Returning Eastern Kansas League 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Teamers
The 7-team Eastern Kansas League is composed of three Class 6A, three Class 5A, and one Class 4A schools. The strength of the league is reflected in its 2020 production of two state quarterfinal teams (St. Thomas Aquinas 5A and…
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Continue ReadingThe 7-team Eastern Kansas League is composed of three Class 6A, three Class 5A, and one Class 4A schools. The strength of the league is reflected in its 2020 production of two state quarterfinal teams (St. Thomas Aquinas 5A and Bishop Miege, 4A), two 2019 state champions (St. Thomas Aquinas, 5A, Bishop Miege, 4A) and the 2019 5A runner-up, Blue Valley Southwest. Here’s a quick look at the ten returning players who who made first, second, or third team team all-league.
First Team
2021 #1 Payton Verhulst Payton Verhulst 6'1" | CG Bishop Miege | 2021 State #7 Nation KS , 6’1″, G/F, Bishop Miege, Next Level Eclipse Bluestar – Verhulst is a combo-guard who also has been described as a point forward. She is a extremely versatile, well rounded player. A terrific combination of size, length, and savvy, Verhulst arguably hurts opponents the most with her passing. The Louisville commit is a 5-star, ESPNU 2021 HoopGurlz player ranked at #8; was the 2020 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year; and was the MVP of the 2019 Americas 16U championship. How another year like she has can happen will be something to watch.
2022 #5 Beatrice Culliton Beatrice Culliton 6'3" | PF St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State #49 Nation KS , 6’3″, C, St. Thomas Aquinas, Missouri Phenom – Culliton was a 2020 KBCA 5A first team selection after earning honorable mention in 2019. Non-commited, Culliton is ranked #38 in the ESPNU Super 60 as a 4-star recruit. With good physical size, she sets screens well in pick and roll situations, has good hands to catch passes and finish in traffic, and is a solid defender.
Second Team
2021 #2 Faith Hawthorne Faith Hawthorne 6'1" | PF St. James Academy | 2021 State KS , 6’1″, F, St. James Academy, Lady Run GMC – A strong, physical player Hawthorne has ball skills to get to the rim, pull opposing posts out with her perimeter game, and is a strong passer. While non-committed at the moment she has received several offers.
2021 Paige Craft Paige Craft 5'7" | CG Blue Valley North | 2021 State KS , 5’7″, CG, Blue Valley North, KC Dream — Craft is, for a word, crafty. She has good vision, creativity, controlled handles, and three point range. She also has solid strength. Craft is commited to Lindenwood University.
2021 Jazzy Klinge Jazzy Klinge 5'9" | SG Blue Valley | 2021 State KS , 5’9″, SF, Blue Valley, Kansas Elite — Klinge was a KBCA 6A honorable mention selection in 2020. A athletic, strong rebounder who plays physical and hard, she can score around the basket out of the PF position as well. She has 15-18 foot range and a growing three-point game. Klinge also holds the school record in the 400m.
2022 Gabriella Henderson-Artis Gabriella Henderson-Artis 5'10" | SF Bishop Miege | 2022 State KS , 5’10”, SG, Bishop Miege, Lady Run GMC — Henderson-Artis garner substantial attention this summer with her play at exposure events. Long, athletic, and fast coaches homed in on her quickness and decisiveness with the ball off the bounce. With quick hands to pick ball handlers one-on-one, she has the ability to dominate a match-up on both ends of the floor. She can lead breaks effectively and is a three-point threat.
Third Team
2021 McKenna Simons McKenna Simons 5'8" | CG Blue Valley North | 2021 State KS , 5’11”, G, Blue Valley North, Missouri Phenom — PGH’s Joel Webb describes Simons as a super wiry player with great athleticism. Simons is committed to Grand Canyon University.
2021
Madison Skelton
Madison
Skelton
5'8" | PG
St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021
State
KS
, 5’8″, PG, St. Thomas Aquinas,
Next Level Eclipse
Bluestar — Skelton is a far stronger player than a year ago, and not just physically. A very strong ball handler, she is able to split defenders with speed on the basket attack and finish with athleticism. She plays with composure, has a quick first step off the ball fake, can drop the no-look dime, and is a consistent three point threat. The Emporia State commit made the Sports In Kansas 5A state tournament team in 2019.
2022 Emajin McCallop Emajin McCallop 5'7" | CG Bishop Miege | 2022 State KS , 5’7″, PG, Bishop Miege, Next Level Eclipse Bluestar — She was the primary reason Miege was still in their 4A state quarterfinal game, because of foul trouble to both Verhulsts, in the first half against Chapman. She was able to handle the ball, go end to end to score, and just get to the rim at will. This summer McCallop separated herself from the majority of other point guards in the class, practically to the point of abusing defenders. With her strong build, she showed herself to be fast, athletic, and have good half court vision to distribute.
2023
Sydney Watts
Sydney
Watts
5'9" | SG
St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023
State
KS
, 5’9″, SG, St. Thomas Aquinas,
Next Level Eclipse
— PGH’s Joel Webb describes her as a super fast lefty with a high motor. She also can shoot it and is quick to the basket. A 2020 USJN Battle at the Border pool H 16U all star, she also made the USA 14 Soccer Team.