Team Preview, Magic Basketball 17U King

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring and summer club basketball season has gotten under way. Many teams are still in the formation stage while others hit the hardwoods running right after the conclusion of the 2024 high school state basketball championships. As part of my preview of club teams enjoy this look at the 17U King [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball'] team that will be playing in the Battle In The Big Friendly, Prep Girls Hoops <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/circuit/dynasty/">Dynasty Circuit</a>, event next weekend in Edmund, OK.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='616737' first='Logan' last='Nolan'], 5'4”, SG, Colby, 2025 - Nolan and fellow Trojan backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Alisabeth' last='Barton'] return for another season on [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball']'s top team. She brings good handles, leadership, scoring ability off the bounce and from beyond the arc and solid lateral quickness. With the Trojans she generally played the 2-guard, moving to the point when Barton was not in. She made the Great West Activities Conference second team after being named honorable mention in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='265121' first='Jera' last='Kruleski'], 5'7", SG, Holcomb, 2024 - Kruleski, a long time [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball'] team member, had a strong season for the Longhorns this past season and received Great West Activities Conference first team honors after making the conference's honorable mention list in 2023. She also was selected KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas 3A honorable mention. Kruleski is a solid handling perimeter player who moves well into space and knocks down three balls in streaks with range. She plays with bounce, attacks the hoop with speed and dishes well. Kruleski uses a soft floater to score over taller players in the lane. Defensively she has good footwork and terrific hands. A very good transition player off the possession change Kruleski will be playing for Colby Community College in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Alisabeth' last='Barton'], 5'6”, PG, Colby, 2025 - Barton and teammate/fellow Trojan [player_tooltip player_id='616737' first='Logan' last='Nolan'] composed one of the top backcourts in the 3A classification last season. They return for another season on [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball']'s top team. Barton is among the quickest and fastest ball handlers in the state regardless of classification. She has terrific handles off the bounce to get inside, is fearless competing inside on both sides of the ball (including finishing in traffic), shoots the three ball well and is very strong leading the break in transition. With her headiness, lateral quickness and hand speed Barton is also a strong full-court one-on-one defender. A Great West Activities Conference first team selection (second team in 2023) she also earned KBCA 3A third team and honorable mention honors from KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='779244' first='Camden' last='Franklin'], 5'6", CG, Rawlins County, 2027 - Franklin had a impactful freshman season for a Buffaloes team that reached the 2A state quarterfinals. She put up 9.2 points per game and collected 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 3 steals. The third team Northwest Kansas League selection was second on the team in free throw attempts, making 63% of her 100 attempts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kalyn King</strong>, 5'7”, Holcomb, 2025 - King returns for another season with [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball']'s top team. She will be splitting time with her club volleyball program. A player with soft hands and leadership ability King picks her spots well for shots and typically defends an opponent's best player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456532' first='Halle' last='Jones'], 5'5”, PG, Holcomb, 2025 - Jones returns for another season with [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball']'s top team. Led the team in scoring (16) and rebounding (6.3). She also gathered 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals. After knocking down 34% of her threes in 2023 she scored them at a blistering 42% in 2024 (63 made). Jones heads into a senior season having made all-Great West Activities Conference three years straight - honorable mention in 2022, second team in 2023, and first team in 2024. She also was names to the Sports In Kansas 3A second team and KSHSAA honorable mention. A heady, aggressive scorer and active defender who uses her quickness well on both ends of the floor Jones and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='265121' first='Jera' last='Kruleski'] formed one of the top 3A backcourts in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456514' first='Tayten' last='Dewey'], 5'10", SF, Rawlins County, 2025 - Dewey has been a mainstay for [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball'] for years and a major driver of Rawlins County's success in that time. This past season, the Buffaloes reached the 1A Division I state tournament. A natural small forward Dewey was pressed into point guard duty, something I expect to change in the future as younger talents grow into ball handler roles. She has averaged more than 11 points per game over her career. This past season she also added 6.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.9 steals. Dewey has solid speed, good length and athleticism, and scoring ability around the hoop. The three-time Northwest Kansas League first team selection also was named to KBCA's second team, KSHSAA's third team and Sports In Kansas' honorable mention. She also earned all-state honors in class 2A in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->