Team Preview, Western Kansas Elite 2025 A/C

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring and summer club basketball season is starting to pick up steam. As part of my previews of some teams I now share a look at Western [program_tooltip program_id='715643' first='Kansas' last='Elite'] (aka WKE) 2025 Adigun/Cossman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='621259' first='Layla' last='Kisner'], 5'6”, PG/SG, Southwestern Heights, 2026 - Kisner has piled up more than 500 points in her first two years of high school ball. She averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.9 assist per game. She was named to the Hi-Plains League first team following the 2024 season. She also picked up KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas 3A Honorable Mention honors. A standout power lifter for the Mustangs, Kisner is a scorer who finishes using the glass with either hand at speed, scores with creativity off the slash, nails the three ball from all around the perimeter and displays quickness on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='982105' first='Taegan' last='Eskam']</strong>, 5'6”, CG, Cimarron, 2026 - Eskam had a solid sophomore season for the Bluejays that ended with a Great Western Activities Conference honorable mention selection. Eskam can handle in transition and finish through contact. And while she is slowish on the trigger she has little wasted movement on her three point shot. Outside of film Eskam is a player I am unfamiliar with. I look forward to catching her this summer at events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brenna Fletcher</strong>, 5'10”, CG/SF, Hays, 2027 - Fletcher is a lengthy prospect with a smooth perimeter release off the catch. I have not seen a great deal of Fletcher outside of film and look forward to seeing more of her game over the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='669756' first='Kylie' last='Rhine'], 5'7”, SG, Liberal, 2025 - Rhine showed her mettle this past season as a terrific three point shooter. Fast, tough and with good hops she is also quick and formidable defensively. On both ends she finds the ball well. Mentally and physically tough. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='539006' first='Lydia' last='Reed'], 6'2”, PF/C, St. John, 2025 - While Reed has a fairly light frame she has terrific length, good instincts, and solid hands. She is fast in transition, defends the screen and roll game well, boxes and elevates on rebounds. Probably her most underrated ability is to handle well enough in the backcourt to render most full court pressure futile. Reed was a strong driver for the Tigers run to the 1A Division I state tournament. After picking up second team honors in 2023 Reed was named to the Central Prairie League first team this season She also received KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas Honorable Mention selections. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335932' first='Marilyn' last='Soeken'], 5'7”, Central Plains, 2025 - Soeken has long been one of the Oilers' top players and is one of the only remaining players from the program's run of state championships. After being named to the Central Prairie League second team in 2023 she finally got some much deserved recognition (not enough in my opinion) this past season. Being named to the CPL first team she also was picked third team by KSHSAA 1A Division I and honorable mention by KBCA and Sports In Kansas. There is not much Soeken does not do well. One college coach I shared film with said to me "Wow!!! Great Player!!!" Soeken is a terrific, floor leading ball handler who makes good decisions. Strong with the ball in transition she exploits defender mistakes off the bounce. A solid mid-range and three point threat Soeken scores well and with athleticism in a variety of situations. At a club team tryout a few weekends back she and another guard were typically matched up as there weren't other players on the floor who could compete with her at a consistently high level. Soeken has frequently also played with KS Dream Team and I suspect I will find her playing with them as well when not suited up with WKE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->