CLASS 1A DIVISION I GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025-26
 

BRAELYN BLACKWILL, QUINTER

Blackwill made a huge impact in her freshman season,  averaging 15 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists on a Bulldog squad that placed fourth at the 1A Division I state tournament last season. She was a first-team All-Northwest Kansas League pick and received honorable mention All-1A Division I honors. The Bulldogs return several key pieces off last season’s team. Blackwill was also a key contributor on the Quinter volleyball team that reached the state tournament this past season.
 

REAGAN BONNER, ST. JOHN

Bonner steps into a leadership role on a Tigers team that will have a new look this season. Standout post player Lydia Reed has moved on to Fort Hays State and all-league selection Mia Meyer transferred to Wamego. However, St. John returned a solid player in Bonner, who earned second-team All-Central Prairie League honors last season as a junior. Jorge Calleros is the new head coach of the Tigers, who went 17-6 and reached the state tournament last season.
 

 
BRYNLYN BROCKMAN, BLUE VALLEY-RANDOLPH

The Brockman sisters were a tough tandem for opposing defenses a year ago as the Rams finished just under .500 for the season. Brynlyn, now a senior, was the one who ended up earning first-team All-Twin Valley League honors after averaging 12.3 points and 9 rebounds per game. She also contributed 1.4 blocks and 3 steals a contest and enters her fourth year as a starter for the Rams. Bryleigh added 11.4 points per game as a freshman a year ago to complement Brynlyn while Bryleigh’s twin sister Bralynn added 5.2 points per game. The Rams return the bulk of their scoring from last year as they look to post a winning season.
 
 

CAYTEN CUMMINGS, YATES CENTER

Cummings steps into her third season as a starter for Yates Center. The 5-foot-10 Cummings earned Three Rivers League first team honors last winter, while also picking up 2A all-state honorable mention recognition. She also took a major leap as a sophomore, raising her averages to 11.1 points and 9 rebounds per game after a strong freshman campaign where she posted 7.1 points and 6.5 boards. A multi-sport standout, Cummings has already receied all-league honors in volleyball (three years) and softball (two years) and earned 2A all-state honorable mention in softball. 
 

RYLYNN DAVID, CENTRAL-BURDEN
 
David, a sophomore, averaged 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season as the Raiders posted a 9-13 record under Ben Ponce, who also serves as Central’s boys coach. David earned All-South Central Border League second-team recognition, and is one of four returning starters. Of the group, only Jessica Bell (6 points, 6 rebounds per game) is a senior, so David will try to help a young roster improve on last season’s sixth-place finish in the SCBL.
 

JACEE DEGES, SOUTH GRAY

After a dual-sport fall season, Deges turns her attention to basketball and a South Gray squad that will look to contend again after going 20-3 and reaching the state tournament last season. Deges helped the volleyball team return to state last season and also ran on South Gray’s cross country team that was state runner-up after winning the previous three state titles. In basketball, Deges is a defensive spark for the Rebels. “She runs the point and is great at getting us in our offense and not allowing the other team to get out on a fast break,”  South Gray coach John Wahl said. She averaged 8.4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals last season as a junior, earning first-team All-SPIAA and All-1A Division I honorable mention honors.
 

 
TRINITY ESPINOZA, CANTON-GALVA
 
Espinoza has been a scoring machine for Canton-Galva ever since her freshman year when she averaged 16.1 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard upped that average to 18.1 points a game as a sophomore when she earned first-team All-Wheat State League honors. Last year, Espinoza’s scoring average dipped to 12.7 points per game, but she was still a unanimous all-league selection and a second-team All-Class 2A selection. Espinoza added 3.5 points and 2.9 steals per game a year ago as well and her quiet leadership on the floor and work ethic have been key to the program’s success.
 

 
ARIKA FELDMAN, LITTLE RIVER
 
Having to replace a talented senior class from its 2024 Class 1A Division I state runner-up team, Feldman and her fellow juniors more than filled that void capably. Averaging 14.5 points per game as a sophomore, Feldman became a dominant scorer last year, averaging 18.9 points per game on her way to being a unanimous All-Wheat State League selection and first-team All-Class 1A Division I honors. With Feldman leading the way, Little River took an undefeated record into the state tournament and return trip to the state finals where the Redskins finished as state runners-up again. Feldman is closing in on 1,000 career points and 400 career rebounds and has also helped the Redskins to four straight state volleyball titles, earning player of the year honors in Division I for the second straight year this fall. 
 

