AVCTL/GWAL Challenge Day 2 Standouts

Day 2 of the 2025 AVCTL/GWAL Basketball Challenge saw eight boys and girls games on the schedule. The games originally scheduled to run back-to-back beginning bright and early January 10 at Park City Arena. Thursday night's snowstorm made the Arena generally inaccessible so the games were postponed to start late Friday afternoon. Wichita Heights and Wichita South high schools became the host sites for two boys and two girls games each. Heading to Wichita South my intention was to catch both the Campus vs Wichita West and Valley Center vs Wichita South games. Due to a typographical error in the publicly released game schedule, which showed the first girl's game starting at 4:30, I missed all but the fourth quarter of the former game that was on a running clock. So, much to my chagrin, I did not see much. I did thoroughly enjoyed catching the Titans and the Trojans though. I do want to give a shout out to Campus' [player_tooltip player_id='994014' first='Addison' last='Wood'] for sitting down with me for a long visit following her game. And now, some notes on several players who stood out.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Valley Center</h2>    Duncan had a solid all-around game. She handled the ball with purpose and with speed in transition, passed well in a variety of situations, and was successful competing on both ends of the floor. Defending on the interior, jumping to the ball rebounding, and turning loose balls into buckets.     Much like the first night I saw her this season Davison turned the ball over 8-10 times. It is how they are generated that catches my attention. Yes she was shut down and frustrated by perimeter defenders at times. Held and other dead ball turnovers happened. But she sparkled with her aggression, vision down the floor in transition, passing and in her shooting. Her lateral quickness seemed improved some too. It is very clear that as Davison goes so does the Hornets execution and scoring.     McDonald really shined with her good hands and in rebounding situations. She pulled down at least a half dozen defensive boards and cleared them with confidence. Her transition speed is solid. Her teammates look for her right away when pushing the ball down the floor. And while she struggled to finish at times McDonald showed mid-range touch. She gets up rebounding and finishing around the hoop but her outside shot is a set shot. I would love to see her put her hops to work and get jumpers in her repertoire. Defensively, she challenged and defended with physicality. Altering shots helped limit Titan scoring ability in the paint.      <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wichita South</h2>    I am really wanting to see Hart's offensive game close ground on her defense. Nothing came easy for Hornet bigs and rare was a offensive rebound given up to them. Hart defended with quickness and physicality, did not get bumped off opponent interior scoring attempts and walled up strongly. Her boxing out needs work to improve and be consistent with but because of her strength and solid build rare was there a offensive rebound given up much less a score. A player to watch develop.     Chiles' quick feet, solid build and aggressiveness went a long way in contributing to the many Hornet turnovers. She stayed with the ball in the half court and had the strength and hand speed to disrupt in the backcourt. She was able to create and move the ball offensively. She also showed seemed to be the primary choice to take a key perimeter shot. Chiles played hard on both ends of the floor. Only a freshman, the Titans have found something here for a floor leader.     Coleman seemed to struggle to get into a grove on both ends of the floor in the first half. The second half found her to be a quick, aggressive harasser of Hornet guards. I like her length, her willingness to take qualify shots and her quick hands and feet. Schools looking for a combo guard who has a long way to go to reach her ceiling of potential, who runs well and defends with quick hands and feet should take a hard look at Coleman.

Day 2 of the 2025 AVCTL/GWAL Basketball Challenge saw eight boys and girls games on the schedule. The games originally scheduled to run back-to-back beginning bright and early January 10 at Park City Arena. Thursday night's snowstorm made the Arena generally inaccessible so the games were postponed to start late Friday afternoon. Wichita Heights and Wichita South high schools became the host sites for two boys and two girls games each. Heading to Wichita South my intention was to catch both the Campus vs Wichita West and Valley Center vs Wichita South games. Due to a typographical error in the publicly released game schedule, which showed the first girl's game starting at 4:30, I missed all but the fourth quarter of the former game that was on a running clock. So, much to my chagrin, I did not see much. I did thoroughly enjoyed catching the Titans and the Trojans though. I do want to give a shout out to Campus' Addison Wood Addison Wood 5'9" | SG/SF Campus | 2026 State KS for sitting down with me for a long visit following her game. And now, some notes on several players who stood out.