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My Fellow Kansans S3: Episode 4 Ehlaina Hartman, Spearville

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Ehlaina Hartman was named one of Kansas' top high school basketball players in her senior year, and is headed to Emporia State University to play for their women's team.
Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service

What happens when the coronavirus comes between your senior year and dreams of a state championship?

Ehlaina Hartman is among the hundreds of college athletes in Kansas awaiting word on when their team — specifically Emporia State women's basketball — will return to the court.

Having just graduated high school, Hartman is familiar with uncertainty and rapid change. One minute, her Spearville team is in the state basketball tournament, looking for a title. The next minute, they're processing that it's been canceled while eating at Olive Garden.

But the college freshman seems unflappable, showing off her shot and her optimism to the Kansas News Service.

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Jim McLean is an editor and reporter for KCUR 89.3. He is the managing director of KCUR's Kansas News Service, a collaboration between KCUR and other public media stations across Kansas.
Stephan Bisaha is a former NPR Kroc Fellow. Along with producing Weekend Edition, Stephan has reported on national stories for Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as other NPR programs. He provided data analysis for an investigation into the Department of Veteran Affairs and reported on topics ranging from Emojis to mattresses.
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