2A Players Powering to the Post-Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like the two divisions of class 1A teams in class 2A are also seeing their regular season wrap up quickly. Seeding for the eight sub-states is set for Wednesday, February 21. Champions from each sub-state will gather at United Wireless Area in Dodge City to play for the state championship. Many teams have put together strong seasons and several players are playing big roles in the push to reach the state tournament. Below is a quick look at some of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396410' first='Lily' last='Brown'], 6'0", C, St. Marys-Colgan, 2024 - Brown has been a high scoring focal point throughout her high school career and is a core reason why the Panthers are one of two remaining undefeated teams. A gifted athlete who can jump out of the gym she works hard in the paint, has a good touch around the rim, and is a solid mid-range threat. Brown, a Pittsburg State track &amp; field commit, runs well and can handle the ball as well. One of only two teams with a winning record in the Southeast sub-state the Panthers are a lock to return to state and, after coming up short the past few years, hopefully capture the championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='544010' first='Deena' last='Holmes'], 6'2", C, The Independent School, 2026 - Holmes is a big, strong center with developing ability. She runs well, has a strong motor, and is a good shot blocker. Using her good mobility she gathers and scores off the catch and will just flat overpower defenders on the offensive glass. Sitting atop the Sedgwick sub-state the team has already beaten two of the other three winning teams in the sub-state, has not lost to a KSHSAA school this season, are the clear favorite to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='453859' first='Josey' last='Kennedy'], 5'6", PG, Hoxie, 2024 - While the one loss Indians sit atop the Oakley sub-state standings heading into the tournament there are five other teams with winning records. Second seed lock Smith Center handed the team their only loss. Hoxie has beaten the other four. Kennedy is a important driver of the team's success. She has solid transition speed with the ball and is a terrific perimeter shooter. Averaging in the high double figures in scoring, she shoots it with range and elevation and is a career 33% three point shooter. Kennedy also is efficient with the ball. Over the last two seasons she has had a 1.5 assists-to-turnover ratio. Expect a rematch with Smith Center for the sub-state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='855409' first='Rori' last='Miles'],</strong> 5'5", PG, Bennington, 2025 - The Bulldogs are sitting second in the toss-up Wabaunsee sub-state. Miles is the team's floor leader and focal point for opposing defenses. But she does not make defending her easy. She makes good decisions on entry and perimeter passes, get to the hole off the bounce, and finish with either hand and creatively. Miles will also pop the occasional three. A solid on-ball defender she can be very disruptive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='429991' first='Megan' last='Ricke'], 5'8", CG, Wichita County, 2024 - The Indians are one of two remaining undefeated teams. The oldest of the three sisters on the team Ricke has been a major driver of the team's success over the past couple seasons. She is a difficult matchup for most teams not just due to her size, length, and transition abilities but also due to her diverse skill set. Ricke will take defenders off the dribble and finish with either hand as well as with floaters and other short range shots. She also will hurt teams from distance. An active defender Ricke also generates turnovers and limits second shots with her rebounding. One of four teams in the Meade sub-state the Indians are clear favorites. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='544025' first='Brenna' last='Rucker'], 5'7", CG, Eureka, 2026 - The Pleasanton sub-state is arguably the most competitive. Six of the eight teams have winning records. Tied at the top with Jayhawk Linn the experienced Tornados have won ten straight since a loss to 3A power Hesston in mid-January. A starter on the 3A state qualifier in 2023 Rucker is one of the top players in the class. A high IQ player Rucker is a dangerous perimeter shooter. And with her strength and solid build she seals opponents well regardless of where she positions herself. Add in good handles and quickness she is a problem matchup for most teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='265131' first='Maggie' last='Toerber'], 5'8", SG, Valley Heights, 2024 - Toerber has been a fixture in the Mustangs lineup for several years. Fast and athletic with good handles she is a credible three point threat as well as scorer. She has the Mustangs sitting as the top seed in a toss-up Wabaunsee sub-state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865220' first='Bethany' last='Urban']</strong>, 5'3", PG, Maur Hill-Mount Academy, 2024 - Urban is a tone setter for the Ravens. Quick and athletic she is a strong on-ball defender and pushes tempo off the break. She finishes at speed and passes well to teammates on the move. Urban is also a three point threat with a quick trigger. Sitting second in the Jefferson County North sub-state a game behind defending state champ Riverside the Ravens match up well physically with the Cyclones and are primed for the upset to go to state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='300794' first='Taylor' last='Weishaar'], 6'3", C, Riverside, 2024 - The 2023 state runner-up Cyclones sit atop the Jefferson County North sub-state. Their lone loss came recently to 3A power Nemaha Central. A game up on Maur Hill-Mount Academy, a team they beat by double digits a few weeks ago, Weishaar and her teammates are the favorite to return to state and defend their title. The University of Central Missouri commit causes problems just because she runs well and has great hands. Add that she is active around the boards, finishes with athleticism, and will step out to shoot the three and you have a player who offensively is extremely difficult to handle. On the other side of the ball she defends with quickness and is a terrific shot blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='649349' first='Katherine' last='Weiss'], 5'7", CG, Sacred Heart, 2024 - The Knights are one of four teams vying to emerge from the toss-up Wabaunsee sub-set. 'Kat' Weiss, a Newman University commit, is a big reason Sacred Heart could emerge. She shoots the ball with range, is quick working inside out in the half court offense, and goes strong to the hole. A good free throw shooter she is a walking three point play. On the opposite side of the ball she defends the ball with quickness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='231274' first='Zaylee' last='Werth'], 5'11", CG/SF, Hillsboro, 2024 - The one-loss Trojans are a experienced and talented squad that sits atop a tough Marion sub-state where the top five teams, including defending state champion Berean Academy, have five losses or less. Werth and company have beaten two of them convincingly but all four have the capability to pull the upset. The Kansas Wesleyan commit is big, long, strong, and athletic. She plays and defends all five positions. She is especially aggressive with the ball. She consistently goes at defenders and uses her handles, size, and athleticism to go around, through, or over defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->