Kansas
Volume 6 | 2023
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Winter Edition
LAKER GIRLS
A select group of the best small town girls in Kansas are banding together to play championship summer basketball as part of the Waconda Lakers, then adding that summer skill improvement on the court with their hometown teams. Find their story on page 10. (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
AGENTS: Darin McDowell Melissa Westbrook Kim Campbell Ethan Kuhlmann Tiffany Rietzke
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Mentors and Friends
As you get older it’s inevitable that people around you will While our relationship was relatively begin to pass away, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still shock- short, he quickly became a friend ing. Next year, I’ll be 50 – what a crazy number to type, I and mentor, and someone I will miss remember thinking 30 or 40 was like a hundred when I was deeply at each of our board meetings a kid – and lately it seems like people in a pretty close circle and PRCF events. of friendship to me are succumbing to illness or accident at Jeff “Bubba” Nelssen, Wichita an alarming rate. My cousin, Jeff “Bubba” Nelssen, JOHN BAETZ In the past couple of months I’ve personally lost a trio lost his battle with ALS in October at PUBLISHER of important mentors and friends. I think it’s important to the age of just 58. He was one of the all-time great athletes remember them and pass along the influence they had on to come out of Smith Center, Kansas. A Shrine Bowl tight my life, and the lives of others, and while few people have end and great basketball player, he was an imposing figure the kind of platform I do to remember their loved ones, I who stood about 6-4 and after college shed his skinny hope you won’t mind me using that platform to honor these frame and packed on muscle, developing arms that looked three special people. like Hulk Hogan’s. Tim Meyer, Sylvan Grove Bubba and my brother Curtis graduated with the class of After selling the community newspapers I owned in Lincoln 1983 at Smith Center and were both key pieces of Roger and Chapman almost six years ago one thing I wanted to Barta’s first state championship football team in 1982. do more of was use some of the extra time I had to give When your brother and cousin are 10 years older than back, so after an invite to join the board of the Post Rock you the relationship is a little different. They are wrapping Community Foundation I jumped at the chance to help such up high school and heading off to college while you’re still an incredible organization conclimbing on the monkey bars at tinue their good work supporting the elementary school. It’s kind of Linda was a mentor and non-profits in the communities that difficult for the relationship to be friend, one of the major influ- super close, but you certainly look serve the USD #298 and #299 school districts. up to them, especially if they are ences on my own publishing I was familiar with several of football players at Smith Center, career, and a really good perthe board members in my work the ultimate goal of any boy son who cared deeply about covering those schools over the growing up in SC. years, and had even worked with When I was in college at Fort rural Kansas. the PRCF frequently to provide Hays State University – for most coverage of the many outstanding projects their grants of the 1990s, LOL – I did a lot of the things that young had funded, so I was at ease and comfortable joining the people in college do, and it didn’t always result in the best board and collaborating with the other members at the time, performance in the classroom. I needed someone outside except for some hesitation in working with one man on the of my circle of friends to kind of provide a little guidance. My board. cousin Bubba filled that role at just the right time. Tim Meyer was a long-time board member and supporter Bubba lived in Hays for over a decade after finishing of the Post Rock Community Foundation and a dedicated college there, working in advertising sales for a local radio rancher and cattleman for most of his life in the Sylvan station and serving as an on-air personality for live events. Grove area, but in some of our interactions related to news I would bump into him frequently when out and about in coverage of the foundation in the past, Tim and I were at Hays, and he was always there for me, especially at times odds. As a result, I was a little nervous about how well we when I needed him the most, often when I didn’t even would work together on the board. realize it. While it took a few meetings to warm up to each other, At some point, he just kind of showed up at the apartment once we did it was clear that we were mostly in agreement I was living in and started taking me to play basketball with on how the PRCF could best benefit the communities it a group of guys around his age every Sunday. I’m not all serves. At times, over passionate discussion related to that good at basketball, but I love it. It’s probably my favorite PRCF initiatives or grants it would seem there was a gap way to get exercise. Playing pick-up basketball with the between us, but it didn’t take long for Tim to crack a friendly right group of people, being responsible for calling your joke or calmly explain his position and we were back to a own fouls, learning how to share the ball and what your place of respect, and later, friendship. role on the court is within that group, is kind of like learning Tim would call me from time-to-time to get an update on how to navigate a workplace or a community organization the rare meeting he missed or talk about items of imporand those pick-up games served as a kind of “on the job” tance to the board. I appreciate the respect Tim treated training. They were also one of the things that helped me me with as someone 25 years his junior. But what I most get refocused on my education and get back to work on appreciated about Tim was his passion for his community. finishing my degree. Tim very much wanted to see Sylvan Grove and the Lincoln Bubba was passionate about exercise right up to the County area thrive. He wanted to support projects of benefit moment ALS would no longer allow his body to respond the to both kids and seniors alike and while I’ve long felt the way he wanted it to. I worked at a gym that Bubba lifted at same way about Lincoln and the surrounding area Tim’s in downtown Hays in college. Bubba was a big dude and he fervor and zeal only further strengthened mine. It’s just lifted like a 20 year old well into his 40s. His commitment to another reason why I so deeply believe in the importance of lifting was inspiring and is one of the reasons I still do it to community foundations and their role in rural communities. this day. On August 21st, at the age of 74, Tim passed away. He Bubba moved to Wichita in the early 2000s and continued was still active on the board and while he had some health his work in marketing and advertising sales and later worked issues his death was a shock that left the board members of for Ember Hope in Newton. He was a loving husband to his the PRCF, and the community of Sylvan Grove, saddened. wife Traci, and a caring father to son Kaylor. For the past several months I’ve served as chariman of We talked several times each year and he often helped the PRCF and when I make decisions as a member of the me connect with advertisers for this very publication, but I board, I often think of Tim and try to imagine what he would believe he found the most personal satisfaction with his last say to the rest of the board. job at Ember Hope, where he served an organization that
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition, Volume 6
John Baetz & Bree McReynolds-Baetz, Publishers Co-owners of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co., publishers of Kansas Pregame Football Magazine, Kansas Pregame Winter Edition and Kansas Pregame Spring Edition. Staff Writer: Keegan McCullick Layout and Design: John Baetz & Becky Rathbun Ad Design: Kaleb Becker & Becky Rathbun Contributing writers: Harold Bechard, Mike Courson, Dusty Deines, Randy Gonzales, Brad Hallier, Jackson Medina, Diane O’Brien, Lionel Tipton, Brian Thomas, Gary Van Cleave Contributing photographers: Heather Kindall, HeatherKindallPhotography.com; Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com Acknowledgments: With a project of this size and scope we can’t possibly thank all the contributors individually, but a special “Thank You!” goes out to the photographers, school administrative assistants, athletic directors, coaches and parents who helped us provide complete coverage. And a special salute to the advertising sponsors who make this publication possible. Mail inquiries to kansaspregame@gmail.com, or, Kansas Pregame, PO Box 186, Lincoln, KS 67455 Publication date: Volume 6, December 2, 2023 Find back issues online at www.issuu.com/1660publishing, or, find a list of free Kansas Pregame print distribution locations and links to the current digital edition at www.kansaspregame.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram The 2023 Winter cover shoot was photographed by Heather Kindall at the Prairie Ridge Barn west of KS-128 Highway just north of the entrance to Glen Elder State Park. This beautiful wedding and event venue overlooks Glen Elder Reservoir providing a scenic destination for events of all types. For more information visit www.prairieridgebarn.org.
WHAT’S INSIDE? 4 Nine OT Game?
5 Supporting Cast 6 Hometown Proud 9 SAFE Speaks 10 Laker Girls 13 Basketball Spotlights 29 Wrestling Spotlights 49 Directory 51 Basketball Previews 92 Wrestling Previews helped at-risk children with forever families. Bubba was a big man, with a big smile, and a big heart, who helped shape me into the man I am today. Linda Denning, Ellsworth Linda Denning was the publisher of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter for over 20 years, this after more than 20 years as a writer for The Salina Journal. As a young community newspaper editor I would bump into Linda at Kansas Press Association events and found continued on page 4
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
AND THEN THERE WERE NINE
This column ran in the 2016 issue of Kansas Hardwood, a regional basketball preview produced by John Baetz and the late Linda Denning. Linda passed away November 4th at the age of 74. This column is reproduced here as a memorial to our mentor and friend. And then there were nine The grainy black and white photo from the Marion Chronicle of more than a half-century ago doesn’t begin to tell the story of that year’s Liberty Center Lions. Compared to today’s super-charged teams, the Lions — most of them closer in height to Danny DeVito than Arnold Schwarzenegger — probLINDA DENNING ably wouldn’t qualify to be on a basketball court. Yet there they were, MENTOR AND FRIEND winners of their county sectional for the first time in 20 years, defeating Bluffton, the hot shot on the block. Next came regionals. Liberty Center was the smallest school of the 64 still in competition for a state championship. The Lions’ first game was against Swayzee, another small school that, like Liberty Center, would be lost to consolidation within three years. But not before both teams carved their names into the Indiana history books with a record that stands today — nine overtimes in a game most expected to be little more than a few regulation minutes in the state’s proud basketball history. “We’re not Milan,” said Jack Saylors, a sophomore starter on the 1964 Swayzee team, referring to the unlikely 1954 state champions that inspired the movie “Hoosiers,” “but it’s our little slice of Indiana high school basketball history.” The Lions pushed ahead of Swayzee, known as the Speedkings, during regular play. Then, Liberty Center’s star center, Dick Harris, was whistled for his fifth foul and sent to the bench with a game high 26 points. Taking advantage of their opponents’ weakened lineup, the Speedkings shot from the left side of the court with 33 seconds left. The game was tied 52-52 when the buzzer sounded – Overtime! “On the court, it was a cat-and-mouse game,” wrote Martin Lake in the Swayzee Press. “Without Harris, Liberty Center was content to play for one shot. So was first-year Swayzee coach Dave Huffman.” For the first five overtimes — all scoreless — the teams missed 11 shots between them. The tension mounted. “People could not take the tension,” Lake told the Indianapolis Star in 2014. “They would go out and listen on their transistor radios.” Finally, in the eighth overtime, Liberty Center’s Randy Raber hit one of two free throws to give the Lions a 59-57 lead with 42 seconds left. But Swayzee center Lennie Boswell answered, hitting a 15-footer with 21 seconds left. Then, in the ninth overtime, Swayzee finally clicked. A shot by the Lions pulled Liberty Center to within two at 63-61, but Swayzee’s Rex Woodmansee hit two free throws with 17 seconds left to put the game away, 65-61. The game had lasted 59 minutes, nearly twice as long as a 32-minute regulation game. The nine overtimes broke the previous Indiana record of seven, set in 1938 when Camden defeated Delphi, 22-19. At Liberty Center, where the three-story brick high school and gymnasium have Mentors and Friends / from page 3 her inspiring. She was truly passionate about creating a quality community newspaper for Ellsworth and the surrounding area and was uncompromising in her commitment to covering all the news that mattered. After working at the Lincoln Sentinel for three years my wife and I bought the newspaper and many of the choices we made with the Sentinel were inspired by the magnificent product Linda and her staff produced in Ellsworth each week. Linda really had it all when it came to publishing; she was a great writer, she had an eye for design, she was committed to covering everything that should matter in her community, and she understood the revenue side of it – if a subscription based community newspaper doesn’t earn enough revenue from subscribers and advertisers it can’t do the fantastic work that Linda did with it. Linda wasn’t afraid to cover controversial stories, she tried hard to be first with key stories whenever possible, but not at the expense of accuracy, and when necessary, she would take a stand on her editorial page. All things that continue to become less important with modern community newspapers. I was fortunate to work with Linda on
a number of projects. Special editions covering the development of wind farms along the Ellsworth and Lincoln County lines, publications dedicated to the academic and athletic success of area high school students, and pages spotlighting regional tourism opportunities. In fact, the inspiration for the winter edition you’re reading is a combination of a regional wrestling preview (Kansas Mat Preview) my company used to produce and a regional basketball preview (Kansas Hardwood) completed in partnership with Linda for the better part of a decade. Linda was a mentor and friend, one of the major influences on my own publishing career, and a really good person who cared deeply about rural Kansas. She was actually working on a story for this publication at the time of her death just a few weeks back. She was 74. While she wasn’t able to complete the story, I wanted to share a piece of her writing that ran in the 2016 issue of Kansas Hardwood. This intro column from the publication (printed above) shows off her writing talent, her love of small-town basketball, and it’s a damn good story. Rest in peace Linda, Jeff, and Tim.
Page 4
been replaced by a park, people still occasionally talk about “the game that wouldn’t end.” ••• I was a freshman who had left Liberty Center two years earlier to attend school at Bluffton, for years the county’s basketball powerhouse. My father and I attended the Liberty CenterSwayzee game and to this day — next to the Kansas State University-Oregon State game in 1981 — it remains one of the most exciting games I’ve ever watched. Many of the individual plays have been lost to time, but the excitement of being there, of listening to the crowd cheer for two underdogs and watching the exhausted players keep going ... that’s what basketball is all about. And what we remember. I’ve wanted to tell this story since we started Kansas Hardwood and I thought the magazine’s fifth anniversary was a good time to do it. The nine-overtime game didn’t happen in Kansas, but it could have, especially when you consider that the size of a school doesn’t always matter as much as the talent, determination and grit of its players and coaches. Central Plains. Sacred Heart. The two St. Johns. The list goes on of small schools with good programs and the histories to prove it. As always, we hope you enjoy reading about these outstanding athletes as much as we enjoy featuring them every year in a magazine that celebrates the spirit of Kansas through basketball.
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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Kansas Pregame & Nex-Tech Wireless are joining forces to recognize the indiviuals behind the scenes who help area school sports teams achieve success. Administrators, team managers assistant coaches, booster club members & more. Steve Duell, Goodland Jackie Elliott
Steve Duell is known at Goodland High for a love of football and community, and is the type of citizen that embodies small-town living. “Steve personifies the small-town volunteer spirit that every community needs to get things done,” booster club member Jessica Cole said. “We work together on our Black and Gold Booster Club and he is always the first one to volunteer to run the grill or set up a concession stand so that we can raise more money to give to kids. Goodland is truly lucky to have him.” A 1973 graduate of Goodland High and three year member of the football team, Duell has been a member of the Goodland chain gang since his graduation after stepping in for his father, Marvin, who broke his foot that year. Steve was joined on the chain gang by his brother Stan from 1979 through 2007, when Stan moved from Goodland, and has since been joined by his son, Adam, to extend the family tradition. Duell has also coached little league, helps with numerous extracurricular activities in the school, has contributed to the completion of building projects, and has been a carnival and fair board member for decades. Also a member of the Black and Gold Booster
Club, Duell is known for manning the grill prior to games, and then just before kickoff sprints over to join the chain gang. Then, after games end, he returns to the grill to make burgers for opponents as they board the bus. “I’ve never seen a community member give so much back,” superintendent Bill Biermann said. “Steve doesn’t even have kids in school anymore and yet he donates endless hours with our booster club, assisting with wrestling events, chain gang for football games, and really whatever is needed. His commitment to kids and to Goodland just warms your heart. Just a tremendous man!”
Chet Kuplen, Sports in Kansas Chet Kuplen created Sports in Kansas in 2012 and grew the statewide sports outlet to multiple radio shows, websites, 350,000+ social media followers, live streams/broadcasts and the “Think Before You Post” speaking tour which has helped thousands of students in multiple states understand the importance of properly using social media. Sports in Kansas continues to be the leader in viewership in high school sports coverage across the state of Kansas. Ingram’s named Kuplen as one of 2023’s “50 Kansans You Should Know” this spring and
Jim McDaniel, Lyndon For the last 61 years, Lyndon High School has had one voice heard over all others on Friday nights in the fall, Jim McDaniel. A Lyndon native, McDaniel graduated high school in 1954. After graduating from Baker University following high school, and spending close to six years in the continued on page 33 Gary Van Cleave
WINTER SUPPORTING CAST
he was recently appointed to a board seat with the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Sports in Kansas has been recognized as Media of the Year by both the Kansas Wrestling and Kansas Basketball Coaches Associations. A native of Mulberry, Kansas, and a 2002 graduate of Frontenac High School, where he was a standout in football and track, Kuplen worked in sports information at Pittsburg State, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Tulsa prior to launching SIK. He is a graduate of Wichita State and Central Missouri. “There is likely no individual in Kansas who has done more to promote high school athletics and athletes in Kansas over the last decade than Chet Kuplen,” Kansas Pregame publisher John Baetz said. “I’ve enjoyed working with him at Sharp Performance events each summer and have seen firsthand what SIK has done to help kids. I’ve literally stood on multiple football fields and heard major college football recruiters call head football coaches from across Kansas to offer their players a scholarship after seeing a video Chet posted on the Sports in Kansas Twitter account. He has filled gaps left in sports coverage by the decline of numerous legacy media outlets across the state, and Chet’s efforts to help kids understand the importance of using social media appropriately with the ‘Think Before You Post’ program takes that commitment to kids one step further.” Want to bring the “Think Before You Post” program to your school? Email Kuplen at sportsinkansas@gmail.com.
About Nex-Tech Wireless Nex-Tech Wireless is a premiere wireless provider offering wireless solutions to residents in over 40 counties of central and western Kansas. Nex-Tech Wireless’ mission is to provide an unrivaled customer experience by bringing trusted technology and superior service to their hometowns. To learn more about Nex-Tech Wireless, please visit: www.nex-techwireless.com or call 1-800-621-2600.
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Lincoln senior Branden Sinclair is an impact player on the field, court, track, and in the community. Sinclair is a standout athlete on the football field, earning All-League as a junior, and as a senior he led the team in tackles for the second straight year with 84. He is also a key member of the basketball team, where he averaged 5.2 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game as a junior. As a sophomore he ran a leg of the state-qualifying 3200 meter relay. “He displays great character on and off the court,” head basketball coach Chase Klozenbucher said. “He takes pride in his academics and is a great leader for our team. I can always count on Branden doing the right thing and I look forward to what he will accomplish in his senior season.” The senior is ranked third in his class academically and is involved in the community, volunteering to assist the school and local families with moving and also helping with community celebrations such as the Independence Day party at Lincoln Park Manor. Outside of school Sinclair works as a dietary aid at the Lincoln Park Manor, and after school he plans to continue his education with a goal of playing college football.
Minneapolis
LANE ROLFS
Lincoln
Becky Rathbun
Becky Rathbun
Dusty Deines
Sylvan-Lucas senior Emma Finkenbinder exemplifies the meaning of student-athlete. She is a member of the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams, and has earned All-League in both volleyball and basketball while also making the honor roll. “Emma Finkenbinder is a leader on our athletic teams not only because of her physical skills, but also because of her positive influence on others,” coach Linda Haring said. “She vocally encourages teammates and demonstrates a strong work ethic in practice. She is fully committed to our sports programs by participating in the summer weights programs, playing on several summer sports teams, and by never missing a team practice.” Finkenbinder is also a four-year FFA and KAY Club member, a member of FCA, Scholars Bowl and class government as secretary and treasurer. Her academic honors include four years on the honor roll and selection to National Honor Society as a junior. Outside of school the senior works part-time as a CNA and is active in CYO at her church. “She serves as a role model for other student athletes because of her strong sportsmanship, her strong moral character, and her commitment to our programs,” Haring added.
BENTLEY SMITH
RYAN PARKS
Lincoln
Minneapolis senior Ryan Parks is a three-sport letterwinner who has a knack for keeping busy. Parks is a two-year National Honor Society member and an All-North Central Activities Association selection who holds a 3.881 GPA. He volunteers with the local recreation commission coaching youth basketball and summer football and basketball camps. Parks also works at The Wellness Center and his father’s business, Messenger Total Promotions, and as a lifeguard in the summer. On the field, court, and track, Parks has seen plenty of success, lettering multiple times. This fall he was the top receiver for the Lions with 40 catches for 641 yards and six TDs, while also tallying 52 tackles with a team leading 19 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks. On the hardwood, Parks is a returning starter who averaged three points, 6.6 rebounds, and two assists per game last season. In track he runs the 100 and 400 and relays. “As a role model for not only the boys at MGS through the youth camps he helps with, the junior high boys look up to Ryan,” head basketball coach John Darrow said. “I have seen Ryan talk with these boys in the hallway. It may be about sports or just everyday life. Ryan has made a lasting impression.”
Since moving to Lincoln from McPherson during her junior year of high school, senior Bentley Smith has made an impact on the school and broadened her own sports horizons. After spending previous seasons as a manager during fall sports, Smith decided to join the Leopard volleyball program as an athlete this season, and immediately took to the game. “Bentley worked hard going from little volleyball experience to becoming one of our main outside hitters,” head volleyball coach Renee Crenshaw said. “She saw the court extremely well and could find open spots. I am so proud of the improvements she made in a short time. That shows her dedication to the sport, her teammates, and her school.” Smith is also a member of the basketball team where she is a tenacious defender and provides a mix of both shooting and facilitating from her guard spot. Last season she averaged 5.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Off the court she is a good student who carries a 3.5 GPA, and she takes part in the school play and KAY Club. Outside of school the senior works at Lincoln Grocery in downtown Lincoln.
Ellsworth
Lori Farmer/Ellsworth Co. I-R
BRANDEN SINCLAIR
Sylvan-Lucas
Heather Kindall Photography
EMMA FINKENBINDER
Lane Rolfs is a fixture throughout the Ellsworth community. The senior is a multi-sport athlete, is a successful academic, and finds ways to contribute outside of school. In the sports arena he is an AllLeague basketball player and All-State baseball player where he participates both as a member of the Bearcats and a number of travel teams. “Lane is a tremendous baseball player,” coach Jason McWilliams said. “As a pitcher, he can command the strike zone and keep batters off balance. He hits in the cleanup spot for us and barrels the ball up very well. His skills and knowledge of the game overall make him a stand out ball player.” In the classroom, Rolfs is among the top of his class, maintaining a 3.7 GPA. Rolfs is also a talented artist, having been featured by the Ellsworth Area Arts Council. Rolfs has helped with numerous projects for his church, where he is an active member, and works parttime for his grandfather on local construction projects, as well as for his father – and head high school basketball coach – Brett Rolfs, on the family farm. After high school Rolfs plans to play college baseball and study construction science. Hometown Proud features by Keegan McCullick
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 9
BE SAFE: Seatbelts Are For Everyone! Kansas Students Talk Traffic Safety, Win Scholarships
CARLEY BELL The Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office recently held its annual SAFE Speaks competition in which high school seniors created a 5-minute presentation on the traffic safety topic of their choosing. Participants selected topics such as distracted driving, drowsy driving, seat belt and car seat use, and defensive driving. The presentations were judged by a panel of safety professionals who also encouraged the participants to also share their talks with their local community organizations. “We were impressed with the quality of the presentations given,” said SAFE Program Specialist Johnny Lang. “The students included a lot of research and statistics, along with telling personal stories of crashes that have affected their lives and tips on how to drive safely.” This year, scholarships totaling $6,000 were awarded for the SAFE Speaks competition. The Kansas Sheriffs Association provided five $1,000 scholarships and the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association provided an additional $1,000 scholarship. The 2023-24 SAFE Speaks winners are: Carley Bell,
ALLIE CLOYD
JOZLYN JONES
JARRITT MARTENS
Maize South High School, Allie Cloyd, Manhattan High School; Jozlyn Jones, Salina South High School; Jarritt Martens, Rock Creek High School; Gracie Scheve, Olpe High School; and Dominique Schutte, Halstead High School. Each winner will be invited to share their presentation at the Kansas Teen Transportation Safety Conference held Nov. 7-8 in Manhattan. SAFE, an acronym for Seatbelts Are For Everyone, is a free, student-led program for middle and high school students focusing on peer-to-peer promotion of traffic safety. Through education, rewards, and enforcement, SAFE highlights the importance of wearing a seatbelt, driving alert, and following traffic laws with the goal of decreasing the number of teen injuries and deaths from vehicle crashes. The program is available in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa. For more information on SAFE and other traffic safety programs in Kansas, visit ktsro.org. Produced in partnership with the KTSRO and SAFE, senior photos submitted by scholarship winners
GRACIE SCHEVE
DOMINIQUE SCHUTTE
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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LAKER GIRLS
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer For the Waconda Lakers, summer basketball has a small town feel. Featuring a group of girls from high schools across central Kansas, all with enrollments placing them on the lower end of Class 3A or smaller, the girls spend most of the high school season playing against each other. But come summer, these small town stars band together to take on teams, often made up of girls from schools with much larger enrollments, in MAYB summer tournaments. In the summer of 2023 this team of small school standouts nearly played David to one of the Kansas Goliaths, finishing runner-up to Kansas Pride in the MAYB DII National Championship game in Oklahoma City. The Pride squad is made up of top level girls from the Kansas City area, including schools like Gardner-Edgerton (6A), Spring Hill (5A), Louisburg (4A), and other large class powers. After the 2022 summer season, the Waconda seniors set a goal of winning nationals in their last season. In pool play the Lakers dominated a team from Houston by 21, a team from San Antonio by 26, and then a 22 point win over an Arkansas squad. In the semifinals they continued their winning ways against a Southwest Oklahoma crew before finally tasting defeat in the championship game. Despite being down by as many as 21 points, the Lakers brought themselves within eight in the second half before losing 71-58. That senior group, consisting of Keeli Knobbe (KSU student), Maile Hrabe (Kansas Wesleyan basketball), Trinity Lutters (Sterling basketball), and Lauren Whelchel (Hastings College basketball), all had, and in most cases are continuing to have fruitful basketball careers. The Lakers, who since 2010 have been a staple in North
(L-R) Tianna Lutters, Kamryn Rietzke, Hattie Gros, Carlie Brummer, Kylee Hahn, Cass Thompson, Sevy Wurtz, Maggie Labertew, and Shea Wurtz. (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
Central Kansas girls’ summer basketball, now have a roster consisting of seniors Shea Wurtz (Clifton-Clyde), Hattie Gros (Frankfort), Kylee Hahn (Hoisington) and Kamryn Rietzke (Thunder Ridge), juniors Carlie Brummer (St. John’s-Beloit/Tipton), Maggie Labertew (Sylvan-Lucas) and Cassandra Thompson (Beloit), and sophomores Sevy Wurtz (Clifton-Clyde), Suttyn Harris (Inman), and Tianna Lutters (Hoisington). The man behind the Lakers’ program is Todd Clover, a resident of Cawker City, long-time Beloit-area Farm Bureau representative, and passionate hoops fan, who focuses significant amounts of time and resources to the benefit of
small-town basketball players in the region. “The 2024 Lakers will be the same type of team as last year’s,” Clover said. “To quote a college referee who had a daughter on a team we beat in semis at nationals, ‘The Lakers won because they play better team defense and are disciplined.’” Clover and the girls understand that the summer process is about helping contribute to high school team success with the possibility of a college basketball scholarship waiting after graduation. For this current batch of Lakers, team success should continue and scholarship opportunities could be numerous.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 “Our offensive goal is always to share the ball,” Clover said. “That is why I only ask unselfish players to be part of the Lakers. Kylee Hahn is a great example of what being a Laker is all about. This will be her fourth year on the team. She has been a good defender, passer, and rebounder, but last year developed her skills and led us in scoring in our game to win our pool at nationals. All Lakers players learn when you force up bad shots nobody scores, but when you share the ball you get good shots and everyone scores. We never talk about winning, but instead doing things the right way. If you play the game the right way we are happy with the results.” Hahn made All-Tournament teams for Hoisington in both the Keady Classic and Winter Jam a season, where HHS took first and second respectively. The Cardinals finished last season 13-9 overall after a sub-state semifinal loss, Hahn led the team with 9.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on the year, earning All-State honorable mention. “Playing with the Lakers keeps me in the basketball mindset in the offseason,” Hahn said. “It also helps with keeping my skills fresh.”
Frankfort senior Hattie Gros is an All-State selection and one of five returning starters for a Wildcat team that took third in 1A-DI last season and will be among the favorites to win it all this season. Gros recently signed to continue her playing career at Benedictine College next season. The senior only recently began competing with the Lakers. “When Todd Clover asked me to join his team at the end of last summer I didn’t hesitate to say ‘Yes,’” Gros said. “I thought it was a great opportunity to play a little more basketball, but little did I know what I was getting into. I’ve only known Todd for a few months but he has already done so much for me. If I would ask him for something he would do it in a heartbeat. He cares for each of us. The family aspect that he has built for his team is incredible. I can’t wait to play for him this summer and be a part of the Laker family.” Clifton-Clyde’s girls’ basketball is also a family affair. Sisters Shea and Sevy Wurtz will look to lead the Eagles to even greater heights this fall under the tutelage of their father, Kieran. The Eagles finished 18-5 and in second place in the Twin Valley League last season. Shea averaged 13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.3 steals, while
Page 11 younger sister Sevy put up 13.1 points, 3.8 steals, and 2.7 assists per contest. “Playing with the Lakers has helped me play at a quicker pace,” said Shea, who is entering her senior season playing for her dad. “It has made me into a tougher and more confident player. Todd is always very encouraging and helps me play my best game.” Thunder Ridge finished 13-11 without the impact of Kamryn Rietzke, who suffered an ACL injury in January and had surgery in February ending her season early for the second consecutive year. According to Clover, all Rietzke needs is “to be healthy and have a big year.” If the former is to happen for Rietzke - who was cleared to play earlier in the fall - the latter is nearly a given. “I have really enjoyed playing for Todd and the Lakers,” Rietzke said. “Todd has brought me a lot of confidence and has always been very supportive in everything all of us girls do. I love being a part of a team with a group of girls that love the game as much as me and us all having the same goal in mind. I have learned a lot and it has been fun learning and growing my game with the Lakers.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
St. John’s-Beloit/Tipton is nothing if not consistently good at basketball, and Carlie Brummer is the next in a long line of key Blujays to play for the Lakers. Last season, Brummer earned second team All-State honors and led her team to a fourth place finish at state, though a return trip to state will come from a team that looks quite a bit different. “Last year, three of the five starters on our team were seniors, so although the team will look a little different this year, I don’t think we will have any problems with girls who have previously played stepping up and being leaders on the court,” Brummer said, adding she hopes to play basketball in college and credited Clover for his efforts to see girls who play for the Lakers get opportunities beyond high school. “Todd is really helpful when it comes to recruiting and is always helping us gain exposure to college coaches, whether it’s asking them to come to some tournaments and games or sending them our highlights, he helps us make a name for ourselves.” Labertew was an irreplaceable piece in Sylvan-Lucas Unified’s 16-7 sub-state runner-up team of a season ago, averaging 10.7 points and 1.5 steals per game and serving as part of a dangerous duo with former Laker Keeli Knobbe. With Knobbe’s graduation, Labertew will be a dangerous driving force for the Mustangs entering just her junior season. “This year’s team compared to last year is going to be totally different, because we are going to have multiple positions that are going to have to be filled,” Labertew said of this year’s Sylvan-Lucas squad. “We have some great adjustments coming to the team this year. We have two new coaches and a ton of new girls from the Wilson area that will be fun to have on this team.” Standing at 6-feet tall, Cassandra Thompson was a bright spot for a Beloit team that struggled to win a season ago behind a young roster. She averaged 6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and a block per game as a sophomore. Despite the Trojans winning just four games last season, Thompson is one of five starters back leaving the Trojans with high hopes for this winter. “We were a very young, inexperienced team last year, so everyone learned new positions and skills,” Thompson said of her sophomore season at Beloit. “This year we will be more well-rounded and prepared to win. We want to keep the positive atmosphere we had last year and we expect to win more games and we hope to make it to state.” Inman’s Suttyn Harris earned All-State honors in volleyball, basketball, and track as a freshman last season and continued that trend during her sophomore season of volleyball just completed earlier this fall. On the hardwood she averaged 20.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game a season ago. The Teutons finished just 10-12 and in fourth place in the Heart of America league, but a talented group returns with Harris as the tip of the lance. Rounding out the group is sophomore Tianna Lutters, the younger sister of former
Page 12
Laker, and current Sterling College Warrior, Trinity Lutters, and the daughter of new Hoisington head coach Trina Lutters. Tianna, along with her mom and sister, were Osborne Bulldogs last season. As a freshman she showed off her shooting touch by winning the “Hot Shot” competition at MAYB nationals. Now she’ll be expected to challenge for a varsity role on her mom’s new team. Clover’s passion for sport and for passing on his knowledge comes from his father, former long-time Cawker City and Waconda East coach Jack Clover, and former KWU football coach Gene Bissell. That love for basketball fueled his tutelage of dozens of basketball players in North Central Kansas for over a decade. Despite Clover’s full-time profession outside of the sport, he makes sure to honor his father’s approach to life. “My dad played football for coach Bissell at Kansas Wesleyan and is in the Hall of Fame,” Clover said. “Dad taught school, coached multiple sports, ran the family farm, yet always had time for my brother and I for working on our skills. Dad always said if you were going to do a job, do it right.” Luckily for the Lakers, Clover seems to be doing it right and MAYB teams across the Midwest are finding out.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
ANDERSON COUNTY BULLDOGS By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Anderson County fell just short of their goals last season. After hosting their sub-state and entering as a two-seed, the Bulldogs had little issue getting past the first two rounds, dominating West Franklin in the opener 56-16 and keeping Prairie View at arm’s length in a 50-42 win. The finals didn’t go so smooth, however, and saw Santa Fe Trail dash AC’s hopes for a state tournament berth in a 64-45 loss. But that was “last season.” From that 15-8 team, the Bulldogs return a majority of their roster, including four senior starters; Kylie Disbrow, Caitlyn Foltz, Addie Fudge, and Rilyn Sommer. “I think we are really eager for revenge this season,” Disbrow said. “Last season didn’t end how we wanted it to. The team is continuing to grow and we have girls that have been playing in the offseason. With four returning starters we hope to continue playing to each other’s strengths.” Standing six-feet tall, Disbrow brings no shortage of strengths to the court. The second team All-State selection recorded 22 double-doubles and eight triple-doubles last season, averaging 17.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and is a defensive anchor with a dominant 8.5 blocks per game. Disbrow’s highest block count last year was 20, which stands as an all-time best in Kansas history, according to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. She also holds school records for rebounds in a season (288) and blocks in a season (195). “I hope to contribute by being a leader and working hard on both ends of the court,” Disbrow said. “We have a lot of experience returning. I hope I can contribute by pulling all of us together to meet our goals.”
ANDOVER TROJANS
By Lionel Tipton, For Kansas Pregame A season ago, the Andover girls breezed through the regular season and cruised into the 5A state tournament. Once the Trojans got to state, however, they fell victim to a private school onslaught, finishing fourth behind three Catholic schools in coach Hannah Alexander’s first year at the helm. Now the Trojans, which lost no one to graduation from that team, are poised to match or exceed that 21-4 record this season. This time, two of these Trojans already have a championship pedigree. Seniors Brooke Walker and Anna Jittawait captured the 5A doubles tennis title this fall as part of a Trojan squad with one of the deepest talent pools in the state, including eight seniors. That Andover team was so talented that there weren’t enough state spots available for everyone. “It’s insane,” Jittawait said. “Our top 12 in tennis could probably go to state and place top 10, which is just a blessing to have.” Like that team, the basketball Trojans also feature a deep talent pool. But in basketball, every player will be able to take part in the state tournament. “I’m incredibly excited to watch Brooke in an atmosphere that’s not tennis,” said Jittawait, a reserve guard on the basketball team. “On the basketball team, my role is completely different. But I’m excited to watch Brooke play and see the team excel.” Walker said this is the perfect setup for her senior year. “I’m excited to see what we can do,” she said. “We have the pieces; we just have to put them together.” As strong as this Trojans team is, Alexander said she isn’t taking anything for granted, as the rest of the 5A final four return quite a bit of their talent as well. “There were some pretty young teams (at 5A state) last
Alongside her is All-State honorable mention teammate Caitlyn Foltz, another six-footer, who averaged 13.5 points, 10.6 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks a season ago. “One of my main contributions to the team will be my defensive role,” Foltz said. “Also, as a senior, I feel my leadership and communication will be important to help our team be successful.” Foltz managed to add another dimension to her game with outside shooting last season at her coach’s request, and then proceeded to lead the team in both three-point and two-point field goal percentage. Despite the success the two have experienced individually over the last three seasons, Kylie’s mom, and Bulldog head coach, Amy Disbrow praised her All-State seniors for their unselfishness and cohesiveness. “Caitlyn and Kylie are a fantastic duo, each being long and athletic their strengths fold in so nicely together,” coach Disbrow said. “They are the leaders on the offensive and defensive side of the court. They both have an incredible work ethic.” Adding even more length to the team is a third six-footer, Rilyn Sommer, who averaged 2.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals as a junior. Rounding out the group is the only non-six-footer, Addie Fudge. The 5-6 guard averaged seven points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, and while she doesn’t have the length of her teammates, her 2.6 steals per game make her a whole different challenge on defense. “I think our team is going to be very tall and athletic,” Kylie Disbrow said. “We have been young the past few years but this year we have a large class of seniors. Last season we had everyone get valuable experience and have continued to grow, so we should be ready for our senior season.” year,” she said. “We’re returning pretty much everyone off of last year’s team, so that’s huge for us.” Having so much returning talent and experience will give Andover a level of depth that will allow the Trojans to ratchet up the intensity, Alexander said. “We want to push the tempo this year and use the full length of the floor to execute,” she said. “We’re definitely deeper than we were last year, and we’re more mature. “They’ve worked their butts off in the offseason. That’s one thing that I can’t say enough about this group of girls is they work hard outside of season. And that’s what is going to make us the best, is how much work they’re putting in (during) the offseason.” Alexander said what she has seen has exceeded her expectations when she first took the job. “I knew I was coming into some good players but didn’t really know fully what (I was) getting into,” she said. “I think a lot more people realize how special basketball is and what it can be here and something that girls want to be a part of.” Walker, a 5-foot-8, four-year starter at guard who has committed to the University of Utah, soon to join the Big 12, heads the returning cast. One of only three seniors on the team, she is an elite scorer and ballhandler and consistently a target of opposing defenses. She averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and four steals as a junior. Senior forward Alana Shetlar (6-3), an Oral Roberts signee, provides rebounding strength up front but also teams with Walker as two strong perimeter threats. As a junior, she averaged 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds. “My role on this team is to be a leader that motivates everyone, keep the energy high and encourage my teammates through the game,” Shetlar said. “Statistically, I’m looking to be a very consistent scorer. I will create my own attempts when we need them, but also will get those easy points from offensive rebounds, running the floor, or off of turnovers made by the opposing team.” Shetlar will be helped up front by 5-9 junior Brodie
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(L-R): Kylie Disbrow and Caitlyn Foltz (Photo: Heather Kindall)
Others expected to play key roles include seniors Lexi Overstreet (1.4 ppg) and Kailyn Honn, junior Taylor Clark, and sophomore Brylie Kohlmeier (1.1 ppg, 1 rpg). “This is it for our six seniors. We have prepared for it with this group for the last three years and are ready to leave it all on the court,” coach Disbrow said. “In order to take it as far as we want, we have to have balance and contribution from everyone on the team. From the kids who don’t get a ton of varsity time, but contribute every day at practice and make the squad better, to our ‘go to’ rocks that this team is built on. It will take every single one of them to see the type of success we need to make a run this year.”
