Post-Season Watch, 5 Key 3A Western Kansas Players
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Several strong teams are vying to emerge from Western Kansas to reach the state tournament. That pool includes 2x defending state champion Goodland. Here’s a look at five key players to know. Alisabeth Barton Alisabeth Barton 5'6" | PG Colby…
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Continue ReadingSeveral strong teams are vying to emerge from Western Kansas to reach the state tournament. That pool includes 2x defending state champion Goodland. Here’s a look at five key players to know.
Alisabeth Barton Alisabeth Barton 5'6" | PG Colby | 2025 State KS , 5’6″, PG, Colby, 2025 – Barton’s quick hands and feet are well known but she is lightning with the ball in transition. She will beat most opponents down the floor while dribbling. She has a great step off the bounce, is unafraid to score among the trees inside, and shoots the three ball with a quick release. Defensively, she eats up weaker ball handlers. Period. She and running mate Logan Nolan Logan Nolan 5'3" | PG Colby | 2025 State KS are among the top back courts in the classification.
Halle Jones Halle Jones 5'5" | PG Holcomb | 2025 State KS , 5’5″, PG, Holcomb, 2025 – Averaging 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Longhorns. Also averaging nearly 2 steals and 2 assists per game. Jones is an aggressive scorer and active defender who uses her quickness well on both ends of the floor. She is also one of the top perimeter shooters in the state. With 50 made this season she is ringing them up at a whopping 43% clip for a team that is shooting 30% from behind the are as a team. She and shooting guard Jera Kruleski Jera Kruleski 5'7" | SG Holcomb | 2024 State KS among the top back court tandems in the classification.
Layla Kisner Layla Kisner 5'5" | PG Southwestern Heights | 2026 State KS , 5’7″, PG/SG, Southwestern Heights, 2026- Averaging 16.5 points and 5.1 rebounds. Also picking up 3 steals and dishing nearly 2 assists per game. The slightly built scorer is a terrific scorer who finishes with both hands at speed and does so creatively. She has good quickness on the lane slash and on the defensive end. A 2023 114 pound state powerlifting champion, she also is strong for her build. She is shooting 28% from behind the arc and 70% from the line.
Jaxi Mitchek Jaxi Mitchek 5'9" | CG Goodland | 2024 State KS , 5’9″, CG/PF, Goodland, 2024 – Mitchek has been an integral part of the Cowgirls’ state championship runs. Her experience, strength, and scoring ability in a variety of situations are the key to success. She uses her lower body well in post-up situations and controls the ball well.
Jenessa Ruder Jenessa Ruder 5'8" | SG Norton | 2024 State KS , 5’9″, CG/SF, Norton, 2024 – Ruder has been a integral part of the Bluejays for several years, averaging more than 12 points and 6 rebounds over the past three seasons. A Nebraska track & field commit, Ruder has consistently been able to score off the catch and the bounce. She is a very good finisher with either hand and scores through contact. Ruder also is a consistent perimeter shooter. Over her high school career is shooting 33% from beyond the arc and has buried 40 this year alone.