EKL: Junior Forwards making their mark (2021)
With the season in full swing, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Eastern Kansas League this season. Eastern Kansas League (EKL) Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue…
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Continue ReadingWith the season in full swing, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Eastern Kansas League this season.
Eastern Kansas League (EKL)
Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley Southwest, Blue Valley West, Mill Valley, St. James, St. Thomas Aquinas.
Sydney Beck, 5’11, PF, 2021, Blue Valley Southwest
Beck is a good sized forward for Southwest who shows a lot of upside given her length, overall build and skill set. She finishes shots around the glass and looks to apply contact, box out and finish plays off second chance looks. Beck is a well conditioned player who can see time as a wing or a power forward. Her athleticism makes her a match-up problem as she can fit into several positions given her skillset.
Beatrice Culliton, 6’3, C, 2022, Aquinas
A post player on the rise who has elite size, speed and toughness around the glass. Culliton is quick to create after the catch and shows solid form as a shooter from a variety of places on the floor. She’s a tough-minded player who values shot selection and high percentage looks. She has a way of being in the right spot at the right time and makes an immediate impact as a rebounder and defensive presence in the paint given her strength and physicality. Culliton has drawn significant college recruiting interest, including offers from Missouri State, Wichita State, St. Louis and others.
Kayte Delong, 6’1, F, 2021, Blue Valley North
She has long strides and makes smart plays in transition. She is good at adjusting her shot and looks to use the glass and sell contact. She looks to contest shots on defense is a good rebounder on both ends of the floor, applying pressure to her opponents and using her frame to keep them out of position. Delong is an intelligent player who is scrappy on offense but can clean up plays in score on second chance looks or extend the floor a bit with her shooting.
Charlotte Okeefe, 6’3, F, 2022, Aquinas
Another strong forward/center prospect for Aquinas in the class of ‘22, Okeefe has the potential to make an impact on both ends of the floor. She’s listed at 6’3 and brings good length and toughness to the floor. She ran with Lady Run GMC over the summer and has an ability to come down with rebounds on both sides of the floor and can pass well and score around the glass.
Payton Verhulst, 6’1, 2021, Bishop Miege
An elite player in the 2021 class with the ability to make an impact in any situation, Verhulst is a nice two-way standout who looks to contest shots, score near the basket and stay on the move. She is a good sized small forward at 6’1 and has good speed and length as well. She can block shots in the paint and she looks to stretch the floor with her outside shooting. Verhulst looks to move her feet and is good at establishing her presence in the paint without losing control of the situation. She also has strong handles for her position. A player who can come away with the ball on one end and then go coast-to-coast.