(L-R): Alana Shetlar and Brooke Walker (Photo: Heather Kindall)
Christensen, who averaged 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds last year. Her hard work in the trenches allowed Shetlar to be able to get shots from three-point range. Junior guards Katie Evans (7.2 ppg) and Amelya Vance (4.4 ppg) serve as sparkplugs for the Trojans as well. Andover also has some new faces on the roster. In addition to freshman newcomers, the Trojans also gained a talented transfer in 6-foot Aliyah Green, who was a standout at Hutchinson last year and is expected to contribute immediately and be a difference-maker. “(The inside game) was one of the things we struggled on last year and being big inside,” Alexander said. In her four years, Walker has experienced the lean times as a freshman, but has seen Andover’s steady improvement ever since. In her freshman year, the Trojans went 9-13, but Walker provided the spark as they won continued on page 36
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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BELOIT TROJANS
By Dusty Deines, NCKSSports.com/KD Country 94 After finishing the 2022-23 season one win short of the 3A state tournament, the Beloit Trojan basketball team is looking to take that next step this winter. The Trojans have significant experience and leadership back from last season’s team that went 17-6. Also returning for his 16th season as the head coach is Ryan Eilert, who is 251-93 overall in that time. Eilert and his team have made no bones about the goals for this season; a league championship and a state tournament appearance are at the top of the list. Last season, Southeast of Saline was the roadblock for both of those achievements, as three of the six losses for Beloit came to their league rival, including the sub-state championship game. However, with Southeast graduating their top five scorers, this season could be the time for Beloit to break through. The Trojans return four of their five starters from a season ago, including three seniors. Towering 6-6 senior Bryce Beisner shot 65% from the floor and averaged team highs of 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game a season ago. Noah Gerstner averaged nine points a game, 2.6 assists and made 47 three-pointers. Senior Quinn Eilert is back to play his final year for his dad after averaging 8.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and a team high four assists a game. Junior Eli Johnson joins the trio of seniors as a returner to the starting line-up and the 6-4 post adds to the Trojans’ formidable front court after he put up 6.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Ryan Eilert feels this core of upperclassmen is ready to put in the work to improve. “I think we have a group that is willing to work to get better at our weaknesses and defending the perimeter is definitely one of them,” he said. “We will be a bigger team that can play with a couple of posts at the same time and in this era most teams are trying to spread you out and drive and kick. We will have to mix some things up defensively to try and counter how most teams are playing.” Ryan’s son Quinn is one of the leaders on the team and after battling through injuries during football season, he hopes to stay healthy. “I’m not the biggest scorer so I focus on my rebounding and defense along with trying to set my teammates up to get the easy shot,” Quinn said. “The team is relying on me to stay healthy, so I will do my best.” One of the teammates he will look to set up is Beisner. Playing a lot of varsity minutes since his freshman season, Beisner has continually improved his scoring and rebounding
(L-R): Quinn Eilert, Noah Gerstner, and Bryce Beisner (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
each season. Coach Eilert likes his all-around game. “Bryce is a very skilled player who can score in a lot of ways. He has great footwork and does a tremendous job of outthinking his defender,” Eilert said. “Defensively he has great timing and ends up blocking or altering a lot of shots due to his anticipation and ability to jump quickly.” Another player that has seen his role expand each year is Noah Gerstner. Going into his final season, Gerstner will have even more on his plate as he takes over point guard duties with the graduation of two-time all-NCAA selection Wyatt Broeckelman, who averaged 12.6 points, 2.2 assists and cashed in on 59 three-pointers last season. Gerstner is ready to take on the new responsibility.
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“I think this year we have the potential to make it to state and place,” said Gerstner. “I will be moving to point guard this season, which will be a big change, but I look forward to it.” Gerstner is not the only player expected to have a more prominent role for the Trojans this season as junior Jackson Cheney and senior Lance Lundine return in the backcourt. Sophomore Brody Litton and senior exchange student Emile Lechien should provide even more depth and size for Beloit. Litton is 6-5 and over 230 pounds and Lechien is 6-4 giving Eilert one of the taller lineups in the classification. Beloit is no stranger to success, having made the state tournament five times under Eilert. They were state runners-up in 2014 and 2019 and made the final four in 2020 before COVID put a close to the tournament ahead of the semifinals. This season, the Trojans hope to end the season in Hutchinson in March. Eilert knows exactly the kind of effort required to get there, and to make a deep run. “Making it to state takes a lot of hard work as well as catching some breaks along the way,” he said. “Staying healthy is one, as well as maintaining a good work ethic throughout the year.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 17
BENNINGTON BULLDOGS By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Bennington came up just short against Medicine Lodge in the first round of 2A state last season, losing 56-45 to the Indians after earning the state tournament bid with a 52-50 win over Sacred Heart in the title game. The Bulldogs finished 19-5 overall in head coach Curtis Pickering’s seventh season with the program last March, and in his eighth they have another great shot at making a trip back to Bramlage with five starters back and a talented trio of seniors leading the way. Eli Lawson earned second team All-State as a junior after averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and a steal per game. The 6-7 senior has been a force in the paint the last three years, both offensively and defensively, but has developed the ability to be dangerous on the perimeter as well. “I’d say the team’s biggest focus has been getting tougher,” Lawson said. “We need to be the team with shutdown defense and the team that’s always diving after loose balls and (L-R): Mister Smith, Talan Pickering, and Eli Lawson (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
going 110%.” Lawson is entering his fourth season as a starter with a career average of 17.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Towering next to him is 6-5 Mister Smith, who put up 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season. “This year we will essentially have the same team, hungrier of course,” Smith said. “We did lose two seniors that played a significant role off the bench, but other than that we have our guys from last year back, which is great.” Smith transferred from Minneapolis, another Ottawa County school, during his sophomore season, but has played with his Bennington teammates since grade school. While the senior’s size is imposing, Pickering noted his ability to play inside and out on both sides of the ball, displaying impressive ball control and vision. Smith also was the most efficient shooter on the team at 65% from the field. “One thing I’m trying to accomplish is finishing this season out with a bang,” Smith said. “I’ve only been going to Bennington for two years, but ever since I got here it’s felt like home. From playing with these guys since second grade continued on page 45
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
BURLINGAME BEARCATS By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer After finishing third in the state two seasons ago, Burlingame faced an unexpected second round exit from the sub-state tournament at the hands of Centralia. The Bearcats entered as the top seed and rested up during their first round bye. The Panthers came to play in the next round, knocking off the Bearcats 36-23. Despite the tough loss, the Bearcats bring back a roster led by one of the best in the state in Kaylin Noonan. The senior averaged 20 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.8 steals per game during her junior campaign, earning her first team All-State honors. “Not only does she score the ball, but she also is a great rebounder and a great passer,” coach Jeff Slater said. “Our transition offense is run through Kaylin. She has the green light to rebound and immediately push the ball, and we want her to find shooters in those situations. We also want to get her the ball when we can, plain and simple. She finds a way to get the shot up, and chances are if she can get
CLEARWATER INDIANS
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Clearwater’s season ended far earlier than they’d hoped with a 45-39 first round loss to Mulvane in the first round of sub-state. But despite the disappointing conclusion, the season featured a number of highlights for the Indians, who went 13-8 overall and 6-4 in the loaded AVCTL-IV. The good news for coach Casey Carlson and his team is the return of quality experience staring with one of the best in the state in 5-10 All-State senior Elizabeth Tjaden. “This might be the most complete team we have had in terms of having seven or eight players that can all compete at a high level,” Carlson said. “We have at least four players that can shoot the three really well, and we have Elizabeth Tjaden, who is just a match-up nightmare.” In her junior campaign, Tjaden averaged 16.4 points, 3.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game and came within 60 points of the career 1,000 point milestone. Since then, the senior has signed to continue her basketball career at Emporia State University after high school is finished, but Tjaden still has plenty of unfinished business. “We saw this summer Elizabeth’s leadership in action,” Carlson said. “She came into this summer in the best shape of her life, and we saw her being more vocal with her teammates. Yet at the same time, she is helping all of them with where they needed to be. Elizabeth is going to be challenged probably more than any leader we have had since I’ve been here. So many eyes are going to be on her,
it inside she has had great success there. We need her to stretch her range this year and score from the perimeter more.” Noonan is also the school’s career (1,198 points) and single season (457 points) scoring leader before even stepping on the court as a senior. “Over the summer our team has shown so much potential and I am so excited to see what we can do this winter,” Noonan said. “A goal I have for this season is to win our league and make it to the state tournament. I have big expectations for this season and can’t wait for it.” The senior is hoping to reach 1,500 points on her career this season, and to leave a positive impact on up-and-coming Burlingame athletes. “I see my role this year to be a good leader, and teammate for my team, by being someone my teammates and coaches can count on,” Noonan said. Along with being a leader, Noonan is going to have a change in her on-court job description as well after the graduation of All-League seniors Gracie Simmons and Isabella Tyson. “Kaylin’s role is definitely going to change a lot this year,” Slater said. “She has been a three-year post player for us, and she is going to be moving to point guard. She is a good passer in open court, we need her leadership at the PG position to get us lined up in things we want to run. We feel with the ball in her hands, she can create for herself, but more importantly create for her teammates.” Returning alongside Noonan in the starting lineup is senior guard Madison Hovestadt, who averaged 2.7 points per game last season. Head coach Jeff Slater praised Hovestadt’s abilities on defense and is expecting
and I know she will be able to rise to the challenge and keep this ship headed in the right direction.” Tjaden, for her part, appears more than prepared for the challenge ahead. “My role is going to be the team’s leader and pushing the team to be the best we can be,” Tjaden said. “I might have to push some girls to their limits because I know they can do way more. I truly believe that we will do amazing things this year.” For what the Indians lack in experience, they more than make up for in length. Back along with Tjaden is 6-0 senior Allison Clevenger (4.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 5-9 junior Kaylee Hampton (3.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg), and 6-1 sophomore Justine Berlin (4 ppg, 3.8 rpg). “I think more than anything the rest of the team is going to have to get used to being open and ready to score as so many eyes will be on Elizabeth,” Carlson said. Carlson made a point to note the progress Hampton prior to an injury she suffered that saw her miss most of last season. He also noted the dangerous outside shooting of Hampton and Berlin, to go with Clevenger’s development. Freshman Makena Hampton is a player Carlson expects to make a varsity impact as well. “I’m really looking forward to getting to work with Makena Hampton, freshman,” Carlson said. “She can flat out shoot the three. She’s already 5-8 and is still growing.” As Clearwater guns for a state tournament berth and Tjaden continues past the career 1,000 point mark along with other milestones, state of mind is what is most important to the senior. “The goal for this year is to have a positive mindset
Page 18
Kaylin Noonan (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
a leap forward on the offensive end for her as well. Junior Joselyn Simmons is another key player back, and averaged 4.6 points per game coming off the bench. The junior shooting guard fits her position title well, knocking down 24 three-pointers for the Bearcats in her sophomore campaign. Sophomore Osage City transfer McKenna McFarlane, freshman Harper Seele, and sophomore Kenna Lang also look to play varsity roles this season. “This is a fun group,” Slater said. “It will be my first fouryear group I get to coach. It’s my first group that I taught them when they were kindergarteners in PE my first year teaching at Burlingame, and now to finish it out with them as seniors is special. We always have high expectations, and want to compete at the highest level. I hope they showcase their competitive fire this winter, and all our team goals will be in play.”
Elizabeth Tjaden (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
coming into the season,” Tjaden said. “Even though we are a young team we will have that high energy all the time. I’m really looking forward to this season.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 19
ELLSWORTH BEARCATS
goals, but ultimately we will set our sites on winning our sub-state to get us in the mix at the state tournament.” The Bearcats have broken through on the gridiron with a 17-4 mark over the past two falls following a 4-13 By Mike Courson, Great Bend Post mark the two seasons prior. Several of those athletes Ellsworth head basketball coach Brett Rolfs has posted a came close to a big breakthrough on the basketball court 159-34 record in his eight seasons on the bench. Fifty-four last winter as well. After winning just eight games the year of those wins came in back-to-back unbeaten seasons at before, Ellsworth tallied 12 wins with two losses each to Central Plains in the 2018 and 2019 championship years, perennially-tough Beloit and Southeast of Saline squads. his final seasons in Claflin. Twelve of those wins came last The Bearcats lost two more games in overtime. year in his return to coaching, this time at Ellsworth. With “I have no doubt that being in that many close-game five returning starters back, Rolfs is ready to add to that situations last year will help us handle them better this total this season. season, if and when we have them,” said Rolfs. “I believe “We’re ready to build off of last year,” Rolfs said. “We lost our returning starters grew up a lot over the course of last five games by six points or less. We will have many team season and will be more prepared to handle adversity with more confidence and poise.” The Bearcats are plenty capable of putting up points. Last year’s squad averaged 49 points a game, surpassing 55 points in seven of 21 contests. That average was impacted with 38 points in With Trusted Vision Care one of the losses to Beloit, and a 42-36 loss to Russell to end the season. Ellsworth had previously beaten the Broncs 55-44 earlier in the schedule. Experience should be a strength this season as four of Ellsworth’s five returning 801 E. 3rd Street, Ellsworth, KS starters are seniors. Six-footthree guard Will Cravens led the team last year with
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(L-R): Will Cravens and Riley Stone (Photo: Heather Kindall)
21.5 points and 2.7 assists a night, and also grabbed five rebounds a game. Riley Stone, also at 6-3, added 11.5 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. “Will is very athletic and versatile,” Rolfs said. “He can score it from anywhere on the court, but we also rely on him to guide our offense through the point guard role. Defensively, his length creates a lot of trouble for opposing teams. “Riley is a power forward with great athleticism. He is our go-to guy in the paint. His combination of strength and quick hops has served him well on both ends of the court. We look for him to post several double-doubles for us this season.” Seniors Lane Rolfs, 6-1, and Layton Leiker, 6-foot, combined to average 11 points, six continued on page 45
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 21
GREAT BEND PANTHERS
By Mike Courson, Great Bend Post It’s always nice to have a sibling with whom to share the school halls. For Great Bend’s Sadie and Maddox Spray, that bond is especially strong. The twins have already had successful senior seasons on the volleyball court and gridiron respectively. The duo is ready for more success this season on the basketball court. Sadie has been an impact player in three sports at Great Bend in each of her previous three years. As a junior on the basketball court, she earned first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors with 17 points, four rebounds, and four steals a night, but the Lady Panthers finished just 7-14. She hopes to lead the Panthers to more wins this winter. “The team’s biggest focus since last season is staying consistent,” she said. “With working in the offseason, summer league games and practices, and preparing for this year, we want to make sure each practice is with a purpose.” One of the top hurdlers in Kansas, Sadie is a multiple time state medalist in the 300 meter hurdles. She was part of the school’s 4x400 meter relay team that won a state championship in 2022, and part of the 4x1 relay team that set a school record that season. A reigning third-place finisher in the high jump, she has also helped the Lady Panthers to a second and third-place team finish at the state track meet over the past two seasons. This fall, the Lady Panther volleyball team set a new school record with 31 wins in a season. Sadie finished third on that team with 254 digs and 66 blocks, and was fourth on the squad with 140 kills. But basketball is part of her postsecondary education plan. In early November she signed a letter of intent to continue her hoops career at Washburn after high school. But before that, she has unfinished business as a Lady Panther. One of her individual goals is to reach 1,000 career points. “Our team this year is very senior-heavy,” she said. “Besides having only a couple juniors, we will have to bring up some underclassmen. Having said that, our starting five is the same this year, so we should have a good connection this season.” Great Bend lost no players to graduation last spring. Senior Emilee Hall, at 5-9, returns to the post after finishing second on the team in scoring and averaging 5.5 rebounds a night. Senior Makenzie Premer dual-sported this fall on the second-place Lady Panther cross country team and volleyball team. She averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds a night last winter. Senior Paige Thexton also played alongside Spray on the volleyball court this season and scored three points and grabbed 5.2 boards a game last season. Spray can play point, but much of that duty was handed off to Jillian Reimer, a 5-7 junior who averaged two points and two steals a night last year. The Lady Panthers finished last season at 7-14 overall, but eight of those losses came via single digits. Spray hopes that’s where all the experience will come into play this winter. “My role this year is very leader-based,” she said. “The team will need me to stay focused and calm, especially in those close games. As a team, our goals this year are to make sure we give 100 percent effort every practice and game. Our mantra last year was ‘Play with a Purpose,’ and we want to carry that into this year, too.” Coach Cindy Beck believes consistency is the key to the Lady Panthers finding more wins this season, especially in the WAC where he squad was just 1-7 a season ago. “Our team is looking to find more consistent scoring threats and offensive attacks,” Beck said. “Defense is going to have to be a big focus for us again this year, and something we will strive to improve on. We will be looking to put in different defenses that we can effectively play and change between. Consistency will be key on both ends of the court.” Maddox is also coming off a big senior fall season. The Panther football team finished the season at 6-4, but not before winning a playoff game on the road at Salina Central and coming up just short in a 36-34 loss at third-ranked Kapaun in round two. The four losses on the season came by a combined 16 points. Spray was instrumental in the team’s success. He tied for first on the squad with 32 receptions for 365 yards and four touchdowns. He even completed both of his pass attempts on the season for 45 yards and a touchdown. Spray was also a big piece of a stout defense where he recorded 21 tackles and an interception in the defensive backfield. On the track last spring, Maddox finished sixth in the high jump at regional competition, missing state by just two inches. He ran 14th in the 400 meter dash, and was part of the Panther relay teams that were dismantled by injury late in the season. Maddox will be part of an exciting Panther basketball team this winter. Last year’s team finished at 11-10 but returns most of its talent. The 6-1 Spray was second on the team at 8.1 points a night and his size and strength allow him to do a bit of everything on the court. “Maddox will be a critical piece to our success this season with his scoring ability on offense,” Panther coach Kyle Kriegh said. “He is also a capable passer and sees the court well. He is great in transition and can finish in multiple ways.” Spray will be joined by fellow seniors Carter Coombs, a 5-11 guard who averaged 7.5 points and 3.3 assists a game, and 6-1 senior Parker Dicks. Sophomores Ian Premer (6-5) and Jacob Hall (6-1) picked up big minutes as freshmen, combining for 20 points and 11.5 rebounds a night last year. Juniors Ben Nicholson (6-5) and Izaeh Reed (6-1), as well as sophomore Daxton Minton and freshman Cooper Ohnmacht are all expected to contribute
(L-R): Sadie and Maddox Spray (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
this winter as well. “I think our team will be better this year, graduating a few guys that have impacted us, but overall we should have better chemistry with everyone and play better,” Maddox said. “I think of myself having more of a leadership role being a senior. I think the team will need me more leading by example and hustling and making the dirty plays no one else will.” Individually, Maddox is working to earn all-conference and all-tournament honors for each of the tournaments on the Panther schedule. More importantly, he wants to be a better leader on the court. Maddox watched his sister sign her letter of intent to continue her basketball career, and his brother, Stefan, plays basketball at Barton Community College, and while Maddox has a few options to continue his career after high school, he remains undecided. “I have a few options to play basketball, but I don’t know where I’m gonna choose yet.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
HILLSBORO TROJANS
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Hillsboro was among the best in the 2A last season, cranking out 21 wins to just five losses and coming up one game short of playing in the state championship. The Trojans dominated all three sub-state matches by double-digits, including a 46-30 win over Bennington in the championship game. At state, they downed Wichita County in a 36-30 win in the opening round, but finally hit a roadblock in the form of eventual state champs Berean Academy in the semifinals. The Trojans fought hard but were eventually outpaced by the Warriors and lost 39-26. The Trojans finished the season in fourth place in the state tournament after a narrow 36-33 loss to St. Mary’s-Colgan. The fourth place finish was the first with the team for head coach Micah Ratzlaff, and now, in his second season, he only loses one senior starter from that inaugural campaign. All-League selection Kori Arnold was that lone senior starter, but with a talented group coming back, the path back to state is clear for Ratzlaff and company. “We will need to stay healthy and develop our younger players to help with our depth off the bench,” Ratzlaff said. “Like always, we will need the players to buy in from the start and commit to working hard and getting better daily. We will hang our hat on the defensive side of the court and will need to create ways to put points on the board.” In terms of defense, Hillsboro couldn’t ask for a better leader than All-State selection Zaylee Werth. The six-footer averaged five steals, two blocks, and eight rebounds a game as a junior. “Zaylee’s energy on the court – especially the defensive
end – is what fuels this team,” Ratzlaff said. “She loves to play defense and challenges her teammates to never take plays off and have fun doing it.” Werth’s full stat-line also includes 14 points and six assists a game, with her offensive abilities just as dangerous as her possesses defense. “Zaylee is a matchup nightmare for opposing teams because of her size and athleticism,” Ratzlaff said. “She can play all five positions on the court with the ability to drive, shoot, and pass at a high level. Zaylee is very unselfish and makes everyone around her better. Zaylee is very coachable, has a high IQ, and plays extremely hard.” Alongside Werth is another top player in the state, All-State honorable mention, and fellow six-foot senior, Savannah Shahan, who averaged 13 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season completing one of the best one-two combos in the state. “Savannah Shahan is a super athletic forward who can score inside and out,” Ratzlaff said. “Inside, Savannah can score with her back to the basket or face up. Savannah is one of the best outside shooters on the team which sets up her explosive first step and ability to get to the rim. In transition she runs the floor really well and can finish with either hand.” After getting an idea of what the state tournament is all about, the duo and their teammates are gunning for another shot at it this season. “The team’s biggest focus will be going to state again,” Werth said. “After going to the state tournament last year and getting a small glimpse of what we could have accomplished, the team has realized what we are capable of.” Hillsboro has won three state titles in school history, with their last coming in 2007 in 3A when they finished 23-2. A shot at another becomes more likely as Ratzlaff and his team have more time to synchronize.
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(L-R): Zaylee Werth and Savannah Shahan (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
“Thinking back to last year, we had a lot of success,” Shahan said. “I feel that the source for most of our success bloomed from our coach and the drive and motivation each and every girl poured into the team.” With last season’s success also comes experience and awareness for those returning. “Since this last basketball season, we have seen how good we can be and how much more we can accomplish,” Shahan said. “Our biggest focus I would say is to prioritize playing with a purpose – whether it’s for God, your teammate, your coach, a family member, or something of significance to you – and just have fun. One of the key reasons for our success last year is that we all played with joy, bouncing back after every mistake and staying mentally strong.” continued on page 39
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
LITTLE RIVER REDSKINS To this day, some eight months later, the result sticks in the minds of the Little River girls basketball team. St. John 43, Little River 38. Little River, one of the strongest favorites to win the 1A Division 1 state title, had been beaten on its homecourt in the substate semifinals by the fifth-seeded Tigers. First-year Little River coach Cy Rolfs looks at that game in two ways. Don’t dwell on it, but also, don’t forget the lessons learned from it. “My goal is to learn from the past, but also to move on,” Rolfs said. “(The loss) was something that lingered in their heads, but they played St. John three times over the summer, so I think they got that bad taste out of their mouths.” It’s safe to say ambitions could not be higher for this Little River team. After all, many of the basketball players also
play volleyball, and the volleyball team won its second straight state championship in October. All five starters return from last year’s 19-2 team, and six players who saw starts last season overall are back. Senior guard Alaina Eck is the top scorer, after she averaged 17 points to go along with 3.2 steals a game. “Our ultimate goal for the season is to win a state championship, but along with that, we want to have fun and improve throughout the season,” Eck said. “I believe that we have a team that is capable to be successful, and I am excited to play with these girls one more year. “ While Eck handles the ball most of the time and can score regularly, especially driving to the basket, Rolfs has plenty of scoring options at his disposal. In the post is 6-1 senior Aubrey Olander, who averaged 14.5 points, 10 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots a game last season. Olander said she looks for an increased role, not just as a scorer, but also as someone teammates can look up to. “Individually, my goals are to step up and be a leader on the court and be able to keep up the energy when we are struggling,” said Olander, who has committed to play volleyball at Barton Community College. “I am also aiming to reach 1,000 career points this season.” Sophomore forward Havana Olander returns after becoming something of a stat-sheet filler last year, as she averaged 5.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals a game. Sophomore Adelynne Strecker is also
LITTLE RIVER SCHOOLS “Commitment to Excellence”
RIVERSIDE CYCLONES
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Class 2A state runner-up Riverside finished 22-4 after a state title loss to Berean Academy last season, and along with that, managed a second place finish in the Big Seven with an 11-3 mark, with the only losses to strong 3A programs Nemaha Central, Sabetha, and Hiawatha. The Cyclones went 1-1 against each of those squads last season and giving Nemaha Central their only loss in league play leaving Riverside in second in the always tough Big 7. “Getting to the state title game again and getting over the hump to be state champions is going to take a few different factors coming together,” Riverside head coach Craig Burnes said. “Having seen the other teams we faced in Manhattan shows us we’re going to have to be even better this year. We’ve got to once again buy in as a team to our coaching and really strive to improve.” With four starters back from that team, this season’s goals aren’t surprising. “Last season, we got second in our league, and second place at state,” senior Taylor Weishaar said. “This year we want to do better and hopefully win the league and get our first state championship.” At 6-2, Weishaar was a major driver of the team’s success last season, averaging 19.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, two blocks, and 1.5 steals per game garnering All-State honors to show for it. Despite the starters back, the experience the Cyclones have is top heavy, something Weishaar and her teammates are aware of. “I would say the biggest focus is practicing with the new players we have,” Weishaar said. “We have more under-
classmen playing this year, so getting them used to our style of play is important. Also, preparing for this upcoming season is important because the expectations are a lot higher than last year, so in practice we really want to focus on being great at little details.” Along with Weishaar, the Cyclones have another name back with postseason honors in All-State honorable mention point guard Halle Studer. The senior averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 assists, and a steal per game. A talented multi-sport athlete, Studer is committed to play softball at Division I Missouri State after she concludes her high school career. But for now, she’s focused on the task at hand. “This winter my role is to be the leader,” Studer said. “Coach Burnes has told me since day one that I need to lead the team and that doesn’t have to be with scoring the most. The team needs me to demonstrate hard work, competitiveness, effort, score, and play hard defense.” Others back include senior Abby O’Grady (5-4, 8 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and sophomore Niahla Duncan (5-2, 5 ppg, 2 apg, 1.5 spg). Burnes described O’Grady as an “in your face defender,” and Duncan as “a Swiss army knife of a player who any coach would love to have on their team.” “As a team we had the chance to return five starters, but Sophie Juhl did not return for her senior year and her skill and toughness will be difficult to replace,” Burnes said. “We also lost Caidence Brune to graduation and her leadership was a big part of the team going as far as we did.” Juhl moved from Wathena, leaving Riverside absent one of its key scrappers from last season. Junior Alondra Perez and her sophomore sister Jessie Perez, along with sophomores Ella Wisler and Trinity Jackson, are all expected to see expanded roles on the team, along with a freshmen Burnes mentioned in Kayahna Hewins, who could see varsity time with enough progress in
Page 23
(L-R): Alaina Eck and Aubrey Olander (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
back, as are seniors Ashley Stephenson and Kate Ellwood, all of whom started at some point last season. Sophomores Evie Look and Arika Feldman also return after seeing significant minutes a season ago. “We lost one player last year, so we have a lot of players returning who have had a lot of varsity experience,” said Eck, who has not committed yet to play collegiately, but said she wants to play basketball. “I think this will help us tremendously when we get into tough games.” The tough games will be there. As usual, Little River will play a rugged schedule, including matchups with Central Plains, which won Little River’s sub-state last season, Inman, Elyria Christian, Canton-Galva, Goessel and Moundridge, plus the annual Berean Academy tournament, which includes the host school and Hutchinson-Central continued on page 45 Christian.
(L-R): Taylor Weishaar and Halle Studer (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
preseason practice. “Team depth looks to be a question mark as numbers will be low,” Burnes said. “We expect to have between 13-16 players total and sickness and injury led to problems fielding a JV team several times last year.” Despite the question marks, Riverside and their talented duo leading the way are set for what could be a big season. “Our goals as a team are to win the McLouth Tournament for the third year in a row, win the Big Seven League, win sub-state, and return to state,” Studer said. “We expect to do all these things, but we know that we have to continue to work hard to complete any of these goals.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
SILVER LAKE EAGLES
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Silver Lake has made a major swing in the right direction with state tournament berths in each of the past three season after posting five consecutive records of .500 or below in the five seasons prior. A major portion of the credit rightfully goes to Kyle Porter, who is entering his fourth season with the team and seventh overall as a head coach. Porter helped lead the Eagles to a fourth place finish and 23-3 overall record last season, along with a league championship, and despite the graduation of All-State honorable mention selections Mariah Farmer and Taylor Ross, Silver Lake brings back one of the best combinations of talent and experience in 3A, and their expectations are in line with their experience and upward trajectory. “If you would ask any player on our basketball team what they want to accomplish this year, it would be to win a state championship and hang another banner in our gym,” Porter said. “In order for us to do this, we have to put our focus and attention on winning each day. We have to become champions in regards to our daily effort, preparation, and basketball development, as individuals and also as a collective unit. If we approach each day with this mindset, we believe our season will play out the way we want it to.” Headlining the talented group of Eagles are senior threeyear starters MaKenzie McDaniel and McKinley Kruger. “MaKenzie McDaniel and McKinley Kruger have both been key contributors to our teams’ success over the past three years,” Porter said. “We will need Kenzie to continue to be a dominant presence inside, commanding double teams, scoring with angles and finding the open player when teams try to take her away. We’ve asked McKinley to do a lot on the floor in years past. This team will need her to be a vocal leader on the court, and really own her role as a shooter.”
McDaniel, a 6-1 forward who recently signed with Emporia State to continue her basketball career after high school, earned 3A All-State honors from multiple outlets and was a 3A Player of the Year finalist from Sports in Kansas. As a junior she averaged 14.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. “Our biggest area of concentration coming into this upcoming season is just focusing on working hard every day, showing up for each other, and really just enjoying our senior season,” McDaniel said. Kruger, meanwhile, earned All-State honors and was also a 3A Player of the Year finalist from SIK. The 5-6 senior averaged 13.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game a season ago, and shot 38% from beyond the arc. “We want to win state, considering how close we have been in years past,” Kruger said. “We want to do so by believing, trusting, and loving one another all season.” The duo also understands the value of playing as a team, and with the talent coming back, there is plenty of value. “We unfortunately lost two very essential assets from last year’s team,” Kruger said. “However, we have three returning starters and three members who had very impactful minutes last year. Similar to years past, we have many great athletes who fit their roles extremely well. The only adjustments we will have to make is adjusting to our size since we will have more guards than posts this year.” The Eagles return 5-7 senior Kaibryn Kruger from the starting lineup. As a junior she averaged 7.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, earning her All-Shawnee County honorable mention from TopSports.news. Seniors Kaylee Deiter (5-8, 3.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.4 apg), Sarah Wehrli (5-4, 2.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg), and sophomore Kailyn Hanni (5-6, 4.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg) also return. “We expect Kaylee Deiter to be a dominant force on the offensive and defensive boards,” Porter said. “She is our best hustle player. Kaibryn Kruger is primed for a solid senior campaign, making her mark as an outside scoring threat and versatile defender. Sarah Wehrli will provide outside scoring and stability defensively. She
Page 24
(L-R): Makenzie McDaniel and McKinley Kruger (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
is our best off-ball defender. We think Kailyn Hanni will have a breakout year as a creator on the offensive end. We also expect her to be our best on-ball defender.” Porter also noted juniors Ella Bolan (5-10) and Taylor Zordel (5-6) as potential contributors entering this season. “I believe that in order for our team to be successful, we have to recognize and celebrate the unique contributions that every team member brings to our basketball team,” Porter said. “We have to value the strengths of each player and blend our collective strengths for the benefit of the group. This takes selflessness and sacrifice, and is absolutely necessary for us to reach our full potential.” The measure of how much Porter’s team has already bought into that approach is clear in McDaniel’s vision for her senior basketball season. “If we come home with a state championship, all my individual goals would be accomplished. I want to continue to be a leader on our team, and enjoy every minute of it, making this season the best one yet.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
SOUTH GRAY REBELS
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer In 42 years of coaching at South Gray, Mark Applegate has presided over a small school Kansas powerhouse. Currently, he holds a 769-228 record with four state titles - in 1997, 2006, 2007, and 2018 with runner-up finishes behind Olpe in 2021 and 2022 and 18 total state tournament appearances. While they came up a couple spots short of a state title last season, they still managed another outstanding season and a little payback in the form of an 80-77 double-OT thriller against Olpe to deliver a third place finish in 1A-I. The Rebels finished the season 22-4 and took second in the SPIAA at 10-1. From that group, Applegate brings back two All-Staters in 6-2 senior Joey Dyck and 6-1 senior Dominic Martin. Dyck averaged just under a double-double with 19.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest a season ago. “Joey Dyck is a very good basketball player,” Applegate said. “He brings so much to the table, he can shoot the three and also play inside in the post position. He also is a very good ball handler. He is such a good team player, he wants to get other teammates involved. He knows if we have other threats on the floor it will make us a much harder team to guard.” The senior said his main focus is fitting within his role on the team with the goal of leading the team to a state title. “I believe as an individual that I need to step up as a leader and lead by example,” Dyck said. “I have to push my teammates to be the best they can be. Our goals are to win our league, win the league tournament, and win sub-state to make another trip to the state tournament.” Martin, meanwhile, is a former pure shooter who shifted
into more of an all-around role for the Rebels last season, averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.2 steals a game. “Dominic is a good shooter, sometimes from very long range,” Applegate said. “He has improved his game in the last year. He used to be strictly a shooter, and he figured out that he was easy to guard. He has become a good driver and drawing fouls. It really expanded his game. He also is one of our better defensive players.” Martin will see an even bigger set of duties on the team this year after the graduation of starters Jorge Lupercio and Carter Jantz. “Most people would say I’m a sharpshooter but my role is to help the team win in the most efficient way possible,” Martin said, “whether that’s shooting, defending, or finding the open guy. With our team there are so many options on offense that I don’t have to score a great amount to win.” The Rebels also bring back 5-10 junior Sam Moore from the starting lineup after he averaged 8.2 point, 4 assists, and 3.3 steals per game as a sophomore. Applegate pointed out Moore as “probably our best on ball defender.” Others expected to make an impact are seniors Conner Salmans (6-1) and Max Moore (6-0), juniors Cameron Wahl (6-0), Zac Hendrickson (5-11), Dyson Winfrey (6-0), Jesus Marquez (6-1) and Sebastian Mendoza (6-1), as well as sophomores Gavin Wahl (6-4), and Asa Briscoe (6-2). “I believe our team is going to be pretty good this year,” Dyck said. “We’ve got some younger guys coming in that are going to bring a lot of talent to the table. We’ve got two sophomores both over 6-foot. So it will be nice to have some more size.” As Applegate and his team work toward another 1A-I tournament berth in hopes of title number five – or number six if you count the lone Montezuma High title won by head coach Frank Griffitts in 1955, before the school became South Gray 33 years ago – players will have to step into and thrive in new roles.
