Robert’s Rising, Pre-Season 2A All-State Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The landscape of the 2A classification has changed substantially for the 2025 season. KSHSAA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/General/Classifications.cfm">2024-2025 Classifications and Enrollments</a> shows 11 of the 64 teams included to be new. Four, Phillipsburg; Douglass; Rossville; and Leon-Bluestem, joined from 3A. Seven, Udall; Soloman; Central Christian Academy; Oswego; Sylvan-Lucas; Yates Center; and Doniphan West, moved up from 1A Division I. Given those changes here is a look some of my top rising, pre-season, all-state picks..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["539214"],"_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-672d8fbb21161"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hoxie gave 2A state runner-up Riverside everything it wanted in a first round state tournament loss last season. The two-loss Indians will be counting on Bainter (14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds) to lead a return trip with a better ending. A first team selection in the brutal Mid-Continent League, she also gathered Sports In Kansas second team, KBCA third team and KSHSAACovered honorable mention nods. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["344788"],"_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-672d8fbb211d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big roadblock for the Bulldogs to reach state is fellow league opponent, and last year's 3A state champ, Silver Lake. With a drop to 2A, the post-season landscape will have a completely new look. Dick is a top returner and dangerous shooter who picked up Mid-East League second team honors. She also was selected 3A honorable mention by KSHSAACovered and Sports In Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["621258"],"_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-672d8fbb2121f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Tutons were unable to plow through a loaded Hillsboro sub-state a year ago after suffering six regular season losses. With nearly everybody back Harris and company, if they can grow out of the inconsistent performances, have a legitimate shot at the 2A state tournament. Not just a Heart of America League first teamer, she also earned Sports In Kansas first; KBCA second; and KSHSAACovered third team honors. Among the most talented players in the class, the University of Utah volleyball commit can make a shambles of defenses when given consistent opportunities within 12 feet of the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["873993"],"_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-672d8fbb21265"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season Hoffman, racking up 16.2 points (40% from three, 61% from the line), 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, announced her arrival to the South Central Border League with a first team selection. She also picked up KSHSAACovered and Sports In Kansas 1A Division I honorable mention nods. Having grown a few inches in the past year and racked up a few dozen club ball games over the summer I expect Hoffman to have a big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["872349"],"_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-672d8fbb212a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I expect the two-time Heart of America League first team selection to continue to be a disruptive force on both ends of the floor for the Bulldogs. In a late season loss she hung 20 points and gathered 10 steals. Also a 2A KBCA third team selection, she picked up honorable mention nods from KSHSAACovered and Sports In Kansas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773202"],"_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-672d8fbb212e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like her stature, O'Brien's game continuously grown over a high school and club career I have observed on countless sidelines. A former guard who moved into forward spots over time she has been long under-appreciated despite picking up Heart of America first team and 2A KSHSAACovered and Sports In Kansas honorable mention honors. Long, fast, athletic and quick enough to continue to play the top of full court ball pressure O'Brien and the Broncos may finally have the horses to avoid another sub-state final loss to get to the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["982112"],"_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-672d8fbb21328"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year, the Mustangs' fourth state appearance in five years, Smith and company nearly took out Riverside to reach the 2A state tournament final. Smith, who averaged 12.1 points and 5.6 rebounds, looks to lead her squad back for another run. The Twin Valley League first teamer also also picked up 2A Sports In Kansas second team and KSHSAACovered honorable mention selections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["719106"],"_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-672d8fbb21367"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Wildcats were left with a bad taste in their mouth after being blown out by Hillsboro in last season's sub-state final and are gunning to lay a whuppin' on somebody else this time. The young, deep and talented team includes Unruh, a fierce combo-guard who is a match-up problem on both ends of the floor. Fast, quick, aggressive, strong and with size she is a threat to score and find her teammates from anywhere. I saw her several times in her run of a few dozen club team games over the season and I expect not only for her to repeat on Heart of America Leagues's first team but also climb up the 2A honors from KSHSAACovered and Sports In Kansas (second team) and KBCA (third team).</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 -->