Rising Defensive Stars Redefining Western Kansas Girls Basketball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you think of Western Kansas you might think there is a shortage of rising stars when it comes to the basketball court, but a new wave of talent is making its presence known across the state. From freshmen making immediate noise to seasoned upperclassmen cementing their dominance, these players are redefining what it means to be defensive anchors for their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='1265337' first='Jade' last='Beckman']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oakley ","_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-684485b390ddc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jade is rising to top of the west in Kansas as a defensive powerhouse as evidenced during her junior season, where she averaged 5.8 steals per game. She has incredible instincts and quickness that gives her the ability to disrupt opponents' offenses and force turnovers with her defensive tenacity. Jade also has excellent leadership qualities that also make her a standout player to watch going into her senior season. As she continues to develop her game, her impact on the court is expected to become a force you can't ignore and should lead to much-deserved attention from collegiate programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["621259"],"_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-684485b390e3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Layla, class of 2026, has already established herself as one of Kansas' premier players and has garnered much media coverage, deservingly so. She possesses exceptional defensive instincts and relentless energy, making her a standout player in western Kansas and the state as a whole. Layla shows her defensive prowess with her impressive average of 4.2 steals per game. Layla has incredible ability to anticipate passes and apply pressure and this consistently disrupts the opposing offenses, creating transition opportunities for her team and fastbreak opportunities for herslef.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773194"],"_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-684485b390e89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jersi has great defensive acumen and that is shown by her impressive average of 4.6 steals per game last season, totaling 102 steals over the course of the season. This achievement placed her among the top defenders in the state, ranking sixth overall in steals per game . Her anticipation and quick hands consistently created transition opportunities, often shifting the momentum in favor of Wallace County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779244"],"_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-684485b390ecb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Camden, has rapidly emerged as one of Kansas' premier defensive talents. Her exceptional ability to disrupt opposing offenses and generate turnovers has been a cornerstone of the recent run by Rawlins County over the course of two years. She is quick and has great instincts and anticipation leading to steals that translate into buckets for her team off of transition. Camden is also a leader in other statistical categories. The next two years should be exciting for her as she continues to improve and get more opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898167"],"_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-684485b390f0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braelyn has made an immediate impact to western Kansas girls prep hoops in her debut high school season. Her natural athelticism are always on display. Her athletic abilities and aggressive play has proven to disrupt opposing offenses and generate turnovers. As a freshman this kind of athleticism and talent is a rare combination and she will continue to have a meaningful impact in the western part of the state and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->