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(L-R): Joey Dyck and Dominic Martin (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
“Our expectations as a team is to win more games than last year as well as win our tournaments such as the SPIAA league tournament,” Martin said. “Obviously our team is eager to get back to the state tournament to have a shot at the state championship.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 27
WICHITA HOOPS
Amalachi Wilkins, giving Auer a dynamic duo with their sights on a third straight championship appearance. The Heights girls have enjoyed their own share of success over the years, qualifying for three consecutive state By Blake Chadwick, For Kansas Pregame tournaments from 2019 to 2021, though each ended with The conversation about basketball in the Greater Wichita an opening-round loss. The girls will look for a return to Athletic League starts with Wichita Heights. the dominance of the early 2010s after former coach Kip The boys, led by legendary coach Joe Auer, have won six Pulliam returns to the bench. The veteran Heights coach state championships in the last 14 seasons. The Falcons led the Falcons to a stretch of five straight state tournament appeared in the Class 6A finals the last two seasons but appearances from 2009 to 2013, with back-to-back champifell short in the championship in March after winning it in onships in 2011 and 2012 – both undefeated seasons – and 2022, a season in which Auer was named Sports in Kansas a runner-up finish in 2013. 6A Coach of the Year. Heights returns four-star Wichita But the tradition of basketball excellence in the GWAL State signee TJ Williams for his senior year and 6-7 junior doesn’t stop in the Wichita Heights locker rooms. The City League has a long history of basketball success, and a number of teams are fighting to continue that tradition this season. The Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders, coached by legendary former Hutchinson Community College head coach Steve Eck, are coming off a 23-2 season where they fell 54-46 in the Class 5A championship game to another Wichita-area power, the Andover Trojans. After losing their go-to guy of a season ago, Will Anciaux, now a tight end on the Kansas State football team, Kapaun will lean on a balanced scoring attack with seniors Will Thengvall (12.5 ppg), Brooks Powers (6.3 ppg), Teagan Charles (9.1 ppg), and junior sharpshooter Corbin Johnson (11.3 ppg). The Crusaders will be looking to win the league title outright this year after splitting it with Heights a season ago. “We will be guard heavy and that comes with some pros, but also some cons,” Powers said. “What we have going for us is our experience. We’ve been to the biggest stage so there isn’t anything that can shock us or scare us. We all TJ Williams have one goal and that is to win.” (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com) Powers is one of the guys who will be stepping into a bigger role as a senior. “I am in the leader role. Naturally, as the point guard, I’m coach Eck’s voice on the court,” Powers said. “Having the ball in my hands, I have to get the ball to my guys in positions to score or run a play. The team needs me to hit open shots, get to the rim and distribute the ball to my boys.” The City League has Photo: Ronnie Kondo Photo: Nevaeh Fletcher plenty of other star power and contenders. Seniors Tasean Williams
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(L-R): Nyah and Rylan Chandler (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
(18.8 ppg) and Jerome Henderson (5.9 ppg) want to get Wichita Northwest over that playoff hump. Bishop Caroll’s tough senior class of Mikey Brand (17.3 ppg), John Hauserman (13.3 ppg) and Reece Peterson (3.3 ppg) plan to use their experience to stay healthy and finish better than last season’s 10-11 record. Wichita West’s senior class of 6-7 forward Gavyn Phillips (15 ppg), Rob Basks Jr. (9.3 ppg) and Semaj James (10.6 ppg) will provide some stability for the Pioneers, who are aiming to finish in the top half of the City League. Wichita South returns four seniors in Kendrall Ransom (7.5 ppg), Jonovan Howard (10.1 ppg), Jalen Manning (7.8 ppg) and Asa Tarver (11 ppg). Another impressive senior class in the Wichita area from outside the GWAL will be on the court for Campus under coach Zac Kliewer, who is in his first year as head coach after eight seasons as an assistant. Kliewer inherits a team with key known commodities in 6-6 senior Andrell Burton Jr., a Drake commit, and 5-11 senior guard Kaason Thomas. “Andrell is an extreme talent (at) 6-6 – wide shoulder frame with good speed, agility and vertical,” Kliewer said. “His biggest strength is being able to take his size and play at a high level from the outside. He is a great three-point shooter, slasher and finisher. This summer he worked so hard to get better at defense and his handles and now is really coming along.” continued on page 47
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(L-R): Teagan Charles, Kaason Thomas, and Brooks Powers (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 28
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 29
Hoxie won a third straight 3-2-1A state championship in record-setting fashion in February and now the Indians and coach Mike Porsch will try to secure a fourth straight championship after graduating five top three finishers from that squad. (Photo: Tami Porsch)
By Randy Gonzales, For Kansas Pregame Hoxie’s high school wrestling team has won the last three Class 3-2-1A state championships and 13 state team titles in program history. One doesn’t reach that level of success by simply rolling out the mats the first day of practice each year. It goes deeper than that. “It starts early, when kids first step on a mat,” said Mike Porsch, the Indians’ head coach since 2006. “Success builds upon success, with one generation of successful Hoxie wrestlers passing on the torch to the next generation.” And Porsch is not talking about just junior high or high school. “I just think from our little kids’ development program, we’ve got some really good guides taking care of that,” Porsch said. “They’re pretty much all former Hoxie wrestlers. Whenever you put that much in, you’re taking it seriously. The kids want to perform at their best; it means a lot to them.” The Indians will seek a four-peat this winter after a record-setting state tournament in 2023, when Hoxie ran away with the team title. The Indians scored 260 points, an all-class record, won by a 159 point margin over second place, another all-class record, put eight wrestlers in the finals (a 3-2-1A record) and produced six state champions for yet another 3-2-1A record. The Indans had 11 state placers to tie the 3-2-1A record. “We knew we had the potential,” Porsch said. “We didn’t talk a lot about winning state through the year. We did talk a lot about making a statement, doing something really, really special.” The program has won every tournament they’ve entered since 2021, and this year’s senior class will be looking to run the table as well. All that success has people taking notice. “People that normally don’t pay more attention to wrestling in the area pay more attention,” Porsch said. “I’m excited about that.” Porsch also is excited about his returners from last year’s record-setting squad, highlighted by three state champions in 2023. Carson Ochs went 38-0 in winning the 132-pound title as a junior a season ago; then-freshman Ian Giancola went 37-3 to win at 113; and Gavin Schippers went 31-14 to win at 285 as a junior. Four other individuals qualified for state, with three of them placing. Junior Kash Schiltz
HOXIE INDIANS
was the runner-up at 106 and will compete at 113 this season. Junior Duncan Bell was third at 144 and will now be at 150. A year after finishing as a state runner-up freshman, junior Sam Watkins claimed third place at 175 as a sophomore in February and is likley to move up a weight class. Junior Easton Nickelson was also a state qualifier at 150 and likely moves to 157. Other varsity lettermen in the lineup include Layne Jueneman, Draden Herl, Etson Moreno and Giovanny Gomez. “Our goal is to fill the lineup the best we can to be able to qualify as many wrestlers as we can and have them score points and win places at the state tournament,” Porsch said. “Our returners need to stay hungry to keep getting better and help get our newcomers up to speed and believing in the culture and process.” Porsch said he anticipates filling all 14 weight classes for the first time since 2003. In May, Hoxie bid farewell to an incredible group from the class of 2023 in Derek Johnson, Drew Bretz, Dayton Bell, Tate Weimer, and Wayne Shepard, leaving Ochs as a kind of elder-statesmen and senior leader on this year’s team. Ochs will be sidelined at the start of the season. He underwent knee surgery after a summer wrestling injury. Ochs said doctors could clear him to return to the mat by December or January, but added he might wait until closer to regionals. Ochs also missed time around Christmas last season due to illness. He was determined to come back strong. “Just made me mentally tough,” Ochs said of the injury and illness. Wrestling is a family thing for the Ochs clan. Older brother Calvin was a two-time state champ who was undefeated as a senior. Carson wants to duplicate his older brother’s feat with a second state title this season to go with a sixth place finish as a freshman and runner-up performance as a sophomore. “It was my dream since I was a little kid,” Ochs said. His early wrestling roots paid dividends for Ochs, just like it has for all Hoxie wrestlers. “We’re all dedicated, passionate about the sport,” Ochs said. “A lot of us started as little kids, that helps a lot.” In the hallway before entering the gym at the high school, there are photos of past state championship teams and individual state champions. With all of the program’s success, one might wonder if there will be room for many more photos. “We keep making room,” Porsch said.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
ABILENE COWBOYS
By Harold Bechard, For Kansas Pregame Abilene has had its share of outstanding wrestlers over the years. Four-time state champion Jake Kreigbaum (2001-04) and three-time champ Ross Taplin (2003-05) are at the top of that list. Cowboy senior Tucker Cell hopes to join that list this season with a third career state title. “I do hate to rank them, as no one should feel slighted with their accomplishments,” Abilene head coach James Stout said. “But, what Tucker has been able to do these first three seasons is very special. We have been very fortunate at AHS in having many great wrestlers during the time I have been blessed to be here.” Cell is one of them. He brings a career record of 114-4 into his senior season after an undefeated state championship season at 113 pounds as a freshman (38-0); a state title at 132 pounds as a sophomore (39-1); and a third-place finish at 144 pounds as a junior (37-3). The only obstacle that has stood in Cell’s way of becoming a four-time state champ is Andale’s Owen Eck, who will be shooting for a fourth title himself this season. Eck defeated Cell in the semifinals of last year’s 4A state tournament in Salina with a 10-5 decision. Cell hasn’t forgotten that loss. “It has changed my mindset a lot because I don’t want to fall short of my goal this season,” Cell said. “I’m really determined to get my third title.” Cell and Eck could possibly meet again at the state tournament. Cell is expected to wrestle at either 150 or 157 pounds this season, and Eck at 157 or 165. Whatever the weight class, Stout knows his senior leader will give his best shot. “Tucker has many intangibles that many are not blessed
with,” Stout said. “Speed and strength are both genuine gifts but also his experience, kinesthetic awareness, and a warrior-like mentality are things he has trained himself for with his vast experience.” Those intangibles, Stout said, were evident when Cell entered the high school program as a freshman. “I knew, God willing, if he did not have injuries he would be very successful,” Stout said. “During the first few days of practice I remember asking one of my assistants how was it possible that he hadn’t won a state title growing up? He entered high school with physicality and speed I hadn’t seen in our room in many years. “The other thing I saw in Tucker early on is he dearly loved wrestling and would smile the entire practice week after week, month after month. I have to emphasize how tough practices are, and were, and he still enjoyed every second.” Cell, who plans to wrestle at an NCAA Division I program after high school, credits his father, Richard Estrella, for getting him started in the sport and, among others, helping him become the wrestler he is today. “I was about three or four when I got started,” Cell said. “I just remember trying to tackle everyone.” All these years later, and Cell is still on the attack. “I feel like some of my strongest attributes are my strength and speed,” he said. “And leadership – being a good leader is important.” Cell is also looking for a strong performance from Abilene as a team. The Cowboys had a breakout football season and he sees that carrying over from the gridiron to the mat. “I think it’s going to help our wrestling program because we saw all the hard work the football team put in,” he said. “Now the wrestlers are going to train hard so we can all succeed in our goals.” Those goals could be measured this season for a young Abilene team that graduated state qualifiers Eli Schubert
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Page 30
Tucker Cell (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
(28-19, 165), Braden Wilson (41-7, third at 157), and Christopher McClanahan (39-6, third at 126). The Cowboys do return a trio of state qualifiers in the junior class in Gage Taylor (11-11, 106), Joseph Welsh (28-16, 138), and Landon Taplin (33-13, 150) who will look to Cell and Stout for leadership in an effort to achieve team and individual goals. And the goal for Cell is definitively a third trip to the top of the podium at the state tournament. It would put him in the upper echelon of all-time Cowboy wrestling greats. “Tucker certainly fits right in there with many of our greats like Jake Kreigbaum, Ross Taplin, (two-time champion) Dustin Tovar, and (two-time champion) Trey Hoerner,” Stout said. “We are a family here at AHS and each and every one of these guys listed have cheered on, coached, and mentored Tucker and many others in one way or another. They will all be cheering him and our team on again this year.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
ANDALE INDIANS
By Harold Bechard, For Kansas Pregame Andale had the talent and depth to run away with the Class 4A team championship in 2023, scoring 163 points to outdistance runner-up Rose Hill by 16.5 points. The Indians boasted two state champions and five other wrestlers who medaled in the top six of their respective weight classes. Three of those seven medalists graduated, but four return for this season, including three-time state champion Owen Eck. Can the Indians win another state title – their third in four years? Only time will tell, but in addition to those four state placers who return, Andale also welcomes back a pair of talented wrestlers who missed the 2023 postseason with injuries, but could vie for state titles this season. “The team that will win 4A is going to have to stay healthy,” Andale head coach Doug Eck said. “That is really tough with us playing late into the season every year in football. We got bit at the end of last season with injuries, but really performed well at state.” The Indians graduated three talented seniors last year – state champion A.J. Furnish (138) and state runners-up Jonah Meyer (157) and Riley Marx (215). “Our numbers this year will be down a bit, so we need to stay on the front side at state with our kids who qualify,” Eck said. “That being said, the goal every year is to win a state title, but talking about it doesn’t get it done.” Eck’s son, Owen, is one of the state’s top wrestlers. He will carry a 107-4 career record into his senior season and will be seeking a fourth state championship. He signed a letter-of-intent with Oklahoma in early November and plans to wrestle at 157 or 165 in college and major in Engineering. “We lost a lot of great seniors last year, but a state
championship is the goal every year,” said Eck, who put together a 46-0 season at 144 pounds as a junior. “So, we just got to put in the work and make sure everybody climbs the podium this year.” Joining the exclusive four-time state champion club is also something Eck has been shooting for. “I think anybody who wrestles has the goal of being a four-timer or multiple state champ,” he said. “So it’s pretty cool to have that opportunity to do it this year and I’ll just use it as motivation to get better each day.” “He’s a hard working kid that has paid the price,” Doug Eck said. “He’s seen the top competition from Kansas, and from around the country, so he is battle-hardened for sure.” Coach Eck believes two of his sophomores – Tristen Cox and Ethan Eck – are capable of earning state titles as well. Cox placed fifth at 106 pounds as a freshman, while Eck missed last year’s postseason with an injury. Isaiah Wilson, a junior, finished second at 175 pounds last year and is looking to take that next step. Another talented junior, Trent Eck, also missed the postseason with an injury after placing second at 106 pounds as a freshman. In addition to Owen Eck, the senior class will be led by Ian Aouad and Cody Engelbrecht. Aouad, who plans to attend med school after AHS, placed third at 165 pounds last season after missing his sophomore year with an injury. He finished third at state at 152 pounds as a freshman. “It was very difficult due to how long I was out,” Aouad said of his injury. “I went with them to every tournament and it was very hard to watch my friends wrestle without me.” “Ian has always been a hardworking kid who got after people,” coach Doug Eck said. “Last year, we felt like he was one of the guys who could win his weight, but had one bad match at state where he didn’t finish a couple opportunities, but still came through the backside to take third for us. “He didn’t hang his head and pout, he went back to work. If I had a whole room full of Ian Aouads, I’d be the happiest coach on earth.” After a pair of third-place finishes, Aouad’s goal for his senior season is simple – to be standing at the top of the podium at 175 pounds at the end of the state tournament. “If I don’t have a state title in mind there’s no point in wrestling,” Aouad said. “A state title is always the goal no matter what. In any sport we do at Andale, we aren’t looking for anything short of a state title.” And coach Eck is looking
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(L-R): Ian Aouad and Owen Eck (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
for a breakout year from Cody Engelbrecht. “Cody has been stuck wrestling kids way bigger than him his first three years, so hopefully we can get him at the right weight this season, and if we can, he will make some noise for us at state,” Eck said. “He looked really good at our team camp this summer.” The Indians are also looking to junior Jackson Aaron and sophomores Corbin Steadham, Ace Altman, Ben Patton, and Camron Woltemath to score points and provide depth. As another seemingly annual Andale tradition, many on this year’s wrestling roster spent most of November on the football field before starting their work on the mat, which Eck and Aouad agree provides a mutal benefit. “We’re in the weight room all summer for football, which also benefits us for wrestling and other sports,” Owen Eck said. “Pretty much all of our wrestlers play football, and it helps us to stay active and keep our bodies in shape for wrestling right after football season ends.” This season will also be the final one for Owen Eck and his father and coach, Doug, who according to Owen, has been his coach since he started walking. “I’m thankful for all he’s done to help me get to where I am today,” Owen said. “I have one more season with him and I plan to make the most of it.” Owen’s older brother Levi was a two-time state champ at Andale. His five sisters also won titles in sports at AHS. “I’m equally proud of all of them, because they all put in a lot of work and, of course, their parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers, and teammates have all been a large part of it as well,” Doug Eck said. “I really need to bring up Owen’s brother in law, Trent Cox, who is the co-head coach with me. He has been a driving force in making our kids tougher, better technicians and having that ‘go go go’ attitude.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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BONNER SPRINGS BRAVES
By Harold Bechard, For Kansas Pregame One would be hard-pressed to find a more dominant wrestler – boy or girl – in the state of Kansas than Olivia Stean. Entering her senior season for the Bonner Springs Braves, Stean has the opportunity to win her fourth state championship. Her record of 81-0 since the start of her sophomore year speaks for itself, but her method of victory, especially at the state level, has been epic. Stean owns an 11-0 record in three state tournaments and has 10 pins to her credit. Her only non-pin came during the semifinals of her freshman year when she won a 6-0 decision. “I think if she were to join that club that would be an amazing reward for herself and the sport of wrestling,” Bonner Springs head coach Kendall Miller said of Stean’s to potential to become a four-time state champion. “In our program alone we have seen a huge increase in participation with our Kids Club and middle school programs. Olivia, and her success, has been a huge part of that increase within our program. Across the state, we have also seen an increase in girls wrestling due to these dominant wrestlers that include Olivia. My hope is to see her enjoy her senior year and take everything day by day. Focus on the controllable factors.” Stean has won all three of her state titles in the 170-pound weight division. If she stays healthy, she will be a prohibitive favorite to win her fourth, either at 155 or 170. “To say the least it’s beyond exciting and an honor,” Stean said. “It’s difficult to wrap my head around the fact that I have the possibility of being a four-time state champion.” Stean’s quick work of opponents at the state level has been impressive. During the Class 6-5A state tournament
in February, it took her just four minutes, three seconds on the mat to finish off four opponents with pins. As a sophomore during the 2022 state tournament, she won by pins in 0:15, 0:30, 0:22 and 0:49. Her four matches lasted a total of one minute, 56 seconds. That’s 1:56 – four matches. “I would say that one of Olivia’s greatest qualities and attributes is that she is so tough,” Miller said. “That toughness is apparent in her training and the way she handles herself at practice and in competition. She is not afraid to hit high-risk, high-reward moves during matches. As a coach that can be scary, but that is who she is as a wrestler.” Stean will bring a career record of 105-3 into her senior season. She was 24-3 as a freshman. She began wrestling as a 12-year-old and spent the first few years competing against boys. “I was late to the game, but picked up things very quickly,” she said. “The most difficult part was overcoming gender barriers.” Miller keeps Stean grounded with a simple philosophy; take it one match at a time. “Last year, I told her to focus on being in good positions and scoring points,” Miller said. “Most of the time kids look ahead in the bracket and as a coach you have to keep them grounded and focused on one match at a time.” Miller is starting his second season as the Braves’ head coach. He credits Bonner Springs boys’ coach Brandon Jobe for laying the foundation for the girls’ program. “He does a great job of overseeing our Kids, middle school, and high school programs,” Miller said. “There have been a lot of great wrestlers that have come through our program thanks to Brandon Jobe.” Miller said he tries not to get caught up in records, rankings and titles. He preaches to his wrestlers to focus on the important things such as nutrition, hydration and next match
Olivia Stean (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
mentality. His mentors included coaches Shane Miller and Bill Johnson. “You can control how you prepare and how you handle yourself every single match,” he said. “With Olivia, I always try to keep her grounded and tell her to just have fun and enjoy the experience. All the titles and records will come at the end of the season when you have put the work in.” Stean, who helps coach middle school wrestling, is also involved in choir and weight lifting at BSHS. Her plans are to wrestle in college.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
ELLIS RAILERS
By Randy Gonzales, For Kansas Pregame Ellis was led by a pair of individual state champions last season and it is believed they are just the fifth and sixth Railer wrestlers in program history to achieve that feat. Normally, state champions have their photo hanging on the wall at the high school. But that’s not the case for Mason Younger and Kaydawn Haag, who will be seniors this season and looking to repeat as state champions. The pair agrees they can hang their photos on the wall once they achieve the repeat. “Don’t want to jinx it,” Younger said. Younger won the 3-2-1A state title last year at 126 pounds, going 40-1 on the season with 27 pins. He comes from a wrestling family, with his dad also placing at state, but he is the first state champion and says he wants to enjoy the ride this season. “I want to go out there, have fun, hopefully go undefeated this year, get another state title,” said Younger, who was state runner-up as a sophomore and was hurt and could not go to state as a freshman. Haag finished 29-3 winning the 4-1A state championship at 140 pounds. She posted mixed results in the two seasons prior with a fifth place finish at 143 pounds as a sophomore and a state runner-up finish at 143 pounds as a freshman. “After being in the championship my freshman year I put a lot of pressure on myself my sophomore year and finished fifth,” Haag said. “Kind of remembering how that felt, I definitely want to not worry about it.” Haag’s father, Ron, a long-time high school and college wrestling official and former youth coach, was an assistant
Page 33 in the program for four years. When Railers’ head coach Brandon Pfeifer resigned earlier this year, the program was without a coach until it was recommended to the school board that Haag take the job. He is counting on Younger and Kaydawn, his daughter, to supply senior leadership. “They are both great leaders,” Ron Haag said. The Railer coach echoes Younger’s sentiment, looking to have fun while keeping the ultimate end goal in mind. “We’re going to talk about enjoying the experience, and just have joy,” Ron Haag said. “Enjoy competing; our goal is to repeat.” Father and daughter agreed that they separate what happens on the mat and what happens at home. “Sometimes I wonder if I should be in the stands, cheering,” the father said. “You have to separate yourself. There’s a time you’re a coach and time you’re a dad.” “There’s definitely some ups and downs,” said Kaydawn, who has committed to play softball at Fort Hays State (L-R): Kaydawn Haag and Mason Younger University. “You have to keep it separated.” (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com) Being a returning state Nex-Tech Wirless Winter Supporting Cast, Jim McDaniel / from page 5 champion is likely to have opponents gunning for the army reserve, primarily based out of Osage City, he returned home to continue the family Railer duo. business, McDaniel’s Hardware and Appliance. After his return, McDaniel was first asked to keep stats for the team, and a year later was “There definitely will be asked by head coach Nick Dawson to announce, and the rest was history. some wrestlers going out Known for his unique voice and straight-forward announcing style, McDaniel has spent just for me, trying to beat me,” over the last six decades synonymous with the Lyndon Tiger program. Younger said. “I’m going to “Jim McDaniel is Lyndon football,” Lyndon High School principal Brad Marcotte told Brent bring my ‘A game,’ bring the Maycock of KSHSAA Covered. best I’ve got.” After his storied time on the PA, McDaniel finally called it a career this season, and saw his If that happens for both last call end in a 55-0 victory over Cedar Vale-Dexter in the first round of the 8-Man I playoffs. Younger and Haag, when it The 87 year old was honored with a jersey, commemorative ball, and a plaque prior to the comes time to hang their phogame, and led the team out on the field just before kickoff. tos on the wall the captions “It’s been so great -- I just love the place,” McDaniel told Maycock. “I don’t want a small just might read “two-time town to go to pot. I see it all around here. I’ll do anything I can to help. I’ve had a lot of fun state champion.” and met a lot of nice people.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 By Randy Gonzales, For Kansas Pregame The boys and girls wrestling teams for Hays High each return a state finalist, but the Indians have depth beyond their headliners. Senior Harley Zimmerman won the 132-pound title at last year’s 5A state tournament on the boys side and junior Tionna Napue was runner-up at 115 pounds for the girls. The Hays High boys have nine returning wrestlers with varsity experience while the Indian girls bring back five wrestlers with previous state tournament experience leaving coach Heath Meder with a wrestling room full of talent this winter. “That’s huge, that will really help out a team,” coach Meder said. “I feel like this is a year where we’ve got a lot of experience coming back.” It also helps having a wrestler like Zimmerman, who is a three-time state placer, two-time finalist and last year’s champion. With that comes the knowledge that other wrestlers will be looking to knock him off. “Any time you have accolades, that puts a target on your back,” Meder said. “I feel he thrives in those mat situations. The tougher the match, the better he wrestles. For him, the pressure helps.” Zimmerman, who finished 35-2 last season, is not worried about pressure. “There’s a lot of pressure on you, you’ve got to win it this year,” Zimmerman said. “I’m used to pressure.” Zimmerman said he lives by the motto, “Get ’er done.” “Hopefully, I win it this year,” Zimmerman said, but emphasized the key is to “work hard in the practice room.” The Indian boys also put another wrestler on the medal stand in Elijah McCullough (33-13), who took sixth as a junior. Harley Zimmerman “He’s always ready to go,” Meder (Photo: Hays High School Indians Wrestling Facebook) said. “He’s one of the hardest
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HAYS INDIANS
(L-R): Tionna Napue, Elijah McCullough, and Lexi Burton (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
workers in the room.” While the boys graduated two of their seven state-qualifying wresters of a season ago (Cyrus Vajnar and Adin Flock) McCullough and Zimmerman will be joined in the room by three other qualifiers, including juniors Dalton Meyers (31-13, state qualifier at 157) and Boston Brungardt (12-24, state qualifier at 215), as well as sophomore Grady Lind (26-12, state qualifier at 106, fell one match short of placing in a 3-1 overtime loss). While Lind and Brungardt are expected to hold serve at the same weights again this season, Meyers will make the jump to 190 after a growth spurt and big summer in the weight room preparing for football season, where he wrapped up WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors earlier this fall. Other varsity returners and their anticipated weight class for this season, along with last year’s record, include seniors Tacoma Augustine (120, 16-15 last season) and Corbin Luck (150), and sophomores Jace Meyers (126, 10-5) and Johnny Riggler (175, 13-15). Napue, in her first year in the Hays High program after transferring from Russell last season, made her mark immediately with her second-place showing. She finished the year 31-4 at 115 pounds and plans to try and win that weight class this season. “She’s incredibly athletic,” Meder said. “On top of that, she wrestles spunky. She gives
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 other wrestlers trouble because she does things that are just awkward. A lot of wrestlers don’t know how to handle it.” Napue said her long-limbed, angular frame is not a common sight for opponents. “For my weight class, I have a different body type than most girls,” Napue said. “I’m more lengthy than they are. I have very long legs and a short upper torso.” Napue’s siblings all wrestle, but she wasn’t so sure she liked wrestling at first. “At first, I didn’t like it,” Napue said. “I went back the next year and I loved it.” The HHS girls also get back state placer Lexi Burton (28-8), who finished fifth as a junior. The 135-pounder’s state tournament was anything but easy with three of the four matches she wrestled – her opening round match was a scratch by her opponent – decided by two-points or less, including a hard fought 3-2 decision over Washburn Rural’s Alexis Fredrickson to secure fifth. Burton is expected to wrestle at 140 this season. “They were all really tough matches compared to my preseason competitions,” Burton said of her state tournament gauntlet. “Before each match I made sure to focus on the match right in front of me. At some points I was physically tired, but I had to be mentally tough to push through.” Joining Napue and Burton in the room are seniors Addison Otte and Katie Gutierrez, Andover Trojans / from page 13 a play-in game for the sub-state regional. Her sophomore year offered indisputable proof that she was a force, as Andover flipped its record to 13-9 before dominating in her junior year. The timing could not be better for Walker to go to Utah. The Utes, along with Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado, will become part of the Big 12 Conference next season, providing a number of easy opportunities for her family to attend a number of Utah’s road matchups. The doubles tennis title this fall was nice, but Walker said she hopes it is merely an appetizer for her marquee sport of basketball. Shetlar, whose brother Eli graduated from Andover last May and now plays basketball at Indiana State after playing for their father Martin on the boys team last season, looks forward to a different outcome this season. “Our team will be more complete,” she said. “We will have more of a size advantage, and we will have a much deeper bench. We know we have all the components we need to control each game. We just need to figure out how to work together to assert that dominance.” Shetlar’s personal goals include getting a double-double in each game as well as ramping up her defensive effort. “I am looking to break a school record this season,” she said. “I am trying to get either the record for the most threes in a game, most blocks in a game, or most rebounds in a season.”
She said she wants to use the regular season as a means of improving to the point of winning state. “Everything we do throughout the entire season will be in preparation for the big stage when it comes to the end,” Shetlar said. All the girls believe a state title is definitely within reach. “We’ve been working all summer to develop chemistry,” Jittawait said. “I mean, the skill is there; we just need to work on chemistry and working as a team, and we’ve been doing that all summer.” Walker agrees that this is the year. “I think for us there’s no excuse this year,” she said. “We have everybody we need to get a state title. At this point, it’s just our work ethic and what we do with what we have.” The desire throughout the team is definitely there, Alexander said. “They’re hungry,” she said. “They want to get a state championship; they want to get after it. They think the sky’s the limit. They’re excited about the young girls coming in, and I think that this is a huge program and definitely a dynasty that we’re building here. “They’re just a fun team, on and off the floor. They’re polite; they have good manners; they take care of one another and look out for each other. They’re just doing the right thing and have great character. “It’s more than basketball here. It’s just a fun group to be around, and it makes our job easy when you have such great kids. “We’re excited.”
Andover Athletics Good Luck Trojans!
Page 36 who both made state two years ago and just missed going back last season, as well as sophomore Reese Vehige who qualified in the 125-pound class, but was unable to wrestle at state. Junior Ava Ruiz qualified at 140 last season and finished 18-14 overall after dropping two competitive matches. Sophomore Lexi Barnett also qualified for state at 145 pounds a season ago, but is expected to drop down to the 135-pound class this season after wrestling up last season to fill a roster spot and score points. Meder does bid farewell to graduated standout Sarah Zimmerman, who is now wrestling collegiately at Simpson College after completing a dominant state championship run at 110 pounds last season pinning her first and third round opponents in :21 seconds and one minute, seven seconds respectively, and tech falling her second round opponent 18-0. Only her finals match went to the second period where she pinned Hutchinson’s Anna Cullens at the 1:31 mark of that interval. It was the third straight finals appearance for Zimmerman who was state runner-up in 2021 and 2022 and was a state medalist as a freshman. While Zimmerman’s graduation leaves a glaring hole in the room this season, Meder says the senior leadership to continue progress is there. “It’s great to have some senior leadership on the team, kind of set an example,” Meder said. “On top of that, we have several others with experience.”
Saluting the Class of 2024!
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
HOISINGTON CARDINALS By Diane Gasper-O’Brien, For Kansas Pregame Josiah Ball is looking forward to the upcoming spring sports season. A multi-sport standout at Hoisington High School, Josiah thinks his best shot at competing at the next level is in track and field, where he won the first state championship of his prep career last year (in pole vault). But track and field will have to wait. First, Josiah has some family tradition to live up to this winter. The youngest of five athletic brothers, he will try to win the family’s 10th gold medal in high school wrestling in February. Josiah came oh, so close to accomplishing that goal last year before dropping a 2-1 decision in the last few seconds to unbeaten Carson Ochs from Hoxie in Class 3-2-1A’s 132-pound title match. This year, Josiah will begin the season as one of the top 138-pounders in the state. A three-time state qualifier, he finished fifth at state as a 113-pound freshman and qualified for state at 126 pounds his sophomore year but got injured at the season finale and didn’t place. Then came last year’s thrilling finish. “All my brothers won a state title, and I thought I might have won one by now,” Josiah said. “That’s definitely my By Diane Gasper-O’Brien Let’s take a look back at an article Diane Gasper-O’Brien produced for the Fall/Winter 2019 issue of “Roar,” the Fort Hays State University magazine. Hoisington’s Ball brothers excel together They have been competing with and against each other their entire lives. Their dad used to clear out the family living room for fierce wrestling matches during their younger days. But Brandon, Jonathan and Christopher Ball didn’t have to wrestle with the decision about where to attend college. Brandon followed in the footsteps of his high school coach, a Fort Hays State University graduate. And once older brother donned the black and gold of the Tigers, there was little question that Jonathan and Christopher would follow close behind. Even as college roommates, everything is still a competition for the brothers, who grew up in a close knit family in the tiny Barton County town of Heizer. But they are quick to add that if anyone has a problem with one brother, they have to deal with all three. They treasure their companionship so much that they all live together and split nearly every bill – whether household or recreational toys – three ways. The set-up is really no different for the brothers than when they grew up as best friends and shared bedrooms at home. They attribute their solid work ethic and Christian faith to lessons learned while being homeschooled by their mother. The Balls packed those values in their suitcases when they came to college and now are making a name for themselves in both the athletic and academic arenas at Fort Hays State. For the past two years, Brandon, Jonathan and Christopher all wrestled for the Tigers, and last year all three pole vaulted during the track and field season as well. All are model students academically, each maintaining a GPA of at least 3.8. But make no mistake. The Balls, the epitome of student-athletes, are not clones. Brandon is on track to graduate in May with a degree in applied technology. Jonathan is a finance major, and Christopher is majoring in information networking and telecommunications. “We are walking down the same path, but we each have our own direction,” said Jonathan, the middle brother and the most talkative of the trio. However, Brandon, normally a quiet sort, has come out of his shell in college and now feels ready to pursue his dream of becoming a high school teacher and coach. The family tradition at Fort Hays State for the Balls began back in 2015 when Brandon was a senior at Hoisington and
goal this year.” The family’s wrestling legacy began several years ago when oldest brother Brandon, now in his first season as head coach at Maize, set the bar high for his younger siblings. Brandon won a kids’ federated state title in his first try, and the race was on. He went on to win four state titles in high school, then claimed All-America honors three times at Fort Hays State University. While those were some big shoes to fill, the next three Ball brothers all followed in Brandon’s footsteps and were standout athletes in their own right. So naturally, No. 5 wants to keep up the tradition. “I don’t know if I ever really thought about it as being pressure, though. I just expected I’d be like them,” said Josiah, who remembers competing at wrestling meets when he was three years old. “I started on the mat as soon as I was potty trained,” he said. No matter what happens this season, Dan Schmidt said watching the Ball family compete has been a coach’s dream. “In this day and age, seeing five kids from one family do that well, with that kind of drive, is something,” said Schmidt, the long-time wrestling coach at Hoisington, who coached all five Ball brothers at one time or another. He has since stepped aside from coaching wrestling but remains the Cardinals’ head track coach.
Page 37
Josiah Ball (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
“Well, I’ll admit I’m really looking forward to track season,” Schmidt said. Josiah won pole vault at state last year and also medaled in both the high hurdles and intermediate hurdles events. “But,” Schmidt added, “we want to see him do well in wrestling first.”
Brotherly LOVE From left: Brothers Christopher, Brandon and Jonathan Ball enjoyed spectacular wrestling careers as Hoisington High School before moving on to Fort Hays State. (Photo by Kelsey Stremel)
his high school coach, Dan Schmidt, offered to take Brandon to visit the campus of his alma mater. Schmidt coaches wrestling and track in Hoisington and steered Brandon into both of those sports his freshman year at HHS, and they began to form a strong bond. After watching him excel as a multi-sport athlete in high school, Schmidt thought Brandon could add a lot to the athletic and applied technology programs at Fort Hays State. He knew FHSU would be a good fit for Brandon as well. “I told Brandon he needed to know what he wanted to do with the rest of his life,” Schmidt said. “Wrestling and track are going to end, so I said he should go where he would get the best education.” So the coach and his student-athlete scheduled a campus visit to FHSU. “I really like working with my hands, and I thought I could impact students as a teacher,” Brandon said as he jumped up to stir a pot of soup he was making the gang for dinner. He liked what he saw at FHSU, both with the wrestling and the applied technology studies programs. Because of their shared values, his younger brothers followed him to Hays in 2017 and ’18. For the past two years, the Balls have been doing virtually everything together, much like they did while growing up as the oldest of five boys. This past summer, Brandon and Christopher even worked together on a roofing crew in Colorado.
