Down-the-List Must See 2022 Bigs
The 2022 class is blessed with numerous quality centers and power forwards. In this article I take a look at a bunch who all are major contributors to their high school team’s success #90 Nicole Ruda Nicole Ruda 5'10" |…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022 class is blessed with numerous quality centers and power forwards. In this article I take a look at a bunch who all are major contributors to their high school team’s success
#90 Nicole Ruda Nicole Ruda 5'10" | PF Holcomb | 2022 State KS , 5’10”, Holcomb – Two time Great West Activities Conference honorable mention. Solid defensive post with length who walls up well. Transitions well with some ability to take it down the floor with speed.
#97 Sydney Scott Sydney Scott 6'1" | PF Augusta | 2022 State KS , 6’1″, Augusta, Next Level Eclipse – When I first saw Scott at the 2020 MAYB Summer Kickoff I was impressed with how hard she competed against a bigger, stronger team even when Scott’s team was getting buried. I liked her fire but thought she needed to get stronger. Fast forward to the Lawrence PGH Dynasty Classic this past April. She had gotten stronger and I expect that will continue. She boxed out, posted up, and moved into space well. She also earned All-Event honorable mention selection.
#98 Katie Kueker Katie Kueker 6'1" | PF Hesston | 2022 State KS , 6’1″, Hesston, KS Dream Team – I was somewhat familiar with Kueker heading into a February contest that saw Halstead host Hesston. Given how well Dragon power forward Kerenna Gerber, now at Pittsburgh State, had become I really wondered if Kueker would have anything for her. While she could not match Gerber’s pure power she showed strength on both ends of the floor and defended well, showing shot blocking ability. What I really liked about her was how good her hands were, that she showed an ability to expect where the pass was going to come from, and was able to finish with athleticism and length. Kueker showed some mid-range scoring ability and that she can knock down her free throws. The only question I left with was if she has perimeter shooting ability.
#101 Lily Boughfman Lily Boughfman 6'1" | PF Little River | 2022 State KS , 6’1″, Little River, KS Dream Team – 2021 KBCA 1A Div I and two-time Wheat State League first team. Boughfman caught the attention of several coaches at April’s MAYB Hall of Fame National Showcase. They liked her strong, solid build, ability to change ends, and competitiveness on both ends of the floor. Boughfman is box-out minded, has good size and length, and posts up strongly. She uses her hips to create space and moves well to get inside position.
#102 Kate Eichelberger Kate Eichelberger 6'0" | C Moundridge | 2022 State KS , 6’1″, Moundridge – Eicherlberger emerged last season as the top post player for her team. She went from Heart of America League second team honors in 2020 to KBCA 2A second team and Heart of America League first team selections in 2021. Lanky and competitive, she is a effective scorer around the basket.
#127 Laurel Streit Laurel Streit 6'0" | PF Clearwater | 2022 State KS , 6’0″, Clearwater – I look for Streit to have a strong senior season. She is very athletic, quick on the close-out, and reacts to challenge the shot from the next pass well. Streit also has quick hops to block shots.
#157 Akeir Scales Akeir Scales 6'1" | PF Wichita East | 2022 State KS , 6’2″, Wichita East, SSA GameBall – Speaking of hops, Scales has great hops. Grab the rim with two hands kind of hops. Scales is also a terrific shut down defender who can rebound, block shots without fouling, run, and anticipates well. When her offensive game catches up, look out. After a great summer the two-time Greater Wichita League honorable mention selection is poised to challenge for first team honors.
#178 Aniya Stierlen Aniya Stierlen 6'1" | PF Russell | 2022 State KS , 6’2″, Russell, Western Kansas Elite – At the April MAYB Hall of Fame National Showcase one quick, strong move said a great deal about Steirlyn – a drop step left from the left block. She showed quickness, back-to-basket feel, and scoring ability to go with her size and length. She has a soft touch, is able to score with both hands, and elevates quickly off the interior catch. A very long player who runs well and competes inside on both ends.
#186 Sydney Frankenberry Sydney Frankenberry 5'9" | PF Frontenac | 2022 State KS , 5’9″, Frontenac – While Frankenberry does not have the size of the others on this list she plays a pivotal role for the Raiders as their power forward. She will be one to watch this upcoming high school season. She is a good weakside offensive rebounder, anticipates getting position on mid-range jumpers well, and has solid hands to catch entry passes or finish on the break. Frankenberry also brings three point shooting ability to the table.
Featured image: Hesston’s Katie Kueker Katie Kueker 6'1" | PF Hesston | 2022 State KS , 40, works inside against Halstead’s Kerenna Gerber in their early 2021 matchup. Photo: Robert Kelly.