3A Sub-State Watch, the Chapparal Sub-State

On the heals of my article on Western Kansas players in the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/post-season-watch-5-key-3a-western-kansas-players/">Holcomb</a> 3A sub-state comes this look at key players in the Chapparal sub-state. Top-seed Cheney (16-4) and second seed Neodesha (15-4) headline a group of five teams in the regional with winning records. A couple of others have the potential to not just pull one upset but to heat up and run the table. Cheney strives to return to state to atone for the blow-out loss to now two-time defending champion Goodland in the 2023 finals. Here is a look at several key players to watch in no particular order.   [player_tooltip player_id='616759' first='Julia' last='Herrman'], 6'4", C, Wichita Collegiate, 2025 - The three-win Spartans have endured substantial difficulty scoring points in 2024. That fact has led to some very lop-sided losses. Herrman, a 2023 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division IV second team selection, has been the focal point of opposing defenses to stop all season. Not just a presence with her size and length, she has plenty of game college programs have to appreciate. Herrman has solid north-south speed, quickness and awareness to jump passing lanes, and ball skills in the open court and off the bounce. She also scores with athleticism in the paint. And if teams do not get a real body on her nearly every interior rebound is hers to command, which makes her a great garbage collector.   [player_tooltip player_id='539009' first='Prayer' last='Roebuck'], 5'10", SF, Neodesha, 2025 - Roebuck, who crossed the 1,000 points threshhold recently while averaging more than 20 points per game, has one of the most diverse skill sets in the classification. She is a consistent perimeter threat, has size and length to score well around the basket out of her face-up and back-to-basket game, ball skills and speed to lead the break, and moves well without the ball. A high IQ, high caliber player who will carry her team when needed she should be on every school's radar in D II, NAIA, and NJCAA. Roebuck was a Tri-Valley League first team and Varsity Kansas 3A honorable mention selection in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='688279' first='Makenna' last='Balzer'], 5'8", CG, Trinity Academy, 2025 - After opening the season 1-5 the Knights have gone 10-4 January 1. Balzer is a big component as to why. She is one of three talented scorers on a team with a quality 6-3 center. Each should be holding offers from D II, NAIA, and NJCAA teams at this point. Her game exploded over the summer and has turned into difficult match-up. Fast, quick, heady, and physical she scores well at all three levels. Balzer uses her strong balance and footwork to also be consistently disruptive on defense. She has good height at the position and a even better wingspan.   [player_tooltip player_id='606254' first='Zoey' last='Sims'], 5'9", PF, Fredonia, 2024 - The Yellowjackets, despite a 7-13 record, will be a tough out and the Midland University commit is a big reason why. A teammate last summer with Neodesha's [player_tooltip player_id='539009' first='Prayer' last='Roebuck'] with 365 Elite, Sims not only was a Varsity Kansas 3A honorable mention last season but also has been either a first or second team Tri-Valley League selection two years running. Over those two seasons she averaged more than 13 points, 9 rebounds and nearly 2 steals. A consistent 65% free throw shooter she also shot better than 30% from beyond the arc. This season her numbers are down slightly but is shooting more than 35% from three point land. Sims has a solid frame that she actively uses boxing out around the hoop to go with good ball clearing ability off the rebound. A hustler on both ends who also moves into space well Sims not just shoots with range but also will shoot quickly and with bounce in the mid- and long-range.   [player_tooltip player_id='862399' first='Holli' last='Emmons'], PG, Bluestem, 2024 - The Lions open sub-state against a Chaparral team with an identical record. Emmons should be a key to success not only because of her speed and quickness but also due to her perimeter shooting with very little wasted movement. With the ball Emmons likes to push the pace and does a good job of getting to the rim or getting the ball down the floor to her teammates. With her high motor NJCAA and NAIA schools looking to pick up a high motor guard who can shoot the rock should be paying attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='862402' first='Reagan' last='Ayers'], PG/SG, Cheney, 2024 - After being a part of the 3A state runner-up, post player oriented team last season Ayers is one of the ring leaders of the Cardinals' push to return to Hutchinson. In a deep Chaparral sub-state speed, perimeter shooting, hustle, and rebounding will be key. An experience ball handler and shooter Ayers' ability to score and defend with quickness as well as find teammates for transition baskets will be paramount. Several teams have size and strong interior games, like opening round opponent Wichita Collegiate, so minimizing that advantage will be among the tasks ahead of her and the rest of the Cardinal backcourt. With her big game experience and quick perimeter release Ayers should be on the radar of NJCAA and NAIA schools.

On the heals of my article on Western Kansas players in the Holcomb 3A sub-state comes this look at key players in the Chapparal sub-state. Top-seed Cheney (16-4) and second seed Neodesha (15-4) headline a group of five teams in the regional with winning records. A couple of others have the potential to not just pull one upset but to heat up and run the table. Cheney strives to return to state to atone for the blow-out loss to now two-time defending champion Goodland in the 2023 finals. Here is a look at several key players to watch in no particular order.