Life skills gained in college are not lost on Bruce and Christina Ball, who are pleased their sons all chose Fort Hays State and are proud of their accomplishments. At the top of that list are earning college educations. All three brothers will graduate debt free after combining athletic and academic scholarships, along with money earned from summer jobs, to pay for college. “From the time they were young, we told them that if you can’t pay for it, don’t buy it,” Christina Ball said. The brothers are set on enjoying their last year living together in college and anticipate successful wrestling seasons for Brandon and Jonathan. Christopher decided to concentrate on his academics this year and forego wrestling and track and field because of nagging injuries. His older brothers respect Christopher’s decision and are proud that he made what had to be a difficult choice. It all goes back to their upbringing, when they were taught to carefully weigh their options before making a final decision. “Core values we were taught like respect for others are part of our moral ground,” Jonathan said. “They are a big part of our accountability. We took that same mentality into athletics.” While they were all three-sport standouts in high school – the Balls all played football, too, and earned multiple all-state honors in wrestling – they say the most memorable moment for them together athletically probably came in the spring of 2015. They all finished in the top six continued on page 45
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
MINNEAPOLIS LIONS By Diane Gasper-O’Brien, For Kansas Pregame Competitive wrestling is relatively new for most high school girls in the state of Kansas, but Minneapolis senior Grace Johns got a head start with a built-in practice partner since birth. Grace and her twin brother, Augustus, will try to accomplish something for the second straight year – to both qualify for the state tournament. Although held at different locations the past three years, both the boys’ and girls’ state championships will be held in Salina this year – the girls’ 4-1A state meet and the boys’ 3-2-1A season finale. That would certainly make it more convenient for their parents, who sometimes have to split up when their children compete at different locations on the same day. But that doesn’t seem to bother CJ and Nickie Johns, who say wrestling is just a way of life for their family. Both the twins are three-sport athletes, and winter is especially fun for Nickie and CJ, who wrestled during his high school days at Minneapolis. The Johns’ youngest son, Jasper, is an eighth-grader this year and also competes in wrestling. “Once wrestling starts, it seems we’re at a tournament somewhere every day,” Nickie said. “We’re used to burning up the highway. I wouldn’t change it for anything.” They look forward to putting more miles on their vehicle this winter. Grace is the defending 4-1A state champion at 170 pounds and finished her junior season 32-2 after placing second at that weight as a sophomore. She is gearing up for the grand finale of her prep career before taking off for Fort Hays State University after graduation. Hillsboro Trojans / from page 22 While Werth and Shahan deserve plenty of attention for their abilities, both from admirers of the game of basketball and from opponents, Hillsboro is far from lacking in terms of a supporting cast. Kingzley Ratzlaff, coach Ratzlaff’s daughter, started every game last season and averaged five points and three rebounds per contest. Coach Ratzlaff noted the 5-10 sophomore’s all-around abilities. Senior Anslee Brewer is the other starter back for Hillsboro after averaging 2.5 points and four rebounds per contest as a junior and showing versatility on the defensive side of the ball as a perimeter and interior defender. While the Trojans lost Arnold and Makenna Reed, another key contributor from last sea-
She recently signed a national letter-of-intent to wrestle for FHSU next season and has aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. She thinks the discipline necessary to compete in wrestling will serve her well as she pursues that profession. “It takes a lot of discipline in training, and staying down to weight,” she said, “and staying mentally strong during a match.” Augustus looks forward to returning to the mat for the second semester after spending the start of this season recovering from a broken ankle. He was one win away from qualifying for state as a 160-pound sophomore and took sixth at 165 pounds last year after exiting the tournament early because of a concussion suffered in the consolation semifinals. Augustus also is hoping for big things for his team, which is aiming for a top-three finish at state. The Lions return several state placers from a year ago, including Chase Johnson, a three-time state qualifier and one of the top wrestlers in the state at the lower weights. Like the Johns siblings, Chase competes in multiple sports during the year. “But wrestling is definitely my favorite,” he said. “It’s my best sport. I’ve just been around it for so long.” Chase, who hopes to wrestle at the collegiate level, has moved up to 120 pounds this year after finishing one win away from medaling at 113 last year. He began his high school career with a bang, finishing sixth at 106 pounds as a freshman, then winning it all at that weight as a sophomore to cap a 33-1 season. Last season brought frustration for Johnson, who entered the 113 pound bracket at the state tournament with a 35-2 record but did not place. After pinning his first round opponent :33 seconds into the second period, Johnson suffered a 5-1 loss to Hoxie freshman – and eventual 113 pound champion – Ian Giancola. Johnson scored a 10-1 major decision in his first match on the backside, but Halstead sophomore Clayton
son, to graduation, others returning include sophomore Talia Jost (5-10), Addison Jost (5-7), and senior Bailee Gawith (5-7). Ratzlaff and company also expect big things from a talented incoming freshman class. “Hillsboro will look for two freshmen, Amyah Werth and Ella Potucek, to add some depth to this year’s team as well,” Ratzlaff said. “We will compete hard every night with the expectation of winning.” Regardless of how far Hillsboro goes in the postseason, Werth’s ultimate goals for her senior year are a bit more philosophical. “At the end of the season I want to know that I gave it everything I could and that the future of the program knows how to move forward and continue to succeed,” Werth said.
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(L-R): Grace Johns and Chase Johnson (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
Considine took advantage of a reckless move by Johnson and knocked the two-time placer out of the tournament by fall just :22 seconds into the match. This winter sport is a big part of the Johnson family, where Chase is a third-generation wrestler and also has a younger sister and brother who compete in wrestling. Chase is following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, Nick Johnson, who was a state runner-up his sophomore year at Minneapolis and went on to compete at the collegiate level. Chase hopes to realize that dream, too, but for now, he’s concentrating on helping the Lions have a banner year. “Minneapolis has been in the top five but never the top three,” he said. “I just want to really help the team reach that goal this year.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
OLATHE WRESTLING By Gary Van Cleave, For Kansas Pregame Olathe’s high schools regularly produce some of the top wrestlers in the state, Gary Van Cleave takes a look at a trio of those standouts for this season below. Brett Carroll, Olathe East He may go down in the annals of Olathe East High as one of the greatest athletes in Hawks’ history. You can definitely make a case for Brett Carroll as he prepares for his senior year of wrestling after a stellar prep career in football where he will be a center next year for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. “Hard work, determination and great support from my parents,” Carroll said of his success as a two-sport standout. His family genes definitely explain why greatness has been a part of his life. His grandpa, James McCord, played defensive tackle for legendary coach Bob Devaney at the University of Nebraska from 1964-67. McCord was named to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2002. His uncle, Jonathon Brown, played collegiately at Tennessee as a defensive end before being drafted by Green Bay in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He also played two years on NFL Europe squads before a 2001 stint with the St. Louis Rams. But while his future is in the family business, first Carroll will try to defend his 6A state championship on the wrestling mat. As a junior, Carroll was nearly unbeatable at 285 pounds. He fashioned an insane 49-1 record en route to his championship this past February. “It was an incredible feeling, it really showed that my hard work and determination paid off,” said Carroll, who brings a 113-19 record into his senior campaign. Carroll has finished in the top four at state in each of his three appearances. He was 22-10 and got fourth as a freshman. He was 90 seconds from a championship his sophomore year. “I was up 5-0 in the third period of the state finals to the same guy I beat last year,” Carroll said. “I leaned in and he dropped me and pinned me.” He hasn’t forgiven himself since. “It would be cool to have two state titles, but I won’t be able to forgive myself for giving away a state title two years ago,” Carroll said. Still, Carroll has his aspirations and goals to meet. “It would mean the world to me because this is my last year wrestling, and I’m going to go out on top,” he said of a championship in February, 2024.
After wrestling is over, all focus and attention will be centered on football. Gopher football, that is. “My recruitment was definitely unusual compared to a lot of other guys,” said the 6-foot-4, 300-pounder who benches 385, squats 500 and power cleans 315. “But when I knew Minnesota was right for me I committed, and didn’t look back. And it’s very cool to me to play football because I come from a family of football players and it’s very important to them, and me.” This past summer, Carroll devoted most of the summer to football. “It was all pretty much working with my high school football team because I knew that we could be something special this year,” he said. And Carroll was right, as he helped lead the Hawks to a 7-3 season after East posted just three total wins the two seasons prior. The season came to an end with a 17-0 loss to Blue Valley in the regional round of the playoffs, a season highlighted by a Week 7 victory over back-to-back 6A state finalist Gardner-Edgerton. Carroll will play in the 2024 All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 6. He hopes it will be the first of a long streak of starts in college at center. “I played offensive and defensive tackle in high school but in the All-American (game) and in college I will play center,” he said. The feeling of getting selected to play in that game made him smile. “It was an awesome feeling, like I finally got the respect in football I deserved,” Carroll said. And you can bet his grandpa has told all of his Cornhusker Cronies about his Golden Gopher grandson. Aiden Stuart, Olathe East Aiden Stuart was oh so close to tasting gold last February at the 6A state wrestling tournament. The incoming junior at Olathe East still has the appetite to bag him some gold next February. “It was definitely a wild one,” Stuart said of the 120-pound championship match which he lost 11-5. “That was the most exciting but most nerve-racking match I’ve ever had. The state champ beat me handily to be honest. He was better on his feet and very offensive whereas I was more defensive in that match, which is the reason I lost. If I had been offensive and taking risks I would have most likely made it a lot closer.” The will to get back to the championship match crystallized during the medal ceremony. “In all honesty, I wasn’t upset about losing until I stepped foot on that podium with him the next step ahead of me,” he said. “When I walked off the mat I didn’t shed a tear until I was alone. I didn’t scream, I didn’t throw anything. All I said is,
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(L-R): Brett Carroll and Aiden Stuart (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com) ‘Now it’s time to put in the work and show everyone that I’m better than that and I can be the best if I put the effort in!’ “I continued saying that the rest of the day, the day after and the day after that, and it still follows me and that’s the reason I get better everyday.” Getting a little better each day is a process that started in the summer. “Once I get home I stretch and hangout. Get my muscles loose and ready to go and then I will head to wrestling practice three to four days a week just depending on my schedule and plans. I’ve increased my workouts and have certain days for certain lifts and wrestling different places different nights.” Despite weighing around 126 pounds, Stuart puts up Animal-like numbers in the weight room. “I don’t max often anymore to find out my numbers unless I’m in school weights, but recently I maxed out everything to really find my numbers,” Stuart said. He bench presses 200 pounds, squats 315, deadlifts 300 and power cleans 185 pounds. “All in all my numbers are reasonable but I’m working to increase them all everyday by upping the weight, causing more stress on the body and eating more protein,” Stuart said. Each time Aiden steps onto the mat, he feels a weight lifted off his muscle-bulging shoulders. “I feel like I’m home,” he said. “The second I’m on the mat it’s like a chess match. I think three moves ahead, learn the opponent, then time to go. Once I have that plan, though, I will honestly be thinking of random stuff. “It allows me to not focus on the stress or nervousness in my match. It all is natural, so while I’m out there I’ll see something open and go for it. I enjoy wrestling because it allows me to not think anymore. It’s all a natural sport at this point. So I think ahead, learn it and then I won’t think about wrestling again in my match.” While he has accomplished a good amount of success, he knows he’s still got room for improvement. “I know I’m capable of much bigger and better things,” he said. “Now have I accomplished a lot that I’m proud of, of course. The difference is, though, when you know you can get better and always be better, you never have to impress yourself. You just keep your expectations rising and that will always make you better.” Stuart enters his junior campaign with 63 victories, needing 37 wins to reach 100. “That’s a big deal as a junior in high school to have 100 career wins,” Stuart noted. “It’s a big deal to anyone at any age to have that many wins. For me to do it hopefully in three years would be a huge accomplishment for me. It’s very exciting and definitely motivation to get there this coming season.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 He won 33 matches last year, 21 coming by pin. “Those are pretty good stats,” he said. But he doesn’t celebrate recording a pin. “Look I’ve been wrestling going on 12 years,” Stuart said. “Pinning someone has become a natural thing to me, pinning someone doesn’t come as a surprise to me anymore. Now can it be a big deal, of course. Not often is that happening though.
Nicole Redmond (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com) “A big deal would be pinning your opponent in the state finals or pinning people in national level tournaments, but for me pinning is an all natural thing that occurs often and doesn’t affect me on an overall emotional level.” The 5-foot-2 muscle-packed junior said he’s physically tougher compared to last year. “I’ve had coaches and teammates try and break me, but they just can’t,” he said. “Now can I find limits and find myself having to break them, yes I can. All that does is just set a new limit though is what I’ve learned. “Mentally from last year to this year, in that state finals match I would have cried my entire way off the mat after losing, but now you won’t find me shedding a tear until I’m alone. I’ve learned that when you show you’re tired or upset or in pain, it makes the other person happier. Now there are also limits to this. People just have to find theirs. Mentally though, I can deal with a lot before anyone will see me upset or in pain. That’s just a part of wrestling you have to either adapt or you get left behind.” Stuart definitely brings some swagger to wrestling. He posted a video of him doing backflips before a home match on social media. “I actually learned how to do the round off into the backflip for Olathe East dance team when they needed a few guys for a performance in their spring show,” he said. “Now I have mastered it and can always hit it, but the reason I did it at that home meet was because wrestling isn’t that big of a sport. It’s not well known and people don’t try and get to know it. “A lot of my school was there for that rally we had before our meet. So me doing a backflip makes me and the team a little more interesting to people and sometimes will have them change their minds and come watch a wrestling match. The backflips are all about the ‘wowwwww’ of the crowd, people become more interested when people do things they can’t. Then they become interested in you and want to see what you do and how you do it. I don’t do the backflips at every home meet but when there’s a rally for us and the start of our season. I will do it so our team gains more attention.” Stuart will never stop pushing himself full speed ahead in the game of life. He’s dedicating his junior year to his father, who wrestled at state in his youth but never placed. “The best thing a wrestler can have that determines whether they are a good wrestler or a great one is dedication, mental toughness and the will to do whatever it takes to get better,”
he said. “In order to become a great wrestler you have to have a chat with yourself and decide if you really want it. Then the hard work comes in. You’re gonna be tired, you’re gonna be in pain, but you have to just keep going. That’s mental toughness, dedication and determination all into one example. That’s what will make a good wrestler into a great one. You can never stop, or slow down. Always keep moving forward.” Nicole Redmond, Olathe South Come February, there may be a new queen of Olathe South wrestling. Nicole Redmond hopes any coronation ceremonies include a fourth state championship for the Falcons. “My goal for my last year in high school is to become a fourtime player state champion, to make wrestling history for my school and in girls wrestling,” Redmond said. All the Olathe South superstar senior has done is, as Al Davis used to tell his Raiders, ‘Just win baby.’” To the tune of three straight state championships. Out of 120 matches wrestled, she has notched 116 wins - an uncanny winning percentage of 96.67. An insane 93 of her wins (80%) have come by pin. “Describing myself as a wrestler would be hard, I am obviously going to say things every athlete describes themselves as,” she said. “My coaches know me better than I know myself. They see things I don’t see in me. “I remember my coach described me as a leader. I never wanted to be a captain for my team because I couldn’t see myself as one. I didn’t know how to lead a team but it came naturally, especially with a team that was like family. I make sure that the hope inside them never fades. “I believe in each one of my teammates and they believe in me. I’ve wrestled solo for half my career, never dedicated myself to a true team. The women’s wrestling team at Olathe South has changed my perspective on wrestling as a whole. They make me want to be a leader.” She will be wrestling at 115 pounds this year after grappling at 130 a year ago when she was 48-1. “I kept weighing in at 122 and would be the lightest in my bracket,” she said. “Over the summer my weight has been decreasing so I decided this year I’d go 115. I wrestled a couple tournaments over the summer at 118 and 117 and ended up wrestling good at that weight, I felt stronger against the people in that weight class.” She reached the coveted 100 career wins last year in a tournament at Olathe South. “I earned my 100th win without even knowing. In front of my teachers, friends, family and teammates. It was the best way to possibly celebrate that big achievement,” she said. She’s deemed as one of the top wrestlers not just in the metro but in the state.
Page 42 “I think it’s cool I am one of the top wrestlers, but to me, it doesn’t make me different from any other wrestler,” she said. “I achieved a lot of amazing things, I’ve worked hard to get them, but I’m not gonna brag to everyone about it. I like to stay humble, it shows who I am as a person. I try to be a person who isn’t defined by their accomplishments, or gets special treatment because of who I am and what I’ve done. “I am a wrestler with goals, just like everyone else. I love being one of the top wrestlers, I hope it inspires girls one day to want to be up there too.” Redmond says wrestling has taught her self-discipline. “I’ve been with multiple fantastic coaches, all who made me who I am today,” Redmond pinpointed. “Coaches do a great job on pushing an athlete to their full potential, but that athlete can’t achieve that without doing their part. It goes both ways. ‘Pain is mental’: A saying I have gone by for years. “Everything is in your head. Your mind will always trick you every time your body is in an uncomfortable state. That should give you a reason to push yourself harder. Pain is uncomfortable, you just have to get used to it.” Redmond is coming off an extremely busy summer competing in tournaments from North Dakota to North Carolina. She went 5-1 at Junior Nationals for Team Kansas. She went 2-2 at Fargo and then undefeated with the team “Black Mambas”. “I also went to Super 32 up in North Carolina and went 2-2 as well,” she said. “I also went to West Virgina to also wrestle for the Black Mambas.” Olathe East defending state champion Brett Carroll has seen what his counterpart has accomplished. “Nicole is such a dominant wrestler because she grew up wrestling in kids club even before they added the girls division,” Carroll said. “She was still beating up on the guys back then.” Another East grappling great, defending state runner up Aiden Stuart, said Redmond is a force. “She prides herself in her wrestling and puts the hard work in,” Stuart said. “Everything she does in matches has a reason for it. She’s technical and tactical.” Redmond’s plans next year are wrestling in college at a D1 or D2, and to major in criminal justice. Lindenwood, Simpson, Westcliff and Tiffin are her top four schools as of today. “It makes me happy when I inspire younger girls to start wrestling in Kansas and to start wrestling outside of Kansas,” she said. “It’s been my lifelong goal to inspire so many girls to get into this sport. I started wrestling in 4th grade and there were barely any female wrestlers participating, so I had to wrestle the boys. As I got older, boys started getting stronger and I felt like they had an advantage over me. Now girls wrestling is sanctioned in Kansas and now other states, I wish I had that opportunity when I was younger.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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ROSSVILLE BULLDAWGS By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Out of four state qualifiers, three place-winners established Rossville as the second best team in 4-1A girls wrestling a season ago. Keera Lacock took second at 115, Kendra Hurla winning state at 120, and Hailey Horton finishing third at 155 as juniors at the state tournament, with now graduated senior Reagan Wonnell a two-time state qualifier - falling just short of placing. The three-time state tournament qualifying trio scored 73 points total, finishing 15 points behind first place Chanute and three points ahead of third place Baldwin. Now back for their senior season, the trio of northeast Kansas girls are hopeful for a return to the state tournament podium, and hopefully with reinforcements this time. “I’m really confident in my team this year,” Horton said. “We have three girls returning from last year, and a couple of new girls this year. I would like to take the whole team to state so we can get more points and come home with a state championship trophy.” Horton’s third place finish last season was her second time on the podium after finishing fourth in 2021. The three-time qualifier – who signed November 9th to play softball at Highland Community College after high school – finished with a 32-7 record during her junior campaign. Being high-level talents in a sport so newly available to girls, Horton and her two state place winning teammates are determined to pass their knowledge and passion along. “As a senior, my responsibilities are to make myself approachable,” Horton said. “I want the newer girls to ask me questions. Another role would be to push everyone, I want everyone to get better this year.” Hurla is a three-time state champion keen on earning her fourth individual title, and the first team championship trophy for the fledgling program. “Our goals for this season are definitely high and something we will work for all season,” Hurla said. “We would like to go back to the state tournament, but walk out with a team title this year. My main goal is to finish my career with one last individual state title.” Last season Hurla finished 27-1, giving her a career mark of 89-3 to go with her three golds. A major key for the senior’s success has been a consistent approach. “Preparation before a match is a big thing for me,” Hurla said. “I have had the same routine, with the same stretches and prayers all four years before each match. At this time my main focus is getting in the right mental space before stepping on the mat. You can’t walk out not ready to wrestle and expect to win.” Given her track record and hard work, Hurla understands her responsibility in the team dynamic. “As a senior and a well-known wrestler for our program,” Hurla said. “I have a big role to step into so I can lead our team to push themselves and become the best wrestlers we can be. Coming off of three titles I feel I have to lead not only by my words but truly by example in the room and out on the mat.” Lacock brought home the silver medal as a junior after earning fourth place as a freshman. Returning to the 115 pound weight class this season, the senior is excited about the growth she’s seen in her time with the program. “My goal for this season is to bring home a state champion team trophy,” Lacock said. “Rossville girls’ wrestling has only been around since my freshman year. Going from two to six girls has been amazing. Nearly taking state with four girls makes me confident we can make this happen.” The state runner-up also has plans for moving up a spot on the medal stand. “I’d also like to be a state champion myself,” Lacock said. “Although I’m still relatively new to wrestling, I think I finally have a grasp on my style.” As proof of that “grasp,” Lacock went 33-2 as a junior after bumping back down to 115, after wrestling at 126 during her sophomore campaign. She lost her only matches of last season to Trego’s Adrian Winn and defending state champ Josiah Ortiz of Lakin in the title bout.
(L-R): Hailey Horton, Kendra Hurla, and Keera Lacock (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
With Ortiz graduated and wrestling at Fort Hays, the door could be more open than ever for Lacock and her teammates. “Like I said previously, I think we can take home a championship,” Lacock said. “We have three new girls to replace our seniors and all of them have so much potential. Even though the season has barely started they’re already well disciplined.” Those new wrestlers set to be a part of the varsity lineup this year include juniors Brinley Pottorf (100), Shalya Rezac (125), and freshman Madelyn Wonnell (145). The group also welcomes new head coach Bryce Gfeller. “In order to secure the state team title we will need to finish our matches with pins,” head coach Bryce Gfeller said. “Bonus points are huge. We also have some girls that are new this year so we’ll have to focus on getting them to the best spot possible to have success. I’m confident that Kendra, Keera, and Hailey will be a massive help in that regard. Buying into the process will be the biggest piece to the puzzle, however. We have two brand new head coaches – Couy Weil and myself. If everyone on the team fully buys in, we will be in a very good place to compete for the top spot.” Given the team’s leadership, the coach has reason to feel good about their chances. “Keera, Kendra and Hailey are all three show-out leaders on this team,” Gfeller said. “They lead by example and set the tone in practice and at meets. They are always on the attack, looking to push the pace of the match and score points. They are amazing student-athletes.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
SABETHA BLUEJAYS By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer Sabetha finished in third place at 3-2-1A state last season, just a half point behind Norton for the team runner-up trophy with 100.5 points to 101 for NHS, but for head coach Ricky Creek’s Bluejays, seven state qualifiers return, including state runner-up Colin Menold at 144 and state champion Joshua Grimm at 285, giving Sabetha a chance to contend again. “The Sabetha wrestling room is a unique place, as the leadership does not fall on any one or group of wrestlers,” Creek said. “Colin and Josh represent what we are aiming to produce at Sabetha – solid students, athletes and people. Both Josh and Colin hold 4.0 GPAs, have fantastic work ethics, and are men of high character. We preach that how you do anything is how you do everything, and they live that every day.” With that approach to building character, both seniors have an ability to flip a negative into a positive. “These two, along with most of our team, don’t look for validation, for their abilities, in their win-loss record, but rather the process of learning,” Creek said. “Both of these guys hate losing, but understand that the losses they take result in increased future success, as they work to close the gap between them and the best in the state.” Menold is coming off of a 43-4 record and third trip to the state tournament a season ago where he was state runner-up at 138 after losing a tough 4-2 championship match to Hoxie’s Dayton Bell. His approach and prep leaves little room for lack of focus. “I prepare the same for each match no matter who I am
wrestling,” Menold said. “I want to bring my match to them and make them change, not me. I wrestle every match like I’m going to wrestle a state champion so that way, when I am, nothing changes.” The senior is poised for another successful season, but plans to make sure he passes what he knows on to others “My goals for this season are to be a state champ and to take our team out as high as we can,” Menold said. “I think this year we will have a very successful team at tournaments and duals. We have a solid team from 106 all the way to heavyweight that can compete. (We have) a lot of upperclassmen that will lead our team and give us the best shot.” At that heavyweight spot resides two-time state qualifier Joshua Grimm. “I am mostly looking forward to the time I get to spend with teammates and coaches, and getting one last chance to make this season as memorable as it can be,” Grimm said. Grimm finished 38-8 after the state title match last season, and returns this year confident in himself and the group around him. “I feel like our team has a great chance of success this season,” Grimm said. “We lost some big pieces of our lineup, but we return more guys with state experience and have very promising underclassmen that will likely contribute to the team.” Last spring saw the graduation of state-qualifiers Jonathan Renyer and Josh Herrman, losses that would be felt by any team, but the Blue Jays are still rich in talent. Other state qualifiers back include seniors Zach Kibbe (132, 18-16), Cullen Wikle (138, 34-12, 3x qualifier), Cole Hinton (150, 24-6, 2x qualifier), Dalton Rokey (195, 19-12, 2x qualifier), Brayden Meredith (150, 18-14), and junior Caleb Renyer (126, 30-15, 2x qualifier) Looking to crack into the varsity lineup are freshmen Jackson Jacobs (108), Lincoln Menold (113), and Isaac Wikle (120), sophomore transfer Kayl Murray (138), and sophomore Brendon Bestick (190), who wrestled on JV last season. Senior Aiden Lang (165) is also joining the team after not wrestling last season, while junior Tabor Bachelor, sophomore Josh Enneking, and freshman Curtis Fitzgerald - all previous wrestlers with no high
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(L-R): Joshua Grimm and Colin Menold (Photo: Heather Kindall, heatherkindallphotography.com)
school experience - compete for the 157 lbs. spot. Creek pointed out that, due to the football team’s deep playoff run, the classes could be subject to change. “I currently only have five guys in the room, as football is still going on,” Creek said as of November 15th, “As coaches, we have agreed that there is no discussion of other sports during another sports season. So, I have not asked my guys where they are planning to wrestle, as I want them to be fully focused on football for now.” With Sabetha’s rich culture, Creek plans to expand on the success experienced by the talented group of athletes during football season. “The team will continue to build momentum (of) a successful football season,” Creek said. “While we lost some firepower from last year, the guys behind them are ready and capable of filling those shoes. Our freshman class, while small, brings in a wealth of ability that will be felt immediately, as well as some past wrestlers that are returning to the sport after missing last season. After a heartbreaking end to the state tournament, that half of a point has been a humbling reminder that reaching the top is no easy task. The key for us, to improve off of last year’s results, is to remain consistent. Consistent with diet, practices, sleep patterns, and life outside of wrestling. Our system has produced quality results, which will continue as we reload with new, young, guys.” Keegan McCullick is in his third year as the staff writer for the Kansas Pregame covering high school and college sports across the state of Kansas.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 Ellsworth Bearcats / from page 19 in the tough North Central Activities Association. Southeast of Saline won the rebounds, and 3.5 assists a game last year. Coach Rolfs also credits Lane, his son, for league and lost just two games en route doing the small things and being one of the to a third-place finish in at 3A state. The Trojans lost most of their scoring to graduateam’s best outside threats. “His ability to see the court helps facilitate tion but are consistent winners under coach Bryson Flax. Beloit also finished ahead of good team chemistry.” the Bearcats and returns most of its roster Sophomore Cooper McGowan is another from a year ago. 6-3 player that saw experience as a Rolfs understands this year’s roster has freshman, averaging 2.0 points and 3.3 the opportunity to do special things. They rebounds a game. “We won’t have a large number of players key will be starting where last year finished. “It’s taking the next step after last year’s out this year, but the kids I had last year, maturation,” he said. “We have a lot of taland the ones coming back this year, have ent returning. Getting better every day and been a blessing to coach,” coach Rolfs never being content are the most important said. “They are upstanding student-athkeys. Staying healthy and peaking at the letes that care about each other and their end of the season will also be vital.” community and make a difference.” The Bearcats finished 6-4 for third place Little River Redskins / from page 23 There is expected to be an adjustment with the returning players and Rolfs, who has experience coaching high school at Natoma and collegiately at McPherson College. Coaching, however, runs in the family. His sister-in-law is Kim Rolfs, the Little River volleyball coach. Trevor Rolfs, Cy’s brother, has coached collegiately at Barton and also at Pratt Community College, where he took the Pratt men to a Region 6 championship in 2005. Cy Rolfs said he knows the expectations are justifiably high for his team. There are teams in Class 6A that would beg for the
talent Little River has, and what team in any classification wouldn’t want all five starters back from a 19-win team? But, as Little River learned last year, nothing can be taken for granted. “One thing I always stress is to get a little better each day,” Rolfs said. “There’s so much to learn from the game. The summer gave me a chance to see where we’re at, and there were definitely some things to work on, and there are shifting gears from other sports. There’s a lot to work on each and every day. Then, you try to put it all together at the right time.”
Bennington Bulldogs / from page 17 to now, I think it would be a pretty special ending to my high school basketball career to win a ring.” Rounding out the trio is guard, and coach’s son, Talan Pickering, a 5-8 senior who averaged 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals a game last season. The younger Pickering fits the bill of a coach’s son perfectly. Playing point for the Bulldogs, Talan serves as an extension of the coaching staff on the floor. “My role this year will be similar to last,” Talan said. “I will be the main ball-handler and continue to have vision for my teammates on the court. I will also be looking for more opportunities to score now that I’m bigger and stronger.” For the elder Pickering, there is some bittersweetness to this season. “It has been a dream come true to not only coach my son, but to coach a player that is as passionate about the game of basketball as I am,” Pickering said. “Talan’s mental and physical toughness has helped him through the challenge of being undersized his whole life. He is extremely unselfish and will always put the team’s success over his individual success, which makes me proud as his coach and his dad. From a five year old
Page 45 playing ball at the YMCA to a senior leader of my team, our relationship and bond has grown through our love of the game on and off the court. As we head into our final season together it is hard knowing that this is our last season sharing the court, but I look forward to watching him play at the collegiate level next year as a dad in the stands.” The Bulldogs also bring back juniors Kian Wilson (6.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1 spg) and Payge Rodenbeek (4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.7 apg) from last season’s starting lineup. With the graduation of key rotation players Dalton McDowell and Sean Garrett, seniors Cooper Matthews (1 rpg), juniors Brayden Palenske (1.5 ppg) and Thayne Trout (.9 ppg), and sophomore Isaiah Garrett (1 ppg) are all likely to see increased varsity roles. “I’m very excited about our depth,” Pickering said. “We have quite a few guys that I’m comfortable with playing.” With their senior trio hungry and leading the way, the Bulldogs are on the hunt for what would be their first state title in program history. “Our focus this year is to get back to the state tournament and see if we can win a championship,” Talan said. “This is going to require us to focus on sharing the ball, playing as a team, and improving our defense.”
Brotherly Love / from page 37 in pole vault at the 3A state track meet and were honored on the awards stand together. Just as he had from the time they were youngsters, Brandon set the bar high at the collegiate level, too. A two-time wrestling AllAmerican in the 141-pound class, Brandon won his first 27 matches last season before finishing fourth at nationals. FHSU coach Chas Thompson said he will miss Brandon next year but will never forget the time he got to coach the three brothers simultaneously. “They are all great wrestlers, but better yet, they are well-rounded human beings,” he said. “They have a great work ethic and try hard in everything, whether it be in school or wrestling or working. They are a lot alike in those ways, but each of them is different, too.” Update Brandon Ball, who takes over the Maize High School wrestling program as head coach this season, wrapped up his career at Fort Hays State with an 85.5 percent winning
percentage, the best in school history. Ball finished with a 130-22 record, 44-3 over his final two seasons. He was a four-time national qualifier and placed fourth in 2019 while earning three All-America honors. Joshua Ball continued the family legacy of wrestling success with an unbeaten 182-pound state championship season as a senior in 2021. He was also a key part of the Cardinals’ state runner-up season in football in 2020. Now, the youngest Ball brother, Josiah, will try to continue the tradition of state championship success as outlined in the article on page 37. After more than a decade as head wrestling coach at Fort Hays State University, Chas Thompson returned to his hometown in 2020 to coach at Labette County High School. *This article, and the accompanying photo, originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2019 issue of “Roar,” the Fort Hays State University Magazine, and are reproduced with permission from Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Kelsey Stremel and FHSU.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 Wichita Hoops / from page 27 Thomas is a key complement to Burton for the Colts. “Kaason is one of the most electric athletes I have coached,” Kliewer said. “One of the fastest players with the ball in his hands we have coached. Also adds a 39-and-a-
Andrell Burton Jr. (Photo: Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com)
half inch vertical as well. This summer he worked hard on improving his outside shot and being able to distribute at a high rate as well as score.” Thomas and Burton have played a lot of basketball together in their lifetime, but Burton knows that if they want to get to Wichita State in March for the 6A tournament, they have to bring everyone to their level. “This year I feel my role will be to make my team better in any way possible, whether it’s defense, passing, scoring, taking charges or getting blocks,” Burton said. “Anything to get us the win.” The Colts open the season with another Wichita-area power, defending 5A champion Andover Trojans, but it’s a team that will look significantly different this year after graduating an outstanding senior group in May led by 6-8 guard/ forward Chris Harris (Emporia State basketball), 6-6 guard Eli Shetlar (Indiana State basketball) and 6-3 forward and defensive stopper BJ Redic (Missouri Southern football). Campus is likely to get significant resistance in the AVCTL-I, especially from Wichita-area teams Derby, Maize and Maize South. Derby is coming off a third-place finish at 6A state after winning a 67-66 OT thriller in the consolation game. The Panthers finished the season 18-7 overall with an 8-4 mark in the AVCTL-I. The loss of All-State selection Kaeson Fisher-Brown leaves head coach Brett Flory a production
void, but four returning starters, including seniors Dallas Metzger (6-3, 14 ppg, 4 rpg, All-League), Kaden Franklin (66, 11 ppg, 7 rpg), and Mason Anderson (6-0, 6 ppg, 3 rpg), and junior All-League selection Jack Ulwelling (5-10, 7 ppg, 43%/3), give Derby a formidable group looking to return to Koch Arena. Maize ended last season with a 10-11 mark with a young group and missed the state tournament after winning a championship in 2021 and finishing fourth in 2022. Juniors Alan Hanna (8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.6 bpg), Alec Grill (7.2 ppg, 2.4 apg), and Braydon Myovela (12.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 spg) are all back in the starting lineup for Chris Grill as he enters his 23rd year as head coach. Maize South punched their ticket to the Class 5A state tournament after beating Andover Central 53-49 in the sub-state championship game last season, before being narrowly defeated by eventual state champs Andover in the first round at White Auditorium in Emporia. The loss of twotime All-State selection Isaiah Atwater (Missouri Southern State University) is a blow, but All-State seniors Michael Kates (5-11, 12.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1 spg) and Tory Homan (6-7, 11.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.4 bpg, Fort Hays commit) return to the starting lineup along with fellow senior Jeron Askren (6-4, 6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2 apg, HM All-AVCTL-I), giving head coach Joe Jackson a battle-tested core to go with the addition of All-AVCTL second team Valley Center transfer Sam Kemp. Seniors Darius Felton, Sammy Dresie and Brady Rapp, all standouts on the football field along with Askren, gives Jackson one of the tallest and most explosive groups in the AVCTL. Jackson also points to 6-7 sophomore Cy Stucky – younger brother to Tennessee volleyball signee Camdyn Stucky – as another young Maverick player to watch this winter. On the girls side, the Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles headline the GWAL with significant experience back from a Class 5A runner-up team that was dominant every game until the championship. With a great upperclass again the topic, the Eagles bring back all-state honorable mention senior Brynn Steven, and all-state honorable mention junior Leah Henke. “Last season we ended up in the state finals, the goal is to get back there and to win,” Bishop Carroll coach Taylor Dugan said. “We will need to fill big shoes from our lone senior last year, young kids will need to help more on offense and provide maturity at the point guard position. We also need post play to be a bigger factor this season.” The Heights Falcons will look to be contenders in Class 6A. Returning all five all-league starters and bringing in one of the most talked about freshmen in Destiny Maze, Heights is poised to be a favorite to get Pulliam another ring to put in his trophy case. Heights also welcomes in Samiyah Ellis, who earned All-State recognition for her play at Wichita Independent last season. Wichita East will be looking to make a state berth this season after defeating Heights in the opening round of sub-state 39-34 before losing to Derby in the sub-state championship to finish the season 11-11. The Blue Aces return senior Nyah Chandler (21.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg), a walking double-double, and her sister and point guard, junior Rylan Chandler (7.1 ppg). Father Ryan Chandler rounds out the family affair at East entering his second season as the Blue Ace head coach. The elder Chandler sister says the squad is more experienced and battle-tested entering this season with Heylei Davis (6.3
Page 47 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and Amiyah Hamilton (4.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg) joining them as returners to the starting lineup. “Our basketball IQ as a team should be way better than last season, win or lose we took every game as a lesson and learned from it,” Rylan said. Nyah pointed to “team defense and conditioning” as key to taking the next step this season and is excited to play one more season with her sister and for her father. “Our chemistry will be better due to us playing together,” Nyah said. Wichita South returns a big bulk of its scoring with seniors Zion Butler (17.4 ppg) and Ramya Kennedy (14.3 ppg), along with junior Mahogany Butler (12 ppg). “To be successful as a team, we must have the ‘we, not me’ attitude,” coach Thsombe Phillips said. “What I mean by that is, we must play together as a unit.” Wichita Southeast also comes back with a lot of promise after coach Donald Dixon led his girls to a Class 6A appearance a season ago. The Buffs graduated just one senior off last season’s squad and will be led by all-state seniors JaKhia Jones and
Ma’Khiya Jones (Photo: Scott Paske, KSHSAA Covered)
Ma’Khiya Jones. The AVCTL will again produce a number of girls’ contenders in the Wichita area this season led by Andover and their pair of future Division I players in Brooke Walker and Alana Shetlar. Derby bids farewell to Iowa State signee Addy Brown – who is already giving significant minutes to the Cyclones as a true-freshman – but new head coach Bryan Chadwick welcomes back significant experience from the third-place team in 6A a season ago. Maize South is coming off a 16-6 season with an 8-4 record in league play leaving them in third. Four experienced players return in seniors Ava Howie (5-10, 7.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, All-League), Sophie Hurley (5-7, 7.5 ppg, All-League), and Bella Peters (5-4), and sophomore Kaylee Brunton (5-11). Other notables returning according to head coach Ben Hamilton are juniors Skylar Seals (5-5) and Lizzy Lassley (5-5), but the graduation of Fort Hays signee Avery Lowe leaves a hole in the paint. The addition of sisters Ashley and Ali Singhateh from Eureka gives Hamilton a couple of nice additions after the girls moved in during the summer. Ashley, a senior, is one of the top all-around athletes in Kansas. Freshman Addie Davee could get some varsity minutes this season as well, thanks in large part to her 6-3 height.
