5 Standouts Driving Strong Starts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several teams have come out of the gate with strong starts to the season. I searched for players who are being a large cause of success including those that have not had the spotlight shine on them much recently. Take a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='779243' first='Leah' last='Askins-Dieterich'], 5'8", CG, Ottawa, 2027 - After finishing the 2025 season with a 9-12 record the Cyclones enter the new year 6-0 against a solid teams. Askins-Dieterich leads the storm in averaging more than 23 points per game on 54% shooting. She has shot a blistering 50% from three point land and 76% from the line along the way. Fast, strong, and athletic with good bounce to her shot the all-stater has quickly become one of the top prospects in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1108559' first='Mette' last='Maxwell'], 5'7", PG, Ellinwood, 2028 - The Eagles went 17-3 a year ago with a young team that is off to a 7-0 start. Maxwell has emerged as the Eagles floor leader. Entering the new year she sports a 2.75 assists-to-turnovers ratio and has improved her numbers dramatically in other areas. She is putting up 11.7 points per game versus 7.2 a year ago. She also has improved her the number of assists (4.6) and steals (4.7). She is showing off solid handles, an improved and fluid three point shot (36%) and ability to anticipate passes to pick off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='779223' first='Destiny' last='Maze'], 5'8", CG, Wichita Heights, 2027 - Maze is the most experienced returner from a state tournament team that sent players to continue their playing career at the NCAA and NJCAA division I levels. And given how low numbers were in the program last season there were a great many questions observers were asking heading into the 226 season. A 5-0 start including a win over KBCA ranked #1 Wichita East has answered many. Maze canned 32 points including 7 threes against the Blue Aces and is averaging 16.6pts, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4 steals per game. Fast, aggressive and athletic Maze's perimeter shot has bounce and a quick release out of a variety of set-ups. Maze defends multiple positions as well. She can be found matched up with the point guard and harassing power forwards. The Falcons are striving to improve upon last season's 6A third place finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1235944' first='Evie' last='Schippers'], 5'6", PG, Hoxie, 2026 - Despite losing a pair of all-league players to graduation and another to injury last year Schippers has the Indians rolling. The closest point spread was a 32 point win over league rival Oakley. A southpaw, Schippers is scrappy defending the ball full court and shoots it with range from all-around the perimeter quickly and with bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1042539' first='Lani' last='Speer'], 6'0", C, Dighton, 2026 - The Hornets are loaded with fast, athletic shooters and finishers but what makes it all work is the interior presence of Speer. The talented multi-sport athlete commands double and triple teams to stop entry passes and on the other end alters shots and clears rebounds to get the transition game going. Following a three point opening night loss to Trego Community the Hornets have strung together five straight wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->