Robert’s Top 5 Pre-Season 5A All-State Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A is one of two KSHSAA classifications that return every team from 2024. Many top graduated players are off playing college ball in the NCAA D I and II, NJCAA D I and II, and NAIA ranks but there are plenty more who have returned. Tough decisions were made to get to my top five because of the talent to choose from. So without further ado here are my top five, pre-season picks for 2025 all-state honors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349458"],"_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-673ff02c86875"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was not fortunate to watch Green in person this past summer nor last season but I did several times while she was a Hutchinson Salthawk her freshman and sophomore years. She is exactly what my PGH Texas colleague <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/03/crossing-state-line-for-a-reason-theprimeevent/">Simmie Colson</a> described her as in March, a "<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/03/crossing-state-line-for-a-reason-theprimeevent/">BEAST</a>." The Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Chisholm Trail division II first team honoree also was selected to the KBCA and SIK 5A second team and KSHSAACovered third team selections in 2024. Long, athletic, strong, goes to the hole with authority and shoots the three with range. Green averaged 9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2 steals but the monsterous number was shooting 59% from the floor to average 12.7 points. Green, who is expected to make a D I commitment, will be a major force behind the Trojans' drive for a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349427"],"_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-673ff6592a4ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first saw Messer a couple of years ago. It was the a 2022 sub-state final between the Thunder and Aquinas. Even then I thought the 5A state title game was that night. The Saints won but Messer tore them apart. Even a couple Aquinas parents later told me the only reason they won was because the Thunder would occasionally have someone else shoot besides her. She could not be stopped! And since then, when the University of Southern California volleyball commit (and one of the best in the country) puts her mind to it she is the best 5A player in the state. Even without the former #1 hooper in Kansas (Feb. 2022), the Thunder are loaded and are my pre-season 5A #1 pick. Pass the popcorn, this season is going to be a big one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["621241"],"_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-673ffa58c0883"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fritz is easily the top 5A center prospect in the class. A very composed, smart player she finishes with either hand in the paint from a bevy of post moves. She is arguably an even better passer. She consistently finds her shooters and cutters. Fritz also clears rebounds well. The two-time Arkansas Valley Chisholm Trail League division I selection received 5A honorable mention nods from KBCA, KSHSAACovered and Sports In Kansas in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["649149"],"_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-673ffb716d051"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I finally had a chance to watch the [player_tooltip player_id='649149' first='Alex' last='Crouse'] show in person at June's Wichita I-35 Shoot-out. I wrote then that opponents matched up with her better bring it all game. A very physical player on both ends she scraps and battles with energy. Her skill set is one thing. The fact that she changes gears and pace at an instant is a clear pile separator. Crouse speeds the pace up or slows it down as needed, uses terrific head and shoulder fakes to create space to get going off the bounce or to shoot the jumper and shows a fluid release after squaring up. Defensively, she denies entry passes as well as anyone. Last season she was named to the brutal Eastern Kansas League's second team. Crouse also picked up Sports In Kansas second team and KSHSAACovered 5A honorable mention selections. There are numerous strong point guards in the classification but her physicality and ability to put opponents into her highlight films sets her apart. Crouse's D I offers include from Drake and Belmont.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["539007"],"_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-673ffe3f1ff8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is a great deal to like about Farmer's game. Clearly the Jennies of the University of Central Missouri did because Farmer is committed to play there to start her college career next fall. Farmer has a diverse skill set and solid length at the small forward spot. My colleague Jeremy Deckard saw her last February and called her "...an impressive guard who has a high basketball IQ." An unselfish player, Farmer is known to take over a game when needed. The walking three point play has finishing ability with either hand to go with a diverse scoring arsenal. She has played a great deal at the point over the years and long ago broke the school's assist record. On the other end her footwork enables her keep the ball in front of her. Farmer is a two-time returning United Kansas Conference first team selection. She also was named Sports In Kansas 5A first team as well as KBCA and KSHSAACovered second team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->