Robert's 2023 Summer Ball All-Kansas 2024 Team, Part 1

<p>Another end to a summer ball season has arrived. I now get to present my all-Kansas Summer Ball 2024 Team.  It is composed only of players that I saw play live.  Because of the number of players included I break things up into separate articles to give all included the space they need.  My stops to see action in person included the MAYB Hall of Fame Exposure and Summer Kickoff events, three PGH [program_tooltip program_id='713097' first='Dynasty' last=''] Circuit events, PBR's The End Game event, and the Fort Hays State University individual camp. A limitation on inclusiveness of players and clubs is readily apparent.  Always impactful, and especially disappointing, is the number of clubs I do not get to see. Usually because the teams chose to play primarily out of state but especially frequent was clubs not being at events I was covering. There are always players attending events where I am but unfortunately I do not always get the quality look at them as I would have liked.  This part 1 is composed of guards through wings and small forwards. Part 2 will share the combo guards/small forwards and bigs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size: 14pt">Point Guards</span></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/Kamyra-Barber.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-637519" width="113" height="113" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wichita Heights 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='335922' first='KaMyra' last='Barber']. Photo: Prep Girls Hoops.</figcaption></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='335922' first='KaMyra' last='Barber'], 5'9", Wichita Heights, [program_tooltip program_id='712424' first='B2B' last='Kansas Bluejays'] - An unselfish, mature player Barber has had a terrific summer. The Wichita Northwest transfer can play at a variety of tempos. She can play the fast, up-and-down, push and pressure the ball game or work effectively in half court battles. A three level scorer she can pop the slick, mid-range all-netter off the catch and finish athletically off the bounce with scoopers. She is also a quality three point threat. Defensively she is just as heady. Barber earned 17U first team all-event honors at the PGH Dynasty Circuit event finals in July</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/Hailey-Contreras-2024-Liberal.jpg?w=438" alt="" class="wp-image-494653" width="110" height="106" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Liberal 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='192780' first='Hailey' last='Contreras']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='192780' first='Hailey' last='Contreras'], 5'5", PG, Liberal, Gameball Fusion - After seeing Contreras earlier this summer I was shocked it was the same PG I had been watching for three years. A lighter, quicker version took the floor and was extremely tough. A dangerous shooter with great range Contreras made getting into the half court D much easier off the bounce, setting post-players and perimeter shooters alike up for great looks. With a greater vertical, scoring over challengers on the drive got that much easier as well. More speed means faster transition game. And with her already quick hands, she is far above the player I saw heading into her junior campaign.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='198606' first='Destiny' last='Smith'], 5'7", Derby, EWA - Smith continues to show how mature of an all-around game she has. I wrote earlier this summer about how clutch she can be with knocking down pressure shots, navigating ball pressure from strong defenders, finding the open teammate, and just working within the team structure to give what is needed. Smith has strong handles, scores at all three levels well, gets to the hoop off the bounce, and knocks down her free throws.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size: 14pt">Shooting Guards</span></h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='192791' first='Maxine' last='Doering'], 5'9', Manhattan, SSA - Doering is arguably one of the most underrated shooters around...just not to me. Having watched her play for nearly three years I know what she brings to any team she plays on. Competitiveness on both ends, transition awareness, and clutch shooting. She is especially dangerous when defenses get lazy because she can be absolute money once on a heater. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/05/AD738BAF-BC15-43B4-9088-F1F38B66C397.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-431182" width="113" height="113" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Holcomb 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='265121' first='Jera' last='Kruleski']. Photo: Prep Girls Hoops.</figcaption></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='265121' first='Jera' last='Kruleski'], 5'7", Holcomb, [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball'] - Earned 17U second team Battle in the Sunflower honors with consistent play on both ends of the floor, especially working from help side on lob entry passes.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/05/Elizabeth-Romer-Kapaun-Mt.-Carmel-2024-boxing-out.jpg?w=425" alt="" class="wp-image-426470" width="106" height="112" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kapaun Mt. Carmel 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='265117' first='Elizabeth' last='Romer']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='265117' first='Elizabeth' last='Romer'], 5'10", Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Kansas United - Romer was one of the team's standouts game-in, game-out at April's MAYB Hall of Fame event. Against even the strongest teams she consistently hit timely perimeter shots. She has very good spot-up sense, transition speed, and a frame that makes challenging her jumper difficult. </p>

Another end to a summer ball season has arrived. I now get to present my all-Kansas Summer Ball 2024 Team. It is composed only of players that I saw play live. Because of the number of players included I break things up into separate articles to give all included the space they need. My stops to see action in person included the MAYB Hall of Fame Exposure and Summer Kickoff events, three PGH Dynasty (KS) Circuit events, PBR's The End Game event, and the Fort Hays State University individual camp. A limitation on inclusiveness of players and clubs is readily apparent. Always impactful, and especially disappointing, is the number of clubs I do not get to see. Usually because the teams chose to play primarily out of state but especially frequent was clubs not being at events I was covering. There are always players attending events where I am but unfortunately I do not always get the quality look at them as I would have liked. This part 1 is composed of guards through wings and small forwards. Part 2 will share the combo guards/small forwards and bigs.