Player Notes, Bishop Carroll at Wichita Heights GWAL Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night in the Greater Wichita Athletic League featured an anticipated battle between Bishop Carroll and Wichita Heights on the Falcons' home floor. Co-ranked #5 in the Sunflower Smack Show 5A media poll and ranked #8 in the KBCA coaches poll, The Golden Eagles brought in a 4-0 record. Heights, ranked #2 in the Sunflower Smack Show media and KBCA coaches polls, also sported a 4-0 record. Across the roster the Falcon starters are a physically bigger and stronger bunch than any of the Golden Eagles' rotation. They used that to advantage in the first half. Heights challenged everything on the perimeter and clogged up the paint. And offensively they got timely scoring from their back court. The Falcons led by as many as 14 midway through the second quarter and took a 10 point half-time lead. The third quarter, it was as if Carroll's [player_tooltip player_id='544984' first='Avery' last='McCorry'] had said "enough!" She opened the third with a 5-0 run and had 10 points in the first minute and a half. Heights' lead stood at 2 heading into the fourth. A back and forth quarter found both teams alternating clicking and stumbling in the turnovers department. Up three with 3.6 seconds remaining Carroll missed a pair of free throws that could have sealed a win. Heights' [player_tooltip player_id='335953' first='SaMiyah' last='Ellis'] took off with the defensive rebound. She unloaded a desperation three from just inside the half court line that was off the mark. Fouled on the shot, Ellis coolly swishing the first two. Ellis sent the game to overtime by swishing the third after Carroll called time out to try to ice her. In overtime McCorry buried a three to give the Golden Eagles the lead. Heights would fall 56-53 when the final buzzer sounded. A terrific game to catch. Now, enjoy a look at my player notes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1129069,"width":"100px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Wichita-Heights-2025-SaMiyah-Ellis.jpg?w=458" alt="" class="wp-image-1129069" style="width:100px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wichita Heights 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='335953' first='SaMiyah' last='Ellis']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335953' first='SaMiyah' last='Ellis'], 5'7", SG/PG, Wichita Heights, 2025 - The University of Texas-Rio Grande commit had a streaky night. Key for her was making plays, and getting shots off, in flow. She showed an ability to score with length on the move and to stroke the three ball with range. Her confidence in her handles with speed is evident as she has a good feel for how to play quickly without rushing. There is no doubt about Ellis' composure. An ice-in-the-veins free throw shooter, she sent the game to overtime by coolly swishing three throws. Ellis finished with 21 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1129133,"width":"104px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Wichita-Heights-2025-KaMyra-Barber.jpg?w=403" alt="" class="wp-image-1129133" style="width:104px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wichita Heights 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='335922' first='KaMyra' last='Barber']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335922' first='KaMyra' last='Barber'], 5'9", PG, Wichita Heights, 2025 - One of the top three top unsigned talents in the 2025 class showed a diverse game. She handled well versus strong defenders, used her size well to overpower small defenders, and calculated her shot to incorporate whirls and other moves to create mid-range jumpers and hoop finishes. A high IQ, steady presence Barber's ability to anticipate the actions of the player she guards is top shelf. Combined with her solid stature and quickness that ability is apparent regardless of whether she defends on the perimeter or inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1129121,"width":"106px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Wichita-Heights-2027-Destiny-Maze.jpg?w=404" alt="" class="wp-image-1129121" style="width:106px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wichita Heights 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='779223' first='Destiny' last='Maze']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='779223' first='Destiny' last='Maze'], 5'8", CG, Wichita Heights, 2027 - Early on Maze was not a factor offensively but that changed dramatically as the game wore on. A fiery, confident guard, her quickness and explosiveness with the ball and on the offensive glass enabled her to take advantage of her length to create extra possessions and scoring opportunities. Maze buried a couple three balls with range and a quick release. Key for her ability to get opportunities in the paint is her perimeter shot. Once she buried a couple three balls Carroll had limited options for defenders who could contest her ability to get into the lane quickly much less challenge her runners and interior passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='773190' first='Terri' last='Brown'], 5'6", CG, Wichita Heights, 2026 - Brown played substantial varsity minutes as well as a few in the JV game. What impressed me was her consistency as a lock down wing defender. She sat down and showed solid lateral quicks. I got a peek at her scoring ability in the JV game. Brown handled with bounce to split defenders for a short corner area score. I look forward to seeing more of her ball skills and scoring ability in future varsity contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1129137,"width":"89px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Wichita-Heights-2025-Kennadi-Jackson.jpg?w=454" alt="" class="wp-image-1129137" style="width:89px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wichita Heights 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='398375' first='Kennadi' last='Jackson']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='398375' first='Kennadi' last='Jackson'], 5'9", CG, Wichita Heights, 2025 - What I enjoyed watching the most about the Washburn University commit was how she worked in transition to set up scores. She smoothly changed gears, including down-shifting, to set up her finishing shot. With quickness, extension and quickness she showed off a nice runner down the lane. Jackson also buried a three fluidly on the wing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1129141,"width":"98px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Bishop-Carroll-2025-Megan-Simon.jpg?w=469" alt="" class="wp-image-1129141" style="width:98px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bishop Carroll 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='872362' first='Megan' last='Simon']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='872362' first='Megan' last='Simon'], 5'9", PF, Bishop Carroll, 2025 - The primary post option for the Golden Eagles had substantial problems in the first half. Heights' size and physicality rarely enabled her to get clean touches from entry passes much less a solid, lightly contested look at the hoops. But as the game wore on she got things going. And while most of Cowley Community College commit's damage came from her mid-range, face-up game Simon also showed scoring chops out of post moves in the paint. On the defensive end her scrappiness, length and work boxing out were keys for her to challenge shots and grab rebounds in traffic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1129122,"width":"102px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Bishop-Carroll-2026-Anna-Stallbaumer.jpg?w=401" alt="" class="wp-image-1129122" style="width:102px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bishop Carroll 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1130705' first='Anna' last='Stallbaumer']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='544984' first='Avery' last='McCorry'], 5'9", SF, Bishop Carroll, 2026 - It took a while for McCorry to find her groove but when she did she was absolutely dominant. Coupled with her long arms the physical tools are all there. Quick hands, solid hops, transition speed and terrific footwork among them. What sets her apart are her nose for the ball, vision to find teammates, physicality defending and rebounding, her ability to score at all three levels at any moment and smarts to make the right play. She played well within the team structure but when she decided to command the ball, attack the basket, shoot over defenders and do so with consistent abandon she was very difficult to stop. Within the first minute and a half of the third she put up 10 points. I have to give her kudos for keeping her head. After getting tangled up with an opponent off a rebounding situation that opponent did everything possible to attack and defend her physically. Did not make a difference. The offers and interest she has generated from top level colleges are only the tip of the iceberg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1129125,"width":"96px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/Bishop-Carroll-2027-Peyton-Zachman.jpg?w=439" alt="" class="wp-image-1129125" style="width:96px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bishop Carroll 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1130707' first='Peyton' last='Zachman']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130705' first='Anna' last='Stallbaumer']</strong>, 5'8", SG, Bishop Carroll, 2026 - Stallbaumer is a active, off-guard with good slashing and on-the-move scoring ability. She also has vision and dishing ability inside. Eye-catching was a down-the-lane score over two challengers. Stallbaumer has solid speed and is an active perimeter defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130707' first='Peyton' last='Zachman']</strong>, 5'4", CG, Bishop Carroll, 2027 - Graduations following last season have opened the door for Zackman to move into a significant role this season. She sets her feet well on her shots and nailed a huge open three to give the Golden Eagles a lead late in regularion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->