2027 Initial Rankings : Riggs, Burdiek Lead Third 10

The 2027 initial class rankings features 50 prospects from all classifications and a home school. In this look at prospects 21-30 the top players from class 3A, 2A and 1A Division II appear. This article follows reviews of the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/01/long-prochnow-top-2027-initial-class-rankings/">top</a> and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/01/2027-initial-rankings-4a-prospects-lead-second-10/">second</a> 10 prospects.   [player_tooltip player_id='836265' first='Riley' last='Riggs'], 6'0", PF/C, Mill Valley - A member of Jaguars' 6A state volleyball champions Riggs brings legitimate size, hops, and length to the post position. She holds her ground well against post moves and can get the shot block. Riggs has good transition speed but what I especially like is how well she sees the floor on both ends.   [player_tooltip player_id='779209' first='Nora' last='Burdiek'], 5'10", SF, Rossville - For the 3A #4 ranked Bulldogs Burdiek has been an impact player from the start. With good length, athleticism and speed with the ball she has been an important scorer. In two recent wins she scored in double figures.   [player_tooltip player_id='836266' first='Anniston' last='Clark'], 5'10", PF, Lawrence Free State - Despite a 1-7 record the Firebirds are substantially improved over a year ago and Clark is a big reason why. Athletic and quick she makes good use of her solid size and length.   [player_tooltip player_id='779208' first='Zoey' last='Buckner-Franklin'], 5'3", CG, The Independent School - Buckner-Franklin is known for her handles, ability to create space, and speed with the ball. While she is a perimeter threat the lefty is a known scorer that also reads the floor and understands how to get her team involved. Buckner-Franklin is a big driver for the 2A #6 ranked, 1 loss Panthers. My colleague Adrian Maloney reported in October that she holds a offer from Wichita State University.   [player_tooltip player_id='836267' first='Hattie' last='Hecox'], 5'10", CG, Moundridge - Hecox drew attention from myself and my colleague Simmie Colson over the summer while playing the Prep Girls Hoops Dynasty Circuit with her Lady PGUHoops club team. At July's Battle in the Sunflower event he saw her outrebound taller players "by understanding positioning." He also like her ability to grab a rebound and go coast-to-coast for a score or to hit a teammate for a score, scoring ability off the dribble, and ability to shoot the ball in the mid- and long-range. Through her first 7 games she is averaging 9.4 points while shooting 39% from three with 11 made. She is also grabbing 4.4 rebounds and collecting nearly 2 assists and a steal a game.   [player_tooltip player_id='723402' first='Taylor' last='McCarty'], 5'8", SF, Cheylin - Back in October I commented that McCarty would make a lot of noise in the Kansas small school basketball world. After racking up several dozen games with [program_tooltip program_id='715500' first='Magic' last='Basketball'] over the summer she has been doing just that. A one-win team last season McCarty's more than 20 points per game has the Cougars at 5-5. She has has solid size and strength with a well developed face-up and back-to-basket post game. What makes her so effective with her skills is how smart and composed she is on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='779938' first='Emmarie' last='Barger'], 5'8", SG, Eisenhower - Barger is a player I look forward to seeing more of. The shooting guard has solid size, athleticism, length, and handles in transition. She is heady and puts up a fluid perimeter shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='779229' first='Ivey' last='Wheeler'], 5'3", CG, Trinity Academy - I was impressed with Wheeler's quickness while watching the Knights online when they played at Emporia at the start of the season. My colleague Jeremy Deckard got a great look at her during July's Prep Girls Hoops <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/07/wheeler-impresses-in-early-dynasty-14u-game/">Dynasty Regional Finals</a>. Playing with her [program_tooltip program_id='712424' first='B2B' last='Kansas Bluejays'] team he described her as a pure shooter with a smooth jump shot who scored from all over the floor and from the line. He liked how well Wheeler looked ahead to push the ball in transition. She is a talented guard with an ability to slide between defenders on the take.   [player_tooltip player_id='746588' first='Rikai' last='Cook'], 5'6", CG, Shawnee Mission Northwest - Cook is a solidly built and strong guard with a good feel for the floor, spacing, and where her teammates are. The latter is next level because she does a good job of looking ahead, knowing what play she wants to make, and scoring or dime dropping because of knowing where her teammates are. Her strength is quickly seen when she just flat rips the ball out of a basket attackers hands before they hit the floor and pushes the ball down the floor with a pass. My colleague Jeremy Deckard saw her playing with her [program_tooltip program_id='715643' first='Kansas' last='Elite'] team at the Prep Girls Hoops Dynasty Regional Finals also. He liked her strength, loose ball chasing, and scoring ability inside.   [player_tooltip player_id='836269' first='Presley' last='Schmidt'], 5'7", PG, Goddard - I got a good look at the Lion point guard as she matched wits with veteran Hutchinson point guard [player_tooltip player_id='349452' first='Grace' last='Posch'] earlier this season. While Posch was able to get the best of her late due to experience Schmidt worked hard with her great footwork and quick hands to limit easy looks and catches throughout the game. Offensively showed strength and speed with the ball, creativity, and scoring ability in a variety of situations. Schmidt has the potential to be one of the top 5A players in the state regardless of class.

The 2027 initial class rankings features 50 prospects from all classifications and a home school. In this look at prospects 21-30 the top players from class 3A, 2A and 1A Division II appear. This article follows reviews of the top and second 10 prospects.