Game Observations: Seaman’s Becker Off To Quick Start

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Seaman Vikings lost only two games last season and they look poised to make a run in Class 5A in the 2023-2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I caught my first game of the season which ended up being a 59-27 Seaman victory over Topeka West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are my observations of six prospects from this contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='349798' first='Anna' last='Becker']</strong>, 5'11”, G/F, Seaman, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Becker gets my early vote for Class 5A Player of the Year. She dominated the first quarter of action scoring 10 points in that first frame. She has a big reach, is fast, has solid court vision, and can hit a mid-range jump shot. She finished with a game-high 17 points. Becker also is not afraid to hit the boards bringing down four rebounds. The junior is also the best defender for the Vikings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231289' first='Taylin' last='Stallbaumer']</strong>, 5'7”, PG, Seaman, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stallbaumer is a gifted multiple-sport athlete. I have seen her play both volleyball and basketball. I still have not gotten any sense of which sport she wants to play in college, but she will get college offers for both sports. She had an off-shooting night. She shot 6-of-15 from the field, but still scored 13 points. She takes care of the ball and understands her role on the team. Stallbaumer can take over a game either by scoring or distributing the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766538' first='Ava' last='Esser']</strong>, 6'1”, PF/C, Seaman, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Esser is the best interior player for the Vikings. She finished with six rebounds and scored 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field and converting on all four of her free throw attempts. She is physical, knows how to create space, and works hard to get into good rebounding position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='669098' first='Zoe' last='Clark']</strong>, 5'9”, G/F, Topeka West, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark is without a doubt the Chargers' most athletic player. She finished the contest with five points and nine rebounds. She can get out in transition and her favorite way to score is off the drive. Small forward is probably the best position for her, but on a team loaded with small forwards, she is West's primary ball handler. Clark is a prospect who could add some depth to an NAIA program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525605' first='Imani' last='McGlory']</strong>, 5'6”, G, Topeka West, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGlory is a young shooter who will get better with experience. She converted on her first four shots of the game and then missed her next five. If she is open she has a smooth jump shot. Once she learns how to slow the game down and not panic she will could be the leader for this team for a couple of years to come. She will need to improve on creating her shot moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teairra Gonzalez</strong>, 5'5”, G/F, Topeka West, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like Gonzalez's game. She has good court vision and worked well against the press. She started cold from the field, but scored a couple of buckets late in the game, including one of the Chargers' only two 3-point field goals. She can drive and force defenders to foul her. She shot 2-of-4 from the free-throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->