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Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division I........ 51 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division II....... 52 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division III...... 52 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division IV...... 53 Big 7 League........................................................ 54 Centennial League............................................... 55 Central Kansas League........................................ 56 Central Plains League.......................................... 57 Central Prairie League.......................................... 58 Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League.................... 60 Eastern Kansas League....................................... 61 Flint Hills League.................................................. 61 Frontier League.................................................... 62 Great West Activities Conference......................... 63 Greater Wichita Athletic League........................... 64 Heart of America League...................................... 65 Heart of the Plains League................................... 66 Hi-Plains League.... 67; Kaw Valley Conference..67 Lyon County League............................................ 68 Meadowlark Conference....................................... 68 Mid-Continent League.......................................... 69 Mid-East League.................................................. 70
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North Central Activities Association...................... 71 North Central Kansas League.............................. 73 Northeast Kansas League.................................... 75 Northern Plains League........................................ 76 Northwest Kansas League................................... 79 Pioneer League.... 80; Santa Fe Trail League...... 80 Southeast Kansas League................................... 81 South Central Border League............................... 82 Southern Plains-Iroquois Activities Association.... 83 Sunflower League................................................. 84 Three Rivers League............................................ 84 Tri-Valley League.................................................. 86 Twin Valley League............................................... 86 United Kansas Conference................................... 88 Western Athletic Conference................................ 89 Western Kansas Liberty League.......................... 90 Wheat State League............................................. 90 6A Boys Wrestling................................................ 92 5A Boys Wrestling................................................ 93 4A Boys Wrestling................................................ 94 3-2-1A Boys Wrestling.......................................... 95 DI Girls Wrestling.... 96; DII Girls Wrestling.......... 97
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION I
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The CAMPUS Colts ended up 7-14 with a fifth place finish in the AVCTL-I regular season standings in February and welcome a new head coach in former assistant Zac Kliewer. The new head coach welcomes back five guys with starting experience in All-State seniors Andrell Burton Jr. (6-6, 21.5 ppg, 10.1 rpb, 3.2 apg, 2.1 bpg, 2.5 spg) and Kaason Thomas (5-11, 16.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.9 spg), along with classmates Drake McPherson (6-4, 5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Jacob Webber (5-10, 4.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.1 apg), and junior Landon Brown (6-3, 4.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg). Kliewer has pointed goals for the season: “Be competitive in every game, host a playoff game, be in the state tournament.” DERBY is coming off a third place finish at 6A state after winning a 67-66 OT thriller in the consolation game. The Panthers finished the season 18-7 overall with an 8-4 mark in the AVCTL-I. The loss of All-State selection Kaeson Fisher-Brown leaves head coach Brett Flory a production void, but four returning starters, including seniors Dallas Metzger (6-3, 14 ppg, 4 rpg, All-League), Kaden Franklin (66, 11 ppg, 7 rpg), and Mason Anderson (6-0, 6 ppg, 3 rpg), and junior All-League selection Jack Ulwelling (5-10, 7 ppg, 43%/3), give Derby a formidable group looking to return to Koch Arena. “We have high expectations for ourselves after a great summer of preparation,” Flory said. “Our team got better and better during the month of June at the Greater Wichita Metro Summer League. We are hoping our hard work this summer carries over. We expect to once again have good senior leadership paired with some solid underclassmen stepping up to varsity roles.” HUTCHINSON was among the best in the state last season, finishing third in 5A and first in the AVCTL-I with a 22-3 overall mark. The Salthawks now have a major challenge in replacing a deep class of 2023. Junior Terrell King (5-10, 10.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.1 spg) does provide some continuity for head coach Bryan Miller. “Continue to uphold the culture and the standard of competing every day and getting better,” Miller said of his team’s keys this season. “Approach the season with enthusiasm and thankfulness. Win the league and get back to the state tournament with a chance to play for a championship.” MAIZE ended with a 10-11 mark with a young group last season and missed the state tournament after winning a championship in 2021 and finishing fourth in 2022. Juniors Alan Hanna (8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.6 bpg), Alec Grill (7.2 ppg, 2.4 apg), and Braydon Myovela (12.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 spg) are all back in the starting lineup for Chris Grill as he enters his 23rd year as head coach. “(We) return some experience, but we will still be mostly underclassmen,” Grill said. MAIZE SOUTH punched their ticket to the state tournament after beating Andover Central 53-49 in the sub-state championship game last season, before being narrowly defeated by eventual state champs Andover in the first round at White Auditorium in Emporia. The loss of two-time All-State selection Isaiah Atwater (Missouri Southern State University) is
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a blow, but All-State seniors Michael Kates (5-11, 12.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1 spg) and Tory Homan (6-7, 11.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.4 bpg, Fort Hays commit) return to the starting lineup along with fellow senior Jeron Askren (6-4, 6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2 apg, HM AllAVCTL-I), giving head coach Joe Jackson a battle-tested core to go with the addition of All-AVCTL second team Valley Center transfer Sam Kemp. Seniors Darius Felton, Sammy Dresie, and Brady Rapp, all standouts on the football field along with Askren, gives Jackson one of the tallest and most explosive groups in the AVCTL. Jackson also points to 6-7 sophomore Cy Stucky – younger brother to Tennessee volleyball signee Camdyn Stucky – as another young Maverick player to watch this winter. “We will have great size this year and will look to use our length to our advantage on both ends of the court,” Jackson said. “Defensively we will look to be disruptive and force a lot of tough shots. Offensively, we will play inside-out and hunt great shots.” NEWTON finished 2-18 in former Wichita State Shocker Demetric Williams’ first year as head coach with both wins coming against Salina South. The graduation of All-League selection Camden Carr leaves a hole in the lineup but the return of sophomore Cole Dillon and junior Cam Schmidt gives the Railers a duo to build around. A young SALINA SOUTH team managed just a 1-19 record last season, but the Cougars are optimistic heading into this winter. Seniors Quevon Purucker (6-1, 13 ppg), Layson Safdak (5-11, 11 ppg), Brady Howard (5-10, 4 ppg), and junior Jace Humphrey (6-4, 13.5 ppg) are all back from the starting lineup, while junior Lawson Rassette (6-0, 1 ppg) and sophomore Jaxon Myers (5-0, 1 ppg) are back off the varsity bench as well. “This team returns almost everything from a year ago and will look to add a little size from some younger players,” coach Jason Hooper said. “We will look to be more physical than last year and lean on the experience gained through a tough season a year ago. This group has great chemistry and will look to be a hard nosed group on both ends of the floor.” GIRLS: Koch Arena regular DERBY took third in 6A in March after handling Blue Valley in the consolation game 43-30 to close out the season 22-3 overall, and a perfect 13-0 in league play. The Panthers say goodbye to Iowa State commit Addy Brown, as well as head coach Dan Harrison, who was undefeated in the AVCTL, and took home second and third place state tourney trophies during his two years in charge. New head coach Bryan Chadwick takes over with three decades of coaching experience, including a four-year stint as boys head coach at Wichita Northwest (23-63). Outside of Brown, Chadwick gets back all primary contributors from a season ago, including seniors Destiny Smith (11.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.8 spg), Jaden Wilson (6.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.6 pg, 1.8 spg), Kyler Demel (3.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Madison Smith (3.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.2 spg), Avery Kelley (2 ppg, 1.9 rpg), juniors Kallie Rickords (3 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg, 1.1 spg), Carsen Carpenter (2.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg), Maliyah Lansang (1.5 ppg, 1 rpg), and sophomore Karlie Demel (2.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg). CAMPUS went 0-20 in head coach Ron Allan’s first year with the team. For year two, he gets back two starters in senior Abigail Ariza (1 ppg, 1 rpg) and Brooke Pfieffer (1.9 ppg, 1 rpg). Allan pointed out “Incorporating new players into program from freshman and JV teams” as his team’s key to success. HUTCHINSON is another AVCTL-I team getting a new coach after the departure of Conor Reilly following back-to-back 16win seasons and runnerup league finishes to end his four-year tenure. First year head coach Kalen Hilst gets back one starter from a 2022-23 team that
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Maize South’s Tory Homan & Maize High’s Alan Hanna finished 16-6 after the sub-state championship loss to Andover Central in junior Grace Posch (5-8, 11 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 spg, 2 apg), but otherwise will have plenty of roster building to do. “A lot of new pieces coming in,” Hilst said. “How quickly they adapt to the varsity game and a new head coach and new philosophy will dictate success.” MAIZE ended up 3-17 after losing the final game of their season to Derby. All-League selection Maggie Salsbury was lost to graduation, but All-League senior Brynley Smith (an Emporia State softball commit) and junior Adley Pierce will lead the way for a team that could be improved this season thanks to an influx of height from a couple underclassmen. MAIZE SOUTH is coming off a 16-6 season with an 8-4 record in league play leaving them in third. Four experienced players return in seniors Ava Howie (5-10, 7.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, All-League), Sophie Hurley (5-7, 7.5 ppg, All-League), and Bella Peters (5-4), and sophomore Kaylee Brunton (5-11). Other notables returning according to head coach Ben Hamilton are juniors Skylar Seals (55) and Lizzy Lassley (5-5), but the graduation of Fort Hays signee Avery Lowe leaves a hole in the paint. The addition of sisters Ashley and Ali Singhateh from Eureka gives Hamilton a couple of nice additions after the girls moved in during the summer. Ashley, a senior, is one of the top all-around athletes in Kansas. Freshman Addie Davee could get some varsity minutes this season as well, thanks in large part to her 6 foot, 3 inch height. “Our team will return a good amount of varsity experience in addition to a strong mix of athleticism and team depth,” Hamilton said. “Keys to success for our team this year will be winning the rebounding battle every night, out-executing teams at both ends, and limiting turnovers. Our goals for the year are to compete for an AVCTL league title and to be playing our best basketball in late February and early March for a 5A state tournament run.” First year head coach Billy Bledsoe takes over a NEWTON squad that finished 7-14 and now has to replace graduated All-League selections Olivia Antonowich and Camryn Entz. SALINA SOUTH took a first round sub-state tournament exit with a 49-30 loss to Maize South. The Cougars finished 8-13 overall and welcome back a young core in All-League sophomore Paityn Fritz (7.2 ppg, 7 rpg) and junior Tamia Cheeks (4.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Junior Macy Yost and sophomores Brooklyn Jordan, Elle Barth, Sophie Daily, and Brylee Moss will be looked to for varsity minutes. “Coming off of a disappointing 8-13 campaign, our team this year will rely on our underclassmen to step up and be ready to play significant varsity minutes early,” head coach Justin Ebert said. “Our senior leadership will come from Mercedes Tarver (5-9), who saw some limited action last year off the bench. Returning for her sophomore year is second team All-AVCTL selection Paityn Fritz who played significantly last year in the post. Also returning is Tamia Cheeks, who is a premier perimeter defender and has improved offensively tremendously this summer.”
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION II
this winter, but five experienced juniors will look to pick up the slack, including Colby Newton (5-11, 6.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg), Austin Saner (5-9, 7.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.1 apg), Bryson Saner (6-2, 3.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg), Corben Burgess (6-5, 3.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1 bpg) and Doc Needham (5-8, 2 ppg, 1.1 apg). GIRLS: ANDOVER CENTRAL ended the season 16-7 after losing to Bishop Carroll in the first round of the state tournament, the same Carroll team they’d beaten in late January. Head coach Stana Jefferson also led her team to a second place finish in league play. Back from that team are All-League seniors Hayden Snodgrass (14 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and Haven Deckinger (5.3 ppg), classmates Avery Mason (1.7 ppg) and Brynn Taylor (.6 ppg), and All-League junior Taylin Tabor (6.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2 apg). “(We) have a group of seniors that have been a part of an incredible consecutive state run for the Jag program,” Jefferson said. “They understand the hard work and dedication it takes to continue the success, and I have high hopes that they will fill the shoes and continue the run.” In her first season as the head coach at ANDOVER, Hannah Alexander led her team to a championship at the Salina Central Tournament, the AVCTL-II championship, and sub-state championship, but came up just a bit short in the state tournament with a fourth place finish, giving the Trojans a 21-4 mark. The strong start to Alexander’s tenure in year one is bolstered by an abundance off talent back for year two, including All-State seniors Brooke Walker (5-8, 17.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4 spg, Utah commit) and Alana Shetlar (6-3, 8.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 spg, 1 bpg, Oral Roberts commit), juniors Brodie Christiansen (5-9, 7.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 spg, 1 bpg), Katie Evans (5-0, 7.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.4 apg) and Amelya Vance (5-1, 4.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.3), and sophomore Regan Dusenbury (5-10, 4.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.5 apg). ‘The key to success for us this year will be having senior leadership and depth,” Alexander said. “We want to push the tempo this year and
use the full length of the floor to execute. We have a very athletic and dynamic group that will need to play hard every time they step out on the floor.” ARKANSAS CITY went 4-16 last season, but has back some key pieces in juniors Saliyah Henderson-Johnson (8.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2 apg, 1 bpg, 2.2 spg), Savanah Phillips (8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1 spg), and Kierslynn Waggoner (6 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Head coach Tyler Henderson also mentioned freshman Maliyah Bell as a player to watch. “We have a great group of girls, they’re talented, coachable and fun to be around,” Henderson said. “We made good improvements last season. We were competitive most of the season and that’s something we haven’t done in quite some time. The plan is to continue to improve on both sides of the floor and learn how to finish games.” EISENHOWER finished 14-7 after a first round sub-state loss to Salina Central ended their season. All-State senior Carly Dameron (6-2, 13.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 bpg) returns as one of the top players in the league, along with fellow seniors Sydney Crees (4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and Catherine Eddy (3.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg). First year head coach Erin Johnston takes over at GODDARD after they finished 5-16 overall with a 2-10 mark in league play leaving them in sixth place a season ago. Back from that team are AllLeague senior Lauryn Gordon (5-11, 9.7 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 spg), All-League junior Marayah Coleman (6-3, 10.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3 apg, 2.1 spg, 2.2 bpg), and All-League sophomore Sariah Potter (3.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg). “We will be a quick and young team with hard workers that have great chemistry with one another,” Johnston said. “For us to be successful, it is imperative that we run hard all night, play great team defense, and use basic fundamentals to limit the mistakes we make as a whole.” SALINA CENTRAL finished 11-11 with a 5-7 mark after graduting a load of talent from a 5A state runner-up team in 2022. Seniors Callan Hall (5-4, 6.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.6 spg), Tyler Vidricksen (5-7, 10.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.6 spg), Elle Denning (5-10, 6.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1 apg, 1.6 spg), and Azbey Peckham (5-7, 8.6 ppg, 4 continued on page 62
ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION III
runner-up finishes, three third place finishes, and 20 state tourney appearances in his 28 prior seasons as Bullpup head coach. An experienced squad will look to produce Kinnamon’s seventh title after third and second place finishes the last two season. Four starters return from last season with hopes of adding to the aforementioned hardware, including seniors Cory Muehler (6-0, 11.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.3 spg), Owen Pyle (6-1, 8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2 apg, 1.3 spg), Kyden Thompson (6-1, 12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.3 spg), and junior Gabe Pyle (6-5, 8.7 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 2.2 spg), but the departure of league DPOY Kreighton Kanitz does leave a hole after the standout followed his dad, Dustan, a former Kinnamon assistant, to Moundridge, where the elder Kanitz will take over the Wildcat basketball program following the retirment of Vance Unrau. Other Bullpup letterwinners back include senior Gavin Wedel (6-3, 1.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg), junior Hayden Hoxie (6-3, 2.3 ppg), junior Ian Razak (6-3), and sophomore Jett Pyle (6-0). MULVANE ended last season 7-14 after getting knocked out in the first round of sub-state against
Pratt, 56-40, but new Wildcat head coach Keene Hargrove gets back five players with starting experience in seniors Kaiden Abasolo (6-2, AllLeague), Aiden McKee (6-0), Shannon Fuller (5-5) and Gavin Wayman (6-0), and sophomore Manny Myers (5-10). “Our goal is to be the hardest working team on the court and compete against every team we play,” Hargrove said. WINFIELD struggled finding their footing in a tough AVCTL field last year, going 0-10 in league play and 3-18 overall. Senior Trevor Shelton (62, 3.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), junior Drew Graham (6-2, 2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), and sophomore Even Hutto (5-10, 6.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg) return from that starting lineup. Head coach Rob Fields - entering his 34th year coaching overall - pointed out “playing together” and “rebounding” as team keys to success. GIRLS: Wins were hard to come by for AUGUSTA as a sub-state loss to Andale left the Orioles 6-15 and just 1-9 in the AVCTL-III. Head coach Rainey Malloy returns just one starter, senior Emily Brundege (4 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 spg). “Expectations for this year are to be competitive in every game and be a team that causes chaos on the defensive end,” Malloy said.
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The ANDOVER CENTRAL Jaguars finished tied with crosstown rival Andover High for first in the AVCTL-II last season with an 11-1 league record, to go with a sub-state runner-up finish and 17-5 overall mark. Four members with starting experience return from that team in senior Cole Newfarmer (6-3, 4.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.1 apg), All-League junior Jayden Brown (5-9, 8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.2 apg), and fellow juniors Brody DeGarmo (5-10, 3.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.1 apg), and Jace Adler (6-3, 1.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg). Juniors Jace Jefferson, Brandt Stupka, and Jordan Neal are all expected to see varsity time as well, according to head coach Tyler Richardson. “Continue to make defense an obsession (and) compete to win every day in practice and in games,” Richardson said of team keys with a goal to “advance in the postseason.” ANDOVER nabbed the first state title in school history last season after beating Kapaun in the 5A championship, 54-46, to finish 23-2. After losing their only two games of the year against McPherson and Andover Central in the first half of December the Trojans didn’t allow a team within double digits the rest of the regular season. Now, 2023 5A Coach of the Year Martin Shetlar has the tall task of replacing three All-State selections in Eli Shetlar, BJ Redic, and Chris Harris. But, senior Blake Rucker (6-2, 10.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and junior Josh Kim (6-3, 7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.6 spg) provide a strong foundation after playing key roles in last year’s success. “We have a lot of players taking on new roles this season,” Shetlar said. “Our main goal is to improve every week and peak at the end of the season. Last year’s seniors have been leaders for us for the past two or three seasons. Guys that have been role players in the past will need to step up and lead us this year.” ARKANSAS CITY finished fourth in the league at 6-6 and held an overall record of 10-11. Eighth year head coach CJ Jennings returns two starters from that group with senior Aidan Brantley (5-10,
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The AUGUSTA Orioles were eliminated in the first round of sub-state after an overtime heartbreaker against Clay Center and finished the season 13-8. Top players back for the Orioles include seniors Gavin Kiser (6-4, 9.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg), Logan Ruddle (6-2, 7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 apg), Isaiah Blackwell (6-0, 3.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg), Caleb Martin (6-2, 3.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Logan Pfeifer (1.2 ppg), junior LJ Riggs (2.8 ppg), and sophomore Brody Haskell (6-0, 3.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.2 spg). Sophomores Brecken Albert and Cade Camac are others head coach Ryan Petty believes could potentially see minutes. “We return seven players who have a lot of varsity experience,” Petty said. “Five of those seven players are seniors in a very good senior class. Four of those players started almost every game for us last year. We will look to continue to have success with the main core that won 13 games last year and our mid-season tournament. We really challenged ourselves this summer playing in the Maize South league where we saw all 5A and 6A opponents. We feel like we can play
5 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) and junior Colin Frazier (6-4 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg). “We will be really young this season with the loss of our 2023 seniors Trevor Pierce and Cadon Clark,” Jennings said. “We will be looking to some of our young players to step up and become a spark on the offensive end of the floor. Just like most teams it’s hard to predict wins and losses but if we bring it everyday in practice I know we will be a team who will give some really strong opponents a big time challenge.” EISENHOWER finished 10-11 with a 6-6 mark in league play that left them in third place. Three starters are back for that team in seniors Larsen Schneider (6-7, 8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2 bpg), Chase George (5-10, 5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2 apg), and junior Pierce Blue (6-5, 9 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg). “Our goal is to get better in our half court defense and get back to hanging our hat on the defensive end,” veteran head coach Steve Blue said. “We will need to rebound better and defend the perimeter better to be successful.” In his first season as head coach, Blake Myers’ GODDARD squad finished 8-13 overall with a 4-8 record in league play that placed them fifth. A strong nucleus returns from that team in AllLeague seniors Jake Jasnoski (6-4, 12.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Nick Rogers (5-11, 12.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.6 spg), and fellow senior and two-year starter Logan Davis (5-8, 7.6 ppg, 2.7 apg, 2 spg). Head coach Billy Graf takes over a SALINA CENTRAL squad that finished 5-16 with a 4-12 league record last season. Graf has 10 years of head coaching experience and most recently had a nine-year stint with the Kapaun girls program. Two returning starters are back from last season’s squad in seniors Dez Gibson (6-3, 7.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Sam Payne (6-0, 2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg). VALLEY CENTER took a first round sub-state loss against eventual state runner-up Kapaun and ended their season 4-17. Graduating All-League selection Eli Lefto along with the transfer of AllLeague senior Sam Kemp (17.6 ppg, 3.5 apg) leaves the Hornets with some glaring holes to fill
and compete with anybody and will go into every game believing we can win if we play well.” BUHLER went 8-13 with a 5-5 record in league play last season in head coach David Bryant’s first year with the program. The lone returner for the Crusaders is senior all-around athlete Jeffrey Neill, a future Hutchinson Community College baseball player and the quarterback of the Crusader football team. “Be coachable, be a good teammate, grow as one, and play as a ‘we’ not ‘me’,” Bryant said of his team’s keys to success. CIRCLE finished 18-4 after facing an upset at the hands of Wellington in their sub-state championship matchup. The loss of All-State selection Trevor Cowman will be tough for the T-Birds to replace, but All-League seniors Connor Chadwell and Ethan Koehn were also among the top players in the league last season. McPHERSON added another great season to its argument as best basketball town in the state after going 21-4 with a state runner-up finish and AVCTL-III title to add to the trophy case. Veteran coach Kurt Kinnamon has six state titles, six
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first season with the team. In year two he returns three starters in seniors Jace Evans (11 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Cooper Nace (6 ppg, 6 rpg), and Trent Chickadonz (4 ppg, 3 apg). “A balanced inside-out approach to the game and valuing the ball while limiting turnovers (are keys this season),” Welch said. WELLINGTON is coming off a successful season that saw them make a trip to the state tournament and take second in the AVCTL-IV, going 15-8 overall with a 7-3 mark in league play. The Crusaders lost a large chunk of their production to graduation, but the return of juniors Carter Burnett (6-3, 8 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 spg) and Brody Weir (6-3, 3 ppg, 3 rpg) give head coach Joe Newman a strong foundation. “We have to find guys who can put the ball in the basket,” Newman said. “We graduated five seniors and they took nearly 75% of our scoring with them. This group is as physically and athletically gifted as I’ve had. We should be able to be solid on the defensive end and strong on the boards. We have a lot of work to do, but this group has all the pieces it needs to compete in our league.” Head coach Mitch Fiegel enters year 35 with WICHITA COLLEGIATE coming off a 21-4 season with a state tournament appearance. While the Spartans didn’t make it out of the first round, the loss of one senior from that team equates to what will be a dangerous, deep squad this season. Seniors James Shackelford (6-2, 4.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Brett Wetta (6-2, 3.7 ppg, 2 rpg), Robbie Rasberry (6-1, 3.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg), Asa Ahamad (6-0, 2.6 ppg, 2 apg, 1.8 rpg), junior David Chege (6-6, 2 ppg, 2 rpg), and sophomores AJ Batiste (6-1, 10 ppg, 3 rpg), Jaden Parker (6-2, 15.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2 apg), and Sebastian Hines-Turner (6-5, 13.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.2 apg) give Fiegel plenty of experience. Juniors Judah Cyrus (6-7), Carter Drumright (5-7), and Jack Grace (5-9) are others Fiegel praised and will have an opportunity to see more court time as Parker heals from a broken foot and won’t be available until later in the season. “Offensively I think we are going to be better in the half court than we have been for some time,” Fiegel said. “We have some guys who can knock the three
down, we can drive it, and we have guys who can post and score without help. In the full court we have the ability to be amazing. We have speed, speed, and more speed. We will be pressing baseline to baseline for 32 minutes and for the first time in a long time we will not be pressing with someone who has fewer than 90 days of in-season reps.” GIRLS: ANDALE took home a league title to go with a fourth place finish at 4A state a season ago, finishing 20-5 overall and 9-1 in league. Head coach Clint Robinson enters year two in charge with no starters back, but juniors Maddie Lies (5-6), Taya Orth (5-4), and sophomore Brooke Grimes (5-7) are back after seeing varsity time a year ago. “We graduated eight seniors, so new faces appear across the lineup,” Robinson said. “Continuing our defensive approach to the game will be key early in the season while the offense begins to gel. (It’s) a young group that will need to build chemistry and establish depth throughout the season.” CLEARWATER finished 13-8 with a 6-4 league mark in head coach Casey Carlson’s fifth year. All-state senior Elizabeth Tjaden (5-10, 16.4 ppg, 3.8 apg, 4.8 rpg, 2.7 spg) returns along with senior Allison Clevenger (4.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg), junior Kaylee Hampton (5-9, 4 3.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg), and sophomore Justine Berlin (6-1, 4 ppg, 3.8 rpg). “This might be the most complete team we have had in terms of having seven or eight players that can all compete at a high level,” Carlson said. “We have at least four players that can shoot the three really well and we have Elizabeth Tjaden who is just a match-up nightmare. She can get to the rim at will and knock down the three. She is so hard to guard and is about 60 points shy of 1,000 for her career. I look for sophomore Justine Berlin to have a break-out year. Senior Allison Clevenger has turned herself into a really good role player. Freshman McKenna Hampton can flat out shoot the three. She has the size and ability to see a lot of playing time. Her sister, Kaylee Hampton, was just coming on for us last season until she got injuredShe is back to playing at the level prior to her injury. EL DORADO had a 3-18 record on the season after their first round loss to eventual state runner-up
First year head coach John Darrow - son of current Minneapolis boys’ coach, and grandson of former Garden Plain girls’ coach, both also named John Darrow - is carrying on the family business after taking the head spot at BUHLER this offseason. Along with his coaching pedigree, Darrow’s last job was as an assistant at powerhouse Bishop Miege, who won their eighth state championship since 2014. Buhler is coming off an 8-13 mark and a four-win campaign but the Crusaders do have noteworthy experience back in juniors Gracie Oard (5-6, 5.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2 apg), Natalya Krafels (5-9, 7.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg), Charley Baxter (5-8, 5.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.6 apg), Claudia Taylor (5-6, 3.5 ppg, 1 apg), and senior Emmie Stallman (5-11, 6 ppg, 4 rpg). “Our key to success will be the commitment from our upperclassmen to be phenomenal role models of character and their craft for our underclassmen,” Darrow said. CIRCLE finished 15-7 and took second in the AVCTL-III with an 8-2 record. The Thunderbirds lose just one player to graduation, Katie Coble, but otherwise bring back seniors Kya Thornton (5-5, 12 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.9 spg), Kylie Dennison (5-9, 4.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Kira Sawyer (2.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg), juniors Londyn Soto (5-4, 5.7 ppg, 2.9
rpg, 2.2 spg), Emma Johnson (5-8, 5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Izzy Marley (5-10, 1.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg), and sophomores Katelyn Vogts (5-10, 2.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg) and Lauren Swilley (5-7, 1.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg). “Circle returns seven letterwinners from last year’s squad, but will lack much experience off the bench,” veteran coach Brian Henry said. “After graduating one productive senior, the T-Birds look to build upon the returners and compete in the always difficult AVCTL-III.” McPHERSON was the class 4A runner-up after losing the title to Bishop Miege, leaving the Bullpups at 22-3 on the year. Coach Chris Strathman also led the program to their 26th league title in the last 29 seasons at a perfect 10-0. Three starters that went on to play college basketball were lost to graduation last spring, but seniors Karter Alvord and Jayla McLeod provide building blocks for the always tough Bullpups. “We are returning several key players that were able to gain a lot of varsity experience last season,” Strathman said. “We do not have great size, but we do have a very good mix of experience and youth, along with overall athleticism at multiple spots. This group is very competitive and will find a way to be a very strong team by the end of the season. Karter Alvord, senior, has received the
most postseason honors of any of our players and has started since she was a sophomore. Our other seniors will be extremely key to our success, as McLeod and (Reanna) Eilrich will be our primary inside players. (Madi) Moors has played a lot of minutes at the guard spot in the last two years and has started several games for us.” MULVANE went 10-12 with a 5-5 mark in league play that left them third in their division. First year head coach Nicole Peschel gets two senior returning starters to work with in Teagan Garrison (5-7, 12 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2 apg, 1.2 spg) and Madison Shaw (5-7, 6.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg). “We are looking to continue the success that this core group has seen the past couple of seasons,” Peschel said. “We have a very experienced lineup of players that split a lot of starting time last season that will hopefully bring hard work, attention to detail and tenacity to the court. We must stick together as a team and family and bring our best effort every day to continue to improve and see positive results on the court.” WINFIELD finished 7-14 overall and fifth in league play last winter. The Vikings now have a tough task in replacing all but one starter from last year, but senior Aleah Moree (6-1, 12.5 ppg, 9.5, 1 bpg) is a great starting piece for any team.
Hines-Turner Twitter-X
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: After a second place finish in 4A two years ago, ANDALE took a step back last season, but still finished with a 13-9 overall mark to go with a 6-4 record in league good for third in AVCTL-IV. Just one starter returns from that team in senior Paxton Spexarth (6-1, 5 ppg, 2.3 rpg), but other contributors back include juniors Bo Kaiser (6-3, 4.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Austin Baalmann (1 ppg, 1 rpg), and senior Michael Braaten (6-4, 1.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg). “We enjoyed a great offseason where we saw tremendous improvement by many individuals on our team,” head coach Jeff Buchanan said. “I also believe their hard work and commitment to our ‘TEAM’ philosophy will produce even more improvement as we compete throughout the season. Even though we lost five seniors from last year’s team, we will have a good core of returning players who will provide leadership and stability throughout the season.” CLEARWATER was unable to eke out a win last season, finishing 0-20. All-League guard Jaeden Fisher (5-9) does give the Indians a dangerous senior scoring weapon going into this winter. EL DORADO went 3-17 with a 2-8 record in the AVCTL-IV, but have some exciting pieces back including All-State senior Logan Garner (6-0, 18.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.7 spg), classmates Trace Fowler (6-0, 4.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Dillon Scott (2.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Chase Lesh (6-3, 2.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg), and junior Tre Franklin (5-10, 4.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg). “After a season plagued with injuries we return a ton of experience,” coach Drew Culbertson said. “We will have some guys in new roles and we will look to play faster and more efficiently. Logan Garner should be one of the best players in 4A after earning All-League and All-State honors as a junior. Dillon Scott, Trace Fowler, and Chase Lesh emerged as glue guys last year and will look to have bigger roles this season. Tre Franklin will look for an expanded role this year after picking up some of the scoring load off the bench last season and providing intensity on the defensive end.” ROSE HILL posted an 11-10 record with a 6-4 mark in league play in head coach Greg Welch’s
Sebastian Hines-Turner
Wichita Collegiate, Sophomore
Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com
ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION IV
McPherson in sub-state. Returning lettermen back from that team include senior Keylee Faudere (59), junior Quinn Sundgren (5-5), and sophomores Isla Nesmith (5-4) and Addison Hull (5-10), but the loss of a big senior class leaves head coach Brett Gunderson with roles to fill as he looks to coach the program to its first winning season in over a decade. “The girls saw some big improvements last season as they had more wins than the previous four years combined,” Gunderson said. “They tied for the best league finish in 10 years, and they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three years. They did a great job of changing the culture. We did lose seven seniors last year who all played a huge role in the change and laying the foundation for the years to come.” ROSE HILL finished 2-19 last season and has a tough task in replacing All-State graduate Jessa Lee. All-League selection Cheyenne Martin was a top player for the Rockets last year as a junior. A young WELLINGTON team finished 21-2 last season after getting knocked out of the first round of state by Bishop Miege. Prior to that second and final loss of the season the Crusaders won a league championship and dominated their way through sub-state. Back from that squad are All-State juniors Britt Zeka (5-10, 14 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.2 apg) and Val Norwood (5-8, 13.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.6 apg), along with All-State sophomore Kylan Gregory (6-0, 10 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and her classmate Lyndi Barton (5-11, 3.2 ppg, 2 apg). “We have some girls that can score, so we need to keep bringing the intensity on the defensive side of the ball,” head coach Eric Adams said. “The girls had a great summer and hold one another accountable at playing to their maximum effort.” WICHITA COLLEGIATE finished 3-18 in head coach Dylan Heath’s second year with the program, but return six lettermen and a majority of the team’s varsity minutes. Senior Kalie Villagomez (5-5), juniors Lany Conrad (5-6), Julia Herrman (6-2), Langley Overman (5-9), Tatum Downing (5-5), and sophomores Maddie Ternes (5-5) and Khloie Villagomez (5-5) all return after logging significant varsity minutes. Freshman Claira Monahan (5-7) is another player Heath said could see varsity time. “Most of our girls have now played 40 games,” Heath said. “We hope to see the growing pains of the last few years pay off. We look to use our speed and length on defense to cause problems for teams this year.”
Britt Zeka
Wellington, Junior
BIG 7 LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: Wins were hard to come by for HIAWATHA who finished 4-17 last season after a first round sub-state loss to Marsysville ended their campaign. All-League junior Cameron Boswell was a top player for the Red Hawks. HOLTON returns no starters from a squad that finished 13-9 overall with a 10-4 mark in the Big 7, good for third place. Replacing the production of All-State selections Tyson Snyder and Matt Lierz is likely at the top of head coach Eric Tate’s to-do list, but he expects a number of experienced players to provide leadership for underclassmen and expects the addition of senior move-in Marcus Barnett to help as well. “Bodie Dillon and Braden Peek both played role minutes as sophomores, and now will be expected to play big minutes as juniors,” Tate said. “Kyler Kathrens and Brayden Binkley are our seniors. We have a big group of sophomores and juniors to earn minutes at the varsity level.” JEFFERSON WEST closed out last season with a 7-14 record overall and a 4-10 mark in league play. Back from that team are seniors Gage Galle (9 ppg, 7 rpg) and Caleb Morse, along with juniors Conner Reich (3 apg, 3 spg) and Tucker Holthaus. “We’ve taken our bumps and bruises that come with playing young guys,” coach Joe Smith said. “Our guys have improved every year individually and as a team and the expectation is for that to continue. Having a core, and basically an entire team coming back having lost one senior last year, our guys know what to expect from myself, each other and the league.” NEMAHA CENTRAL turned heads with a second round sub-state upset of undefeated league champions and top seed Sabetha 59-51, but were then unable to overcome a Marysville squad that finished second at the state tournament. The Thunder finished the season 10-13 overall with a 6-8 mark that left them fifth in league standings. Senior All-State selection Abe Hilbert (6-5, 10 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 bpg) returns as a major source of production, along with fellow senior returning starter Carter Rottinghaus (5-10, 6.8 ppg) and key contributors in junior Colby Frehe (6-8, 2 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and sophomore Carter Hajek (4.8 ppg). “We had a productive summer of basketball,” head coach Jon Thomas said. “Abe Hilbert, Carter Rottinghaus, Colby Frehe, and Carter Hajek all return with a solid amount of varsity experience. There will be plenty of competition for varsity playing time. Practices should be very competitive as we look to get back on track after a sub-.500 year.” PERRY-LECOMPTON came out of a tough substate as a two-seed after handily winning the first
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two rounds and then beating Heritage Christian 73-66 in an OT championship game. The Kaws state appearance ended after a first round loss to Southeast of Saline, leaving them at 19-5 overall with an 11-3 second place mark in league play. Junior Eli Dean (5-10, 4.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1 spg) is the lone returning starter this season. “We will look like a brand new team this year with only one starter returning and one senior who played major minutes off the bench,” coach Matt Simmons said. “Our goals are to get better every game and learn from our mistakes quickly.” ROYAL VALLEY finished 10-11 and 7-7 in the Big 7. Chris Brown enters his fourth year as head coach and returns seniors Ian Torres (10 ppg, 5 rpg) and school record holder in single season three-point percentage Aidan McKinsey (5 ppg, 44%/3) as the Panthers try to bounce back from the lowest winning percentage in Brown’s tenure. “We will be undersized so we will have to be able to shoot the ball to succeed,” Brown said. RIVERSIDE started 1-9 last season but finished 8-15 overall after first and second round upsets in sub-state coming against the fourth and first seeds in the tournament, but Horton proved to be too much in the title game. The loss of All-League selection Todrick Duncan to graduation certainly hurts, but senior Percy Duncan is back after averaging just over 15 points a game a season ago. SABETHA is coming off a Big 7 title after a perfect 14-0 mark in league play and entered substate with a flawless record before suffering an upset against league rival and fifth seed Nemaha Central 59-51 in the second round of the tournament. New head coach Josh Wertenberger takes over in the wake of Scott Burger’s 33-year career, and the Bluejays lost All-Staters Matthew Garber and Davis Rokey, but Wertenberger does get back senior All-State selection Christian McAfee (6-4, 11.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and fellow senior Marcus Bauman (6-0, 7.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.1 spg) from that 21-1 starting lineup. “Commitment to defense and rebounding will be key as we grow on the offensive end,” Wertenberger said. “Recognizing individual strengths and how they contribute to team success will also be key.” GIRLS: HIAWATHA finished tied for third in league play last season to go with a 13-9 overall record and second round sub-state appearance before they were knocked out by Nemaha Central 53-42. The Red Hawks lost a strong class of 2023, including All-State selection Darcy Lierz, but return senior All-League selection Abby Effner (6-1) and sophomore Kenzie Nelson (5-5). “Outside of one senior, we’re young,” head coach Brady Jasper said. “So improving throughout the year will be important. We’d like to be in the top half of our league, post a winning record,
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and have a chance to host a first round sub-state game.” HOLTON closed out the season at 8-13 after a loss to Parsons in the sub-state semifinals. The Lady Cats also went 5-9 in league play and finished fifth. Four returning starters are back from that squad in senior Natalie Wilcott (5-8), and juniors Brooke Willcott (5-11), Elizabeth Schuster (6-0), and Kaiya Taylor, along with senior Aaralynn Allen (5-7) from the varsity rotation. “We expect that we will have a number of players competing to earn roles and playing time this season ... and if we are able to increase our depth we could be more diverse in our style of play on both ends of the floor,” head coach Kurt Haussler said. JEFFERSON WEST finished sixth in the Big 7 with a 4-10 mark in league play and 6-14 record overall. First year head coach Phillip McCree gets back three senior starters from that team in Ella Dickey (10.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3 spg), Kinley Stones (11.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg), and Verlee Sanders (3.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg). “Every time we hit the floor, get a little better than the day before,” McCree said of team keys. “Go out and compete every possession of every game. If we do those things, we’ll put ourselves in a place to do some special things.” After a strong regular season that saw NEMAHA CENTRAL finish first in the Big 7 with a 13-1 mark and enter into the sub-state tournament as a two seed, the Thunder were eliminated 46-41 in the championship game against a scrappy Riley County squad that had just come off an upset of top-seeded Atchison County. Coming off that 20-3 season, head coach Hadden Hiltgen has a tough task in replacing All-State selections Addy Holthaus and Ella Larkin, but juniors Cami Dalinghaus (5-6, 4.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg), Cali Honeyman (5-11, 5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), and Reagan Gerety provide experience and size to a team searching for new scorers. Third year head coach Joey Franzitta saw improvement in his second season at PERRYLECOMPTON with an increase from just three wins to a 7-14 mark a season ago. The Lady Kaws return twin tower seniors Taylor Damme (6-1, 7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and Ryleigh Morgan (6-1, 3.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.4 bpg), and fellow senior Katie Bartlett (5-6, 1 rpg). “Being able to consistently score and keep the same level of defense that we have had the last two seasons,’ Franzitta said. “Getting our inexperienced players ready to contribute in a big way after Christmas break.” ROYAL VALLEY finished 4-17 overall with
Dari Hilbert
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Abe Hilbert
Nemaha Central, Senior
all four victories coming in league play. Juniors Samantha Klotz (4.6 ppg, 9.75 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.3 spg) and Athena Broaddus (2.5, 3.1, 1.5) are both back from the starting lineup along with junior varsity contributor Averie Stithem (1.85 ppg, 1.8 rpg). “We have experienced players who are hungry to go out and display their skills and hard work,” coach David Boucher said. “We finished last season on a high note on defense. We display a much improved effort and team communication that will help propel us into this season.” In his first season as head coach at RIVERSIDE, head coach Craig Burnes led his team to a second place finish in the Big 7 with an 11-3 mark and went on to finish second in 2A as well after losing to Berean Academy in the finals, leaving the Cyclones 22-4 overall. Besides the state title matchup, Riverside only faced one other major postseason challenge in a 45-42 OT thriller against Colgan in the state semifinals and are bringing back major talent in All-State senior Taylor Weishaar (6-2, 19.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2 bpg, 1.5 spg), All-League senior Halle Studer (5-4, 9.3 ppg, 2.5 apg, 1 spg), classmate Abby O’Grady (54, 8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and sophomore Niahla Duncan (5-2, 5 ppg, 2 apg, 1.5 spg). Burnes left no room for confusion on this year’s goal for the Cyclones: “A return trip to state.” First year head coach Josh Gruber takes over a SABETHA team that finished 12-9 and took third place in the Big 7 last season, but the loss of four starters gives Gruber a fairly clean slate to start with, outside of returning senior Alexia Hayden (5-8, 5.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1 spg). “The team goals for the Lady Jays are to improve everyday, be the more disciplined team every night, and to give relentless effort for four quarters,” Gruber said.
