatedly finding open teammates and using bounce and other passes to get the ball where teammates can get to it. Showed solid transition speed and effectiveness within half court defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='671505' first='Maddie' last='Vickery'], 6'1", PF, Washburn Rural, 2027 - Vickery put up points off catch and finishes inside as well as off corner three balls. Smartly called for the ball against shorter defenders. Able to slide around offensive post players to defend the next pass into the post opportunity and use peripheral vision to adjust position within team defense. Challenges and blocked shots with control, cleared rebounds well, hustled down the floor, and played like a veteran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827720' first='Hallie' last='Walker']</strong>, 5'11", PF, Washburn Rural, 2026 - Walker repeatedly found teammates, especially the other posts inside with soft and quick interior passes. Also showed good hands and scoring ability on the receiving end of the same type of pass. Does a terrific job of finding the offensive rebound. Just punishes lazy defensive rebounders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->