Arnold, Banks Among Standouts at I-35 Showcase Wichita

Players gathering for 2025 Wichita I-35 Showcase opening instructions. Photo: Robert Kelly.

Robert Kelly September 15, 2025 @ 02:04 PM

80 players from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma gathered at the Farha YMCA in Andover Kansas for Sunday's I-35 Showcase. Getting a thorough look at all of them was quite a challenge. I was able to catch glimpses of top play from many. Several bigs especially stood out. Get to know some of them below.   [player_tooltip player_id='892865' first='Ryann' last='Arnold'], 5'11", PF, Lees Summit, 2027 - Arnold showed why she is one of the top Missouri post players. Good overall size, mature offensive game, strength, hustle and transition speed are just a few standout traits. She effectively used shoulder bumps inside to create space and showed off a nice baby hook. Defensively she was a lane clogger. Few opponents could work around or get by her due to her smarts, strength and quickness.   [player_tooltip player_id='898726' first='Evie' last='Banks'], 5'9", PF/SG, Manhattan, 2028 - Banks was a match-up problem all day due to her consistent ability to play inside and out on both ends of the floor. She has a great power forward frame and was one of the top perimeter shooters. She also handled the ball well. Defensively Banks sat down, using her lateral quickness and size to stop basket drives and challenge interior post moves. Add in transition speed, a strong motor and good hands and you had a walking bucket for her team.   [player_tooltip player_id='880997' first='Kimberlynn' last='Combs'], 5'10", PF, Neodesha, 2026 - Combs got off to a slow start but by the second game she settled into showing confidence, fluid play and scoring ability. Working in the paint she put together multiple post moves to find a bucket. Combs proved to be an effective garbage collector.   [player_tooltip player_id='1156039' first='Mackie' last='Conkling'], 5'11", PF/C, Moundridge, 2028 - Conkling is a rising force for the defending 2A state champs. While not a post with great size Conkling does have nice length, good hops and gameness to box out. What drove me a bit nuts was, despite working in defensive gaps or posting up to create wide open lanes for entry passes, her perimeter teammates did a poor job of looking at her much less getting her touches. Conkling transitioned well and showed she has three point game as well.

80 players from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma gathered at the Farha YMCA in Andover Kansas for Sunday's I-35 Showcase. Getting a thorough look at all of them was quite a challenge. I was able to catch glimpses of top play from many. Several bigs especially stood out. Get to know some of them below.