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CENTENNIAL LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The EMPORIA Spartans return three starters after going 15-6 overall with a 7-2 league record that tied them for the top spot in the new look Centennial League. The Spartans followed their strong league finish with a sub-state finals appearance where they were knocked out by eventual state champion Andover. Head coach Lee Baldwin gets back three starters from that squad in seniors Sheldon Stewart (7 ppg, 3 apg), Cooper Rech (6 ppg, 2 rpg), and 6-3 junior River Peters (10 ppg, 2 rpg). The graduation of Centennial League Newcomer of the Year Jalyn King, second team All-League selection Parker Leeds, and honorable mention Fred Jackson does leave some significant shoes to fill. After a college playing career for Mid-America Nazarene and a year coaching Cair Paravel, former Shawnee Heights standout Trey Brown is taking over at HAYDEN after head coach Dwayne Paul took the job at Lawrence Free State. Brown inherits five guys with at least some starting experience from last year’s 12-12 squad including seniors Jacob Padilla, Carter Charvat, Cooper Colboch, Dom Ridley, and junior Jacob Deister. JUNCTION CITY took fourth in the Centennial and went on to qualify for the state tournament for the first time since 2001 after beating Garden City in the sub-state title game. The Blue Jays finished 13-10 overall. Two starters are back from that team in juniors Jackson Austin (6-1, 9.8 ppg, 2.3 spg) and Larkin Turner (7.8 ppg, 8 rpg), but the team will take a hit as All-State selection Michael Boganowski (6-4, 11.8 ppg, 7 rpg) plans to enroll early at the University of Oklahoma where he will play football. “We have a great group of that team back,” head coach Nick Perez said. “Using the summer to work on our chemistry really helped as we did some great things. Our defense needs to improve so we can get more opportunities to score. We have been shooting the ball very well over the last couple years and bring back some guys who can shoot it. We will have to play with toughness as we are not very big. We will have to use our small ball mentality to cause chaos over the floor defensively. I really like our core group and we have some JV guys who will need to step out to fill those role spots. Overall, our success will be built defensively this year and this group tends to accept that.” MANHATTAN was another team from the Centennial to pull off an upset during sub-state after knocking a talented Lawrence High squad out of the championship game 56-40 for their second straight trip to state and third trip in four years. The Indians were then knocked out in the first round of state by eventual 6A runner-up Blue Valley North, but in a 44-39 OT slugfest to finish the year 14-9 overall. The loss of a talented senior class led by All-State Doane College signee Jack Wilson is going to be a challenge for head coach Benji George to overcome, but starting experience from seniors Jason Kim (6-1, 8 ppg), Miles Braxmeyer
(6-0, 2 ppg), and junior Landon Knopp (6-5, 6.3 ppg, 41%/3). “We will play an uptempo style and must shoot the three well to compete at a high level,” George said. “Our non-conference schedule includes both the Hays Tourney and Dodge City Tournament of Champions so we will have to compete well on the road in those tourneys and in non-conference games at Blue Valley High, Hays, and in Wichita. We will get significant contributions from a variety of players so balance will be a key for this team.” The first go around at TOPEKA wasn’t a dream season for head coach Geo Lyons, finishing just 3-18 with no wins in the Centennial League, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Troy. The Trojans have back All-League senior Isaiah Lyons (5-11, 15 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2 spg) and AllLeague junior Da’Mykel Hales (6-1, 10.4 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg) supplemented by an experienced varsity bench from last season. “Lyons was a Centennial League first team selection last season while Hales was honorable mention,” coach Lyons said. “Returning lettermen Miguel Villegas, Dai’Quan Groves and Jayden Norman, along with transfer Jalen Freeman, will be called on to fill bigger roles this season. The Trojans will look to get off to a hot start with three home games before Christmas.” Year one under head coach Alex Hutchins was a success for WASHBURN RURAL as they finished 15-6 and advanced to the sub-state finals before getting knocked out by Derby. The Junior Blues lost noteworthy talent from that class, including All-State selection Jack Bachelor (Washburn University), but they do get back seniors JC Heim (6-3, 5.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg), Griffin Durst (6-3, 3.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg) and Hayden Shriver (6-2, 2.5 ppg, 1.5 apg), and juniors Amare Jones (6-0, 6.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1 spg), Kaden Ballard (5-9, 6.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 2 apg) and King Leonard (5-9, .8 apg). “We graduated a lot of scoring from last year’s team, especially in the form of perimeter shooters,” Hutchins said. “To be successful this year, we’re going to have to be more consistent on defense. We’ll have to be tougher and be more willing to win ugly by getting stops and rebounds. We also graduated some great leaders. Returning players are going to have to seize those leadership roles even more than they did during the summer. Our schedule is littered with state contenders and is going to be a gauntlet from start to finish.” GIRLS: A good EMPORIA team made their second consecutive trip to state last season before they were knocked out in the first round by Andover to end the year at 18-5 with a 7-2 record in league play. Head coach Caroline Dorsey returns Addie Kirmer (13 ppg, 4 rpg), Lesxey DeWitt (6.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Alexa Shivley (3.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), and Emeil Bennet (5 ppg, 3.1 apg). “Our ability to defend will be our key to success,” Dorsey said. ‘We are smaller so we need to run
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Page 55 and speed others up.” JUNCTION CITY finished 3-18 last season and now have a new head coach in former Hutchinson girls coach Conor Reilly. The graduation of AllLeague performers Ava Deguzman and Mariah Jeter will leave a production void for Reilly, but the return of All-League senior Amyah O’Neal and classmate Sara Rexrode (5-11) will help. “Our goal is to be the hardest working and toughest team on the floor every night,” Reilly said. MANHATTAN was knocked out in the first round of their sub-state by eventual state runner-up Washburn Rural, leaving them at 7-14 on the season. Seniors Emery Ruliffson (3.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.5 spg), Maxine Doering (6.8 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 spg), and sophomore Kat Ball (5 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg) were key members of last year’s squad, but replacing All-League seniors Avery Larson, Destiny Yates, and Paige Chauncey won’t be easy. TOPEKA finished last season 17-6 after getting eliminated in the sub-state finals by crosstown rival Washburn Rural in head coach Britt Redmond’s first season with the team. As she enters year two, she gets back senior Ladaysha Baird (5-3, 8 ppg, 1.4 apg, 1 spg) and sophomore Keimara Marshall (5-5, 5 ppg, 1 apg, 2 rpg, 1 spg) as they look to continue the Trojan’s winning ways. “Looking to compete and get better every single game,” Redmond said of team keys. “Our goal is to end with a winning season, however that looks. If we can control the pace of the game, defend, and out-rebound teams I think we’ll be alright.” HAYDEN punched a ticket to the state tournament after defeating Fort Scott in the sub-state finals 42-40 on the Tigers’ home court last season. The Wildcats were unable to overcome McPherson in the next round though, losing to the eventual state runner-up 65-41. Plenty of talent remains for a potential repeat state trip in 2024, including seniors Lauren Sandstrom (6-0, 13 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2 bpg, Rockhurst basketball signee), Brylee Meier (6-0, 10 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2 bpg), Kaliya Fulton (5-6, 7.6 ppg, 2 rpg, 4 apg, 2 spg), Norma Greco (5-6, 7.7 ppg, 2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3 spg), and Reagan Huscher (5-6, 3 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 spg). “This team has been through a lot of tough battles together and that is what makes this coming season so exciting,” head coach Carvel Reynoldson said. WASHBURN RURAL was just one point shy of winning their third state title since 2019 and second straight, but the Junior Blues dropped a heartbreaker to Blue Valley North in the title game, 35-34. On the season the Lady Blues finished 18-6 with a 10-0 mark good for first place in the Centennial. Head coach Kevin Bordewick saw the graduation of a talented senior class last spring, but the veteran coach welcomes back solid production in seniors Zoe Canfield (5-11, 12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, KU signee) and Destiny Ochs (5-9, 1.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1 apg), and juniors Kate Hinick (5-5, 5.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Teny Bunck (5-5, 2.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1 apg). “We do return some players that we believe we can build around to possibly challenge for a league title and make a run in the postseason,”
Lauren Sandstrom Topeka Hayden, Senior
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Zoe Canfield
Washburn Rural, Senior Bordewick said. “We will have decent height and speed. We will need to have all players be a bit more consistent with perimeter shooting and from the free throw line. This group will have to be solid with our defense and we could have a group that will be able to pressure a bit more in full court. We will have a group that will still be pretty hungry to prove themselves capable, and if we can embrace the process and the journey like we did last year and learn along the way we feel we have a chance to have a great season again. But, we know it is not given and we have to work hard to make it happen. Rebounding and defense and all the little things associated with those aspects of the game will be our most important emphasis, but we still have to have people put the ball in the hole. We will need to develop a deeper bench to give the regulars a breather every once in a while as well.”
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By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The HALSTEAD Dragons went 7-14 a season ago, an improvement of five wins over 2021-22. A young trio of now-juniors returns in Braxton Creed (6-0, 16 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1 spg), Kohen Corona (6-0, 11 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2 apg, 1.1 spg), and Joey Millspaugh (6-0, 5.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.9 spg) giving new head coach Adam Glendening a solid core. “We want to be competitive in every game,” Glendening said. “Even in a loss, we want to be able to say that we were right there in the end and fought hard.” HAVEN lost just two games last season and both came against eventual 3A state champion Hesston, the first in mid-February in a 41-39 matchup that cost them the regular season league title, and then again in a 47-41 defeat in the substate championship game. Both losses were hard to swallow for the 21-2 Wildcats who were likely in the final Top 5 of a balanced 3A behind a strong senior class led by All-State senior Brant Sipe. Veteran coach Lonnie Paramore will rely on Braxton Miller (5-10, 6.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.5 apg) and Nash Wray (3.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.5 apg). “We graduated a lot of our height last year, but I believe we will work hard to overcome that,” Paramore said. “We only have one senior this year, but our junior class gained some varsity experience last year.” HESSTON made it back-to-back-to-back state titles in Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year Garrett Roth’s first season at the helm. The Swathers overcame a tough matchup in the substate championship game against Haven – both teams entered the tournament with just one loss
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 – before going on to defeat Marysville 50-44 in the state title game to finish the season 25-1. The Swathers opened the season with a loss to Southeast of Saline but went on to win 25 straight games, avenging the loss to SES in the state semis. Graduation takes All-State selections Jake Proctor and Micah Dahlsten, but seniors Jackson Fry (6-2, 4.7 ppg, 2 spg) and Adrian Hernandez (6-3, 6.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.6 spg), and junior Reed Friesen (6-6, 5.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg) provide solid trio to build around. Despite the efforts of All-State standout Brekyn Ratzlaff (Ottawa University), HILLSBORO couldn’t quite gain traction in the tough CKL during former head coach Darrel Knoll’s last season at the helm, finishing 9-12 a year removed from winning 2A. First-year head coach Kyle Kroeker takes over a team with three returning starters in senior Wyatt Plenert (5-11, 4.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.1 apg) and juniors Lincoln Wichert (5-10, 5.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, .9 spg) and Anders Weisback (60, 2.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 apg). “This season we would like to build on the experience of the returning players,” Kroeker said. “We hope to bring toughness and chemistry to the court. Hillsboro basketball has a deep and lasting tradition which this team would like to continue.” HOISINGTON was knocked out in the first round of sub-state by Beloit and finished the year 11-10 overall with a 6-3 mark in league. Head coach Kyle Haxton now enters his 16th year with the program returning four varsity rotation players in All-League senior Tony Moore (6-1, 12.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.4 spg), juniors Jason Robinson (510, 3 ppg, 2.6, 1.6 apg) and Rhen Galla (6-0, 2 ppg), and sophomore Mason Martin (6-1, 5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.1 apg). The biggest challenge posed to the Cardinals is likely replacing All-League selection Leyton Haxton’s production. “We have a number of players that can really shoot it. It will be key that we play turnover-free ball and guard tough,” coach Haxton said. “I believe this team will work relentlessly on the defensive end. I really enjoyed the chemistry that this group played with over the summer. I look forward to watching them compete as we figure out our roles moving forward.” LARNED went 5-16 last season with a 2-7 mark in league play in head coach Luke Steinlage’s second season with the team. Five starters return from that squad in seniors Brady Hope (5-9), Talon Reynolds (5-9), Ty Smith (6-0), Cade Colglazier (6-3), and junior Carson Shaver (5-11), though Hope suffered a serious injury during football and may be done for the season.
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CENTRAL KANSAS LEAGUE
“We return a lot of experience this year with five players that have started at the varsity level,” Steinlage said. “We have a group that has played together for a long time that should be comfortable playing with each other and be able to read what the others are going to do.” LYONS finished year one under coach Sam Schmidt at 5-16 with a 1-8 mark in league. Back from that team are senior Edwin Rodriguez (5-10, 3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg) and junior Deacon Showalter (6-2, 5.1 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg). Year one under head coach Parker Bruce saw NICKERSON finish 2-19 with a 1-10 mark in league play, but another year in Bruce’s system should help seniors Taylor Engelland (5-11, 9.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.4 apg) and Skyler Wakefield (5-8, 4.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.8 apg), and junior Alex King (63, 6.5 ppg, 3 rpg) enter the season with optimism. “Our goal is to build on the development we saw on the court and the classroom,” Bruce said. “We had a good offseason, and have lots of young men who are becoming three-sport athletes. Were looking forward to seeing the growth of this team as they take the next step in becoming a successful program.” PRATT advanced to the sub-state finals before getting knocked out 51-37 by Clay Center. The Greenbacks finished 16-7 and graduated a talented senior class that included All-League selections Carson Hoeme and J’air Johnson. AllLeague senior Max Younie will be a key player for head coach Chris Battin to build around. SMOKY VALLEY finished 11-10 with a 5-4 record in the CKL that placed them fifth in the final standings before a first round exit in sub-state at the hands of Norton. The Vikings graduated an abundance of experience, but do return senior Ki Blanchat (6-4, 10.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2 apg) and gained senior transfer Taylor Campbell (6-4, 16.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.3 apg) to build around. “The strength of this team revolves around their shooting ability,” coach Doug Schneider said. “Both Blanchat and Campbell are proven deep threats who also bring solid athleticism to their games. Both players will be called upon to do a
number of things for this team. Other players will have to develop early in the season to make this team successful.” GIRLS: HALSTEAD put together a solid 13-9 mark with a 6-3 league record a season ago, and with six players back from that team with starting experience expectations are high in the Lady Dragon camp. All-State senior Dominique Schutte (5-11, 12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1 bpg, Ottawa University commit) is an impressive blend of length and shooting, knocking down 42 threes last season, and is joined by classmate Lauren Wilson (5-3, 2.5 ppg, 2 spg), juniors Dalaina Schutte (5-9, 6.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Sydney Holzrichter (5-8, 6.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and All-League selection Kaci Young (53, 6.5 ppg, 2 spg) – who missed the final three games of last season with a knee injury – as well as sophomore Addisen Wills (6.7 ppg, 3 spg). “Led by seniors Dominique Schutte and Lauren Wilson, for the second year in a row, the Dragons return most of their statistical production,” coach Derek Schutte said. “Dominique’s length, skill, and shooting with deep range make her one of the better players in the state. Lauren is one of the toughest defenders in the area. The Dragons will continue to play fast and pressure opponents. Four underclassmen averaged over six points per game for a balanced squad. Seniors Lily Angle and Yari Martinez will look to contribute. Freshman twins Jordy and Piper Schroeder will add skill and athleticism to a deep team.” HAVEN entered a tough sub-state seeded third with the same record as league opponent Hesston, who proceeded to knock out the Wildcats in the second round of the tournament. Haven finished the season 16-6 with a 6-3 record in league play good for third place. Back from that team is senior Sadie Estill (5-10, 9 ppg, 9 rpg), junior Sienna DeFrain (5-10, 14 ppg, 6 rpg), and sophomore Avery Brawner (6-0, 8 ppg, 8 rpg). “We have to develop depth and improve as the season progresses,” coach Dwight Roper said. “I like how hard they worked over the summer.” After knocking out league opponent Haven
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
CENTRAL PLAINS LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The BELLE PLAINE Dragons managed a major second round upset of top-seed Sedan in sub-state before going on to lose to WichitaIndependent in the finals and finishing 13-10. Replacing All-League selection Isaac Bible won’t be easy, but All-League senior Caleb Ouelette was a key piece for the Dragons last season. CHAPARRAL was knocked out in the first round of sub-state by Kingman 75-69 and ended their season 11-10. The graduations of Central Plains Player of the Year Jackson Swartz and All-League selection Jack Francis are sure to be felt by the Roadrunners. Senior Tyce Pfaff (7.2 ppg) and junior Conner Hostetler (6.2 ppg) are the top producers back this season. CHENEY finished 7-2 in league play and 16-6 overall after a second round loss to Haven in a tough sub-state tournament in Lyons. Head coach Linndy Frieden enters his 33rd year as head coach with four starters back from that team including seniors Jack Voth (5-10, 15 ppg) and Colter McDaniel (6-1, 10 ppg), and juniors Josh Burdick (5-10, 12 ppg) and Carter Peintner (6-2, 10 ppg). Both Voth and Burdick earned All-State honors while Peintner was All-League. “Win the rebound battle every night and shoot a better percentage from the three-point line than last year,” Frieden said of his team’s keys. “We want to play fast and create turnovers with our full court man defense.” CONWAY SPRINGS went 4-17 last season with a 1-8 mark in CPL play in head coach Paul Lange’s eighth year. In year nine, he gets back senior starters Nash Johnsen (6-6, 11.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.6 bpg) and Taylor Wykes (6-3, 11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg), as well as juniors Eli Howard (5-9) and Grant Fisher (5-11). “We’re coming off of a season where we struggled to find much consistency with the amount of young guys we had playing up,” Lange said. “We had a good summer with most of the guys getting in the gym and working on their games. Hopefully that translates into more success during the season.” DOUGLASS went 8-13 with a 1-8 mark in league play and are now replacing seven varsity contributors from that team. Seniors Brock Stiner (5-8, 6.1 ppg) and Michael Kielhorn (6-2, 1.3 ppg) provide head coach Matt Lawson experience for upcoming varsity teammates. Year one for head coach Mark Powell at
GARDEN PLAIN saw a young Owls squad go 6-16 overall with a 2-6 mark in league play. With another season under their belts juniors Kaeden Kasselman (6-3, 12.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.5 apg), Max McGregor (6-1, 6.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.5 apg), Seth Dugan (6-1, 5.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.1 spg, 17 charges taken), Cooper Scheer (5.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 11 charges taken), and senior Gabe Kampling (6-5, 7.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1 bpg). “We return five players who started or played significant minutes last season,” Powell said. “With this experience we must be able to value the basketball and limit the turnovers that plagued us last season. If we can value the ball it will allow us to finish games that last year we let slip away late in the game. We hope to return to the state tournament after missing the previous three seasons.” KINGMAN went 11-11 and placed fourth in the CPL with a 6-3 record. Three starters are back this winter in seniors Tristen Davidson (6-4, 9.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Chase Webster (6-2, 10 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 spg), and junior Ben Bradshaw (6-4, 5.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg). Replacing an athletic senior class led by All-State selection Nolan Freund poses a challenge for coach Drew Kraxner. “Need to be more solid defensively, rebounding at a high rate, playing as one unit rather than five individuals,” Kraxner said of his team’s keys. MEDICINE LODGE’s issues last season were almost exclusively in league play with the Indians going 19-7 overall with just a 4-6 mark in a talented CPL field. The Indians final loss came in the 2A state semifinals against Wichita-Independent before they went on to overcome TMP 48-46 in the consolation game. Head coach Joe Dohrmann gets back significant varsity experience this season, including seniors Derrek Randels (11.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.7 spg), Carter Cunningham (8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Kye Gerdes (4.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg), Jace Cox (6 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1 spg), Al Nitter (3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Jake Fisher (2.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg), and junior standout Keveon Ruiz (13.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.5 spg). State runner-up WICHITA-INDEPENDENT went 23-3 overall and earned a CPL championship with an 8-1 mark last season, but the graduation of their entire starting lineup – including All-State selections Conar Harris, Christian Dean, and Joseph Reclade-Phillips – leaves the team drained of varsity experience. Head coach Tyler Keim still has high expectations, however, maintaining “our goal is to win state” and pointing to “how quick our talented freshmen acclimate to
Page 57 high school basketball” as the key. Keim is 40-9 (5-10), Haidyn Thompson (5-4), and junior Calire over his first two seasons as a head coach. Rolfs (5-7). WICHITA-TRINITY ACADEMY made it out of “We are not returning a starter this year, so we the first round of sub-state before losing a heart- will have a period of adjustment as players get breaker 53-52 to Humboldt. All-League senior used to their positions and roles,” head coach Harvey Zimmerman was the top player for the Kody Kasselman said. “The challenge early could Knights last winter. be meshing into new roles as the dynamic of our GIRLS: Entering sub-state as a seven-seed, team has changed. We are excited to see how BELLE PLAINE finished 8-13 after a first round things shake out in the months to come.” loss to two-seed Bluestem. All-League senior KINGMAN closed out the year at 10-11 after a Gaby Lujan was a top player for the Dragons a 51-44 first round sub-state loss to Halstead. Allseason ago, but the loss of her fellow All-League State junior Morgan Freund (5-9, 14.3 ppg, 7.4 selection Abbi Hilton to graduation will hurt. rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.7 spg) and senior Mary Pearce CHAPARRAL finished 8-13 after a first round (5-8, 3.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg) are back from that squad sub-state loss to Haven. Replacing All-League along with senior Laney Wood (5-10), who missed selection Haley Kangas will be key for the last season to injury. The graduation of All-League Roadrunners. selections Erin Albright and Marissa Deweese CHENEY made their way to the state champi- leaves glaring holes. onship game with only two losses on the season, MEDICINE LODGE finished 5-16 after a first but were ultimately unable to overcome an unde- round loss to Stanton County in sub-state. Back feated Goodland team in the final, ending the year from that starting lineup are seniors Aydan Bryan, at 23-3 with state and league runner-up trophies. Jhayla Alojacin, Karsyn Jacobson, and junior All-State selections Campbell Hague and Leah Avalon Theis. Head coach Kami Hahn noted leadDurr were both lost to graduation along with the ership from seniors as a major key to success. WICHITA-INDEPENDENT made it through their rest of their talented senior class, leaving senior Reagan Ayres (5-5, 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, 2 spg) as sub-state like a hot knife through butter, winning the championship game 45-20. The Panthers the team’s lone returning starter. “We want to make it as far as we can in the sea- weren’t able to overcome their first round state son,” head coach Sarah McCormick said. “That is matchup against Riverside, however, losing 49always our goal. We will do whatever it takes to 30. The Panthers finished 19-5 overall with a get there. Our speed and aggressive nature will 7-2 CPL mark. Back are All-State senior Stephie Salumu (6-0, 15.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg), senior Leah be the key to winning this year.” CONWAY SPRINGS went 12-9 in head coach Thompson (5-5, 4.5 ppg, 2 spg), and sophomore Sheri Mercer’s third season with the team. Four Deena Holmes (6-2, 9.5 ppg, 10 rpg). Coach EJ starters return from that group, including All- Garnes also mentioned incoming freshman Zoey League seniors Melissa Ebenkamp (10.3 ppg, 6.4 Buckner, a prospect already receiving DI recruitrpg, 4.5 spg) and Olivia Lange (12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg), ing interest. The Panthers do lose All-State junior and classmate Haylee Osner, as well as junior Samiyah Ellis, who transferred to Wichita Heights. “Our goal this season is to work our way back to Raylee Chitwood. “We are returning everyone except for one play- the state tournament and this year bring home the er,” Mercer said. “We have a lot of experience and title,” Garnes said. “I believe we accomplish that some younger girls that will take on more respon- goal with our togetherness and our willingness to play for one another.” sibility this year.” WICHITA-TRINITY ACADEMY was knocked DOUGLASS faced a first round exit after a 54-30 loss to Humboldt. All-League selection out in the first round of sub-state and ended the Hayleigh Waggoner, now a senior, was a top per- year 7-14. Replacing graduated All-CPL pick Tara Wills will be key for the Knights. former for that team. GARDEN PLAIN spent their first postseason since 2017-18 doing something other than competing in the state tournament, going 15-7 after a sub-state semifinals loss. The Owls still managed a league title and solid Kingman, Lindsborg, Lyons record, but the lineup was gutted by graduOsage City, Medicine Lodge ation, leaving no returning starters and just Phillipsburg whitesfoodliner.com three lettermen in seniors Alayna Hoheisel St. John, Scott City
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Central Plains, Senior By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The CENTRAL PLAINS Oilers held a 9-12 mark at season’s end to go with a 5-3 league record that left them in fourth. Head coach Michael Ryan enters year two of his tenure with All-League senior Peyton Ryan (5-11, 17 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3 spg), fellow senior Hunter Klima (6-0, 5 ppg, 7.5 rpg), junior Aiden Hekele (6-2, 7 ppg, 4 rpg), and sophomore Landon Daniels (4 ppg, 5 rpg) all back from that starting lineup. “Our main team goal is to improve every game and every practice,” coach Ryan said. “If we can do this, hopefully we will be playing our best basketball late in the year and be able to make a run.” ELLINWOOD entered into the Sterling sub-state as the top seed with a 19-1 record and league title after going 8-0 in CPL play, but the Eagles were unable to overcome the tournament host, and four-seed, Sterling, in the second round, losing that matchup 54-45 and finishing the season 202. Since then head coach Derek Joiner and a senior class that went 76-15 overall and dominated
the CPL with a 24-0 record in the last three years under his tutelage have moved on. Taking over for Joiner is first year head coach Jaron Lane, who gets some pieces back from last season in seniors Drew Heinz (5-11, 3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1 spg, Alek Brack (5-10, 5.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.3 spg), and Cooper Hosman (6-3, 3.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg). “After losing a lot of production from last year’s senior class, (our goals are) growing and getting better each time we’re on the court with a group that has a lot of great opportunities in front of them,” Lane said. KINSLEY finished 4-17 after a first round substate loss to Hodgeman County. All-League senior Kaden Arensman is back along with fellow senior starters Conner Chamberlain and Cason Lemuz, giving new head coach Joe Castaneda a strong core to build on. He also welcomes back returning role players Anthony Meza, Trenton Anderson and Gerardo Seañez, though a football injury will keep Efrain Holguin out for much of the season. La CROSSE had a strong showing last season with a 7-2 league mark and 17-6 overall record with a state tournament appearance where they lost in the first round to league rival and eventual state champs Macksville. Seniors Caden Morgan (6-3, 14.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 3.3 spg), Gage Burk (6-3, 10 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, 1 bpg), and Conner Barriger (6-2, 10 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg) provide continuity as the Leopards look for continued success. “Keys will be depth on the bench, staying healthy, and playing and staying together,” head coach Kyle Schmidt said. MACKSVILLE won their third state title in school history – all three under veteran head coach Jeff Kuckelman – going 24-2 overall and winning all three state tournament games in convincing fashion. The Mustangs lost four All-State selections to graduation, including unanimous selection Ryan Kuckelman, but some solid varsity experience returns in juniors Diego Esparza (5-9, 10.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.1 spg), Orion Guevara (5-10, 1.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1 spg), and Hector Gomez (5-10, 4.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.22 spg), while juniors Kendall Grippin (6-0) and James Granger (6-5), senior Aiden Katz (expected to return from injury in January), sophomore Ty Clason (6-1), and freshman Nolan Adams (6-5) are likely to contribute heavily, according to Coach Kuckelman. “While we have lost a lot to graduation, we have a strong nucleus returning with our guards,” Kuckelman said. “Esparza and Gomez have played a ton of varsity basketball and are very strong and quick and Guevara got to play a lot last year and would have started on most other
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CENTRAL PRAIRIE LEAGUE
teams that didn’t have so much depth. We will build around them and their experience as they will lead Grippin, who can really shoot it, and we will try to utilize Granger’s size and strength around the basket. Our hope is that we can get some contributions from some younger players throughout the season and build some depth. We hope to use the strength of our schedule to work on improving our play so that we can have success in the postseason.” NESS CITY made it out of the first round of substate with a 68-53 win over Decatur Community, but had roles reversed in the next round as La Crosse ousted the Eagles 62-31. The graduation of All-League selection Brayden Schniepp, along with a couple other key players, leaves a production void. Senior Will Childers (12.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.4 spg) made a major impact for the Eagles last season. OTIS-BISON finished 2-20 last season but returns experience in seniors Eston Juno (6-1), Hayden Morrison (5-11), Riley Polly (5-8), and juniors Logan Maier (6-3) and Jake Hoppingarner (5-10). Head coach Curtis Little called “taking care of the ball, knocking down open shots, and learning to compete on the defensive end” his team’s keys to success. Coming off a 4-17 season with a 1-8 league mark, ST. JOHN is bringing back a still young group that gained valuable varsity experience, including juniors Quade Smith (5-9, 12.9 ppg), Chris Fernandez (5-10, 1.5 ppg), Aden Adame (511, 4.2 ppg), Brody Vieux (6-2, 1.2 ppg), senior Alan Valenzuela (5-10, 2.9 ppg), and sophomores Braxton Alpers (6-0, 3.5 ppg) and Daniel Portillo (5-10, 2.6 ppg). “Most of our guys who played significant minutes last year are now upperclassmen and we are looking forward to this year,” coach Danton Hilton said. VICTORIA handled St. Francis easily in round one of sub-state, 71-31, but weren’t quite able to overcome Quinter in the second round with a 4743 loss, giving the Knights a 10-12 record to end last season. Seniors Landon Schmidtberger (6-1, 11.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 spg), Seth Schwien (6-2,
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10.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.4 spg), William Scherrer (6-0, 4.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.2 spg), and Quincy Pickering (6-1, 3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg) are all key returners for second-year Knight coach Rick Keltner, now in his 45th season as a head coach after 34 years at Hays High and eight at Tipton. The veteran coach is optimistic for this season thanks to the return three starters and four rotation players and a strong finish to last season. “We won four out of our last five games and showed signs of becoming a dangerous team,” Keltner noted about the end of last season. GIRLS: The CENTRAL PLAINS girls finally saw an end to a historic state championship streak with a first round state tournament loss to Doniphan West last spring. The Oilers finished the year 19-5 with a perfect 8-0 record in league play. In his time as head coach of the girls, Pat Stiles has an overall record of 266-13 and in that stretch set a state record 138 game regular season win streak, another state record of 25 state tournaments wins, and has claimed 11 consecutive league titles. Three upperclassmen return this winter in seniors Addyson Ogle (5-7, 4.1 ppg, 1.6 apg, 7 rpg, 2 spg), Melissa Donecker (4 ppg, 5.1 rpg), and junior Marilyn Soeken (5-7, 12.3 ppg, 1 apg, 5.2 rpg, 2.1 spg), along with key rotation player junior Grace Lamatsch (5-7, 2.3 ppg, 1 apg, 1 spg). “We graduated three starters off of last year’s team,” Stiles said. “We return three players who started sometime during the year and four players with some varsity experience. Our tough schedule should help prepare us for the post season where we want to be playing our best basketball at that time. Success will depend on us maintaining the awesome culture the girls have created by playing hard, playing together, playing smart and playing for each other.” ELLINWOOD finished 11-10 after a 43-39 loss to Inman in the first round of sub-state. The Eagles lost two of their top scorers to graduation, but have back sophomore Julia Schlessiger (2.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg), senior Morgan Shinliver (2.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and Allison Ricker (1.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg) from the varsity rotation, though Schlessigner is expected to
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be out with injury until after the holiday break. New head coach Greg Maxwell noted “steady improvement and gaining a better understanding of the game” as goals for his group. “How our young kids respond to the pressure of varsity play is key,” Maxwell said. “If our upperclassmen take a step forward in terms of statistical production and leadership.” KINSLEY went 0-20 last year after a first round loss in sub-state to Spearville. First year head coach Corey Dunlap now takes the reins with four starters back hoping to improve on last season’s result. Seniors Mackenzie Herrmann (5-6, 7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.6 spg), Madison Habiger (5-2), Phylesha Craft (5-4), and junior Carmen Holguin (5-11) provide Dunlap a base of experience to construct around. “After finishing the 2022-23 season with a record of 0-20, the Lady Coyotes are looking to rebuild the program with a fresh start,” Dunlap said. “Four returning starters will give a first year coaching staff some experience to help acclimate the large number of underclassmen (10 projected players in grades 9-10) to high school basketball.” La CROSSE closed out their season at 7-14 after a first round loss to Ness City at sub-state. Senior Avery Parrot (5.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg) and sophomore Madison Morgan (12 ppg,
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4.7 rpg, 1 apg, 2 spg) both received All-League nods for their efforts. MACKSVILLE finished 11-10 with a 4-3 mark in league play, but more importantly now, return five starters from last season. All-State senior Mayce Russell (16.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.1 apg, 5.5 spg), senior Logan Sanders (3 ppg, 4.1 rpg), along with juniors Isabela Ortiz (4.4 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.3 spg), Laney Butler (2.7 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg), and Kambry Adams (7.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1 apg, 2 spg) give the Lady Mustangs a strong lineup. “This year we have an experienced team that is looking to improve from last year,” head coach Megan Schroeder said. “Our team should have more confidence and chemistry because of their experiences the last three years. We lost five seniors, two of which contributed on varsity. We return our leader in points, assists, and steals in senior Mayce Russell; and also return our leading rebounder and second leading scorer in senior Kambry Adams. The team will also feature a solid junior class and a key sophomore contributor. We are excited to build off of the improveme nts from last year and this summer. We play in a really tough league and have a tough schedule, so we must continue to progress to be able to compete with all those great teams. We hope to make a continued on page 60
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: After a first round sub-state loss, BAXTER SPRINGS finished 7-14 under seventh year head coach Alan Hibler. Back from that roster are four returning starters in seniors Payton Gaines (6-0, 11.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 spg, 2.6 apg), Weston Shafer (6-4, 11.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1 spg, 2.1 apg), 1.3 apg), Javen Alexander (6-4, 4.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 apg), and junior Jacob Grant (6-5, 8.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.3 apg). “The Lions will rely heavily on their upperclassmen as the younger players mature and learn the system,” Hibler said. “Depth must be found as some younger players will need to mature quickly to add to the team. Length of team should be a strength on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, a point guard needs to be developed.” COLUMBUS took third in the CNC with a 9-3 league record to go with a 16-4 overall mark and sub-state runner-up finish. The Titans get back no starters from that team and have a new head coach as Walter Resa takes over the program. “Our goal will be to learn something new and get better daily,” Resa said. “Hopefully (we’ll be) playing our best at the end of the season.” FRONTENAC finished 10-13 after a second round sub-state exit against league opponent Columbus and return just one starter from last year’s team in senior Trey Cramer (10 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg, 1.5 spg) along with fellow senior rotation player Abram Frankenbery. “Trey Cramer and Abram Frankenbery do things the right way from how they practice to how they perform in the classroom and in the community,” coach Ryan Varsolona said. “They are such great role models to younger players in how they conduct themselves. They know our system in and out and it’s like having extra coaches on the floor.” GALENA punched their ticket to the state tournament after knocking league opponent Columbus out in the sub-state championship game 50–35. The Bulldogs then managed a first round state tourney win over Wellsville, but lost an OT heartbreaker to Marysville 45-42 in the semifinals before going on to beat Southeast of Saline 54-51 in the third place game. Galena’s bronze medal paired with a league championship and a 24-2 record made for a memorable season, but 16th year head coach Matt Meyr has a tough task in reloading his roster after seeing a majority of last season’s minutes graduate. Junior Jack Perry (6-2, 13 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg) is the lone returning starter and a good piece to build around. “We have pretty much a new team this year and it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to bring us together by the end of the season,” Meyr said. “If the players will buy into what we are doing then we will be successful in the end.” Tournament host GIRARD faced a second round exit against top-seed Galena at sub-state last season. Replacing an All-League trio of Tommy McDowell, Alex Coester, and Luke Niggeman is a top task for the Trojans. In head coach Tucker Thompson’s first year at the helm, RIVERTON went 12-9 with a 6-6 mark in CNC play that left them fourth in the final standings. The Rams faced league opponent Girard in the first round of sub-state, but weren’t able to get past the tough 4 vs. 5 matchup, losing 65-45. Senior returning starters Loch North (6-4, 15 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg) and Noah Harper (5-9, 7 ppg, 3 rpg,
7 apg) both are back to lead a roster that needs some younger guys to step into bigger roles. ST. MARY’S-COLGAN fought their way into the state tournament before going on to exit in the first round against top-seeded Wichita Independent and finished the season 11-12 overall. A majority of the losses came as a result of a loaded league schedule coupled with a group that was still developing. With six experienced seniors back this winter, including Tucker Harrell (6-0, 11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Jack Schremmer (6-1, 12.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Tristan Voss (10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Gus Keller (5-10), Connor VanBecelaere (6-0), and Cooper Simmons (5-10), coach Clint Heffern feels good about his roster in his second year after taking over for Panther legend Wayne Cichon. “We will have six seniors this year, all of which have played quality varsity minutes so we hope to build on that experience,” Heffern said. “I think our depth will be a big strength for us this year, which can hopefully lead to some uptempo pace of play. Our defense needs to improve from last year and that will be a key focus of ours going into the season. Our CNC league schedule is very competitive and challenges us on a nightly basis, which really helps us improve over the course of the season and gets us ready for postseason play.” GIRLS: BAXTER SPRINGS finished 1-20 last season. All-League junior Olivia Edmondson was a top player on that team. COLUMBUS lost their first round sub-state matchup with Galena 48-39 and finished the season 11-10. A young, All-League core of junior Katy Mooney and sophomore Ellie Helms led the Titans during that campaign. Seniors Macey Allison and Ava Harman, and junior Brylie Johnson also return to bolster the starting lineup, while junior Ruby Stover and sophomore Trinity Green return from the varsity rotation. The Titans get a boost from the return of seniors Graci Major, who missed last year to injury, and Katie Simpson, who is participating in both basketball and wrestling this year. FRONTENAC made their way out of sub-state as the two-seed, knocking off top seed Cherryvale in the final. Eventual state champs Goodland then narrowly defeated the Raiders 53-48 in their first round matchup at state, leaving them at 17-7 on the year. Frontenac’s toughest task entering this season is replacing All-Staters Hattie Pyle, Kynlee Lakey, and All-Leaguer Mia Brown after their graduations in the spring. Back are seniors Rylee Green (5-4, 5 ppg, 4 apg), Abi Beaman (57, 6 ppg, 6 rpg), and Annie Lee (4 ppg, 2 spg) to provide a core trio to build around. “The key to success is being able to continue to improve all season so we can be playing our best at the end of the year,” coach Scott Fields said. GALENA went 10-12 and finished fifth in the CNC with a 4-8 record. Entering his third season with the team, head coach Zach Shockey returns seniors Arysta Sturgis (5-6, 5 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg, 1.3 spg), Meghan Fields (5-7, 2.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1 spg), and junior Rylee Boyes (5-7, 11.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.2 spg) from that starting lineup, but the graduation of multi-time All-State selection Mia Sarwinski does leave a glaring hole. “Our goal is to be a tough defensive team that competes hard every night in the CNC,” Shockey said. “We want to reach the championship game of our mid-season tournament and win it. Our goal is to play for a sub-state championship. We will
contest last year, losing an overtime battle 4542 and giving the Panthers their only loss on the season. The next round saw Colgan knock off Hillsboro 36-33 to give them a final mark of 24-1 with a league title to go with their 2A bronze medal. The Panthers graduated one of their All-Staters last season in Lauren Torrance, but return serious talent in All-State selections Lily Brown (6-1, 22 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.9 apg, 4 spg, Sr.) and sophomore JaKayla Davis (5-6, 10 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.5 spg, 4 rpg), as well as senior Polona Kalan (5-5, 5 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg) and junior Delanie Meek (5-10, 4 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.6 spg, 1.5 spg). ”Our experience and ability to adapt to different game styles that we will see. The experience of our seniors and the amount of big games that they have played. Also staying focused and locked in for the duration of the season and playing to our strengths,” coach Abby Farabi said of team keys.
