An Early Look at Rising Big East Leaguers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The inaugural season for the new Big East League kicks off with eleven schools. It launches with seven teams from the defunct Big 7 League (Hiawatha, Holton, Jefferson West, Nemaha Central, Perry-Lecompton, Royal Valley and Sabetha) and four teams from the defunct Mid-East League (Riley County, Rossville, Silver Lake and St. Marys). Enjoy a look at five rising talents who will play big roles in their respective team's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779209"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67020e7ee34e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burdiek made a great deal of noise in the Mid-East League in 2024, picking up second team all-league and KSHSAACovered and Sports In Kansas 3A honorable mention honors. The lengthy small forward is athletic and speedy with the ball. Despite graduations the Bulldogs return several experienced pieces that will enable the team to make a strong run to a 3A state tournament berth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898286"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67020ec0d3038"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a deep team with especially strong guard play Deiter picked up solid experienced with the defending 3A state champions. Graduations have opened the door for her to be next up. An unselfish player who passes well, she gets in and does the dirty work that does not show up in the box score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1210194' first='Emma' last='Hermesch']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nemaha Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67020f4faaac2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Thunder, returning a talented and experienced cast, are likely to appear high in early season 3A polls. Hermesch carved out a niche as a fluid shooter who strokes threes in bunches and from all over the perimeter. Hanging 19 on Riverside last season and grabbing 7 rebounds is evidence of the production she can generate. Forcing teams to defend the perimeter and keep track of her working in space will be impactful. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822720"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67020ef82b717"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">St. Marys took out Nemaha Thunder before losing in the sub-state final to Silver Lake last season. Returning one of the state's top centers ([player_tooltip player_id='431037' first='Hayden' last='Heim']) and being the most experienced returning guard expect her production to substantially improve over the 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Keep an eye on her three point shooting and, due to shooting 70% from the line, her threat as a traditional three point play scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["860460"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67020e7ee353c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wahwassuck proved her mettle in the scoring department through a difficult 5-16 2024 season. Averaging 8.2 points, she brings size to the guard position that enabled her to log more than a blocked shot per game. Playing a pile of games over the summer has certainly helped her strengthen her overall game. Returning an experienced and athletic roster with one of the top centers in the league (Athena Broaddus), a key for Panther success will be for Wahwassuck to substantially improve her three point (25% - 30/139) and free throw (41%) shooting as well as number of trips to the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></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 -->