Emporia’s Kirmer Scores 20-plus Against Hayden

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scouted the second game of the season between Centennial League opponents Emporia and Hayden. The Lady Spartans avenged a 2023 single-digit loss to the Wildcats with a 54-40 victory to start 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look a prospects who caught my eye in Emporia's win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231285' first='Addie' last='Kirmer'], </strong>5'7”<strong>, </strong>PG, Emporia, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirmer was the best player on the court in this game. She scored a game-high 26 points and is a plus defender. She shot an impressive 8-for-11 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free throw line. She can create her shot and score from all three levels. The Emporia senior is currently ranked No. 42 in the Class of 2024 PGH Kansas rankings. She has committed to play basketball for Emporia State University after graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='453759' first='Ryan' last='Peak']</strong>, 5'10”, PF, Emporia, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I enjoyed watching Peak. She is a physical player who does the unselfish things that don't always show up in a box score. She finished with a team-high six rebounds. She scored six points and primarily scores in the paint or transition. Peak is currently ranked No. 125 in the PGH Class of 2024 Kansas rankings. She is a smart player who recognized when Hayden changed defenses and worked to get her team in the correct offensive set-up during the change.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='669096' first='Lexsey' last='DeWitt']</strong>, SG, Emporia, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am guessing I did not see DeWitt's best game of the season, but with Kirmer being the No. 1 scoring option, she still managed to chip in nine points. She converted on both of her field goal attempts including one 3-point basket. She handles the ball well and can slow the game down when during defensive pressure. PGH Kansas currently has DeWitt ranked No. 106 in the Class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alexa Shively</strong>, 5'6”, SF, Emporia, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shively is a strong athlete who is a solid defender and works hard to get to the boards. She finished with four rebounds and two steals. She is a leader for the team and has a knack for getting the ball in her hands in high-stress situations and slows down the pace. Shively is also a solid volleyball prospect, who I have scouted. She probably has a better chance to compete collegiately in volleyball, but could add depth to an NAIA program in both sports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->