Lauren Whelchel, a Rock Hills High School six-foot forward, was listed on a list of top 25 girls basketball players to watch in western Kansas. Whelchel had a strong sophomore season, averaging 16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals. She was first-team Northern Plains League selection. Rock Hills finished 10-5 last year. She had a career-high 32 points early last season against Chase, going 12 of 15 from the field. Whelchel averaged 20 points through the first two games of the season.