Wichita Area Standouts : A Look at the Top 10 2022s

I first wrote about several of the top 2022s in April.  Broken up into the top seven of a baker’s dozen and the remaining six, this refreshed look at the 2022s covers the top ten.  This refresh also taps into a defined set of 24 schools introduced in a previous article. Wichita Heights 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="48268" first="Zyanna" last="Walker"]. Photo: Permission from Coach Ken Palmer, Wichita Heights.#1 Zyanna WalkerZyannaWalker5'8" | PGWichita Heights | 2022State#15NationKS, 5’8", CG, Wichita Heights, Kansas United Soyez -- The #2 ranked player in the class is ranked #13 in the ESPNU Super 60. While she is recovering from an ACL tear that occurred at the end of February, Walker earned well deserved recognition: Selection to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 6A second team and repeating on the Greater Wichita League first team. Prior to her injury she was averaging more than 20 points per game. Coach Gayla Soyez, who played against Lynette Woodard, considers Walker to be  the most complete player in the state since then.  As Dan Olson commented a year ago, she is a "confident playmaker with a BCS future."  With her ability to handle the ball she comfortably plays either guard position and on the wing.  She elevates well on her jumper, can change gears from uptempo to half-court, finishes with with either hand, and can create shots.  Walker has received numerous NCAA Div I offers. Andover Central and Wheat State Elite Paul 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="93975" first="Brittany" last="Harshaw"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.#2 Brittany HarshawBrittanyHarshaw6'0" | PFAndover Central | 2022StateKS, 6’0", PF/SF, Andover Central, Wheat State Elite Paul -- Ranked #4 in the class, Harshaw recently committed to Creighton University.  Harshaw’s game is one of versatility.  With her length and handles she can play numerous positions as well as defend them on the other end.  Averaging 17 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game, she earned KBCA 5A first team honors and repeated on the first team in Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div II. Wichita Heights 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="23465" first="Cayanna" last="Stanley"]. Photo: Permission from Coach Ken Palmer, Wichita Heights.#3 Cayanna StanleyCayannaStanley5'4" | PGWichita Heights | 2022StateKS, 5’6", PG, Wichita Heights, Missouri Phenom -- Ranked #7 in the class, Stanley has strong handles with speed, is a perimeter threat, and can finish with contact.  Prep Girls Hoops’ Mason Asher reported on her play at the Tournament of Champions in late July.  He stated that she "... is a quick lead guard who really pushed the pace today. She has a very good frame that can hold strength. She scores the ball at all three levels and was able to force the defensive hand. When she is on the floor the game seems different." Stanley made the 2020 Greater Wichita League second team. Maize and Next Level Eclipse Holmes 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="93976" first="Kyla" last="Frenchers"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.#4 Kyla FrenchersKylaFrenchers5'6" | PGMaize | 2022StateKS, 5’6", PG, Maize, Next Level Eclipse 2021 Holmes -- I was able to see Frenchers on the floor a few times this summer.  Ranked #11, she is a  “runs the show” kind of point guard who can make quick, hard, catchable passes. Athletic with quick hands, a standout "Wow!" moment occurred at a July 11 MAYB Tournament.  At speed, she finished a challenged, right hand scoop off a bounce pass that she had one-handed in transition.  She can shoot the three, beat defenders with a strong cross over, and set teammates up with a no-look dime.  A two-time 2020 KBCA 5A honorable mention selection, she also earned AVCTL Div I honorable mention honors after being selected to the AVCTL Div II first team in 2019. [player_tooltip player_id="125011" first="Isis" last="Sanders"] Wichita East Kansas United Soyez 2022. Photo by Robert Kelly.#5 Isis SandersIsisSanders5'8" | SGWichita Northwest | 2022StateKS, 5’8", SG, Wichita East, Kansas United Soyez -- The transfer from Wichita Northwest, ranked #13 overall, is a returning Greater Wichita League first team selection.  Readily admitting to me that she does not like to lose, Sanders is quick, fast, athletic, smart, durable, and fierce. She will attack an opponent relentlessly, taking being scored on practically personal.   Sanders can score buckets in bunches and yet is not selfish.  She will feed the hot hand, as she did in a game I watched this summer where teammate Maycee JamesMayceeJames5'9" | CGWichita Northwest | 2022StateKS, listed below, was lighting up an opposing team.  High IQ, she is heady while dribbling with speed in transition.  As I have stated before, if she can get her three point percentage in the 35% area she will be one of the most difficult players around to stop and would likely move into Prep Girls Hoops Kansas’ top 10 in the class. Andover Central and Wheat State Elite Paul 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="191198" first="Ellie" last="Stearns"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.#6 Ellie StearnsEllieStearns5'8" | SGAndover Central | 2022StateKS, 5’8", SG/SF, Andover Central, Wheat State Elite Paul -- Stearns, ranked #27 in the class, stands out with her spacing sensibility and movement without the ball.  Those two little things create open three point shot opportunities.  Shooting 34% with from beyond the arc with 42 makes a year ago, lanes also open up for her to get into the lane off the bounce.  A AVCTL Div II second team selection in 2020, she averaged averaged 10 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 2.3 assists. She also had a respectable assists to turnovers ratio of 1.24 to 1.  This summer she was among the best guards I saw at denying interior passes into the post. #7 Maycee JamesMayceeJames5'9" | CGWichita Northwest | 2022StateKS, 5’9", CG, Goddard, Kansas United Soyez -- Forming a formidable back court a year ago at Wichita Northwest, and over the last couple of summers with Kansas United, with the previously discussed Isis SandersIsisSanders5'8" | SGWichita Northwest | 2022StateKS, James will bring production on both ends of the floor to the Lions .  Ranked #30, and a 2020 Greater Wichita League second team selection, James is as strong of a offensive rebounder as any guard in the state.  Fast, quick, scrappy, and athletic, she is a strong perimeter threat and an effective scorer off the bounce.  While slightly build, she is physical and durable.  James can play and defend point guard to wing positions.  With her length and hops, she is a difficult match up. Wichita East and Next Level Eclipse Silver 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="191199" first="Aubree" last="Dawson"]. Photo by Robert Kelly.#8 Asia DawsonAsiaDawson5'6" | SGWichita East | 2022StateKS, 5’6", SG, Wichita East, Next Level Eclipse Silver -- Dawson has strong handles, quickness, and a solid build to get to the basket and finish physically.  Athletic with consistency in her mid-range jumper, she also showed good interior vision.  Ranked #39, Dawson earned Wichita League honorable mention in 2020. #9 AmUnique CavittAmUniqueCavitt5'5" | PGWichita North | 2022StateKS, 5’5", PG, Wichita North, Dynasty -- Ranked a solid #45, Cavitt’s game has strengthened considerably in the past year.  During June’s MAYB Summer Kickoff she showed a good 10’ face-up game, speed with the ball, a strong crossover, a quick release three point shot, and good transition vision.  She also will post up other guards and work them over with her back-to-basket game.  Cavitt earned Greater Wichita League honorable mention in 2020. #10 Aubrey WinterAubreyWinter5'9" | CGTrinity Academy | 2022StateKS, 5’9", CG, Trinity Academy, Next Level Eclipse Stewart -- Coming in at #47, Winter is a 2020 USJN Battle at the Border pool F 17U all star. She handles the ball well and with speed in the open court.  Winter makes effective use of a quick whirl move to get by opponents and is a credible threat from beyond the arc.