Central Prairie League / from page 59 big jump this year. Our goal will be to improve on our rebounding, defense, and transition offense.” NESS CITY knocked out La Crosse in the first round of the sub-state tournament, but couldn’t overcome tournament host and eventual state runner-up Quinter in the second round. The production lost from All-League graduates Hannah Delaney and Danae Rodriguez is likely to be felt early on. OTIS-BISON went 2-19 with a 1-9 mark in league play. Seniors Abigail Rodriguez (5-6, 5.9 ppg, 1.9 apg, 4.2 rpg), Hope Lumpkins (5-4, 3 ppg, 1.9 rpg), Lela Kenyon (5-8, 2.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg), and junior Destiny Mitchell (5-4, 5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg) return from that starting lineup. After back-to-back upsets against Fairfield and Little River, ST. JOHN nearly entered us into an alternate universe where Central Plains doesn’t make it to the state tournament each year, but
fell just short in the title game 28-23 to finish 15-8 overall. The Tigers lose honorable mention AllLeague selection Jade Portillo to graduation, but senior Heidi Fisher (15 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 86 stls), junior Lydia Reed (6-2, 9 ppg, 6.6 ppg, 54 blks), and sophomore Mia Meyer (8.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 9 blks) received All-League selections of their own last year and return to the starting lineup along with sophomore Reagan Bonner (7.3 ppg, 42 assts, 52 stls). Returning sophomore varsity rotation players Averi Fisher, Jenny Gracia, and Teresa Miller give the Tigers depth enough to keep them among the league favorites this season. VICTORIA finished 4-17 after a first round substate loss to Decatur Community. All-League junior Averi Windholz leads a solid list of players returning with varsity experience for new coach Merritt Hammeke including seniors Kennidy Amrein and Lindsey Scheck, junior Sienna Schmeidler, and sophomores Brinly Lichter and Emma Dinkel.
Karen Bennett
CRAWFORD-NEOSHO-CHEROKEE LEAGUE
Page 60 have to compete hard on defense and control the glass as we look for ways to replace the scoring output we lost when Mia Sarwinski, the school’s all-time leading scorer, graduated.” GIRARD ended up 9-12 after losing to a determined Frontenac team in the second round of sub-state. Graduate Emmaline Senecaut, and now-senior Rylee Brooks both earned All-League recognition. RIVERTON faced a first round upset at substate against Girard in the 3 vs. 6 matchup, losing a close one 37-34. Seniors Chloe Parker (5-6, 10 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 3 spg, All-CNC second team) and EJ Wells (5-11, 8 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 bpg, All-CNC honorable mention) return for their fourth year as starters, but the squad does graduate fellow AllLeaguer Jacy Thomasson, now at Pitt. State playing volleyball. Five underclassmen will be looked to for more production this winter. Juniors Lexi Mallatt (4 ppg, 3 rpg), Landyn Martin and Laurel Evans, and sophomores Avery Barnett (4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 spg) and Gracie Rantz (4 ppg, 2 rpg) saw action in a combined 52 games a season ago. “We have lots of girls with playing experience and some newcomers that will compete for playing time,” coach Adam Thomasson said. “We lost four seniors after last season but the experience we bring back is probably as good as it’s been. Team speed will be a strength for us so hopefully we’ll be able to play a little more uptempo and utilize a deeper bench. Our girls have experienced lots of success at the state level in both track and volleyball so hoping that mentality carries over.” ST. MARY’S-COLGAN wasn’t quite able to overcome Riverside in their 2A state semifinal
Lily Brown
St. Mary’s-Colgan, Senior
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
EASTERN KANSAS LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The BISHOP MIEGE Stags finished third in 4A after knocking off Eudora in the third place game at state 65-55. The Stags finished the season 17-7 overall with all but their state semifinals loss against McPherson coming against EKL opponents. Each of the team’s three All-League selections were lost to graduation in the spring, along with legendary coach Rick Zych, who retired after 41 years. He led Miege to six of the program’s seven state titles with the most recent coming back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. BLUE VALLEY finished 11-11 for the second consecutive season after advancing in sub-state play on the strength of a 49-47 overtime win against Shawnee Mission South in the first round followed by a 59-48 sub-state semifinal loss to eventual fourth place finisher in 6A, Blue Valley North. The Tigers bring back three starters from that team in All-State senior Dean Markes (65, 16.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.3 spg), senior Anthony Lonergan (6-1, 7.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1 spg), and senior Noah Summer (5-11, 5.7 ppg, 2 apg, 2 rpg, 1 spg). In his 11th season, head coach Dwight Williams is focused on his squad “Coming together as a team, [and playing] defense.” BLUE VALLEY NORTH took fourth place in 6A after winning a 44-39 OT bout with Manhattan in the first round, and then losing in two consecutive nail biters against league rival Blue Valley Northwest 53-51, and then Derby 67-66 in an OT consolation game. The Mustangs finished 20-5 overall with a 5-2 league mark good for third place. Senior Jaron Lashley (6-4) and junior Des Hinson (6-0) are the lone major contributors back from that team, but 18th year head coach Ryan Phifer feels good about his squad and has made qualifying for the state tournament into a regular occurrence for his program.
“After a great 2022-23 season, we will be looking to replace a lot of productivity and veteran players,” Phifer said. “The only starter returning is senior Jaron Lashley who had an honorable mention All-EKL season averaging 10 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. Junior Des Hinson, who averaged 4.5 points per game and shot 42 percent from three point range off the bench is the only other letterwinner returning. Although this team won’t be as big and physical as last year’s team, we will have a lot of versatility and shooting to space the floor. I would expect a few early growing pains while getting a lot of players varsity experience, but I think this team has a lot of potential and could be a tough team by the end of the season.” BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST won their first state title under head coach Aaron Ihm and sixth total after Ed Fritz won five from 2013 to 2019. The Huskies dispatched Shawnee Mission Northwest in the first round of the state tournament 73-54 before tight matchups with league rival Blue Valley North (53-51) in the semifinals and defending state champs Wichita Heights (55-50) in the title game. Northwest also won an EKL title last season and now return seniors Joey Matteoni (6-8, 17 ppg, 11 rpg, Northwest Missouri State commit), Jake Fritz (6-5, 9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and Jaxon Klein (6-6, 3 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Ihm noted junior Trevor Garlington and sophomore Ayden McGibboney as players likely to take on larger roles. “Keys will be cohesion, preventing Injuries, and developing quality depth,” Ihm said. BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST upset two-seed De Soto in the sub-state finals after entering the tournament as the 10-seed before getting knocked out by Kapaun in the first round of state 58-48. The T-Wolves lost a talented trio to graduation in All-Leaguers Quillan Rank, Jackson
FLINT HILLS LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The CENTRAL HEIGHTS Vikings made it to the sub-state title game after upsetting top-seeded Southeast in the second round, but didn’t make it by Colgan in the title game with a 54-42 loss. Senior Ethan Rowan, a 6-6 All-State selection, was a key player last season. CHASE COUNTY put together a big season last year with a second place league finish at 7-1 and an 18-4 overall record. The Bulldogs were upset in the second round of sub-state against a scrappy Sacred Heart team and lost key players Cooper Schroer and Pax Vogel to graduation. Head coach Cade Witte does get back seniors Tucker Groh (62, 9.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.9 spg) and Colin Monihen (6-4, 4.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1 apg), along with sophomore Wyatt Griffin (6-1, 4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.1 apg), providing a nice core to build around. “Our goals are to play together as a team, compete for a league championship and get back to the sub-state championship,” Witte said. “We will need to play physical and utilize our speed after losing the majority of our height from last year’s team.” COUNCIL GROVE finished 6-15 last season after a first round sub-state loss to Fredonia and lost four starters to graduation, leaving 19th year Braves’ head coach Bruce Hula with some roster construction to do. Junior Brycen Palmquist
(8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.7 spg) is the lone starter back, but seniors Kolby Rose and Aspen Livingston, and juniors Drew Buchman, Hayden Buttrey, Landon Dody, Finn Gant, Aiden McCall, Jacob McIver, and Kyzer Spittles look to fill larger roles this season. “We expect continued improvement every day by focusing on us,” Hula said. “We have a relatively inexperienced squad at the varsity level with only one returning starter. There are multiple players that are close in talent level that will be competing for spots and we should be a more competitive team this season.” LYNDON finished 21-2 after losing a hard fought sub-state championship game 66-63 in OT against to St. Marys. The Tigers captured a league title with a talented-laden roster. While the loss of All-State selections Jackson Biggs and Evan Feuerborn will be felt, the return of seniors Kaedin Massey (6-8, 11 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 bpg), Jalen Massey (5-8, 11 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.5 spg), Dax Miller (6-1, 8 ppg, 3 rpg), and Carson Wirth (6-3), along with the addition of All-State selection Tanner Heckel (17.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3 spg) from Inman gives head coach Michael Massey no shortage of firepower. Massey pointed out “building depth, defending and rebounding, and shooting at a high percentage” as the team’s keys. MISSION VALLEY ended up 11-10 with a
Ackerman, and Jackson Noland, but bring back All-League senior Jackson Bonzcynski from that state-qualifying group. BLUE VALLEY WEST ended up 9-13 with a 2-5 record in the EKL last season. Four starters return from that team in seniors Gavin Harvey (5-10, 7.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.8 apg), Eli Lovich (6-5, 11.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.1 bpg) and Blake Killian (6-5, 4.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.3 apg), and junior Tate Nagy (5-10, 8.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.6 apg). Senior Will Watson (6-2) is also expected to make an impact in his first varsity opportunity. “Our goal is to play fast on offense, tough on defense, and to use our depth to help us win games,” coach Ryan Hintz said. “We are a team full of highly-skilled players, who can do many things on the court. As it is every year, our goal is to compete for a chance to win the Eastern Kansas League. Everybody buying in and putting the good of the team above individual success is key. These young men have put in a ton of work in the offseason, and we believe we have a group that is willing to work to reach its potential in February and March.” ST. JAMES ACADEMY couldn’t overcome Highland Park in their sub-state championship matchup after upsetting Seaman in the first round, giving the Thunder a 14-8 record to go with a 3-4 mark in league that left them tied for third place. No starters are back from last year’s roster, but seniors Jack Alter (6-0, 3 ppg, 1 rpg) and Spencer Dohm (5-10, 2 ppg, 3 rpg) give head coach Stan Dohm experience to work with. “We graduated 95% of all of our stats from last year’s senior class,” Dohm said.” We relied on that class a bunch last year. We will be starting over with a really hard working young group that has no real varsity experience. We will be giving a bunch of different players opportunities to play.” After finishing tied for third place in the league, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS was dealt a 54-50 first round sub-state loss against Sumner Academy to end last season at 13-8. The Saints have reason for optimism, though, with seniors Cooper Welsh (6-0, 5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.7 apg) and Wyatt Lewis (60, 8.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1 spg), and juniors London Burton (6-2, 13.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3-4 league record that placed them fifth in the regular season to go with a third place Flint Hills tournament finish. The lone returning starter is senior Porter Deters (10 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.7 apg). “We lost eight seniors and four starters and only return two lettermen from last year’s roster, so we have a lot of turnover and we are realistic about our goals,” head coach Jordan Hysten said. “Our first four games are against teams who all have realistic postseason aspirations this year, so it will be a difficult start, but we have developed a culture of competitive basketball in our program having five straight winning seasons with league championships and a state appearance in that span.” NORTHERN HEIGHTS finished the season 3-18 after a first round sub-state exit against top seed Bennington. All-League graduate Kolden Ryberg was a top performer from that group. OSAGE CITY took third in the league with a 5-2 record to go with a 17-5 finish overall. Seniors Cooper Parsons (3.2 ppg, 3.4 apg) and Kason Parsons (5.6 ppg) will lead what will otherwise be a young group. “We have to replace 90% of our scoring from last year and will really be needing to find post players,” coach Dennis Fort said. “We would like to finish in the top third of a league, finish over
Page 61 1.9 spg) and Will Goode (6-9, 8.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.2 bpg) returning from last year’s starting lineup, along with junior letterman Isaiah Freeman (6-3, 5.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1 apg) and senior Joe Loughman. “We always want to protect our home court, compete for a league title, and host substate games to give us a chance to compete at state,” head coach Jake Kupersmith said. GIRLS: The BISHOP MIEGE girls won their 24th title in school history after besting McPherson 67-53 in the 4A championship game and finishing the season 16-9. The team was led by head coach Kevin Mulvany, who previously served as the assistant to the late, legendary head coach Terry English before his passing just prior to the start of last season. Former Olathe South head coach Mike Allen now takes over the head coaching role and has back a deadly combination of experience, talent, and youth in juniors Kirston Verhulst (16.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg) and Grace McCallop (13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg), and sophomores Mary Grant (13.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.8 apg) and Faith McCallop (6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.1 apg). Allen pointed out “playing unselfishly, playing together, playing great team defense” as his team’s keys. BLUE VALLEY finished the season ranked fourth in the state after losing the 6A state consolation game to Derby, 43-30. The Tigers posted a final record of 16-9 with a 4-3 mark in the EKL and have since lost four starters from that squad, but do get back one of top rated college basketball prospects in Kansas in All-State selection Jadyn Wooten (20 ppg, 4.5 apg, 6.6 rpg, 2 spg). “We always have the state tournament as our goal and we strive for the number one trophy,” coach Bruce Erickson said. “We are always looking to finish high in our league but every game is a battle with three state champions in the league. We will be very, very young and we will need to pick up the pace of play for us to be successful.” The rich have a good chance at getting richer this winter, as BLUE VALLEY NORTH brings back two All-State selections and five key rotation players from their 6A state championship team that finished 21-4 last season. The Mustangs continued on page 64 .500, and get a home game for the first game of substate.” WEST FRANKLIN went 11-10 with a 4-3 league mark and lose three seniors from a deep roster. Back this season are seniors Wade Nichols (6-4, 4 ppg, 4 rpg), Hunter Criqui (6-5, 7.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 spg, 1.1 bpg) and Travelle Froggatte (5-10, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 spg), along with juniors Gunnar McMahan (6-2, 8.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.1 spg) and Gavin Gonzales (6-1, 8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.3 apg) all with starting experience, along with seniors Jason Abarca (6-0) and Seth Shay (5-11), and junior Levi Judd (6-2) as lettermen and senior Brody Prouty (6-4) as a top newcomer. “We return a nice balanced group this year,” coach Kris Hassler said. “We lost only three seniors from last year’s squad, including first team All-Leaguer Trey Rogers. We return over 60% of our scoring and nearly 70% of our rebounding from last year. I anticipate we could have five to six different guys lead us in scoring on any given night. We look to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in school history.” GIRLS: CENTRAL HEIGHTS ended the year 4-17 after a first round sub-state loss to top seeded Colgan. Replacing the production of senior Bailey Brockus is going to be key. continued on page 99
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The BALDWIN Bulldogs went 18-5 and 6-1 in league play good which was for second place. Coach Donnie Blanchat gets back seniors Joey Ziembicki (8 ppg) and Talan Torrez, and AllState sophomore Cooper Carr (9.5 ppg, 4 rpg). “Baldwin made an appearance at the 4A state tournament for only the third time since 1981,” Blanchat said. “The Bulldogs will look to repeat that magical run this season. The void of rugged big man Sam Darnell in the middle and All-State point guard Caleb Carr as the team’s floor general will be the question marks for the Dogs. We return three experienced guards in Ziembicki, Torrez and Carr and will look to find players to fill in around them. We should be in the hunt to compete for a Frontier League title this season as well as a state berth.” BONNER SPRINGS put together a 12-9 season with a 4-3 mark in the Frontier League last winter. Back from that team is All-State senior Kalen Streit (6-2, 15.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.6 apg, 3.1 spg), but the graduation of All-State selections Tavian Cruse and Cameron Doss does leave a gap in scoring from a season ago. Head coach Dan Streitsays there is talent and athleticism on the roster, including senior defensive standout and part-time starter Patrick Price, senior Jermaine Wilson and junior Grandview transfer DeAndre Morrison. Streit says sophomores Jason Jones, Cory Roth, and Jackson Nez are also keys to the puzzle. “The Braves might be just as talented this year as they were last year, but only time will tell,” coach Streit said. “We have a lot of talented young men looking to make their mark on this team. They lack varsity playing experience, but they have played a lot of AAU basketball this past summer that will help once we get the guys up to speed. As coaches we think we will make some noise and surprise a lot of our opponents.” EUDORA finished fourth in state after an OT first round win over league opponent Baldwin, followed by losses to state champs Hugoton in the semifinals and Bishop Miege in the consolation game. The Cardinals finished with a 20-5 record overall and a 7-0 mark in league. Graduation saw four starters and some other key cogs move on, but All-State senior Logan Sullivan (17 ppg, 3 rpg) is a great piece for head coach Kyle Deterding to build around this winter. “We lost a great senior class last year,” Deterding said. “Four of our five starters as well as our sixth man all graduated. We return one starter this year, Logan Sullivan. Errol Siemon also played an important role on last year’s team. We will have quite a few players who will need to step up into bigger and important roles for us this year.” Coach Ben Doll takes over a LOUISBURG squad coming off an 8-13 season with a 2-6 mark in the Frontier. Seniors Luke Hill (5-11, 6.4 ppg), Nathan Parker (5-8, 5.1 ppg), and junior Conlee Hovey (6-5, 4.4 ppg) return from that starting lineup for the new head coach. “As a new coach to the program, the plan is to build off our time together during the summer and push to being competitive game in and game out,” Doll said. “If we can do that, a Frontier League title and a great position going into substate will be within reach.” OTTAWA will try to improve on a 10-11 record and a 4-3 league mark a season ago with a young,
Page 62 season removed from state runner-up finish but a strong group of four starters is back to help return the Cardinals to double digits in the win column this season. Seniors Jayla Erpelding (5-6, 4.2 ppg, 3 apg, 2 spg), Parker Long (5-7, 8.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Lainey Orr (5-11, 6 ppg, 4 rpg), and Kenzie Yoder (5-9, 6.5 ppg, 5 rpg) are all back for fifth year head coach Brandon Parker. “Our team is looking to bounce back from the previous year with more depth and skill in the program,” Parker said. “We return four seniors with extensive varsity experience. This year we have a nice mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen that will improve our depth and competition in practice.” LOUISBURG closed out last season at 15-7 with a 9-4 league record. Head coach Adrianne Lane will be starting anew with no returning starters and believes basics are key for her group. “Doing the little things right, playing fundamentally,” Lane said of team keys. “Nothing fancy.” OTTAWA wasn’t able to overcome state champs Bishop Miege in their first round sub-state matchup, losing 57-17 and closing out the season at 11-10. All-League graduate Brooklyn Hadl will be missed, but now-senior All-Leaguers Foster Nichols and Emery Keebaugh were key players last year. PAOLA finished 5-15 in head coach Jamie Butler’s fourth season with the team. Two starters are back this winter in junior Abby Ediger (8 ppg) and sophomore Audra Downum (5 ppg). After a 15-7 mark behind a young roster last season, SPRING HILL returns four starters in juniors Addison Bond (5-9, 3.3 ppg, 1.9 apg), Sydney Buscher (5-10, 12 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.2 spg) and Elizabeth Suter (5-10, 3.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1 spg, 2 apg), and senior Anna LaPlante (510, 3.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg).
“Our team’s key to success this season will be our ability to utilize different players’ strengths,” head coach Paige Husa said. “Each player has a unique skill set, and we need each of those to show up each game in order to be successful this year. We also have to use our size and experience to our advantage this season. When each player is doing their job as well as playing solid defense, I think we will be a tough team to scout and guard.” TONGANOXIE ended last season 2-18 with a league record of 0-7. Coach Mitch Loomis is back for his fifth year and returns seniors Mariah Herrera (5-2) and Sage Isaacs (5-8, 5 rpg), and sophomores Alyssa Schoneck (5-2, 7 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg) and Emerson Maslak (5-4) from the varsity rotation. “Finding consistent scoring from some returners and finding our offensive identity are keys to success,” Loomis said.
AVCTL-II / from page 52 rpg, 1 apg, 1.3 spg) return to the starting lineup for Mustang all-time wins record holder Chris Fear, who holds a 115-47 mark in his seven seasons leading Central. He called “taking care of the basketball and rebounding” the keys to achieving his primary goal “to meet our potential.” VALLEY CENTER returns two starters from a team that went 7-14 overall and 5-7 in league play last season. Seniors Morgan Thatcher (6.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Reese Bieker (5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 apg), along with key rotation player Taylee Tacner (2.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg) give head coach Trent Preheim a solid foundation to build upon. “Although we lost five seniors and three starters,
we return our two leading scorers in Thatcher and Bieker,” Preheim said. “Along with Tacner and Anderson, we have a strong senior class that has been instrumental in helping us develop this off-season. We are also looking to some of the younger girls to make big impacts immediately. Our goal of moving up toward the top of the AVCTL-II standings will definitely be difficult with the quality of teams we play. With the addition of some of our younger girls, we should be a little bit longer and more athletic this season, allowing us to match up a little better with some of the competition we face in our league.”
Isaiah Adcox
FRONTIER LEAGUE
but strong core of returning starters in juniors Carter Hepner (5-9, 7.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.8 spg), Caleb Hepner (5-9, 11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.3 spg), and sophomore Aiden McCullough (6-3, 9.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.5 spg). “We were able to give quite a few juniors and sophomores valuable playing time last season and had a great summer session,” coach Cliff McCullough said. “Bringing back seven players that with that experience hopefully will pay dividends the next couple years. It is an unselfish group that all have the game goals in mind.” PAOLA went 3-17 with a 2-5 mark in league play last season. Senior Eli Richmond (6-3, 3.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and junior JD Troutman (6-3, 4.3 ppg, 1 apg, 1.1 spg) return from that starting lineup and will lead the way for the Panthers. “Our main goal is to get better every day so that by the end of February we give ourselves the best chance we possibly can to advance in the postseason,” head coach Ryan Oshel said. “I would also like to see our young guys continue to improve and build on the progress they made last season.” SPRING HILL ended up 8-13 with a 6-3 mark and third place finish in league play in Connor Bechard’s first season as head coach. The Broncos graduated three starters, but expect the senior combo of Chase Bond (6-2, 11 ppg, 4 rpg) and Cooper D’Albini (6-5, 6 ppg, 5 rpg) to lead the way for a group stepping into new roles. “We have a wide variety of both youth and veteran leadership, and our first season goal is to win the Frontier League, which is always a difficult task,” Bechard said. “We want to take the next step as a program when it comes to our defensive discipline and toughness. If we can make improvements on the glass and with our ball security, we will have a chance to take that next step. Offensively, it is going to be an aggressive approach from all 5 positions to try and spread out the opportunities and be versatile inside and out.” TONGANOXIE won three games last season and relied heavily on All-League junior Talon Langford. GIRLS: BALDWIN finished with a 13-8 mark accompanied by a 3-4 league record in head coach Eric Toot’s sixth year with the program. Entering his seventh season as head coach and 13th with the program overall, Toot gets back AllLeague senior Alyssa Reichard (5-10, 10 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg), senior All-League defensive selection Bailey Smith (5-4, 4 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg), and sophomore Chloe Smith (5-5, 4 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg). “We are not a big team so our defensive tenacity and ability to rebound the basketball will be key,” Toot said. “We will need our defense to create easy baskets.” BONNER SPRINGS overcame EKL opponent Blue Valley Southwest 65-50 in the first round of sub-state, but were ultimately unable to handle another EKL team in St. James Academy in the title game, losing 66-44. The Braves final mark was 17-5 and now they must replace the production of All-League graduates Mariyah Noel (Ole’ Miss basketball) and Wren VanCleave (Johnson County CC volleyball). Now-senior Pirsten Leslie is a multiple-time All-League selection and sophomores Nya Anderson and Chasitee Sambol are expected to play key roles this season as well, according to coach Peyton Leslie, now in his fourth season leading the team. EUDORA finished 5-16 last season just a
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GREAT WEST ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The CIMARRON Bluejays went 5-16 with a 1-9 record in league play in head coach Chris Chilton’s second season at the helm. A strong trio of junior Trace Kopper (5-9, 12 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 apg), Miguel Ramirez (6-0, 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), and senior David Mendez (2.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg) return as the Chilton looks to build on experience gained last winter. “We are looking to take the next step with the program,” Chilton said. “We have had a lot of ‘youth’ on the court in my first two years, now I am hoping some of our experience can start showing up on game day.” COLBY entered the Lakin hosted sub-state as the top seed and proceeded to cruise through the bracket with the championship game in Colby’s favor 50-37 over Goodland. Once at state, the Eagles weren’t able to overcome eventual 3A champs Hesston in the first round at Hutch’s Sports Arena, however, and ended the season 20-4. New Eagle head coach Tom Stephens returns just one starter in junior Guy Tubbs (6-3). “Outlook is for the Colby Eagles team to make improvements week by week and be playing our best basketball by the end of the regular season,” Stephens said. GOODLAND had a strong 14-9 season that saw them finish third in league standings and just one game short of making a state tournament appearance, losing in the sub-state finals to Colby. Better yet, five starters return this winter in seniors Manny Gonzalez (5-10, 10 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4 apg, 2.3 spg), Cole Linton (6-0, 4.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Noah Shinette (6-3, 6 ppg, 3.1 rpg), and junior twin towers Brady Brumbaugh (6-5, 12.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 spg) and Linkon Cure (6-6, 7.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg, 2 bpg). Seventh-year coach Mike Doll pointed to “competitive practices, doing the little things it takes to win big games, (and) winning the rebounding battle” as his team’s keys. HOLCOMB qualified for four state tournaments in the last decade, but had a bit of a developmental season last winter. The Longhorns finished 12-
10 with a 4-8 mark in league play, and though they graduated team-captain Chris Palacios, they welcome some key pieces back from that squad. Returning contributors include senior Domonique Orosco (5-8), juniors Drayton Knoll (6-4), Kaden Hardy (6-2) and Jareht Herrell (63), and sophomores Korbin Johnson (5-11) and Brody Deniston (5-9). “We have a really good nucleus of bigs and smalls that make up a well rounded team,” coach Chad Novack said. “Our kids put a lot of time in this offseason to improve on last season.” SCOTT COMMUNITY finished 10-11 last season after a tough first round sub-state loss against Holcomb. Back from that team are AllState junior Jackson Rumford (6-5, 18 ppg, 8 rpg), junior Alex Tarango (5-9, 4 ppg, 2 apg, 2 rpg, 2 spg), and senior Avry Noll (6-3, 6 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 spg), though Noll may miss some time prior to the break due to injury. Head coach Brian Gentry said team goals are to “get better everyday, compete to win the GWAC, (and) put ourselves in a good spot for sub-state,” adding, “We want to be an uptempo team.” ULYSSES ended up with a 5-16 record after a first round sub-state loss to Circle, but another year of development should help an experienced senior group of Danzel Mendez (5-7, 10.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.2 spg), Alex Navarette (6-2, 12 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.2 spg), Armani Ysac (6-4, 5 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 bpg, 2 spg), and Carsen Walker (6-3, 5.1 ppg, 4 rpg) take a step forward this winter. “Our main goals for our program are commitment, great effort and to keep getting better, while building on previous season,” head coach Matt Cox said. GIRLS: The CIMARRON girls ran into a brick wall in the form of Goodland in the sub-state finals last season, leaving the Lady Jays with a still impressive 19-4 record behind a strong senior class that included current Creighton University freshman McKayla Miller. Now, third year head coach Austin Stebens has the unenviable task of replacing four graduated AllLeague selections, but senior Jayna Wilson (5-
9, 6 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg), back from that starting lineup, provides a key building block this winter. “We have a group of young girls that are very fast,” Stebens said. “We will look to use that speed on the floor.” COLBY finished 14-8 and placed third in the GWAC last season. Five starters return from that team in seniors Alisabeth Barton (5-6, 13.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3.6 spg), Logan Nolan (5-2, 9.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.5 spg) and Brenn Stanley (5-10, 3.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2 spg), and junior Shaylee Holzmeister (5-8, 4.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 spg). Barton earned first team AllGWAC recognition a season ago while Stanley and Holzmeister received honorable mention. “Our goals are pretty boring. We truly seek to get better every day,” coach Yancey Walker said. “We have to be physical and we have to rebound.” GOODLAND won their second straight title with a perfect 26-0 record after a dominant 59-37 win in the championship game against Cheney, making it four total in program history. The Cowgirls did graduate loads of talent, however, including All-State selections Talexa Weeter (FHSU), Lindsey Cure (Regis University volleyball), and Olivia Lehman. Head coach Bill Biermann does get a couple starters back in AllGWAC senior Jaxi Mitchek (5-10, 7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.2 spg) and her classmate Haley Biermann (3.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 3 apg, 1.8 spg), along with key rotation players Haley Blochlinger (5-10, 2.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Jacelyn Horinek (2 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.3 spg). “We have had a couple of great years, obviously with winning back-to-back titles and 26-0 last year. We lost a lot, and everyone knows that, but we have two returning starters in Jaxi and Haley that were starters on both state title teams that know what it takes to win,” coach Biermann said. “They will both be relied on this year to give us more. Jaxi is ready to burst on to the stage and should be one of the better allaround players in our league and 3A this year. Haley has handled the point guard duties for us on great teams and now will have to look to score more while continuing to take care of the ball. She’s a continued on page 101
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 David Patterson
Selmon (3.1 ppg, 1.9) were top players on that Redhawks team. WICHITA NORTHWEST was 13-9 and tied for third in the GWAL with a 9-7 record. All-League senior Tasean Williams (5-9, 18.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.3 spg), senior Jerome Henderson (62, 5.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.2 spg), and junior Eli Benning (5-11, 5.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.2 spg) are back from that starting lineup as head coach Andy Hill enters year six with the team and year eight overall as a head man. Hill pointed out “finishing in the top three and making the state tournament” as his team’s goals. WICHITA SOUTH took third place in both tournament and regular season GWAL standings Wichita South, Senior and finished 11-10. Seniors Kendrall Ransom (510, 7.5 ppg, 2.6 apg, 1.5 spg), Jonovan Howard (6-0, 10.1 ppg, 3.4 apg, 1.7 spg), Jalen Manning By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The BISHOP CARROLL Golden (5-7, 7.8 ppg, 3.1 apg, 1.2 spg), Asa Tarver (6-5, Eagles ended up 10-11 with a fifth place finish in 11 ppg, 6.8 rpg), and junior Parker Hargrave (6the GWAL. Eighth-year Carroll head coach Mike 8, 11.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg) give the Titans a Dominick brings back three senior starters from strong nucleus entering this winter. “Having good team chemistry, making defense that team in All-League selections Mikey Brand (6-4, 17.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1 bpg) and John the number one priority as a team, and players Hauserman (6-4, 13.3 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 understanding their roles on the team are our spg, 1 bpg), and classmate Reese Peterson (6- keys to success,” coach Chuck Gunter said. WICHITA SOUTHEAST nearly knocked out 1, 3.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.1 apg). “Getting our team to gel in our chemistry and sub-state champs Manhattan in the semifinals, to improve our defense and late game decisions but weren’t quite able to pull it off, losing 59-57. The Buffs finished 8-13 overall and return one are our keys to success,” Dominick said. KAPAUN MT. CARMEL finished second starter from that group in junior Preston Dinh. WICHITA WEST finished sixth in the GWAL at the 5A state tournament after losing in the championship game 54-46 against Andover. with a 6-10 mark to go with an 8-13 overall reThe Crusaders won the rest of their postseason cord. Back from that team are seniors Rob Basks games by double digits and finished 23-2 overall Jr. (6-4, 9.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3 apg, 1 spg), Semaj with a 15-1 league record that tied them with 6A James (10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg), runner-up Wichita Heights. Back from that team Tray’Shun Higgins (5-10, 3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.9 are four returning starters in seniors William apg) and Gavyn Phillips (6-7, 15 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4 Thengvall (12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Teagan Charles apg, 1.6 spg, 1 bpg). “Our goal is to finish in the top half of the GWAL (6-5, 9.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.5 spg) and Brooks Powers (6.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg), and junior Corbin and compete for a sub-state championship,” Johnson (6-3, 11.7 ppg, 4.7 apg). Entering his head coach Tommy Brumbelow said. GIRLS: BISHOP CARROLL took home a fourth year at Kapaun with a 44-4 record, former long-time Hutchinson Community College coach silver medal with a 22-3 record after a domiSteve Eck pointed to “balanced scoring” as his nant postseason path to the title matchup. The Golden Eagles won each of their games leadteam’s key to success. WICHITA EAST was 4-17 with a seventh place ing up to the finals by double-digits, including league finish. Back from that team are seniors a 60-32 drubbing of Andover in the semifinals. Manuel Martinez (6-3, 8.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Aquinas ended Carroll’s run in the championship game 62-56, however, preventing the second Marcus White (6-1, 5.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg). “Our key to success is being more efficient on championship in Carroll’s program history. Head the offensive end and limiting our opponents to coach Taylor Dugan brings back a talented group this winter for another shot at a title, including se50 or less,” head coach Carlin Whitten said. WICHITA HEIGHTS lost the 6A championship niors Brynn Steven (7.7 ppg, All-State honorable game 55-50 against Blue Valley Northwest, end- mention), Ellie McKellips (2.9 ppg), and juniors ing the hopes of back-to-back titles and head Leah Henke (14.4 ppg, All-State honorable mencoach Joe Auer’s sixth total title. The Falcons tion) and Lilly Martin (5.2 ppg). “Last season we ended up in the state finals, loss doesn’t take away from the overall great season, however, as they finished 22-3 and won the goal is to get back there and to win,” Dugan a share of the league championship to go with said. “We will need to fill big shoes from our lone their runner-up trophy. Auer graduated one of the senior last year, young kids will need to help states best in All-State selection Marcus Ziegler more on offense and provide maturity at the point (Cowley County), but brings back All-State se- guard position. We also need post play to be a nior TJ Williams (6-5, 16.8 ppg, 7 rpg, Wichita bigger factor this season.” KAPAUN MT. CARMEL faced a first round exit State signing), All-State junior Amalchi Wilkins (6-8, 10 ppg, 6 rpg), and junior Chase Robinson from the sub-state tournament and finished 8-7 (6-4, 6 ppg, 3 rpg). As for goals, the five-time in the GWAL, good for fourth in the league, and champion head coach didn’t make it complicat- 11-9 overall. With head coach Billy Graf taking a men’s job at Salina Central after nine years, ed, “win championships.” WICHITA NORTH finished 2-18 last season former Graf assistant Will Engels now takes over after losing their last game of the year to league the head spot with three starters back including rival Wichita West. Seniors Gabriel Huerta senior Lizzie Romer (5-9, 14.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 (6-3, 7.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.2 spg, All-League), apg, 1.3 bpg, 1.5 spg, University of Texas Rio Joshua McCoy (7.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.1 apg), Grande Valley commit), junior Maddie Spier (5-7, Caleb Jackson (4.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg), and Kingston 3.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.4 spg), and soph-
Zion Butler
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GREATER WICHITA ATHLETIC LEAGUE
omore McCoy Phister (5-7, 5.3 ppg, .3.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg). Engels emphasized “building chemistry” and “playing to our fullest potential” as his team’s keys to success. Head coach Ryan Chandler led WICHITA EAST to a 12-10 record in his first year. The Aces advanced to the sub-state championship game before getting knocked out by Derby. Returning from that starting lineup are All-State senior Nyah Chandler (5-8, 21.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg), and juniors Rylan Chandler (5-9, 7.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Heylei Davis (6.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and Amiyah Hamilton (4.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg). “Defense, defense, defense,” coach Chandler emphasized adding, “uptempo offense with good ball movement and patience when needed.” WICHITA HEIGHTS finished 14-7 after a 3934 sub-state loss to Wichita East. Five returning starters are back for ‘new’ coach Kip Pulliam including senior Mya Mayberry, juniors Kennadi Jackson (Wichita State offer), Zari Walker, and Heaven Gilbert, and sophomore Kamya Gantt. All five of the starters earned All-League honors. WICHITA NORTH ended the year with their lone win over Wichita Collegiate 48-37. Sophomores Amelia Bootsman, Charley Hill, and Joanna Ross each earned All-GWAL honors during their sophomore campaigns.
