Cashing In: Kansas Free Throw Sharpshooters

Jeremy Deckard January 9, 2024 @ 01:54 PM

The recent winter storm shot a huge hole in my plans for the next two days.   So while taking a snow day and being inspired by one athlete's numbers I researched over the weekend, I thought I would feature a unique group of athletes.   Each member on this list of Kansas prospects is doing well in one particular aspect of the game and that is scoring from the free throw line. Consistently making free throws has become a lost art over the past decade at all levels of this sport. However, this group of sharpshooters is proving that games can be won by scoring at the charity stripe.   To create this group I limited to seniors whose stats were available online, who were averaging double-digit scoring totals, shooting at least 70 percent from the line, and who had converted at least 10 free throws so far this season.   Stay safe and warm my friends.   [player_tooltip player_id='532207' first='Caelyn' last='Ferguson'], 6'0”, SF, Heritage Christian Academy, ‘24   Ferguson is a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line in five games for the Chargers. She is averaging 18.2 points per game for Heritage Christian Academy.   [player_tooltip player_id='192780' first='Hailey' last='Contreras'], 5'6”, CG, Liberal, ‘24   Contreras is shooting an impressive 81 percent from the line in eight games played. She has converted on 17-of-21 free-throw attempts and is averaging 18.2 points per game for the Liberal Redskins.   [player_tooltip player_id='616744' first='Hallie' last='Waldron'], 5'6”, PG, Stanton County, ‘24   Waldon has been successful on 14-of-18 shots from the charity stripe for a 78 shooting percentage. She is scoring 12.5 points per contest for the Stanton County Trojans through six games.   [player_tooltip player_id='192785' first='Alaina' last='Eck'], 5'4”, PG, Little River, ‘24   The Little River senior has converted 23-of-30 free throw attempts for a percentage of 77. She is averaging 18.3 points per game for the Redskins.   Dawson Cochren, 5'7”, SG, Jackson Heights, ‘24   This Cobra senior is spitting venom with an impressive level of accuracy. Cochren had made 24-of-31 free throw attempts equaling a 77 shooting percentage. She is scoring at a 13.5-point per-game clip through six contests.   [player_tooltip player_id='192784' first='Shea' last='Wurtz'], 5'9”, SF, Clifton-Clyde, ‘24   Wurtz is currently shooting 71 percent from the free throw line for the Clifton-Clyde Eagles. She has converted on 27-of-38 shots from the stripe and is averaging 15.8 points in nine games played.   [player_tooltip player_id='744050' first='Korie' last='Kirkwood'], 5'8”, G/F, Valley Falls, ‘24   Kirkwood is shooting 71 percent from the free-throw line for the Dragons. She has been successful on 29-of-41 free throw attempts in seven games.   Kylee Hahn, 5'10”, SG/PF, Hoisington, ‘24   Hahn is averaging 10.1 points per game for the Hoisington Cardinals. She has scored 27 points from the free throw line in seven games for a shooting percentage of 71 percent.   [player_tooltip player_id='862396' first='Callan' last='Hall'], 5'3”, PG, Salina Central, ‘24   The Salina Central Mustangs point guard has converted on 14-of-20 free throw attempts. Hall is scoring 11.3 points per game during the early portion of her senior season.

The recent winter storm shot a huge hole in my plans for the next two days.