Krafels, Doile Lead Buhler at McPherson Standouts

I traveled to McPherson to catch the visiting Buhler Crusaders taking on the Bullpups. Both are 4A teams in the AVCTL Division III. While coming in #7 in the most recent KBCA polls McPherson (1-2) was a young team with one senior. Buhler, receiving votes in the Sunflower Smack Show's pre-season media poll, was led by five senior starters primed to build on their 11-10 2024 season and get to the state tournament. After a tied first quarter Buhler took advantage numerous trips to the charity stripe and the lack of work on the boards by McPherson to head to the half-time break up four. Buhler eventually built their lead to double digits. With their 55-44 win the Crusaders ended the Bullpup's 94 game league winning streak that dated back to 2015. Barring a loss to Mulvane on Friday, I expect Buhler to debut in the KBCA polls. Below is a look at several players who stood out.   [player_tooltip player_id='616754' first='Natalya' last='Krafels'], 5'9", PF, Buhler, 2025 - Krafels was a consistent transition threat and a very effective interior scorer. Offensively her length, athleticism, and fluidness finishing with either hand made her a presence McPherson had no answer for. She led all scorers and rebounders with 23 points and 7 boards. Krafels also hit the team's only three pointer in her two attempts.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/Gracie-Oard-2025-Buhler-1.jpg?w=1017" alt="" class="wp-image-1114603" style="width:139px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Buhler 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='539011' first='Gracie' last='Oard']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='539011' first='Gracie' last='Oard'], 5'8", PG, Buhler, 2025 - Oard, who has the physical size and abilities to play and defend multiple positions, has long been the Crusaders' on-the-floor leader. She had 6 turnovers on the night but her second half contributed to the Crusaders fending off McPherson rallies. Finishing with 9 points on the night, Oard only turned the ball over twice and gathered 5 of her 8 steals. She also led the team in assists with 4. She put up stats but her presence and intangibles continued to be a key to the team's success.   [player_tooltip player_id='1114683' first='Nyah' last='Sewell'], 5'5", PG, Buhler, 2026 - Sewell showed herself to be a confident, slippery ball handler with deceiving quickness. Her solid build proved effective against more lightly built defenders. She used her abilities to weave through transition traffic and score challenged shots. Despite 5 turnovers Sewell put up 8 points and collected 3 steals. To lengthen the game's final minutes McPherson consistently put her on the line, where she finished 4/7.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/Brooke-Doile-2026-McPherson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1114631" style="width:137px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McPherson 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1114679' first='Brooke' last='Doile']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1114679' first='Brooke' last='Doile'], 5'9", SF, McPherson, 2026 - Doile made a strong argument for being the most talented scorer on the floor. Reverse layups, finishes in traffic and in transition with either hand and knocking down three balls (2/6) were among the abilities she showed off. Her length also contributed to her success. Blocking a couple shots, she also deflected numerous passes and collected a pair of steals.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/Brynn-Littlejohn-2027-McPherson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1114570" style="width:132px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McPherson 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1114687' first='Brynn' last='Littlejohn']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1114687' first='Brynn' last='Littlejohn'], 5'9", PF, McPherson, 2027 - If there was a player I did not think got enough touches it was Littlejohn. Pretty much the only physical size the Bullpups had on the floor, when she got opportunities she used it to good effect. She was to quick on the interior attack for Buhler bigger defenders and just muscled the quicker and lighter ones, all of them. Littlejohn also gathered big defensive boards in the second half. She went 2/5 from the field and collected 6 boards. She boxed out, got down the floor in transition, and was effective on basket drives.   [player_tooltip player_id='1114685' first='Jensyn' last='Alexander'], 5'5", CG, McPherson, 2026 - Alexander had a effective evening and was somewhat quiet in doing so. The average built guard used her quick hands and aggressiveness to disrupt on the wing well. Of the team's 30 turnovers she only contributed 1. She also picked up 3 steals, an assist, 5 rebounds and canned a three-ball for her only points.

I traveled to McPherson to catch the visiting Buhler Crusaders taking on the Bullpups. Both are 4A teams in the AVCTL Division III. While coming in #7 in the most recent KBCA polls McPherson (1-2) was a young team with one senior. Buhler, receiving votes in the Sunflower Smack Show's pre-season media poll, was led by five senior starters primed to build on their 11-10 2024 season and get to the state tournament. After a tied first quarter Buhler took advantage numerous trips to the charity stripe and the lack of work on the boards by McPherson to head to the half-time break up four. Buhler eventually built their lead to double digits. With their 55-44 win the Crusaders ended the Bullpup's 94 game league winning streak that dated back to 2015. Barring a loss to Mulvane on Friday, I expect Buhler to debut in the KBCA polls. Below is a look at several players who stood out.