Key Non-Seniors in the 6A West Sub-State Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams reaching the 6A West sub-state finals feature several talented non-seniors that integral to their team's drive to reach the state tournament that begins next Wednesday in Wichita. Enjoy a quick look at several of them to watch at the four March 1st sub-state finals. Enjoy a look at the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/02/key-non-seniors-in-the-6a-east-sub-state-finals/">6A East</a> also.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335953' first='SaMiyah' last='Ellis'], 5'9", PG, Wichita Heights, 2025 - Ellis is probably the most post-season experienced player on the team. After leading winning a championship with Sunrise Christian Academy as a freshman she led The Independent School to its first ever state tournament appearance in class 2A last season. And while she she averaging 20 points while shooting 42% from three and 86% from the line, picking up 6 rebounds, and collecting 6 assists and 2 steals per game her biggest impact his her leadership. And while the Falcons have been rolling she knows that in the second season anything can happen, every game will be tougher. Ellis is quick and aggressive on both ends of the floor and uses that quickness to generate turnovers and to get to the basket. And as she has grown and continues to fill out her frame her size with her skill set makes her even tougher. A high IQ floor leader who knows how to create and move into space she likes making her teammates look good with her unselfishness. All she needs is for them is to run and run some more and to catch everything she sends their way. She holds an offer from University of Texas - Rio Grande.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335956' first='Alana' last='Webb'], 5'6", SG/PG, Wichita Southeast, 2025 - The Buffalos were the lone Greater Wichita Areal League to reach the state tournament in 2023 and, despite the exodus of transfers to other GWAL schools coach Dixon has the team positioned to pick up one more win to get back. Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='335956' first='Alana' last='Webb'] is a major key to that happening. In the quarterfinals last season she racked up 15 points against eventual champion Blue Valley North while going 3/6 from three point land. She shoots it with range and a quick release. She can get the tempo game going on one end and defensively has the quickness to stay with the ball and the strength to rip to the ball away when basket attackers foolishly do not protect it on finishes. PGH scouts have noted her play for a couple years. They have loved her handles, physicality, maturity with the ball and her overall game fluidness. All of that will need to be on display for the Buffalos to get return to state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='616736' first='Kallie' last='Rickords'], 5'4", PG, Derby, 2025 - Rickords unexpectedly played a big roll in the Panthers third place finish in the 2023 state tournament. A bit wide-eyed Rickords was entrusted to bring quickness to defend the ball and otherwise take some pressure off point guard [player_tooltip player_id='198606' first='Destiny' last='Smith']. She was vital to the Panthers first round win over Olathe Northwest. While she has a smallish to average build Rickords showed strong handles, transition speed, and terrific poise. She sees the floor well, can get into the lane, and scores it well too. In the 'second season' every game gets tougher. And if the Panthers are to return to state for the nine consecutive year Rickords' experience at being in tough situations against very strong teams will be a key to success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='453758' first='Rylan' last='Chandler'], 5'9", PG, Wichita East, 2026 - Chandler, a 2023 Greater Wichita Activities League honorable mention selection, has been without her injured running mate and sister Nyah for the majority of the season. After taking care of Maize Tuesday night Chandler and the Blue Aces are in position end Derby's run of 8 straight state tournament appearances with an upset tonight. Chandler is a tenacious defender with defensive awareness to jump passing lanes and pick ball handlers to create opportunities. She has nice size at the position and a consistent ability to get to the rim. Her perimeter shooting ability is a big help to her creating opportunities off the bounce and with her passing while working in space. A confident player who can control an offense with poise Chandler can give the Panthers trouble if she takes what is given her and picks her spots when she recognizes she or a teammate has an advantage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='544017' first='Shamari' last='Lewis'], 6'0", PF, Liberal, 2026 - The Redskins are in for a night against probably the one team I would not want to play to get to state, Manhattan. The Indians have size, quickness, depth, and a thick skin. They are also an extremely strong defensive team. Despite ten losses Manhattan has lost seven by five points or less and have not been blown out. Liberal can defend. And with the return of senior forward, and Seward County Community College commit, [player_tooltip player_id='196766' first='Elle' last='Hatcher'] from injury the Redskins