A year removed from a state championship powered by two senior Division I forwards, there are those who thought Blue Valley North would probably take a step back.
Instead, the Mustangs have surged behind a freshman who is already being talked about among the best in the country.
Freshman Harper Winter has quickly helped dispel any notion of a step back. Listed on ESPNW’s national Top 25 Players to Watch for the Class of 2029, Winter has stepped into a featured role and helped guide the defending 6A champions to a 7-2 start and are currently ranked No. 2 in the state.
“She’s a competitor,” Blue Valley North head coach Ann Fritz said. “She loves the opportunity to compete against the best of the best. She gets excited for those matchups and loves the challenges. She has a great attitude. Her focus is on the team and what she can do to help the team win.”
North won the state title last season behind Division I forwards Jaliya Davis (Kansas) and Aubrey Shaw (Harvard), both of whom graduated. While their departures left a void, Winter’s emergence has kept the Mustangs among the area’s best.
The freshman made a national statement Saturday at the Sophie Cunningham Shootout at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo., pouring in 33 points against Marshfield and was named Most Valuable Player the day before in a win over Battle. It was the latest highlight in a season that has seen Winter average nearly 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game.
“Harper has a relentless work ethic,” Fritz said. “She would be in the gym or weight room 24-7 if she could. She keeps me busy with that. She has an all-around game. She can guard, she makes her teammates better and she can score in a lot of different ways.”
Winter has already posted a double-double this season, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds in one outing. Fritz said what stands out most is her command of the game at such an early stage.
“Her ability to control the pace of the game and facilitate is rare for a freshman,” Fritz said.
Blue Valley North freshman Harper Winter leads the Mustangs with 20 points per game.
Blue Valley North’s only losses have come against a pair of Missouri powers, Farmington and Marshfield. The Mustangs have not lost to a Kansas team since falling to Shawnee Mission South in the state semifinals in 2024.
Fritz credits that consistency to a roster that blends championship experience with emerging talent. Seniors Tatum Schroering and Gabi Hinson anchor the group after playing key roles during last year’s title run.
“I knew we would be ready for all challenges this season as our schedule is stacked,” Fritz said. “We have two great seniors returning in Tatum and Gabi . They are playing really well and have a lot of experience. Tatum had to battle against Jaliya every day in practice for three years. Gabi has had big games for us over her career.”
Junior Macy Schroering has also been a difference-maker, particularly on the defensive end. Fritz pointed to her ability to guard elite Division I-level talent in some marquee wins.
“Macy is a stud on both ends of the floor,” Fritz said. “She has defended Asia Lee (Olathe North-Florida State), Addison Bjorn (Park Hill South-Texas) and Easton McCullough from Farmington. Easton is one of the best sophomores in the country.”
The Mustangs’ depth continues with sophomores Evie Kincaid and Caroline Woods. Kincaid is a standout athlete who is also one of the nation’s top soccer players and was the Class 6A Midfielder of the Year last season as a freshman. Woods is a threat from behind the 3-point line.
“When you bring in Harper, she elevates our team,” Fritz said. “We may be better defensively than last year and pretty well-rounded offensively. This group is hungry and looking forward to their opportunity.”
Eudora's Izzy Brunkow and the Cardinals have won seven of their first eight games.
Young Eudora team off to fast start as it tries to get back to state tourney
The Eudora girls basketball team continued its strong early-season run Friday night, earning a 62-43 win at rival Baldwin to push its winning streak to three games.
The victory moved the Cardinals to 7-1 on the season and further solidified their standing as the No. 8-ranked team in Class 4A. It was also another statement from a young Eudora squad that has combined experience, depth and growing chemistry as the season progresses.
“I was pleased with our effort,” Eudora head coach Brandon Parker said. “I thought we were pretty locked and determined defensively and that is a staple for this group. We pushed the ball and got it moving and played at our tempo. We survived a little bit at the end of the second quarter and bounced back with a big third quarter.”
Eudora’s youth has not slowed it down. The Cardinals have just one senior on the roster, but they are anchored by experienced juniors and sophomores, including junior point guard Brynn Deterding, sophomore Avah Dye and junior Izzy Brunkow, who provides a strong defensive presence.
The Cardinals are also seeing the immediate impact of freshman Payton Lewis, who delivered her best performance yet against Baldwin. Lewis scored a game-high 17 points and pulled down six rebounds.
“Payton has done a great job as a freshman,” Parker said. “One characteristic for all three is they love basketball and they love to compete, and you are going to have success. For a freshman she is pretty fearless and looks to attack. You never know how a freshman will respond to situations, and she’s done a really nice job and fits in well with others.”
Deterding filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, seven assists and nine rebounds while directing the offense from the point guard spot. Jayla Colter added 12 points and six assists as Eudora’s balanced attack kept Baldwin on its heels.
Brynn’s development as a leader has been noticeable this season, according to Parker.
Eudora's Brynn Deterding throws a backward pass to get out in transition last Friday at Baldwin.
“Brynn’s biggest growth is a natural progression into a leadership role,” Parker said. “She has games under her belt now and has seen a lot. She usually makes an impact by scoring, but she always impacts the game multiple ways and maintains composure.”
Through eight games, the Cardinals have showcased balance across the stat sheet. Dye leads the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game, followed closely by Deterding at 13.0 and Lewis at 12.3. Lewis also tops the rebounding chart at 4.4 boards per game, while Deterding leads the team in assists (4.6) and steals (2.4).
Eudora’s record has been built against a demanding schedule. Before the holiday break, the Cardinals competed against several ranked opponents, including a strong showing at the Flurry on the Flush tournament at Rock Creek. Eudora opened with a close win over Goodland, followed by another tight victory over state-ranked Rock Creek, before falling to No. 1-ranked Silver Lake in the championship game.
“They’ve done a nice job,” Parker said. “We had the one game with Silver Lake where we weren’t at our best and they were at their best. For the most part we’ve played a tough schedule. All three games at Rock Creek were against ranked teams, and any time Eudora goes to Baldwin it will be tough. That venue is a tough place to play.”
The Cardinals opened Frontier League play with a 19-point win over Spring Hill and, after the holidays, added double-digit victories over Tonganoxie and Paola before knocking off Baldwin.
Eudora is also building on last season’s success, when the Cardinals reached the state tournament before falling to eventual state runner-up Bishop Miege. While the memory remains, Parker said the focus stays in the present.
“For the ones that were there last year, it’s going to be motivating,” Parker said. “We don’t talk state or league titles. Our focus is every day coming in with intensity. If I don’t have to challenge their intensity, then we are going to get better. We take it day by day. Our practices up to Baldwin were focused and intense and they are starting to see what they are capable of. They want more, but what is more? We shall see.”
Chemistry has continued to grow, led by senior Avery Warren, and Parker believes that trust is beginning to show on both ends of the floor.
“It’s definitely getting a lot better chemistry-wise,” Parker said. “Defensively we are able to help each other and it’s more organic. That’s what makes it fun when it starts clicking and you see them trust each other.”
Other basketball standouts:
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Bishop Miege Mary Grant was named the Most Valuable Player at the Sophie Cunningham Classic on Jan. 10 at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. Grant and the Stags defeated St. Francis Borgia 81-45. The Bishop Miege senior led the way with a game-high 34 points. Her teammate, Jayla McClinton, is also off to a good start to the year as she is averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds a game, while Grant is averaging 20 points and four assists. The Stags are currently 6-3 on the season and ranked No. 4 in Class 4A.