Four Stars: Topeka High Versus Washburn Rural

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washburn Rural (10-4) defended their home gym with a 65-44 victory over Topeka High (9-6).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams played like they had been at Super Bowl parties early, in a game marred by undisciplined shot selection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the stars still came out in the rivalry game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at four athletes whose performances stood out on February 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='671505' first='Maddie' last='Vickery']</strong>, 6'1”, PF, Washburn Rural, '27 (Kansas State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vickery is one of the top players in the state and has committed early to Kansas State University. She ranked No. 2 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She entered the game averaging 22.4 points per game. She scored 18 points in the first half for Rural and finished the night with 22. She shot 7-of-18 from this field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. She can post up and score in the paint, or she can shoot from 3-point range. The Wildcats have locked up an impressive prospect early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845983' first='Ahsieyrhuajh' last='Rayton']</strong>, 5'8”, CG, Topeka High, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rayton is ranked No. 8 overall in the Class of 2027. She entered the game averaging 21.2 points per game. She is quick and can create her own shot. She missed her first nine shots from the field before finishing with a game-high 26 points. She make it rain from 3-point range converting on 5-of-11 from deep. She can improve her recruitment stock by looking for open players more frequently when driving to the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='931949' first='Keimara' last='Marshall']</strong>, 5'3”, PG, Topeka High, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall is ranked No. 34 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. She was the surprise of the night. She is an excellent ball-handler and seemed to be the one Trojan athlete to value ball possession. Marshall is able to score while driving with her left hand and has a nice mid-range jump shot which is hard to find these days. She finished with eight points, two steals, two assists, and two rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182694' first='Gracie' last='Hayes']</strong>, 5'4”, CG, Washburn Rural, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes is an unranked prospect who caught my eye. She is a plus defender and finds open teammates. She only took two shots during the game but drained both of her 3-point attempts to finish with six points. Playing with a teammate like Vickery she will get plenty of opportunities to make open shots and dish the ball for assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->