Post-Season Watch, 5 Key 3A Western Kansas Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Alisabeth' last='Barton'], 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 [player_tooltip player_id='616737' first='Logan' last='Nolan'] are among the top back courts in the classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456532' first='Halle' last='Jones'], 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 [player_tooltip player_id='265121' first='Jera' last='Kruleski'] among the top back court tandems in the classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='621259' first='Layla' last='Kisner'], 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='302143' first='Jaxi' last='Mitchek'], 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='606260' first='Jenessa' last='Ruder'], 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 &amp; 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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->