Top Rising and Shining 2025s to Know, 1A-3A

In terms of opportunities to emerge probably the class that benefits most from graduation of a senior class is the incoming junior. Since the release of the March update the number of ranked players included in the 2025 class rankings has grown by nearly 50%. Sizeable batches of new June and now September additions makes advancing up the ranks difficult (<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/07/walker-norwood-lead-few-advancers-in-2025-refresh/">movement</a> in the June release was minimal). The dilution typically causes already included prospects to slide even if only a couple spots. But this fall update is certainly not the norm So many players climbed more than 10 places that I had to break the report up into two parts, large and small school. In this first part, check out the nine 1A-3A players listed below in order by places advanced.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/Sienna-DeFrain-2025-Haven.jpg?w=425" alt="" class="wp-image-583884" style="width:106px;height:106px" width="106" height="106" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Haven 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='616756' first='Sienna' last='DeFrain']. Photo: Robert Kelly</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='616756' first='Sienna' last='DeFrain'], 5'9", SF, Haven - After picking up a few spots in the June update DeFrain now leads the September 1A-3A advancers by jumping 26 spots to #54. While she may miss some time in 2024 due to a physical issue DeFrain will play a important role in the Wildcats' drive to return to the state tournament after missing out for several years. A lefty who works well either hand on the scoring front she is strong around the blocks. A walking three point play with solid speed and athleticism, DeFrain uses her frame well on the defensive end on the wing or inside. DeFrain received KBCA and Varsity Kansas 3A honorable mention and first team Central Kansas League honors in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='616757' first='Laynie' last='Winfrey'], 5'11", PF/C, Eureka - The transfer from Bishop Carroll had a big summer. Her play resulted in a strong 26 spot move to #79. Having been a part of a 5A team that suffered only 2 losses a season ago, the second in the state title game, she brings a substantial amount of pressure experience to a Tornado team looking to improve upon a first round, blow-out loss in the 3A state tournament. While she has good size and strength her biggest impact is likely going to be her quickness and versatility. Winfrey likes handling the fall, enabling her to play all five spots. I always like to see players who box well and Winfrey is one who does it well. She makes good use of her peripheral vision to find and put a body on someone when shots go up. . .   [player_tooltip player_id='616755' first='Elsie' last='Boughfman'], 5'9", PF/CG, Smoky Valley - Boughfman was a major impact player for Little River a season ago despite missing a big chunk of the season recovering from an injury. She has quickness, speed, size, strength, and athleticism. And over the summer she showed point guard chops and a nose for getting to the hole as well. Climbing 24 spots to #65 Boughfman is a prospect I would be hard pressed not to think she is favorite to make first or second team all-Central Kansas League in 2024. -   [player_tooltip player_id='539214' first='Emily' last='Bainter'], 5'8", SF, Hoxie - A third team Mid-Continent League selection a season ago, Bainter climbed 17 spots to #71. I did not get much of an opportunity to see Bainter play over the summer. But at the recent Wichita I-35 Showcase I caught a short view of her matched up with Emporia State bound [player_tooltip player_id='265114' first='Elizabeth' last='Tjaden'] from Clearwater. Not an easy draw at all but physically she matched up and competed well. Offensively, I felt she did a good job of moving into space Expected to be a big part of the Indians drive to get past the first round of 2A state in 2024, Bainter is known to have a quick perimeter release, good length, and finishing ability off the drive.   [player_tooltip player_id='649344' first='Maci' last='McClure'], 5'7", PG, Minneapolis - A big driver of the Lions offense McClure the team to a 15-6 record a season ago. She also earned North Central Activities Association first team and Varsity Kansas 3A honorable mention honors. Climbed 17 spots to #91 McClure was selected to my 2025 class <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/08/roberts-2023-summer-ball-all-kansas-2024-team-part-2/">all-summer ball</a> team because of her explosiveness. Fast, strong, and quick with the ball she can break down a defender in a hurry and get to the hole with speed.   [player_tooltip player_id='649175' first='Anna' last='Jueneman'], 5'8", CG, Hanover - Jueneman is a returning member of a Wildcats team that whacked everybody at the 1A Div II state tournament to win the title. A KBCA, Varsity Kansas and Twin Valley League first team selection, she is a big source of scoring (13 ppg, 32% from three with 23 made) and will be counted on to lead the title defense. The Wildcats lost two all-state selections to graduation. Jueneman rose 15 spots to #85.   [player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Alisabeth' last='Barton'], 5'4", PG, Colby - Barton has been garnering attention as the summer went by but at the recent Wichita <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/09/roberts-standouts-wichita-i-35-individual-showcase/">I-35 Showcase</a> she was turning heads. Barton has terrific speed, quickness, and eye-hand coordination. She generates steals off quality guards with her hand speed that most other players cannot do. Barton also showed a willingness to mix it up inside off the bounce...and score, draw defenders to create passing lanes, and shot the three ball. She has terrific off ball anticipation as well. The Great West Activities Conference second team selection climbed 13 spots to #43.   [player_tooltip player_id='616759' first='Julia' last='Herrman'], 6'2", C, Wichita Collegiate - What Herrman brings to the table is a good frame, good speed, and length. She turned those features into a Mulvane all-tournament team selection this past January. At season's end she was included on the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div IV second and Varsity Kansas honorable mention teams. She advanced 12 spots to #92.   [player_tooltip player_id='456522' first='Jadyn' last='Mangan'], 5'10", SF, Greeley County - Mangan followed up her all-Northwest Kansas League third team honors in 2022 with a second team selection in 2023. Rising 10 spots to #69, she has a all-around game that makes most schools she runs into during the season struggle to match up with. She not only has a solid frame and length but she has a nice jumper, a quick first step, solid scoring ability with either hand, and decisiveness. With the work she has put in she is set to emerge as one of the top players in 1A Div II.

In terms of opportunities to emerge probably the class that benefits most from graduation of a senior class is the incoming junior. Since the release of the March update the number of ranked players included in the 2025 class rankings has grown by nearly 50%. Sizeable batches of new June and now September additions makes advancing up the ranks difficult (movement in the June release was minimal). The dilution typically causes already included prospects to slide even if only a couple spots. But this fall update is certainly not the norm So many players climbed more than 10 places that I had to break the report up into two parts, large and small school. In this first part, check out the nine 1A-3A players listed below in order by places advanced.