Former Holton Girls Enjoying Hoop Success in College
The Cloud County homecoming queen has had quite a basketball season, helping her team to an 18-12 record before a quarterfinal loss to #6 Butler County in the Region VI, D-1 quarterfinals at Koch Arena in Wichita last week. Smith had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 7 steals in the loss to Butler after posting 26 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in an opening round victory against Northwest Kansas Tech College. Smith also hit 15 of 17 free throws in the two games and for the season posted a mean of 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for Cloud County. Smith also hit 74 percent at the foul-line and 42 percent from the floor while leading Cloud County with 50 steals and 82 assists earning honorable mention all Jayhawks Conference honors.
Rylie Bowser, junior --- University of Nebraska Kearney
After a very successful two years at Highland CC, Rylie started all 32 games for a squad that went 24-8 and finished fifth in NJCAA Division II ... second on the team in assists (2.5) ... also averaged seven points and five rebounds per contest.
This year at Nebraska Kearney, Rylie has played in 27 games with an average of more than 2 points and 2 rebounds per contests, while adding an assists and steal per game and hitting 78 percent from the charity stripe. Rylie had a season high 9 points against Lindenwood as the Lopers went 10-17 this year in the MIAA.
Ryann Bowser, sophomore --- Highland CC
Ryann has been a key cog in the success of the #4 ranked NJCAA Division II ranked Highland Scotties team all season helping them to a 29-2 record and a third matchup against Johnson County CC on Saturday for the Region VI Championship in Wichita. Bowser recently earned KJCCC Eastern Division II honorable mention All-Conferecne as she has posted 8.6 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game and 2.5 steals per contest this year. Ryann also has shot 34.5% from three-point land and registered 12 blocks on the season.
Brylee New, freshman --- Cowley County CC
In her first college season, Brylee New has played in 30 games for the Cloud County women who are 22-9 on the season. New has posted 3.5 points per game and 2.4 rebounds an outing while adding 55 assists and 24 steals and making 75 percent from the foul-line.
Connor Strader, freshman --- Ottawa
In her freshman season, Strader earned varsity playing time in 18 games and helped Ottawa to a 16-15 winning season, including a 11-7 record in the KCAC. Connor on the season in her 18 varsity games scored 16 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out 15 assists.
"It's really been a lot of fun and their success is really satisfying," said Holton High Coach Jon Holliday. "Hopefully we've had a part of helping them become the people and the players that they are at the collegiate level. It's great to talk to them when they come back and hear all the stories and have them share with our team and coaches some drills or ideas that we can implement to make our program better."
