SPOKANE, Wash. — Masked in the grueling goodbye to Kansas State seniors with Saturday’s Sweet 16 defeat, there was a bevy of bright spots, courtesy of returning Wildcats.
Starting sophomore Zyanna Walker was not afraid of the moment, taking the challenge of a mighty No. 1 seed USC and turning it into her best tournament game. After recording just seven points total in the previous two rounds, the 5-foot-11 guard carded nine points and eight rebounds, including a clutch 3-pointer.
“They have got a lot of experience under their belts already,” senior Serena Sundell said of the next wave of Wildcats. “We saw girls like Zyanna Walker step up tonight in really big moments. We’ll just pass the torch to them — I think it will be an easy transition.”
Right alongside Walker, looking to bridge K-State into the next era without any drop-off, is fellow sophomore guard Taryn Sides.
The 5-foot-7 sharpshooting native of Phillipsburg had a standout sophomore year, including a Big 12 Player of the Week honor. In 24.5 minutes per game, Sides tallied 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists, shooting 45.2% from the field, 43.3% from distance and 84.6 at the charity stripe.
A native of Wichita, Walker notched 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists, making 40.2% of shots in 26 minutes per game this year.
“Everybody always asks that question [about gaining experience] as if there’s a guarantee that next year’s better than this year just because you’re older,” Mittie continued. “No, there’s not. If you use it to get better, then it’s a really good experience and it’s worthwhile … This experience will be valuable for ’em, if they use it in the right way, and I’m confident that they will.”
One of the reasons the duo instilled confidence in Mittie is their work ethic — neither carries herself as an underclassman.
“They put the time in the gym,” head coach Jeff Mittie said. “Out of all of our players, Zyanna Walker and Taryn Sides are in the gym more often than anybody. If I go up to the office at nine o’clock on a Sunday night to grab something and I hear the music, I’m going to bet on one of those two are in the gym.”
The offseason continued to prove why the Wildcats have set themselves up for sustained success, including a four-star flip the day after the Sweet 16 loss. Brandie Harrod, a former Auburn commit, reopened her recruitment after a coaching change and landed on the Wildcats.
Harrod is the third four-star or better recruit in the Wildcats’ recruiting Class of 2025, joining four-star signee Aniya Foy and five-star signee Jordan Speiser, who is currently representing K-State at McDonald’s All-American festivities. Speiser won the Sprite Knockout competition on Monday, ahead of Tuesday night’s official McDonald’s All-American game.
Walker said she is ready to lead the incoming ‘Cats, using the lessons she obtained over her two years in Manhattan.
“Every possession matters,” Walker said. “Every rebound, every box-out, every stop … all of the little things matter, especially in big games like this. Now that I’m getting older, younger players, especially freshman, [I’ll help] them instill that mindset that everything matters at this level.”
K-State lost forward Eliza Maupin and guard Brylee Glenn to the transfer portal, but it looks to retain a handful of Wildcats, especially players such as Kennedy Taylor and Gisela Sanchez, who have an extra year of eligibility remaining and could lead alongside Sides and Walker.
Sundell’s message to K-State’s future leaders is simple: “Be confident. Don’t be afraid to lead, don’t be afraid to continue to push yourself, and just be confident.”
