The Opening Tip, Nickerson at Buhler

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second year in a row I caught the season opener for Central Kansas League class 3A Nickerson and Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division III class 4A Buhler Crusaders. After trailing for the entire first quarter, until hitting a buzzer-beating three, Buhler opened a lead with a big second quarter that enabled the Crusaders, who shot 11/12 from the line on the night, to take a double-digit win. Several players had notable performances from faces familiar and new. Take a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Buhler</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='539011' first='Gracie' last='Oard'], 5'8", SG, Buhler, 2025 - Oard was clearly the MVP on the night showing some extra bounce, defender splitting and athletic scoring ability that was not at this level a season ago. Scoring 7 of her 11 points in the third quarter she attacked defenses in transition and in the half court winding her way through on the dribble. She also knocked down a three ball. Oard has a strong build, solid transition speed, height and extension on her mid-lane attempts and rebounds, and plays with confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='616754' first='Natalya' last='Krafels'], 5'9", PF, Buhler, 2025 - Krafels was a big part of the size advantage the Crusaders held over the Panthers inside. Whenever she wanted to she used her strong build, especially her lower body, to take a spot in the paint and move offensive players off of theirs. She showed some athleticism and scoring ability garbage collecting inside to get her 10 points as well as quick hops and athleticism doing so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='649171' first='Charley' last='Baxter'], 5'8", CG, Buhler, 2025 - Baxter played an important defensive role disrupting several of the varsity inexperienced Panthers. Not necessarily with steals but by playing solid on-ball and wing passing lane defense and by using her size and athleticism well. Offensively, while she knocked down a pair of threes, she was more effective with her mid-range looks on the way to leading her team in scoring with 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nickerson</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='817390' first='Kalyse' last='Abernathy'], 5'10", PF/C, 2024 - Abernathy led all scorers on the night with 17 points, getting numerous opportunities inside off entry passes and transition looks. While I would have liked to see her squeeze the ball better of rebounds she otherwise showed her experience clearing rebounds and finding her ball handlers. She used her reach well defending inside and was effective in not allowing Buhler power move opportunities to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='649347' first='Destiny' last='Ponds'], 5'6", CG/PF, 2024 - Ponds was used beyond her usual point guard spot to substantially on the wing and at the power forward spot. While she lacks physical size she used her experience, length, and hand speed to defend well inside. Ponds racked up 15 points on the night using her ball skills, quickness, and ball skills to get to the basket. She went 7/9 from the line due to her work. No stats here but she picked up several assists with good entry and transition passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822639' first='Adaylee' last='Morel']</strong>, 5'5", PG, 2025 - Morel's ball handling has enabled teammate [player_tooltip player_id='649347' first='Destiny' last='Ponds'] to be moved around to other positions. Solid leading in transition she also showed nice pull-up mid-range ability. She showed good quickness and made a solid argument for being the best athlete on the floor. Knocking down her pair of three balls helped her work in space and create opportunities for other teammates to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->