 
TAVA GIBBS, CENTRALIA
 
Even with All-State Top 5 guard Oen Deters the driving force behind Centralia’s run to an undefeated Class 1A Division I state title last year, her supporting cast was strong and Gibbs was more than just a complementary piece. She teamed with fellow junior Josie Haverkamp to provide the inside presence for the Panthers and wound up second on the team in scoring at 11.7 points per game. Gibbs also was the leading rebounder at 8 per game and ended up being a first-team All-Twin Valley League pick along with Deters. With Deters having graduated, Gibbs should see her scoring numbers rise this season as the Panthers look to repeat as state champs.
 

 
JOSIE HAVERKAMP, CENTRALIA
 
A true center, Haverkamp moved into a starting spot last year and teamed with classmate Tava Gibbs to give Centralia its scoring punch inside as the Panthers posted a 26-0 record and won the Class 1A Division I state title. Haverkamp averaged 9.3 points per game, falling just shy of giving the Panthers three double-figure scorers. She was second on the team in rebounding to Haverkamp with 6.5 per game and earned second-team All-Twin Valley League honors.
 

 
HAYDEN KRAMER, CENTRALIA
 
The off guard to complement All-State Top 5 point guard Oen Deters, Kramer will likely take over the point guard spot this year with Deters having graduated after leading the Panthers to an undefeated 1A Division I state title. Kramer still found her points, averaging 9.8 points per game to rank third on the team. She also was second in steals with 2.9 per game, earning second-team All-Twin Valley League honors and is part of a talented junior class that will keep the Panthers in the hunt for another state title this season.
 

BRYLEE MINNICK, OBERLIN

The Red Devils returned their top player in Minnick, who put up 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds per game as a junior. Minnick scored 32 points against Hill City last season and also had a 28-point outing against St. Francis. She earned second-team All-Northwest Kansas League honors and was honorable mention All-1A Division I. The Buffaloes finished 11-10 a season ago. 
 

HALLE MIZNER, ROCK HILLS

Rock Hills produced one of its best seasons in recent program history in 2024-25, going 17-4 and reaching the sub-state title game. Mizner was a big reason why, averaging 15.2 points and 9.2 rebounds. She recorded eight games with 20 or more points. Mizner earned first-team All-Northern Plains League and honorable mention All-1A Division I honors as a junior.
 

MADISON MORGAN, LA CROSSE

Morgan is back to lead the Leopards after a solid junior campaign in which she averaged 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds. She had five games with 20 or more points including a 30-point effort against Minneola. Morgan earned first-team All-Central Prairie League honors last season and was honorable mention All-1A Division I. The Leopards finished 15-7 a season ago, falling to Osborne in the sub-state semifinals. 

 
HAVANA OLANDER, LITTLE RIVER
 
One of the best overall athletes in Class 1A, Olander has won state titles in volleyball, helping the Redskins to four straight 1A Division I crowns, and track, capturing three straight 1A triple jump titles. Now she’d like to complete the trifecta and lead the basketball team to a title after two straight runner-up finishes. The 5-foot-8 senior can jump out of the gym and last year averaged 10.2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2.5 steals per game on her way to being a first-team All-Wheat State League selection and second-team All-Class 1A Division I pick. 
 

 
TALEN ORTON, WABAUNSEE
 
At 5-foot-11, Orton is a matchup problem for opposing defenses, particularly with her athleticism in getting up and down the floor. Last year as a sophomore she averaged 12.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game and earned first-team All-Flint Hills League honors. She also was honorable mention All-Class 2A but the Chargers move down to Class 1A Division I this season for the first time in program history. Orton is one of four returning starters for the Chargers, who posted an 18-5 record last season and reached the sub-state finals for the second straight year.
 

KYLEE REECE, HODGEMAN COUNTY

Hodgeman County earned a state tournament berth last season, finishing 17-6 with a first-round state tournament loss to Lebo in 1A Division II. A three-year starter, Reece leads an experienced group of Longhorns after averaging 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2,2 assist and 2.2 steals as a junior. She scored a season-high 21 points against Northern Valley. “She is a very hard worker who is getting better every year,” Hodgeman County coach Trent Bright said. Reece was a first-team All-SPIAA selection and received honorable mention All-1A Division II honors last season. The Longhorns moved back up to 1A Division I this year.

