10 CLASS 2A GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2022-23
 

LILY BROWN, ST. MARY'S-COLGAN

Brown averaged a double-double as a sophomore with 22.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Along with senior Lauren Torrance, Brown will lead a Colgan squad looking to repeat as CNC champs despite three starters graduating from last year’s team. With only two other upperclassmen returning from last year’s squad, the Panthers will try to fit the right youth pieces around the one-two punch of Brown and Torrance with the hopes of reaching state for the ninth time in 12 seasons under head coach Abby Farabi.

JOSEY KENNEDY, HOXIE

Kennedy put up 13.7 points, 3.8 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.5 rebounds for Hoxie last year as a sophomore. She went over 20 points four times on the season including back-to-back 22-point outings to finish the season. Hoxie went 13-10 last season. Kennedy was a second-team All-Mid-Continent League pick and was honorable mention in Class 2A on KSHSAA Covered's All-State team.   

KALEIGH O’BRIEN, REMINGTON
 
O’Brien, a senior, led Remington a 16-7 record last season and the Class 2A sub-state finals, where the Broncos came up short after a promising start against Berean Academy. The All-Class 2A second-team and All-Heart of America first-team choice averaged 17.5 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 assists. She also finished second to Stanton County standout Chesney Peterson in the 2A 800 meters last spring.
 

KANYON OLBERDING, JACKSON HEIGHTS

Olberding led Jackson Heights to its third straight Northeast Kansas League title and back to the Class 2A state tournament for the first time since 2019 as the Cobras finished 22-2 overall. The 5-foot-10 senior set Heights' single-game scoring record wih a 37-point outing last year and averaged 17.1 points per game for the season, earning first-team all-league and second-team All-Class 2A honors. Olberding also averaged 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.1 steals and is deadly from 3-point range.
 

CELIA PUETZ, GARDEN PLAIN
 
Puetz is part of a veteran squad that will try to earn its sixth consecutive state tournament berth this winter. She is the Owls’ top returning scorer, averaging 8.9 points for a team that advanced to the Class 2A final before falling to Sterling. Puetz was an All-Central Plains League second-team choice after helping the Owls post a runner-up league finish to Cheney.
 

ADYSON SCOTT, STANTON COUNTY

Scott impressed as a junior last season. She averaged 18 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists. She’ll look to help the Trojans improve from a 7-14 mark from last season. Scott was a third-team All-2A selection by KSHSAA Covered last year and earned first-team All-Hi Plains League honors. 
 

BRITTANY SIMPSON, ELLINWOOD

Simpson put up big numbers last year as a junior. She averaged 22.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 4.1 steals for the 12-10 Eagles. She reached double digits in scoring in all but one game last year and had three outings when she scored over 30 points, including 35 against Lyons. Simpson has signed with Barton Community College. She was a third-team All-2A pick by KSHSAA Covered last year and was a first-team All-Central Prairie League selection.
 

LILLIE VEER, BEREAN ACADEMY
 
Veer and the Warriors posted a 23-3 record and a fourth-place finish in Class 2A, losing to eventual champion Sterling twice and Smith Center in the third-place game. The senior guard was a big part of Berean’s success, averaging 13 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 steals. Veer received All-Class 2A second-team honors and joined the Warriors’ other returning starter, Tayton Smith, on the All-Heart of America first team.
 

TAYLOR WEISHAAR, RIVERSIDE

Weishaara burst onto the scene as a freshman for Riverside, averaging a double-double in her debut season in 2020-21. Weishaar avoided the sophomore slump last season, once again averaging a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-2 forward also chipped in 2 blocks per game, earning unanimous All-Big Seven League honors. She also was an honorable mention All-Class 2A pick and for her career is averaging 14.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
 

ZAYLEE WERTH, HILLSBORO
 
Werth, the Class 2A volleyball player of the year who led the Trojans to a state title in October, figures to play a big part in Hillsboro’s basketball success as well. The 6-foot guard averaged 10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.4 steals last season to earn All-Class 2A third-team honors. Werth and fellow junior Savannah Shahan (14.8 ppg) give the Trojans two returning double-figure scorers.