Top Newcomers to the 2023 Rankings
The number of players continues to grow with this sophomore class. 28 new additions brings the total of 2023s included to 96. This will be the last class rankings because the initial 2024 release will be a watch list. Previously,…
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Continue ReadingThe number of players continues to grow with this sophomore class. 28 new additions brings the total of 2023s included to 96. This will be the last class rankings because the initial 2024 release will be a watch list. Previously, the 2021 update was release August 5 and the 2022 update August 17. The 2024 watch list is scheduled to drop August 31. Enjoy a look at the top ten debuting, 2023 players.
Catherine Goodwin
Catherine
Goodwin
5'4" | PG
St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023
State
KS
, 5’4″, PG, St. Thomas Aquinas, Team KC Hoops — Transferring in from Pembroke Hill (MO), Goodwin was a class 4A, District 14, all-district selection. Entering the rankings at #9, Team KC Hoops’ Craig Schaffer commented that she is plays “…at a high level and nearly impossible to stay in front of.” He also stated that she is tough and plays great defense.
Avery Lowe
Avery
Lowe
6'3" | PF
Maize South | 2023
State
KS
, 6’1″, PF, Maize South, Wichita Lady Defenders — Lowe, and
Mia Sarwinski
Mia
Sarwinski
5'5" | PG
Galena | 2023
State
KS
below, made my 2023 all-summer ball team and is a player to watch develop over the upcoming year. While she struggled with the size and strength of Norton’s
Tessa Hauser
Tessa
Hauser
6'2" | PF
Norton | 2021
State
KS
, a Colorado Christian University commit, she did show athleticism and physicality. Lowe was able to use her length to advantage to score at times and showed a nice duck-in move on the block. Lowe has solid hands, passes with confidence, and has some fluidity to her game. Serious upside here as she enters the rankings at #29.
Mia Sarwinski Mia Sarwinski 5'5" | PG Galena | 2023 State KS , 5’3″, PG, Galena, Wheat State Elite Childs — A Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) 3A honorable mention and CNC League first team selection, Sarwinski enters the ranks at #44. Sarwinski can score and distribute, including dime dropping off the dribble. She elevates well on her jumper and has a quick three point shot. With good hands on the receiving end, she can also finish on the fly.
Lauren Whelchel
Lauren
Whelchel
5'10" | SF
Rock Hills | 2023
State
KS
, 5’10”, F, Rock Hills, Wakonda Lakers — The Northern Plains League second team selection enters joins the rankings at #49. At the July 11 MAYB Tournament she showed good use of her left and is able to go end-to-end off the rebound. As a freshman she averaged 13.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 1.1 assists for the Grizzlies.
Kate Rowland Kate Rowland 5'4" | SG Sterling | 2023 State KS , 5’4″, SG, Sterling, KS Dream Team — The lefty can get shots off quickly and is especially a threat behind the arc in the corners. Entering the rankings at #57, at June’s MAYB Get Back on the Court she showed handles enough to weave through traffic with her head up in transition. Look for her to handle with more authority in the half court as the season progresses.
Alexys Walker Alexys Walker 5'10" | SF Stanton County | 2023 KS , 5’10”, SG/SF, Stanton County, Western Kansas Elite 2022 Cossman — The lengthy Walker has solid transition speed with the ball and elevates quickly. Entering the ranks at #58, she will be one to watch out of the High Plains League due to her abilities away from and around the basket as well as being an active defender and shot blocker. Walker has three point range, shoots quickly and with a lot of air under the ball, and can hit off the catch and the step-back. She has a solid spin move out of her back-to-basket game that she can finish against pressure with her left. I would like to see her make better use the glass on the drive.
Karsyn Slothower Karsyn Slothower PG Maize | 2023 KS , PG, Maize — Slothower joins at #59. Fast with good length and strong handles, she can athletically split defenders to finish. She also makes good use of ball fake to get a step. Notable is her showing a sense of where the basket is when not looking.
MaKinsey Jones
MaKinsey
Jones
5'11" | SF
Topeka West | 2023
State
KS
, F Topeka West — 580preps described, in their January Tournament Preview, her as a breakout player. “On a young Lady Chargers team with lots of freshman and sophomores earning playing time, Jones, a freshman, has stood out with her size and athleticism, particularly on the defensive end.” Jones enters the rankings at #65.
Kynlee Lakey
Kynlee
Lakey
5'8" | SF
Frontenac | 2023
State
KS
, 5’8″, SF, Frontenac — One of three freshman starters in Frontenac’s quarterfinal Class 3A state tournament win, Lakey showed good elevation on the mid-range jumper over a defender. She is a streaky scorer, racking up nine points in six first half minutes. Lakey can whirl on the fly, has quick hops, and joins the rankings at #66.
Mallory Hertzel Mallory Hertzel SF Maize | 2023 KS , SF, Maize — Entering at #67, what caught my eye was Hertzel’s ability to deliver, off the bounce, catchable passes to a cutter. Coupled with good vision, she can finish going end-to-end off a steal.