2023 Rankings: Biggest Movers, Part 1
After taking a look at the top advancers of the 2022 class I now offer a look at the 2023s. There have been some substantial changes in the ranks. When a player can advance 25 spots and not be included…
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Continue ReadingAfter taking a look at the top advancers of the 2022 class I now offer a look at the 2023s. There have been some substantial changes in the ranks. When a player can advance 25 spots and not be included in the top 10 movers in the class ranks that is saying something. A variety of factors have contributed to the large swings up and slides down but they all are rooted in the amount of visibility players received over the summer. Filling the shoes of graduated 2021s enabled more opportunities for players to get looks especially by scouts and other observers. Several players made all-Prep Girls Hoops event teams and/or made my 2023 All-Summer Ball team. Because of the numbers of prospects making major advancements I am breaking the look at the class into two parts. This part 1 offers a look at players who advanced more than ten positions into the top 40. The list is in order by number of positions advanced. Part 2 offers a look at advancers outside the top 40.
Heidi McCormick
Heidi
McCormick
5'4" | CG
Olathe Northwest | 2023
State
KS
, 5’4″, PG, Olathe Northwest – Sometimes you have to stand back and look at the forest to see the trees and a tree that has been overlooked is McCormick. Until now, as the largest move in the 2023 ranks was made my McCormick, rocketing up 89 spots to #21. A clear floor leader type she is very quick, tough, penetrates well, good on-the-ball defender. Without a doubt the Sunflower League is the strongest 6A league in Kansas. Earning a honorable mention selection following the 2021 is saying something.
Riley Bruggeman Riley Bruggeman 5'8" | PG St. James Academy | 2023 State KS , 5’8″, PG, St. James Academy – Vaulting 34 spots to #27 is Bruggeman. The third team Eastern Kansas League selection received a very high, late season complement from the starting point guard for a rival. She told me Bruggeman “is a really good player, she is the best player on the team hands down.” What I have always liked about Bruggeman is how active she is and that game-in game-out she shows up. She has good physical size and has a diverse enough game that with her block game she will dominate most of her defenders inside. From the point she can hurt teams getting to the rim and with the three ball (30%). Shooting 69% from the line earns her a fair share of three point plays. Bruggeman hustles, transitions, defends, hits post players where they are calling for the ball, and reads the floor well. In short, Bruggeman is a high IQ player who pushes the potential bar as she continues to improve.
Rebecca Snyder Rebecca Snyder 6'0" | PF Emporia | 2023 State KS , 6’0″, SF, Emporia – Snyder’s play in April kicked off a big summer for Snyder. At the PGH Dynasty Circuit stop in Lawrence Snyder earned third team selection to the 17U all-event team. She competed well on both ends of the floor, transitioned with speed, showed good hands in transition, and made good use of her length when finishing at speed. At the MAYB Girls Nationals my colleague Phillipe McCree liked her ability to finish with both hands and while contested. He also noted how well she catches in the open floor and that she uses her length to alter shots. As Snyder gets stronger, improves back-to-basket techniques, and shows herself to be a consistent perimeter threat look for her to earn more than the Centennial League honorable mention honors that she received in 2021
Hattie Pyle
Hattie
Pyle
5'7" | SF
Frontenac | 2023
State
KS
, 5’7″, CG, Frontenac – I have been following Pyle since I saw her 22-2 Raiders at Kansas’s Class 3A state tournament in 2020, where she was a starter. Frontenac returned to the state tournament this past season, losing to eventual state champion Cheney. Pyle attended the October PGH Top 250 Exposure event in Kansas City and her play made a convincing argument for her to move up the ranks 30 spots to #38. She showed she can can score at all three levels and is athletic, strong, and elevates well on the score and on the rebound. Pyle showed she is also a very solid defensive player. Phillipe McCree also liked how low to the ground she plays and how well she handles the ball. A very in-control player who plays with her head up looking for her teammates. She flat out competes on both ends of the floor. 2021 CNC League first team and KBCA 3A honorable mention selection, we believe her best basketball is ahead of her.
Trista Hoobler Trista Hoobler 5'7" | SG Wamego | 2023 State KS , 5’7″, SG, Wamego – Climbing 28 spots to #36 is this slick, quick, smart, creative shooting guard with an ability to finish inside. Not just a three point threat, she consistently knocks down mid-range jumpers including in the transition game.
Reagan Wade Reagan Wade 5'7" | CG Olathe Northwest | 2023 State KS , 5’7″, CG, Olathe Northwest – A strong passer who sees the floor well, can play multiple positions and rebounds well for her size, Wade also is a capable scorer who can finish with either hand. Wade advances 27 spots to #39.
Mariyah Noel
Mariyah
Noel
6'0" | SF
Bonner Springs | 2023
State
KS
, 5’10”, SF, Bonner Springs (55 -> 30) = 25 The Frontier League second teamer Noel cracks the top 50 in a big way, climbing 25 spots to #30. Long, athletic, and fast, Noel has handles and athleticism to get to the rim and score athletically; rebound with elevation and strength; and can block shots. With her size and talent set, colleges looking for a combo guard with the real potential to play the stretch four ought to keep an eye on Noel’s development.
Addison Verbeck
Addison
Verbeck
5'7" | PG
Eisenhower | 2023
State
KS
, 5’7″, PG, Eisenhower (65 -> 40) = Verbeck also makes the big jump into the top 50, climbing 25 spots to #40. A two-time AVCTL Div II honorable mention selection, she is heady and fast in transition especially hustling back to disrupt a fast break. Verbeck handles well under back court pressure and will quickly hit the downtown three off the catch. She has quick hands but does need to pull the trigger quicker on her perimeter shot.
Chloe Clevenger
Chloe
Clevenger
5'6" | PG
McPherson | 2023
State
KS
, 5’6″, PG, McPherson – Fresh off a record breaking season and seventh place finish at the 4A state cross country meet Clevenger makes a push toward the top 25 by advancing 15 spots to #28. The first team Twin Valley League transfer from Doniphan West has worked as hard as anyone to grow her game all summer. She earned a spot on the PGH Top 250 Exposure Event Kansas City all-event team and had strong showings at the World Exposure GBB Wichita event and others. Clevenger’s high energy motor and speed sets the tone for her game on both ends of the floor. She brings speed, endurance, toughness, strong handles, athleticism and drive every time she steps on the floor. Defensively, She likes the challenge of defending her opponent’s best ball handler. Physical abilities and fortitude aside, Clevenger exploits gaps to finish or create for others. She also is a credible shooter in the mid-range and from beyond the arc.
Featured image: St. James Academy 2023
Riley Bruggeman
Riley
Bruggeman
5'8" | PG
St. James Academy | 2023
State
KS
. Photo: Prep Girls Hoops.