 

LEAVIE RINER, OSBORNE

Riner, a state-placer in doubles tennis this past fall, is primed for a big senior season on the basketball court. She is a three-year starter and will lead a team that is coming off a 17-6 season that ended with a loss to Quinter in the sub-state finals. The Bulldogs will have to replace three all-league players to graduation and will rely heavily on Riner, who earned third-team Northern Plains League recognition last season.  
 

ALEX SCRIBNER, FLINTHILLS
 
Scribner, a senior, was one of three Mustangs who earned All-South Central Border League honors last season, getting a second-team nod after Flinthills finished 15-7 and reached the sub-state finals. With All-1A Division I third-team selection Paige Corter and all-league honorable mention Emily Scribner graduated, Alex Scribner takes on a greater role. A standout libero on Flinthills’ volleyball team, Scribner made her mark as a sophomore in basketball with a program-record 12 steals in a victory over Central-Burden. 
 

AEVYN SIEMSEN, CENTRAL PLAINS

Siemsen leads a strong returning core for the tradition-rich Oilers, who went 18-4 and reached the state tournament last season. Siemsen, a 5-foot-7 guard, turned in a stellar freshman season, averaging 12 points and 2.7 steals per game. She was a second-team All-Central Prairie League selection and earned honorable mention All-1A Division I honors. She was a state placer in doubles tennis this past fall.
 

BETHANY SIMMELINK, ROCK HILLS

Simmelink turned in a tremendous junior season, averaging 18.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.2 steals. She helped fuel the Grizzlies’ 17-4 season. Simmelink had eight games with 20-plus points including a season-high 28 against Beloit-St. John’s. She was a first-team All-Northern Plains League selection and received honorable mention All-1A Division I honors.
 

 
LILLY SKALSKY, OLPE
 
The basketball season might seem like a bit of a breeze for Skalsky, who doubles up in cross country and volleyball in the fall. She’s obviously got a motor that doesn’t quit and that allows her to score from anywhere on the floor, which at 5-foot-11 can be troublesome for opposing defenses. A three-year starter, Skalsky averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals per game in earning first-team All-Lyon County League and third-team All-Class 1A Division I honors last year.
 

SAYLER STAPLETON, MEADE

Stapleton is the top returner off a Meade squad that finished 14-10 a season ago and made the sub-state finals. She averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3 steals as a sophomore. Stapleton already holds school records for most 3-pointers in a season and a game. She was a first-team All-SPIAA selection and also earned honorable mention All-1A Division I honors last season.
 

 
KAYLEIGH VOGL, PRETTY PRAIRIE
 
Vogl earned a spot on the All-Heart of the Plains first team as a sophomore last season, averaging 8 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Bulldogs finished 11-9 and 5-3 in league play. A unanimous all-league selection in volleyball, Vogl helped Pretty Prairie get out of the gate fast this season, averaging 13.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ first four games, all of which were victories.
 

 
HARPER WHETSTINE, TROY
 
Whetstine has almost completely rewritten the scoring record books at Troy with last year being her biggest yet. She averaged 25.8 points per game last year to set single-season records for points (618) and scoring average. She had a high of 43, also a school single-game record, and added records for steals in a season (154), free throw percentage (84%), consecutive free throws made (29) and broke the career 3-pointers record, finishing the season with 144 in her career. Whetstine helped Troy to a third-place finish at the state tournament and scored 66 points in the three state tourney games. Her 1,392 career points rank second in Troy history and the Northern Iowa signee was first-team All-Northeast Kansas League and first-team All-Class 1A Division I.
 

 
SEVY WURTZ, CLIFTON-CLYDE
 
Wurtz has been a prolific scorer ever since her freshman year and now sits less than 300 points from becoming the all-time leading scorer in program history. Last year she averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals per game in earning first-team All-Twin Valley League honors for the third straight year. Wurtz shot 42% from 3-point range and 85% from the free throw line. She was a first-team All-Class 1A Division I selection and fell just short of leading the Eagles back to the state tournament. She’ll team with returning starter Calyn Baker to give the Eagles a solid 1-2 punch to build around this season and is capable of carrying Clifton-Clyde to a state berth.