Six Earn Battle in the Sunflower 17U Second Team

Twelve teams traveled to compete in the Battle in the Sunflower Prep Girls Hoops Dynasty Circuit event at <a href="https://www.wichitahoops.com/">Wichita Hoops</a>. Drawn from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, it was a solid, very competitive field. The depth of the field especially made carving out the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2022/07/five-earn-battle-in-the-sunflower-first-team/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2022/07/five-earn-battle-in-the-sunflower-first-team/">first</a> from the second team difficult just as it was carving this second team from those making honorable mention. Below I give you the players selected to the all-event second team.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Daphne-Bracker-Sturm-2023-Lawrence-KC-Royalty-Basketball-2023.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-464925" width="213" height="213"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id="335963" first="Daphne" last="Bracker-Sturm"], 6'3", C, Lawrence (KS), KC Royalty, 2023 - Bracker's work since I last saw her has certainly paid off. And with her size, she was a force throughout the weekend. It all started with her footwork. She made quick, solid post moves from the block; defended opposing bigs well when they tried to pull her out to the perimeter to beat her off the bounce; and helped well on basket attacks. She averaged nearly a double-double in points and rebounds and shot the occasional three ball with confidence.   [player_tooltip player_id="261734" first="Jillian" last="Crawford"], SF, Piedmont (OK), Team Oklahoma 2023 Red, 2023 - Like the rest of her team the wiry, athletic Crawford ran well; defended well; and was a constant threat to score anytime she touched the ball. What separated her from most players at her position was her ability to post up not just with strength but also while showing a great target for entry passes. Once with the ball around the lane, her quickness enabled her to create a variety of shots.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Kaylee-Denker-2023-Lincoln-East-Omaha-Supreme-2023.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-464926" width="213" height="213"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id="297345" first="Kaylee" last="Denker"], 6'0", C/PF, Lincoln East, Omaha Supreme Basketball 2023 Hanke, 2023 - With a long, solid frame, athleticism, and good transition speed Denker was a offensive threat that was hard to match up with. She looked to take opposing bigs off the dribble from the wing and hit the 25' bomb off the dribble or catch. Denker also kept the ball high off the catch as a trailing finisher and off the offensive board. She used her frame, quickness, and length well on the defensive end as well. To take her post game to the next level I would like to see her be quicker and more decisive with ball in the paint.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Chrissa-Gomez-2023-Geronimo-3T-Training.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-464927" width="213" height="213"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id="461157" first="Chrissa" last="Gomez"], 5'4", PG, Geronimo (OK), 3T Training, 2024 - Gomez is just flat tough. Fast, quick, able to finish with speed with either hand, and with solid hops. I happened to catch a slick moment where she canned a challenged three after a cross-over move to create the shot.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Stephie-Salumu-2024-Sunrise-Christian-Academy-Kansas-Bluejays.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-464928" width="213" height="213"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id="453760" first="Stephie" last="Salumu"], 6'0", PF, Sunrise Christian Academy (KS), Kansas Bluejays, 2024 - A quiet force on the floor, Salumu showed physicality on both ends of the floor; transition speed; quickness and strong handles on the bounce; and finishing ability at speed and elevation with both hands. If you blink what you will miss though is her passing. Her teammates know to always have their hands up because Salumu can make the look-off dish just as easily as finish a play herself. She can do a great number of things but Salumu's passing is what cuts the pile.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Mady-Swayze-2023-Hooker-Western-Kansas-Elite-2023-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-464930" width="213" height="213"/></figure>   Mady Swayze, 5'11", SF, Hooker (OK), Western Kansas Elite Adigun/Fyler, 2023 - Swayze had a terrific <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2022/07/day-1-17u-forewards-and-centers-at-battle-in-the-sunflower/">first</a> day and her motor and play continued at a high level on day two. She showed strong game IQ, handles in the half court and in transition, finishing and three level scoring ability, and defensive quickness that took advantage of her length.   Featured image: Piedmont and Western Kansas Elite 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="261734" first="Jillian" last="Crawford"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.

Twelve teams traveled to compete in the Battle in the Sunflower Prep Girls Hoops Dynasty Circuit event at Wichita Hoops. Drawn from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, it was a solid, very competitive field. The depth of the field especially made carving out the first from the second team difficult just as it was carving this second team from those making honorable mention. Below I give you the players selected to the all-event second team.