Prospect Spotlight: Mackenzie Hart

<p style="padding-left: 40px"><strong>Prep Girls Hoops Prospect Spotlight </strong></p> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Prep Hoops Girls takes a look at the </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">#32</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> ranked player for the class of 2021, Mackenzie "Kenzie" Hart. A 5’7 junior point guard player for the Olathe West Lady Owls and played her club ball for KC Dream Basketball this past spring and summer. </span> Webster's dictionary defines the term point guard as, the back-court player who directs the offense.  Although correct, when describing this particular point guard that description would be a mere understatement. Kenzie, a saucy redhead that plays the game with a flare and passion all of her own.  Solid in stature, and brilliant mentally in terms of her knowledge and understanding of game she's quick to remind opposing coaches and players why she is one of the top true point guards in the area.  Characteristics like these definitely are seldom displayed so I was curious to know when and where it all began. <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif">"I fell in love with basketball and started basketball around 6th grade.  I stopped playing soccer around freshman year because playing on a top team was too expensive and I had to much passion for basketball and had much more talent and skill in basketball." </span></p> Hart has a lot of great skills she displays, but the one area that stands out to me is her vision and instincts. A year ago these skills consistently placed her at the top of Sunflower League as the leader in both Assist and Steals. This year she is at the top once again. Although a pass-first point guard who takes pride in finding streaking teammates down the court for layups, or penetrating, drawing and kicking to shooters she has always had an ability to put the ball in the hoop. This year she's displayed more of her skills and as she continues to stay confident I would expect the same. A week ago she posted a career-high in points for Olathe West with 24pts. As if that wasn't enough she added 7ast and 4stls. Growing up we always idealize or watch players and steal moves or use as motivation so I asked Kenz who she looks up to as well as somethings she'd like to get better at. <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif">"I really really like Arike Ogunbowale because how confident and saucy she plays.  Some parts of my game I could improve on would be finishing through contact and using my left hand more."</span></p> Hart has helped her team get off to a 6-2 overall record and currently 3-0 in conference. As they continue to compete throughout the rest of the season I asked what would be some goals of hers. <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif">"My goals for the season would be to continue leading the league in assist and steals and a huge team goal is to win the Sunflower League."</span></p> Mackenzie is an uncommitted junior but continues to draw D1, D2 and juco interest. I look for her stock to continue to rise as her production and confidence does. Look for her and the Olathe West Owls in action in the near future.