welcomed the starter with open arms as she brings experience, poise, leadership and much needed size. But the key to the Redskins success will be Lewis. When she is locked in for four quarters she has shown the capacity to be one of the top 15 players in the class. She brings good size, length and athleticism to the floor. Lewis also is a good rebounder and scorer around the rim. Again, when she is locked in, Lewis has shown near elite level defensive abilities against wings and post players. After shooting 46% from the floor in 2023 while averaging 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds Lewis jacked up those numbers to 13.2 and 8.9 respectively. She is also picking up 2.7 steals and nearly 2 assists per game too. And while her field field goal percentage is down she is nailing free throws at a 74% clip, up from 56% in 2023. Against Manhattan Lewis has to stay on the floor, score and defend with consistent quickness and physicality, and keep hitting her free throws. She could get a dozen attempts. Manhattan has bigs that are three point threats so her quickness to challenge those shots, box quickly, and gather and clear the rebound will be huge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='621235' first='Kat' last='Ball'], 5'2", PG, Manhattan, 2026 - Ball brings terrific speed, harassingly quick defense and some perimeter shooting ability. As the Indians' primary point guard defender she will draw Liberal all-state guard, and Tabor College signee, Haley Contreras. That match-up will be a big factor in the outcome of the game because while Contreras has great handles and legitimate 35' range she also is highly experienced, smart and does a great job running the offense. She also has quick feet and hands. Off turnovers she will score from all three levels and make the strong, on-the-button pass to teammates on the break. Ball has to stay out of foul trouble and play within herself for the Indians to succeed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349426' first='Mahogany' last='Butler'], 5'8", CG, SG/PG, Wichita South, 2026 - The Titans are in for a major challenge tonight. The Titans host the team they defeated in late January for the ...Tournament title, #9 ranked Washburn Rural. It is a four versus five seed game between teams with identical records. Much like her older sister, senior [player_tooltip player_id='198381' first='Zion' last='Butler'], she brings serious quicks; speed; handles; and deep perimeter shooting range who can catch fire and bury a bunch of them. A difference for the Titans will be her size. She has a strong build and good height for the position. What will be a key to Butler's and the Titans' success will be her defense. With combo guard, and Kansas commit, [player_tooltip player_id='192821' first='Zoe' last='Canfield'] in full command of her game her ability to keep her face in front of Canfield's defensively will be huge. She also must be a consistent offensive threat. If South thinks popping 30' three point shots at the end of a game, like they did against East in a recent loss, will be their ticket to the state tournament I think that will be a recipe for disaster. The Junior Blues lost the state title by a point last year, won the title the year before, have one of the top coaches in the high school game, have one of the state's top freshman in PF Maddy Vickory, a great point guard in junior [player_tooltip player_id='616734' first='Kate' last='Hinck'] and a terrific supporting cast that passes the ball well they will be in for a long night. And, unlike in the previous meeting, the Junior Blues will be at full strength and rested. For the Titans to advance Butler will have to be a real problem for Washburn on both ends. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='616734' first='Kate' last='Hinck'], 5'4", PG, Washburn Rural, 2026 - Without a doubt Hinck is the straw that stirs the Junior Blues drink. As part of a experienced group who has played for state titles, winning one, in the past two years Hinck and company find themselves on the road in a four seed versus five seed match-up against a Wichita South team that beat them in late January to capture the .... tournament title. With all-state forward, and Kansas University commit, [player_tooltip player_id='192821' first='Zoe' last='Canfield'] and terrific freshman power forward Maddy Vickory as part of her cast Hinck's job as a floor leader is to make sure the ball gets into the right hands at the right time with the right pass. Something the team has excelled at all season. Hinck, a strong and quick defender, will likely be matched up with all-state guard [player_tooltip player_id='198381' first='Zion' last='Butler'] and terrific Titan freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='592203' first='Chloe' last='Hartzler'] throughout the night. She has to make them pay as much attention to her as she will to them. For Washburn Rural to succeed Hinck and company will need to limit second shots but also get their share of easy baskets off live turnovers. Hinck will also need to consistently penetrate, be a scoring threat at all three levels and otherwise control the offensive. She is among the headiest point guards in the state and will out-smart defenders handling the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->