Kansas Girls Hoops: Rising Forwards and Wings to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kansas high school basketball continues to showcase a new wave of talent ready to break out this season. Centralia's [player_tooltip player_id='1216211' first='Tava' last='Gibbs'] is powering the paint with double-double potential, Girard's [player_tooltip player_id='1216004' first='Kenney' last='Keller'] is developing into a versatile wing threat, Attica's [player_tooltip player_id='1216198' first='Liberty' last='Swingle'] is putting up reliable scoring and rebounding numbers, and Little River's [player_tooltip player_id='1216222' first='Saelyn' last='Raleigh'] has already earned all-tournament honors with her two-way play. These rising forwards and wings are players coaches and fans alike will want to keep on their radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216211"],"_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-68a4b44c8dbf9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gibbs gave Centralia a steady interior presence last season, averaging 11.7 points and 8 rebounds per game during the Panthers' 1A DI title run . She finishes through contact, controls the glass with strong positioning, and showed her poise with a 10-point effort in the state quarterfinals . A multi-sport athlete, Gibbs' toughness and balance translate well on the court, making her one of the more reliable forwards to watch in small-school Kansas hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216004"],"_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-68a4b44c8dc65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 5'8" Class of 2027 wing, Keller brings versatile energy to Girard's frontcourt. Her strength is in her active movement—cutting, sliding, creating spacing, and playing with consistent defensive intent. While stat lines from last season aren't publicly posted, her glimpses in game film and team reports show her as a dynamic two-way player on the rise in Southeastern Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216198"],"_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-68a4b44c8dcb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A dependable sophomore inside presence, [player_tooltip player_id='1216198' first='Liberty' last='Swingle'] averaged 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds, while also contributing 2 assists, 0.6 blocks, and shooting 42% from the field and 33% from three. Her 14 points and 10 rebounds double-double against Argonia emphasized her ability to impact the game in critical moments. Swingle also earned honorable-mention recognition in the Heart of the Plains league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216222"],"_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-68a4b44c8dcf8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore guard-forward hybrid [player_tooltip player_id='1216222' first='Saelyn' last='Raleigh'] excels in orchestrating offense and disrupting passing lanes. She averaged 3.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game, showcasing her dual impact on both ends of the floor. Raleigh hit 31 % of her threes and converted 71 % of her free throws. In the postseason, she scored 12 points in a 76–27 quarterfinal blowout, added 5 points and 2 assists in the state championship, and earned a well-deserved spot on the all-tournament team. A rising two-way threat in Southeastern Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->