November Refresh : Top Advancers in the 2021 Ranks, 11-20
Following on the heals of a look at the top ten advancers in the 2021 November rankings refresh is this look at the next group of advancers. Because there was a tie in the number of places advanced a total…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingFollowing on the heals of a look at the top ten advancers in the 2021 November rankings refresh is this look at the next group of advancers. Because there was a tie in the number of places advanced a total of eleven players are included. Enjoy this look at the top 11th to 20th advancers.
Taylor Claussen
Taylor
Claussen
6'0" | SF
Manhattan | 2021
State
KS
, 6’0″, SF/PF, Manhattan, Wheat State Elite – Advancing 18 spots to #47, Classen has consistently shown a diverse game. At tournaments and exposure events this summer and fall she has consistently shown a willingness to scrap with bigger, stronger posts all over the floor. She has good length, handles to split defenders on the drive, is a consistent perimeter threat beyond the arc. Off the drive she elevates and finishes well using the glass on either side of the basket. Despite averaging 4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.7 steals in 2020 I expect Claussen to have a breakout, terrific senior season in the Centennial League.
Michelle Anderson
Michelle
Anderson
5'7" | CG
Olathe West | 2021
State
KS
, 5’7″, G/F, Olathe West – Anderson gains 18 stops to come in at #120. A Sunflower League honorable mention selection a season ago, PGH’s Joel Webb describers her as “an active defender that tends to always be in the right places at the right time.” He also states she is a good rebounder with an ability to finish well in close.
Madison Michaelis
Madison
Michaelis
5'5" | CG
Circle | 2021
State
KS
, 5’5″, PG/SG, Circle – A Arkansas Valley Chisholm Trail League Div III honorable mention selection a season ago, Michaelis moves up 18 spots to #132. While she may not be the fastest of the tandem of four all-league returning guards for Circle she, she is arguably the most physical and tempo pushing of the group. PGH’s Israel Potoczny wrote in January that “she is great at forcing turnovers and can rebound well for her size.” He also commented that she gets to the basket quickly and is “quick to shoot from distance or the mid-range area.” Michaelis averaged 5.3 points, 2.5 steals, and 2.3 assists per game. Michaelis ended the season also with a 2.12 assists to turnovers ration and, despite only taking 19 shots, shot 42% from three.
Noel Brown Noel Brown 5'10" | PF Wichita Heights | 2021 State KS , 5’10”, PF, Wichita Heights, Dynasty 17U – Brown, who advances 17 spots to #176, was a new discovery over the summer whom I wound up seeing play several times. A Greater Wichita League honorable mention selection a season ago, Brown was the most consistent scorer for her Dynasty team. With a long, strong build, she showed a good understanding of getting position on inbounds plays and to go up quickly off the catch. A good free throw shooter, she also has three point range. Brown has good transition speed and good hands.
Bailey Wilborn Bailey Wilborn 5'7" | CG Andover Central | 2021 State KS , 5’8″, CG, Andover Central, KC Next Level Eclipse 17U – The future University of Maine Black Bear is a returning KBCA 5A honorable mention and 2020 ACTVL Div II first team selection. Advancing 16 spots to #10, she averaged 13.4 points and carried a 1.91 assists to turnover ratio. A good and prolific three point shooter, hitting on a 38% clip with 61 made, Wilborn also has a quick first step with either hand and is able to get to the rim to finish with speed. Shooting 83% from the line last year, Wilborn should have plenty of three point play opportunities this season.
Kassidy Beam Kassidy Beam 5'5" | CG McPherson | 2021 State KS , 5’7″, SG, McPherson, Wheat State Elite – The 2020 KBCA 5A honorable mention and AVCTL Div III first team selection is absolute money from beyond the arc with any kind of solid look. She averaged 14.6 points last season and showed good speed, solid handles, the ability to score in streaks, and quickness on the defensive end. Beam, who is generating her share of NCAA D II and NAIA interest, advances 15 spots to #38.
Alexa Lightner
Alexa
Lightner
5'9" | SF
Ingalls | 2021
State
KS
, 5’9″, SF, Ingalls – Lightner advances 13 positions to #219 if only because I have not seen enough of her. A Southern Plains-Iroquois Activities Association honorable mention selection in 2020, she averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. Lightner finishes with elevation and length and can go end-to-end off the rebound with speed, using both hands well. She has three point range as well. Lightner uses her length well as a shot blocker.
Derryana Cobbins Derryana Cobbins 5'6" | CG Derby | 2021 State KS , 5’9″, CG, Derby, Wheat State Elite – Cobbins earned AVCTL Div I honorable mention a season ago. She is a unselfish, athletic, quick, fast, hard working player who also is a solid perimeter threat. Cobbins advances 12 spots to #72.
Reece Hay Reece Hay 5'8" | SF Liberal | 2021 State KS , 5’8″, PG/SG, Liberal, Western Kansas Elite 2021 – Advancing 12 positions to #216, Hay returns from a deep team that was undefeated and headed to the class 6A semifinals to face Derby when the remainder of the state championship tournaments were cancelled. She only averaged 2.2 points and .7 assists per game, but it was enough show three point range and a more than two to one assists to turnover ratio. The ratio reflected in her play this summer as she consistently was able to create shots for her teammates on the perimeter. Hay could see time at small forward for the Redskins this season.
Olivia Wedman Olivia Wedman 6'0" | C Maize | 2021 State KS , 6’0″, PF, Maize – Wedman had a strong, consistent summer that enabled her to advance 11 positions to #28. The Washburn University commit has a thin and angular build but uses if to post up very well. She does a great job of sealing and calling for the ball. Once with the ball she can go either direction on the block and makes good use of a baby hook. Wedman runs well, plays hard on both ends of the floor, can block shots, and continues to have a high upside.
Jessie Brummett Jessie Brummett 5'10" | SF Riley County | 2021 State KS , 5’10”, SF, Riley County – The two-time Mid-East League first teamer also advances 11 spots, to #154. Averaging in double figures a season ago, Brummett was described in June by PGH’s Eric Pannell as a player who sets the tone defensively by contesting shots and forcing turnovers.