Fresh Faces: 2029 Guards Pt.3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2029 in the state of Kansas is loaded with young talent ready to break onto the scene and make a major impact this upcoming season. Despite being underclassmen, this group features a wealth of skilled, high-IQ, and mature athletes who are more than ready for the next level. This article continues our in-depth look at some of the top freshman guards and wings across Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shiloh Kincaid - 5'5, Guard, Shawnee Mission East High, [program_tooltip program_id='712586' first='KC' last='Dream']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled guard who is a smart and reliable scorer, Kincaid has the ability to handle the ball effectively in either direction, allowing her to be an effective downhill driver. She finishes well around the rim and shows great touch on her floaters. Kincaid has also proven she is capable of knocking down mid-range jumpers and shots from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Layla Simmons - 5'4, Combo Guard, Lawrence High School </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A speedy, athletic guard with a high motor, Layla plays with great energy and intensity—especially on the defensive end. She is constantly in motion, creating deflections and steals while aggressively pursuing loose balls and rebounds. Layla runs the floor extremely well and consistently turns defense into offense, often finishing one-person fast breaks by converting scoring opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darianna Santana - 5'6, Combo Guard, Olathe South High School, Just 4215</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high-motor lefty who is shifty and creative off the bounce, Santana is quick and consistently gets to her spots on the floor. She makes smart decisions with the ball and does an excellent job of getting teammates involved through her aggressiveness. Santana is also a very solid defender, excelling at forcing turnovers and making life difficult for opposing players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maliyah Woart - 5'6, Combo Guard, Gardner Edgerton </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic guard with good speed with the ball in her hands, Woart shows creativity off the bounce and does a strong job of making reads to get teammates easy baskets. She is a strong, aggressive driver who also displays the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. Woart is a good rebounder for her position, showing a knack for the ball and staying constantly active around it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316501' first='Olivia' last='Cantu'] - 5'6, Combo Guard, St. James Academy </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid combo guard who shows the ability to score or distribute at will, Cantu is effective off the dribble, getting into the paint and finishing through contact. She displays consistency in her jump shot from both the mid-range and beyond the arc. On the defensive end, Cantu is an active defender who guards the ball well and isn't afraid to be physical with the opposition. She also does a strong job of boxing out and rebounding from the guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->