Topeka-Based Club Team Headed To Chicago

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletes from multiple Kansas high schools gathered in Topeka on June 17 for one final practice before heading to Chicago to compete in the Nike Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Missouri Phenom Topeka 14U squad's first match in Chicago occurs at 10:25 a.m. on July 19. The squad heads to the Windy City with an undefeated record. It is a team known for its pressure defense and ability to run the floor. Hopefully, the Sunflower State youngsters will have the discipline to not overindulge on deep-dish pizza from Geno's, pizza pot pie from the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co., cheeseburgers from the Billy Goat Tavern, or the BBQ pork chops from Carson's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops attended the final practice and here is a quick report on Class of 2028 prospects (in alphabetical order) hoping to head into their freshman prep seasons toting club ball hardware. It would not be the first hardware won by this team, which won last year at a national tournament in New Orleans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braelyn Blackwell</strong>, 5'8”, SF, Quinter, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackwell travels over 250 miles from Quinter to participate with the Topeka-based team. She has great court vision and arguably might be the best passer on the team. She plays shutdown defense and is a solid secondary scoring threat for the Phenom. The Quinter Bulldog might just be the top dog on the porch out in Western Kansas during her high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='899198' first='Kaelyn' last='Boss']</strong>, 5'8”, CG, Osage City, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boss is a sneaky defender who can pick pockets with her long reach. She is a three-level scorer unafraid to fight for buckets down low. She darts in and out of the paint like a squirrel jumps in and out of a hole in a log. She can stop and pop with a solid mid-range jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hailey Caryl</strong>, 5'10”, F, Topeka High, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caryl was the biggest surprise on the team. She has a frame like a diesel truck and will roll over any roadblock in the paint. She has quick feet and finishes off shots down low. She works hard to rebound and can shoot from 3-point range. Topeka High was a very young team last season, so it will be interesting which level of ball she plays next season for the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898286' first='Karys' last='Deiter']</strong>, 5'7”, CG, Silver Lake, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dieter is the Dennis Rodman on this team. She takes care of the dirty work for the Topeka squad and plays unselfish ball. The argument of which player is the best passer on the team is between her and Blackwell. She played well in transition and found open teammates on extended possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898858' first='Hailey' last='Schmidtlein']</strong>, 6'0”, F, Hayden, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmidtlein is a two-sport prospect who is currently the No. 1 ranked volleyball player by Prep Dig Kansas. She is long and lean and runs the court like a deer. I don't think I saw her best shooting performance during this practice. If she was struggling she did not show it. She plays with high energy and can score from anywhere on the court. The future Hayden Wildcat is one of the primary scoring threats on this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898141' first='Blakely' last='Walter']</strong>, 5'7”, PG, Hayden, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walter is a three-sport standout who plays prep and club basketball, softball, and volleyball. She is currently ranked No. 3 overall by Prep Dig as a setter. She earned the nickname Zeus during this practice as she brought thunder and rain during the entire session. She had a hot shooting day and was cashing in from deep on shooting drills and in the half-court offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='898697' first='Sophia' last='Wichman']</strong>, 5'7”, CG, Hayden, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wichman is the silent assassin and might be the most physical athlete on the team. I would like to see her and Caryl compete in an “Over The Top” arm wrestling match. She is a solid defender and fights for rebounds. She can extend possessions and create turnovers with her long reach and willingness to out-hustle opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->