3A Sub-State Watch, Royal Valley Sub-State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KSHSAA released the brackets for the eight class 3A sub-state tournaments on Wednesday. In this article I share a look at players to watch in the Royal Valley sub-state. Be sure to review the previously covered&nbsp;<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/post-season-watch-5-key-3a-western-kansas-players/">Holcomb</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/3a-sub-state-watch-the-chapparal-sub-state/">Chaparral</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/3a-sub-state-watch-the-caney-valley-sub-state/">Caney Valley</a>, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/3a-sub-state-watch-the-southeast-of-saline-sub-state/">Southeast of Saline</a>&nbsp;sub-states. This sub-state is headlined by KBCA #2 ranked Hayden (16-4) from the Centennial League. A class 4A state qualifier in 2023 the Wildcats have spent nearly the entire season playing 4A-6A teams. All four losses have been to teams in those classifications. Hayden is also the only team in the sub-state with a winning record. The Wildcats are joined in the sub-state by five Big 7 league teams, the Kaw Valley League's winless Bishop Ward, and the Northeast Kansas League's Atchison County. Only Bishop Ward has played the Wildcats during the season. Second seed Hiawatha ran the table against the other league teams in the sub-state in their final four games. The Red Hawks, winners of six of their final eight games, beat two of them twice in that stretch. All were hard fought wins. As tough as the Big 7 has been over the years that is to be expected. Atchison County (6-12) has not faced any of the sub-state's seven teams. Seeded fourth the Tigers host five see Perry LeCompton (6-14) their quarterfinal. Hiawatha (8-12) hosts seven seed Sabetha (4-16) opening night, a team that beat them in mid-January. Three seed Jefferson West (7-13) hosts six seed Royal Valley (5-15) in the last quarterfinal. While Hayden is the overwhelming favorite to advance, there is not a prohibitive favorite to reach the final on the other side of the bracket. Ahead of the action get to know some of the key players to watch in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='300795' first='Lauren' last='Sandstrom'], 6'0", CG/F, Hayden, 2024 - Sandstrom, a Rockhurst University commit, is among the top players in the class. But she is not alone. A team with size, athleticism, and experienced guard play the Wildcats are loaded. For me the key to the team's success is Sandstrom. A Varsity Kansas and KBCA 4A all-state and Centennial League first teamer last season there is not much see does not excel at. Sandstrom has a strong and solid frame with length, has always been a terrific perimeter shooter, goes end-to-end off the rebound with control, and has arguably the most mature post game in the class. She also has great hands and good vision in transition and half court play. For the Wildcats to be successful she just needs to continue doing what she has all season - which is a lot of everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Addisen Williams</strong>, 5'5", PG, Hiawatha, 2026 - It would be easy to say Baker University commit Abby Elffner is the team's key to success. But for her to get the ball where she can be most effective will take great guard play. The Red Hawks cannot turn the ball over. The potential to dominate their side of the bracket to reach the finals is there. She has good speed, ball skills, and vision in transition. She is also a perimeter threat off the step and catch. Williams has to be a leader and a creator. Defensively she and her fellow guards have to play quick in their zone, not allow penetration, and disrupt timing on entry passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='877446' first='Kinzee' last='Bauerle'], 5'8", CG, Atchison County, 2025 - A two-time Northeast Kansas League selection Baurle is a solid perimeter threat and has the ability to finish through contact at speed. In 2023 she shot 39% from three while averaging 11.7 points. Baurle also pulled down 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals. This year she's upped the ante to more than 17 points per game while shooting 41% from behind the arc. She is also shooting 73% from the line, pulling down 4.1 rebounds and collecting 3 steals and 1.8 assists per game. For the Tigers to be successful not only does she need to continue scoring but she also will need to be a major factor defensively to limit opponent transition baskets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881016' first='Addison' last='Schwinn']</strong>, 5'10", SF, Jefferson West, 2026 - Schwinn is a strong shooter from all around the perimeter. She also hits the challenged three. She has a nice frame as well as length that she will need to use to great effect defensively. Schwinn play has to be strong on both ends for the Tigers to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taylor Damme</strong>, 6'1", PF/C, Perry Lecompton, 2024 - Damme is a long, rangy athlete. with good quickness. She anticipates passes well, jumps the lanes, and goes end-to-end to finish at speed with either hand. Damme also steps out and cans the three ball. Defensively, she helps well and is a terrific shot blocker. While guard play will be especially important to pinch gaps in the defense and distribute the ball the Kaws need both Damme's scoring and her rim protecting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='872345' first='Samantha' last='Klotz']</strong>, 5'9", PF, Royal Valley, 2025 - Klotz is a lengthy, active, and has a nearly 30" vertical. She uses those hops quickly and to great effect. Klotz, a multi-sport athlete Klotz also has good strength and transition speed, rebounds strongly at a 10.8 per game pace and is a terrific shot blocker. For the Panthers to be successful Klotz has to stay on the floor, continue controlling the glass and blocking shots without fouling. and give her teammates scoring. The team defends well but struggles putting up points. Strong work in the half court and in transition to get easy baskets will make their defense that much more effective. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->