3A Sub-State Watch, the Southeast of Saline 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 Southeast of Saline 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>, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/3a-sub-state-watch-the-caney-valley-sub-state/">Caney Valley</a>&nbsp;sub-states. Two of the four Central Kansas League teams, Halstead and Hesston, are the top two seeds with identical 17-3 records. A nine point win over the Swathers a few weeks back gave the Dragons the top seed. Six seed Smoky Valley (14-6) defeated the Dragons the last game of the season to win their first CKL title since 1987. Five seed Southeast of Saline, outside of three seed Santa Fe Trail, is the most state tournament experienced team in the field. The Trojans lost to Phillipsburg in a sub-state final last season after giving state runner-up Hugoton all it wanted two years ago the 3A tournament. The four are joined by eight seed Council Grove and four seed Osage City from the Flint Hills League. Three seed Santa Fe Trail and seven seed Burlington from the Pioneer League round out the field. Six teams enter with winning records. Santa Fe Trail is gunning for a return to the state tournament for the third straight year. Many talented players are in the field including four that were KBCA 3A all-staters in 2023. Below is a look at who I think are key players to watch in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396406' first='Kaelee' last='Washington'], 5'11", PF, Santa Fe Trail, 2024 - The all-state forward is the most challenging mismatch for any team in the sub-state. Athletic, fast, and long she slides between defenders to score on one end and stays with the ball to challenge shots on the other. She also has the quickness to play on top of full court pressure and zones. Key for her is to not turn the ball over as she has in the past two state tournaments and consistent fill up the bucket. The Kansas University softball commit has long averaged in double figures. For the Chargers to return to the state tournament she has to be dominant on the glass, score consistently, take advantage of her end-to-end with the ball ability, and stay on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='265122' first='Lexi' last='Jacobson'], 5'7", CG, Southeast of Saline, 2024 - Foes of the Trojans have to be ready for a full-court game the game when they step on the floor. The team plays fast, plays physical, and has several important pieces remaining from their 2022 state tournament team including Jacobson. She is the most all-around scoring threat on the roster and actively goes after smaller guards trying to defend her. Fast with the ball, she has good hops, quick hands, and uses the glass well. And on both ends of the floor she uses her lower body extremely well to gain and hold position. Uncommitted, Jacobson is a high motor player who knows how to score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396409' first='Dominique' last='Schutte'], 6'0", SF/SG, Halstead, 2024 - On a team loaded with speed and quickness the all-stater is the lone player with any size in the rotation. The Ottawa University commit has long been known as a prolific shooter with range and a quality ball handler. The Dragons are deep in the speed department and love the full court game but they are a different team without her on the floor. Without her length teams with quality bigs control the glass. A very heady leader Schutte has to stay out of foul trouble and stay on the floor the majority of the game for the Dragons to reach the state tournament. Halstead is the top seed but the sub-state is loaded with quality teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='231271' first='Adrian' last='Hazelwood'], 5'8", PG/SG, Smoky Valley, 2024 - Another all-stater in the sub-state Hazelwood is also a Tabor College commit. A strong, physical scorer she gets to rack with quickness and finishes over, around, or through defenders consistently. She also will shoot the three ball. Her craftiness and handles on one end and physical rebounding on the other will create opportunities for her shooters and big [player_tooltip player_id='616730' first='Katja' last='Blanchat'] to go to work. Opening against Sante Fe Trail is a tough draw but should they come out on top the Vikings have a great shot reach the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='862414' first='Campbell' last='Stark']</strong>, 6'1", C, Osage City, 2024 - Stark has been a Flint Hills all-league player for a couple years. She has good size, shot blocking length and ability, and runs well north-to-south. She also has good hands and finishing ability around the basket. For the Indians to have a shot at overcoming Southeast of Saline in their opener Stark will have to rebound with physicality, rebound well, collect her share of garbage points off put-backs, and stay out of foul trouble. Osage City split with league foe Santa Fe Trail this season so they know what caliber of play they have to show to get out of the quarterfinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='398376' first='Kendal' last='Brueggen'], 5'10", SG, Hesston, 2025 - The Swather all-stater might be the most talented player in the sub-state and is among the top prospects in her class. I first saw her as a freshman when she lit up state tournament bound Nickerson from the perimeter in a tough loss. Averaging nearly 24 points per game Brueggan continues to be a terrific shooter with range. She also has good hands and finishes well at speed in traffic. The Swathers are known for their defense. And defense for them creates offense. Against a young Burlington team expect the Brueggan and her teammates to focus on shut-down defense to set up transition play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='836278' first='Alexa' last='Splechter'], 5'4", PG, Burlington, 2027 - The Wildcats have strong young leadership and Splechter is part of it. A very good, athletic ball handler she will need to be in control of the offense against a very strong defensive team in Hesston while also being selectively disruptive defensively. With her quickness and speed she shoots passing lanes for the steal and sprints down the floor for the lay-in. She has good bounce moving on the perimeter as well and is a consistent shooting threat. To have a shot at advancing from their quarterfinal the Wildcats have to look for transition opportunities because Hesston will not allow many in a half court game. Burlington also has to disrupt the Swather guard play to prevent consistent perimeter looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->