🏆 Ad Astra Award Finalists
Eve Long — Olathe South (F)
Mary Grant — Bishop Miege (G)
Jenna Schmeidler — Hays (PG)
Bella Bouddhara — Andover (PG)
Who do you think should win the Ad Astra this year?
❗️WE HAVE A TIE❗️
Bella Bouddhara of Andover & Jenna Schmeidler of Hays are the 2026 Kansas Sports Central 5A Girls Basketball Players of the Year 🏆
2026 Sports in Kansas Girls Defensive Player of the Year (All-Classes)
Sevy Wurtz, Clifton-Clyde Sr.
Addisen Wills, Halstead Sr.
Bella Bouddhara, Andover Jr.
Emily O’Brien, Remington Sr.
Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden So.
Five of the top defenders in Kansas, representing all levels of the state while showcasing elite defensive impact regardless of class.
The Defensive Player of the Year selections are not done strictly by classification. Instead, we select five players statewide as part of our All-Classes Defensive Team.
Our process/criteria/guidelines guarantees representation across the state:
• At least one player has to be from large schools (6A/5A)
• At least one player has to be from mid-sized schools (4A/3A)
• At least one player has to be from small schools (2A/1A-I/1A-II)
The remaining selections are awarded to the best overall defensive players in Kansas, regardless of class.
This allows us to recognize elite defensive impact at every level of the state while still honoring the very best players, no matter where they play.
Full bios and interviews to follow tonight and tomorrow.
#sportsinkansas pictured left to right: Wills, Bouddhara, O’Brien, Schmidtelin, Wurtz.
Had a great junior season with the best team 💞
- AVCTL MVP and first team
- KSHSAA 5A first team
- SIK large classes defensive player of the year
- SIK 5A first team
The @AHSTrojanAthlet girls basketball team is up 42-27 on DeSoto in the fourth quarter and looking to punch its ticket to the 5A semifinals for the fourth straight year.
@BBouddhara, who has a D1 offer from WSU, with the And-1 here and she has a game-high 15 points.
A really fun team to watch that will be tough to contend with in ‘26-‘27 @EudoraLadyHoops@BrynnDeterding is a ‘27 that should be on every area coach’s radars, if not already!