Of the 42 points scored against the Wichita Heights Falcons, Zoey had 30. She was constantly attacking the Lady Falcon’s defence at every turn with surprisingly good ball handling and foot speed, with a lethal pull-up and a step back or two for a little extra sauce. She did a great job of actually drawing fouls and getting to the FT line to slow down the Lady Falcon attack. Zoey is averaging 28.1 ppg on the season so far, and to get 30 against this elite Lady Falcon squad shows that she is not just cherry-picking. Zoey is a bucket on any defender.

Buckner-Franklin’s quickness, hops and overall athleticism notably grew over the summer. Last season, her first at Kapaun, she showed that being named 2A player of the year at The Independent School was no fluke. Serving notice of her poise, vision and scoring ability she averaged more than 23 points. Against Andover Central her scoring primarily came within the flow of the offense and she used her vision to find teammates for quality perimeter shots and transitions scoring.

After winning a state title and being named the 2A player of the year at The Independent School in 2024 Buckner-Franklin proceeded to tear up the Greater Wichita Area League this past season and picked up first or second team 5A selections by KBCA, KSHSAACovered and SIK. A crafty, poised scorer with exceptional poise and down-the-floor vision she averaged nearly 25 points per game while shooting nearly 80% from the line. Among the offers held are ones from University of Illinois-Chicago, Providence and Wichita State. Buckner-Franklin debuts at #7. Read more about her below

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If you sit down to watch Zoey Buckner-Franklin for five minutes, you can tell that there is some obvious skill there. ZBF is crafty, she understands her own ability to a T, she plays with great pace, and she isn’t afraid to show off some flash. There aren’t many that can stick with ZBF and her diverse ability. She makes everything seem effortless and that’s a trait not all players possess. This is another individual that is going to make some waves at the next level when she finally gets there. She does too many good things not to produce in one way or another. If she gets a chance with time on the floor early on as a freshman in her collegiate career, watch-out.

You like scorers? Buckner-Franklin can flat get it done in bunches. Including hitting buzzer-beating threes at the end of the first half and the third quarter, as part of canning four overall, she went off for 38 points. Her ability to score on up to three defenders, finishing with either hand and knocking down jumpers with a hand in her face was very impressive. But that was not all she had. She generated steals with her quick hands, gathered several offensive boards and hit open teammates with passes. Buckner-Franklin never got flustered and was consistently heady.

Zoey is a standout lefty freshman who effortlessly scores on the court, using her natural ability and basketball IQ to navigate around defenders with ease. Her unique playing style allows her to operate at her own pace, whether it’s controlling the tempo of the game or waiting for the perfect moment to strike. She excels in making quick, precise decisions that catch opponents off guard, and her left-handed shots make her a constant threat. With her calm demeanor and exceptional skill set, Zoey has quickly established herself as a player to watch, and her future looks incredibly promising.

Zoey, the crafty lefty, is a dynamic playmaker with exceptional court vision that sets her apart. She has an uncanny ability to read the floor, threading pinpoint passes to her teammates and creating opportunities where others see none. Zoey is also a natural scorer around the rim, finishing with finesse and precision, even in traffic. Her soft touch adds a layer of elegance to her game, whether it’s a smooth layup, a clever floater, or a perfectly timed assist. Zoey’s combination of vision, skill, and scoring ability makes her a constant threat and a key player on any team.

Buckner-Franklin will suit up for the 5A Crusaders this season after being selected not just to multiple 2A first team all-state and the Central Plains League first team also was named the 2A player of the year at 2A state champion The Independent School. To learn more follow the links.

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