WICHITA NORTHWEST finished 8-13 last season. Seniors Sasha Reid and McKenzie Edwards, juniors Kamyra Barber and Aliyah Richard, and sophomore Aubrey Navarette earned All-League honors for the Wolverines. WICHITA SOUTH closed out the season at 16-6 with an 11-5 mark in league play. Entering year four under Thsombe Phillips, the Titans return All-State seniors Zion Butler (5-5, 17.4 ppg, 5 rpg) and Ramya Kennedy (5-9, 14.3 ppg, 5 rpg), and All-League junior Mahogany Butler (56, 12 ppg, 2 spg). “To be successful as a team we must have the ‘we, not me’ attitude,” Phillips said. “What I mean by that is we must play together as a unit.” WICHITA SOUTHEAST entered sub-state as a seven-seed before knocking off Dodge City 3832 in the first round and two-seed Liberal in the finals. Blue Valley North ended up topping the Golden Buffaloes in the first round at state, ending their season at 16-7. Current seniors JaKhia Jones and Ma’Khiya Jones both earned All-State nods last season, while senior Leela Jones, junior Alana Webb, and sophomores Trinity Dixon and A’nya Harris received All-League honors. WICHITA WEST finished without a win last season. Gabby Faust was the team’s lone AllLeague selection and graduated in the spring.
Eastern Kansas League / from page 61 won the first two rounds of the tournament comfortably before a 35-34 contest against Washburn Rural earned them the title. Now, 2023 6A Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year Ann Fritz has the task of keeping her group focused, with All-State juniors Jaliya Davis (18 ppg, 6 rpg) and Aubrey Shaw (14 ppg, 8 rpg, 4 apg), along with fellow juniors Ashley Alverson (5 ppg, 2 apg), Logan Parks (6-0, 9 ppg, 3 rpg), and senior Tyara Davis (6-0, 3 ppg, 5 rpg) all back. Juniors Delia Gregory (5-8), Madelyn Cool (5-6), and Jada Farrington (5-7) are also anticipated to make an impact this season. Fritz stressed hard work and togetherness as her team’s primary goals. BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST finished 8-13 last season and now has a new head coach in first year sideline boss Chayla Cheadle. Seniors Lainie Douglas (6-4, 10.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.5 bpg), Elise Grosdidier (6-1, 8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1 apg, 1.8 spg), Tamia Davis (6-0, 4.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 apg), Josie Grosdidier (6-1, 4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.3 spg), and Ava Smith (5-9, 4.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, .9 spg) are all back in the starting lineup. “Becoming a sound defensive team, allowing our defense to turn into offensive opportunities, as well as using an experienced roster as an advantage,” were keys listed by coach Cheadle. “We have seven returning seniors who have played at this level for multiple years now so they know what is expected and understand how good our league is. The precedent has been set for our program.” BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST went 0-7 in the ever-brual EKL to go with a 5-16 overall mark last season but nine letterwinners return. Starters back include senior Ashley Chaput (5-11, 1.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg), juniors Lily Unruh (5-8, 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1 bpg, 1.8 spg), Lindsay Dill (5-10, 4.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Madison Mann (5-6, 8.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.6 spg), and sophomore Mia Hansen (5-10, 4.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1 apg, 1.1 spg). “Our goal is to always maximize our ability,” head coach TJ Taylor said. “We return all nine of our varsity letterwinners from a year ago, includ-
ing all five starters. In return, our goal is to use our experience and familiarity with one another to take the next step in being more consistently competitive.” BLUE VALLEY WEST ended their season at 10-11 with a 2-5 mark in league play that left them in sixth place. Head coach Rick Strecker gets back three All-League seniors from that team in Makenzie Galliart (6-0, 10 ppg, 7 rpg), Marisa Tomlen (5-9, 8 ppg, 4 apg) and Kendal Ford (5-9, 7 ppg, 3 apg, 3 spg). The loss of All-State selection Lily Ba (Tulane) does leave a major production gap for Strecker to address. ST. JAMES ACADEMY finished third in 5A last season after soundly defeating Andover in the consolation game 61-48 on the heels of a 50-47 semifinals loss to 5A champs and league rival St. Thomas Aquinas. After that 19-6 season with a 6-1 EKL mark, head coach Justin Snell returns All-State selections in junior Reese Messer (5-11, 13.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and sophomore Regan Becker (6-0, 8.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg), along with other key returners in juniors Riley Kerwin (5-4) and Katelyn Menghini (5-10), and sophomore Elle Robinson (6-0). Improved defense, execution, rebounding, and team unity were keys to success listed by Snell as the team looks to replace the production of Riley Bruggeman and Lauren Steinlage. EKL champs ST. THOMAS AQUINAS won their 11th state title in school history – each under head coach Rick Hetzel – after beating Bishop Carroll in the title game 62-56. The Saints finished the season with a 22-3 record and made it their seventh straight title since 2016. Hetzel was awarded 5A Coach of the Year by Sports in Kansas, but will have to deal with the graduation of All-State selections Catherine Goodwin and Sydney Watts. Aquinas does bring back All-State seniors Kelsey Schenck (5-11, 10.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg), Jamya McPherson (5-6, 10.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3 apg, 1.8 spg), and sophomore Alex Crouse (5-7, 11.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg) from last season’s starting lineup. Hetzel’s key to success for his team is “team chemistry, always.”
HEART OF AMERICA LEAGUE
By Keegn McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The BENNINGTON Bulldogs ended up 19-5 overall after making a state tournament appearance and taking second in league play with a 7-2 mark. Head coach Curtis Pickering is entering his eighth season with the team and has back a trio of standout seniors in Eli Lawson (6-7, 19 ppg, 12 rpg, 1 apg, 2 bpg, 1 spg, Fort Hays signee), Mister Smith (6-5, 15 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg), and All-League senior Talan Pickering (58, 10 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg). “Success will be achieved from continuing to play with great balance,” coach Pickering said. “We will utilize our great size inside and then our much improved perimeter play. Defense is always a major emphasis for our program.” Going 7-14 with a 2-7 league record, BEREAN ACADEMY had a down year compared to most of head coach Lewis Wiebe’s 30 year tenure with the team that features a 521-158 overall record. Seniors Devin Busenitz (5-11, 6 ppg), Theo Wiebe (6-4, 2 ppg, 5 rpg), and Randall Thiessen (6-2, 6-6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) are back to return the Warriors to their winning ways. “We would like to improve off of last year’s season and get better at taking care of the ball and shooting the ball,” coach Wiebe said. ELL-SALINE finished 13-9 with a 5-4 record in the HOA and return four starters from that group as head coach Marty Wendel enters season four leading the team. Seniors Marshall Johnson (61, 12.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.6 apg) and Joe Hiechel (6-0, 2.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.2 apg), along with juniors Brogan Rowley (6-5, 11.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.4 bpg) and Garrison Zerger (5-11, 8.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.7 spg) return to the lineup. “The biggest key for us to see the success we want this season is for our leaders to lead in every practice and every game,” Wendel said. Formerly an independent, CLASSICAL SCHOOL OF WICHITA is coming off a 1A-DI state runner-up finish with a 22-3 record and will strengthen an already deep HOA. The Saints graduated three All-State selections including head coach Tim Dolloff’s first team All-State son Jordy (Tabor College). Coach Dolloff rejoins the HOA after coaching Bennington for 15 years prior to taking the job at Classical and returns seniors Daniel Young (9.1 ppg), Charlie Graham (6.3 ppg), Tait Sinclair (4.6 ppg), and Sam Wilkey (4.8 ppg) from last year’s rotation. Being smart with fouls and developing depth are two aspects Dolloff is focusing on this season. HUTCH-TRINITY lost their first round sub-state matchup with eventual state champs Moundridge by a respectable 63-51 margin to end the season 7-14. The graduation of All-State selection Blake Hammeke leaves a notable void for the Celtics. INMAN finished 18-4 after a 40-36 second round loss to Moundridge in sub-state. The Teutons lost two All-State players from that team with Eli Brunk graduating and senior Tanner Heckel moving to Lyndon. MARION finished 3-18 with an 0-9 mark in league play. Head coach Donald Raymer returns five key pieces from that team in seniors Jack Lanning (5-10, 13.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2 spg, All-League), Cooper Bailey (5-10, 7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 spg), Cole Smith (6-1, 4.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Jonathan Frese (5-10, 3.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and junior Luke Watkins (6-2, 2 ppg, 3 rpg). “Staying healthy is our key to success,”
Raymer said. “We finally have experience on our team, but the last two years we have not been able to stay healthy. At multiple times in the past two seasons we have had less than eight kids available for varsity competition. We must improve on scoring in transition, and not get frustrated when the first option is taken away.” Head coach Vance Unrau led MOUNDRIDGE to the school’s seventh state title overall and his sixth. While Coach Bob Smyth won the schools first in 1971, Unrau made it a common occurrence in the 90s, winning four straight from 1990-1993 and another in 1997. The 2023 2A title will be his last after announcing his retirement before the title was even won. Taking over Unrau’s 23-3 league champion team is 16year McPherson assistant Dustan Kanitz, whose time under Hall of Fame coach Kurt Kinnamon provided him all the championship experience one could ever hope for and the Kanitz family should be equipped to pick up where Unrau left off. The Wildcats return juniors Bear Moddlemog (6-3, 14.2 ppg, All-League) and Henry Hecox (62, 9 ppg, 5 rpg), along with sophomore Layton Schmidt (6-4), who played valuable minutes in the state tournament. The new coach also brings with him his senior son Kreighton Kanitz (6-2, 9 ppg), who is coming off an AVCTL-III Defensive Player of the Year season, as well as his sophomore son Kaizer Kanitz (6-0). Junior Zach Dixon (6-4) is also expected to make an impact. “Our team’s greatest strength is how well rounded we are,” Kanitz said. “We have several players with the ability to get to the rim with a nice complement of shooters from the perimeter. With our size and physicality we have the ability to put teams in tough matchups if we execute our offense. Defensively, we have a chance to really put pressure on our opponents if we develop the mindset and be disciplined in our technique.” Six degrees of Kurt Kinnamon continues in the HOA with REMINGTON and their second year head coach Clint Kinnamon (Kurt’s brother and former long-time St. John coach). The Broncos finished 13-8 last season after a first round sub-state loss to Sterling in the 4 vs. 5 game. Kinnamon enters his 32nd year as head coach with one full-time starter back in senior Eli Gerber (6-1, 7.5 ppg) and a part-time starter in junior Kole Klaassen (6-2, 4 ppg), along with senior Colton Barnes (5-11, 1 ppg), juniors Isaac Jury (5-9, 2 ppg) and Drew Klaassen (1 ppg), and sophomore Pedro Ordaz (6-0, 2 ppg). SEDGWICK finished 5-16 last season. Seniors Jackson Scarlett (6-3, 12.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.8 apg), Jeff Nold (6-4, 5.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 apg) and Koen Werner (6-2, 5.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and junior Corey Crumrine (5-9, 5.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.8 apg) return as starters as do ju nior letterwinners Dallas Lagree (6-0) and Cory Culp (6-2). “We are hopeful the experience every returner gained last year will allow us to be more consistent,” head coach Darren Crumrine said. “Offensively, we must shoot the ball better than we did last year. We put too much pressure on our defense with our scoring droughts.” STERLING entered sub-state as a four-seed at 15-5 and managed to upset top-seed Ellinwood in the second round of the tournament, but couldn’t overcome eventual state champs Moundridge in the title game, losing 60-45. The Black Bears finished 17-6 and returning seniors
Page 65 Isaac Briar (6-1, 11.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg), Gabe Riffel (9.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg), Colby Beagley (7.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and Carson Gray (9.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) earned All-HOA honors following their junior campaigns. Other contributors back include seniors Jaiden Diasio (1 ppg, 1 rpg) and Charlie Simpson-Eighmy (6-5, 1.2 ppg, 1 rpg), sophomores Boston Ekart (6-5, 8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Zane Farney (5-11, 2.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg), Blake Smith (6-1, 5.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg) and Wyatt Newberry (1.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg). WICHITA-CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY joins the HOA after going 1-12 a season ago. GIRLS: BENNINGTON ended their season 17-6 after a loss in the sub-state finals to Hillsboro at the Trojans’ home gym. The Bulldogs also posted a strong league record at 6-3 and bring back four starters from that team in seniors Ava Lawson (5-10, 4.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Tambryn Watson (5-7, 5.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 spg), Kolbie Bartlett (5-8, 8.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg), and junior Rori Miles (5-6, 10.6 ppg, 1.1 apg, 3 spg). Head coach Tracy Piepho set three goals for his team this winter - finishing top three in the HOA, contending for a sub-state championship, and shooting more threes at a higher percentage. BEREAN ACADEMY won their second ever state title after a dominant 48-31 win over Riverside in the 2A finals, finishing 25-1 overall. The Warriors lose three All-State selections from that team, but do return two senior starters in Flora Morgan and Avery Wiebe. “We will be trying to fill the holes left by six seniors,” head coach Kristin Wiebe said. “We hope to see maturation as we head into the end of season. Key to success is how quickly young players can learn, grow, and buy into the defensive system.” ELL-SALINE was 9-11 in head coach Brandi Schneider’s first season with the team. The Cardinals bring back seniors Bayleigh Schneider (7 ppg, 2 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2 spg, All-League), Avery Richards (5-7, 7 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg), Ally Richards (5-7, 5 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg), and Brin Hecker (5-8, 8 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 spg) from that starting lineup along with seniors Reygen Schrock (5-8, 1 ppg, 1 rpg), Kalei Powell (5-11), Gabey Norris (5-8, 3 ppg, 3 rpg), and juniors Taelor Hardesty (5-6, 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg) and Isabelle Porter (5-9, 1 ppg, 1 rpg). “This team worked hard this summer to come together and they play with intensive defense and without offensive bias,” Schneider said. CLASSICAL SCHOOL OF WICHITA finished 8-15 last season in their final year unaffiliated with a league. Now, a move to the HOA league happens in year four of head coach Justin Kenas’ tenure, and he gets back a host of talent in juniors Nevi Wiley (5-9, 11 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.1 bpg) and Addison Yost (6.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1 apg, 1.2 spg), senior Flannery Black (5-7, 5.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1 apg, 1.2 spg), and sophomore Maggie Neill (5-8, 4.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 spg). Kenas was concise when asked about his team’s keys to success, simply stating, “Grit”. HUTCH-TRINITY lost their first round substate game against sub-state champs Berean Academy and ended the year 2-19. All-League senior Mackenziey Alvarez was a top player for the Celtics. INMAN has a new coach as Matt Harris takes over after Megan Heckel took a job at Lyndon High. Harris takes over a team that finished 1012 and took fourth in the HOA standings. Back from that group are seniors Taelyn Friesen (3.1
Christy Stout
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Isaac Briar
Sterling, Senior
ppg, 1.5 rpg), Madelyn Brunk (1.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg), along with sophomores Kenna Woods (7 ppg, 5 rpg) and All-State selection Suttyn Harris (20.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg). MARION finished 6-15 last season, but gets back an experienced group this winter. Senior Grace Hett (14.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg), juniors Erin Regnier (3.8 ppg), Kenna Wesner (4.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Tayrn Kraus, and sophomore Shaliah Ensley return to provide head coach Jason Hett a strong group to move forward with. “We lost one senior off last year’s team, so the girls are familiar with our system and how we want to play,” Hett said. “In order for this team to be successful, we have to get better defensively and all spots have to be aggressive.” MOUNDRIDGE lost in the second round of sub-state to eventual state champs Berean Academy and finished the year 10-12. The Wildcats graduated All-League seniors Emily Durst and Kindall Elmore, but also had two of the top freshmen in the league with nowsophomores Addy Patrick and Cammi Unruh. REMINGTON went 17-6 and took second in the HOA with an 8-1 mark. The Broncos return noteworthy talent in seniors Bri Hochstettler (58, 7.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2 spg), Karoline Johnson (5-5, 3.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2 spg), Aja Spencer (5-11, 5.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.8 spg), and sophomore Emily O’Brien (6-0, 9.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.2 apg, 2.7 spg). “Need to replace the loss of our leading scorer, need to be better offensively in the half court, and need to rebound and defend at a higher level,” coach Ricky Snyder said of team keys. Head coach Aaron continued on page 66
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
“We expect to continue to compete at a high level this year,” coach Nicholas Kyle. “We are young and have plenty to improve on, but I am confident that we can take steps in the right direction this season.” PRATT-SKYLINE finished 14-8 and in third place in HOPL standings at season’s end. Entering his fourth year with the Thunderbirds, head coach Hagen Turner returns senior Brayden Berens (5-10, 13.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.8 spg), Justus Novotny (6-4, 10.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1 bpg), Isaac Temanson (6-0, 3.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg), and juniors Ismael Carrasco (5-11, 7.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.5 spg) and Jake Hittle (6-0, 3.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Turner noted a top four finish and sub-state and league titles as his team’s goals this winter. PRETTY PRAIRIE was 8-13 at season’s end and returns seniors James White (6-1, 4.8 ppg, 2 rpg) and Gage Bowers (5-9, 11.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg) from that group. Head coach Matt Goering said of his team’s goals; “Play hard, play together, and compete.” SOUTH BARBER went 7-14 overall with a 5-7 record in the HOPL. Returning starters back from that team include seniors Lukas Dunham (5-11, 11.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.3 spg), Xander Myers (6-0, 6.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.4 spg), Briggs Jewell (6-1, 8.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg), Bryson Rathgeber (5-10, 7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg), and junior Oakley Duvall (6-2, 8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg). “Keys to success are winning the games inside the game (and) growing as basketball players and young men,” coach Shawn Hooker said. STAFFORD entered the Western Plains substate with a bye as a top seed and showed why with a dominant win over Wilson in the semifinals with a tougher 49-42 win over Pawnee Heights in the title game. South Central knocked the Trojans out in the first round of state leaving them 18-6 on the season with an 8-1 mark in league play giving SHS a tie for first in the HOPL. Seniors Brody Kerschenske (6-5, 9.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and Jimi Oleson (6-1, 6.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, 1.2 spg) are back from that starting lineup. “Our goals are to continue to build this program’s expectations and standards,” head coach Cole Smith said. “We lost a big senior class who took the program to new heights, but now it is time for the young guys to take over and build off of the last two years.” GIRLS: ATTICA ended up on the wrong end
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Central Plains – who moved up a division in the offseason – in the second round of sub-state, losing a hardfought contest 48-46. The Bulldogs return three key rotation players from that team in seniors Leah Detter (5-5, 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg) and Joley Harbaugh (5-5, 7 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.5 spg), and junior Kaylea Robinson (5-7, 3 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 spg, 1 bpg). “Scoring and rebounding,” coach Scott Goering said of team keys to success. “We lost a lot of scoring from last season and will need new leaders to step up and take over. Our defense should be pretty solid still with most of our best on ball defenders back this season.” SOUTH BARBER finished 6-14 last season and returns a large portion of their minutes from that squad. Seniors Autumn Drake (6.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Arrington Allen (3.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Jessia Jahay (3.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), along with sophomore Lily Schurter (5.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg) all started games last season. Senior Jaden Allen (1.2 rpg) also was a part of the rotation. Freshmen Reignie Coggins and Kenslea Schupbach are likely to contribute varsity minutes this season as well. STAFFORD ended the season winless at 0-21. Senior Lucy Miralles was voted All-League for the Trojans as a junior.
Heart of America League / from page 65 Stucky’s SEDGWICK squad couldn’t quite break .500, finishing 10-11. The Cardinals have high hopes this winter, however, with four starters back in seniors Logan Stucky (5-3, 9 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg) and Addie Rogers (5-3, 3 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg), as well as juniors Gabby Peterson (5-5, 6 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 3 spg) and Logan Budde (5-5, 7 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg). After winning back-to-back state titles in the two seasons prior, a young STERLING team went just 4-17 in coach Jill Rowland’s final season, bringing an end to a 251-win 15year run highlighted by six state tournament appearances. Taking over for her is first year head coach Kylah Hayes who wlecomes back senior Avery Linden (3.1 ppg), juniors Shklar Olsen (4.5 ppg) and Katie Conard (1.3 ppg), and sophomore Aleya Ravenstein (5.2 ppg) from that starting lineup. Along with the loss of All-League
graduate Kate Rowland, the Bears will also be missing 6-5 junior Lily Gray (9.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) who is playing club volleyball this season. “Going into this season, our team goals are to create an atmosphere in practice and at games that makes others want to be a part of our program,” Hayes said. “We are focusing on effort and attitude this season while also striving to improve our fundamentals to put us in the best situations possible to win games. A few keys to success for our team this season are being willing to learn from our mistakes, staying positive and handling ball pressure. We have an outstanding group of girls who work incredibly hard, and are some of the kindest players I’ve coached. But, we often stray from physicality. I want them to work on getting comfortable with physicality within the game.” WICHITA-CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY joins the HOA after going 4-11 a season ago.
Brody Kerschenske
Stafford, Senior Cheri Ricke
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The ATTICA Bulldogs finished 11-10 and took fourth in the HOPL. Back from that team are Mac Harnden (8 ppg) and Carter Swingle (6 ppg) as head coach Monte Miller enters his third season with the team at 27-17 overall. “We are gonna be thin on numbers this year,” Miller said. “We need to get better every practice and each game.” BURRTON finished with one win last season and lost in the first round of sub-state to Centre. All-League junior Charlie Musser was a top player for that Chargers team. CUNNINGHAM had a 6-4 league record good for sixth in the HOPL to go with a 14-9 overall mark. The Wildcats graduated a talented duo in Trey Deweese and Lane Halderson, but AllLeague junior Luke Albers (5-10, 15.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2 spg), fellow junior Will Wegerer (5-8, 12.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3 apg, 1.5 spg), and senior Luke McGuire (5-11, 7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 spg) make for a talented trio of returning starters. HUTCH-CENTRAL CHRISTIAN advanced to the sub-state title before losing to Southern Cloud and finishing the season 8-15 with a 2-7 record in league play. Seniors Blake Yoder (511, 10 ppg, 2.3 spg) and Justus Huff (6-2, 6 ppg, 4 rpg), juniors Tucker Clark (6-0, 3 ppg, 4 rpg) and Ry Kooiman (5-7, 3 ppg), and sophomore Piercen Huff (6-0, 6 ppg) are all back for Adam Clark as he enters his 23rd year as head coach. “We gained a lot of valuable experience with several different guys in the starting lineup throughout the year last year,” Clark said. “Overall we will be a good athletic group with good shooters.” LANGDON-FAIRFIELD ended up 8-13 after losing a tough first round matchup against Skyline. Senior Calen Wente (13.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg) and junior Conner Fowler (7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3 apg, 2.6 spg) were top performers on that squad. NORWICH finished 18-5 after losing in the sub-state title game against 1A-DI runner-up Wichita-Classical. Head coach Nicholas Kyle is entering year four with the team holding a 55-11 record and brings back three key players from last year’s squad in senior Jace Benge (4.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg), junior Brayden Pauly (3.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg), and sophomore Jayden Benge (6.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.3 apg). Other expected contributors include junior Kruce Liddeke as well as freshman Tanner Gosch and Drew Kelly.
Nick Minks
HEART OF THE PLAINS LEAGUE
Page 66 of the 32-29 overtime nail-biter against South Central in the second round of sub-state and ended the season at 17-5. All-State junior Zoie Redgate (5-5, 15.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3 apg, 5.7 spg) was a top performer for the Bulldogs along with juniors Chloe Traffas (5.4 ppg), Baylee Ricke (4.2 ppg), and senior Isabel Alexander (4.9 ppg). BURRTON finished 7-13 after a second round sub-state loss to Wakefield in a sub-state tournament hosted by Burrton. The Chargers have since graduated lone All-League selection Cassie Dunlavy. CUNNINGHAM ended the season 4-16 after a first round sub-state loss to South Central. AllLeague junior Ellie McGuire returns along with a sizable group with varsity experience including senior Maranda Lohrke and Matilyn Jump, junior Ava Bock, and a trio of sophomores in Emily Ogg, Grace Hageman, and Kyra Morgan. HUTCH-CENTRAL CHRISTIAN came out on top of their stub-state after entering as the one-seed, knocking off Southern Cloud and Wakefield in convincing fashion in the semifinals and championship game. St. John’s-Beloit/ Tipton ended up knocking them out in a tough 45-40 matchup once at state. The loss of AllLeague graduate Kaylee Kaufman won’t be easy to replace. Junior Belle Barnett (8.8 ppg, 5 rpg) and all-League sophomore Jessa Losew (8.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.4 spg) were each top players for the Cougars last year as well. LANGDON-FAIRFIELD ended the season 15-6 after a first round loss to St. John-Hudson in the 4 vs. 5 matchup. The Falcons graduated a talented trio of seniors from that class, but also had impact players in now-seniors Mikayla Pugh (8.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.8 spg) and Erin Schwertfeger (4.6 ppg, 10 rpg). NORWICH finished fourth in the state with a 20-4 record after dominating both of their substate match-ups and beating Canton-Galva 4234 in the first round of the 1A-DI state tournament held in Dodge City. Doniphan West and Frankfort proved too much in the next two rounds. Seniors Kierstin Adams (5-11) and Braylin Kelly both received All-State honors last year. PRATT-SKYLINE ended the season 5-16 after a first round sub-state loss to Pretty Prairie. AllLeague graduate Kady Anschutz is going to be tough to replace for the Thunderbirds. PRETTY PRAIRIE put together a strong curtain call after winning the 1A-DI state title in 2022, finishing last season 19-3, but were ironically unable to get past 1A-DII defending state champs
Zoie Redgate
Attica, Junior
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
HI-PLAINS LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The ELKHART Wildcats finished 7-14 with a 1-5 mark in league play last season. First year head coach Kason Siemens takes over for Jason Wilson – now at Osborne – and returns seniors Donavyn Rhoades (6-3, 10.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.1 spg) and Emilio Ibarra (6-0, 11.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 spg), and junior Calvin Shackelford (5-10, 1.7 ppg, 2 rpg). Siemens listed Traetyn Rhodes, Gavin Schumacher, Bodie Higgins, Murray Houtz, and brothers Junior and Jovany Guillen as important varsity contributors this season along with freshman Grady Palmer who he said could be a game changer. “Buying into our philosophy will be huge to our success,” Siemens said. “We will pride ourselves on defense this year making sure every point is earned. We will also need to have some new guys step up and play bigger roles.” LAKIN was 13-9 and took second in the HPL standings with a 5-1 league mark. The Broncos bring back major experience in seniors MJ Gonzales, Maddux Beltran and Zak Trueheart and juniors Adrik Esquibel, Eric Munson, Dru Patterson, Colter Oldham, Ross Rider, Vincent Bocanegra, Noah Garcia, Austin Ritsema and Tyelor Holloway. Head coach Nate Schmitt said all had seen meaningful varsity minutes. “We return a ton of guys who played at the varsity level the last two years,” Schmitt said. “The transition from being underclassmen to upperclassmen and all that comes with that will be key to our success.” A young SOUTHWESTERN HEIGHTS squad
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ended up 1-20 last season. Top scorer David Torres has since graduated, but senior Aaron Cox (5.7 ppg), junior Julius Trejo (4.2 ppg), and sophomore Omar Mercado (4.9 ppg) were other top performers for the Mustangs last season. STANTON COUNTY finished 11-10 with a 3-3 league record that left them fourth in the HPL standings. Seniors Juan Aleman (5-11, 11 ppg, 8 rpg) and Alvin Solis (5-10, 6 ppg 4 rpg, 3 apg) are back from that starting lineup. “We have to become more efficient on the offensive side of the ball,” head coach Leighton Grover said. SUBLETTE took second place in the league tournament last year to go with a 2-4 regular season mark in league play and a 13-9 overall record. Juniors Corbin Dierking (6-2, 5.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and Gage Lee (5-10, 5.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1 apg) both return from that starting lineup. “Team goal this year is to be competitive in every game and make it back to our league tournament championship as well as make it to the sub-state championship game,” head coach Travis Leverett said. “Key to success this year is we over me. We have a great problem, a lot of great athletes but only five can play so sharing time and making the most of your minutes and if everyone can be on board it will be a fun year.” SYRACUSE won the HPL tournament last year out of a competitive field. The Bulldogs were 13-8 overall with a 4-2 regular season HPL record. Fourth year head coach Jordan Wahlmeier returns two upperclassmen from that group in senior Jay Gould (5-11, 6.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1 spg) and junior Brody Keller (6-4, 10.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.3 apg).
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“Playing with pace and taking care of the ball, defending with a purpose, and making the most of each possession offensively with patience and execution,” Wahlmeier said. “Being able to be disciplined both offensively and defensively and play to our scheme will be huge with this new group of guys. Some younger guards will have to step up and contribute some big minutes, but we will be big inside to help alleviate some of that pressure.” WICHITA COUNTY went 15-6 overall and took first in the HPL standings at 6-0. Seniors Colton Harbin (6-2, 14 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.9 spg) and Christopher Michel (6-3, 9 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 bpg) return from that team as Haydon Parks enters year 11 as head coach. “Our goals are high this year,” Parks said. “We want to build from last year and look to have similar success. Keys for this season are to play our game, control tempo, and play tough defense.” GIRLS: ELKHART finished the season 13-9 after a second round sub-state defeat against sub-state champs Wichita County. All-League selection Belle Brillhart, along with her fellow seniors Madi Brillhart, and Isabel Gonzalez are back for the Wildcats. “We have a small team, but a talented team returning this year,” head coach Dusty Brillhart said. “We have four strong seniors and some talented underclassmen who will give us a wellrounded team.” LAKIN took first in the Hi-Plains League tourney to go with a second place regular season league finish and a 12-9 overall record. The
Bulldogs return seniors Jara Davidson (5-10, 9.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 2.2 spg), Sammie Vogel (5-11, 7.3 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.2 spg), Kinzie LohmanFuller (5-8, 2.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), and Reagan Chavira (5-3, 1.5 ppg, 1 rpg, 1 apg) from last season’s lineup. “We feel like we have a good chance to repeat as league tournament champions and a good chance to win the league,” head coach Jacy Holloway said. “Our sub-state is very tough, but we feel like a good goal is to make it to the substate championship. Our top two returning points per game scorers will have to continue to put up big numbers as Seniors. Our other two returning seniors will have a much larger role on the team and we expect them to be up to the challenge.” SOUTHWESTERN HEIGHTS finished 5-16 a season ago and return juniors Adeline Woods, Juanita Puentes, and sophomore Layla Kisner. Woods led the team in rebounds, Puentes in steals and assists, and Kisner in scoring and outside shooting, all as underclassmen. “We are still a young team,” head coach Amanda Kisner said. “However, I see a lot of potential in this group.” continued on page 98
KAW VALLEY CONFERENCE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: BISHOP WARD finished 18-4 overall with a 9-1 mark in the KVC. First year head coach Kevin Walterbach takes over for veteran head man Steve Sitzer with just one returning experienced player back in junior Tyler Holmes (6-3, 6.6 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.4 spg). “Cohesiveness as a team and fitness are key,” Walterbach said.” Losing six contributing seniors, we are lacking in varsity starting experience, but plan on tapping into a still upperclassmen heavy unit who have been playing together at the JV level and filling in the back end of varsity the past couple years. Our other emphasis will be on playing faster and wearing teams down.” BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY went 10-10 with a third place KVC finish and are another team from the league with a first year head coach. Trey Johnson takes over the Seahawks as they bring back All-State juniors Jace Smith (6-2, 11.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1 spg) and Chase Honarvar (6-7, 10.2 ppg, 10 rpg, 6.2 bpg), and senior Aidan Page (5-11, 9.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.8 spg) from that starting lineup. Johnson called “playing together and team defense” as his team’s keys to success. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL finished 9-13 with a 3-6 record in the Kaw Valley that left them in fourth place. First year head coach Chip Kueffer – formerly an assistant at Veritas Christian Academy and a manager for KU men’s basketball – takes over the Lions with seniors Evan Will (6-1), Simon Everhart (6-3), Ty Gossard (6-4) and Ian Brian (6-0), and junior Jase Pavlik (5-11) back in the varsity rotation. “Attitude and effort,” Kueffer said of his team’s
keys. “The team with the tightest huddle goes furthest.” HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY brought home a KVC title with a 9-1 regular season record and ended up with an 18-5 overall mark after a 73-66 OT loss in the sub-state finals against Perry-Lecompton. Fifth year head coach Evan Burns returns one starter from that team in junior Biruk Dietz (6.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg). KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN ended up 8-13 and in a tie for fourth place in the league. Fifth year head coach Josh Poteet returns senior Hunter Rush (6-3, 2.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg), but has plenty of spots to fill around his senior. “We have a young and inexperience d, but deep team,” Poteet said. “Key will be getting guys to gel and work together regardless who is in the game. This may be the deepest bench we have had in the last five years which creates a lot of opportunities for kids.” MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY won a sub-state playoff game against McLouth 50-32 to give them their second win of the year, but the Eagles weren’t able to overcome top seed Lyndon in the next round. Replacing All-State graduate Colton Williams will be key. GIRLS: BISHOP WARD went 12-9 last season after a first round sub-state loss to Maur Hill Academy. The Cyclones have a tough task in replacing graduated All-League selections Mercedes Dominguez and Jaden Oropeza. BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY couldn’t overcome eventual state champs Doniphan West in their first round matchup at sub-state and ended the season without a win. continued on page 72
Andy Bayless
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Dane Winters
Burlingame, Junior
James Howey/Atchison Globe
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: The BURLINGAME Bearcats finished 17-6 after a heartbreaking 46-45 loss in the sub-state finals game hosted by Onaga. The Bearcats also nabbed a regular season runnerup finish in the LCL and took third in the league tournament. Junior Dane Winters (9.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.1 rpg, 2.1 spg) and sophomore Drake Skrivin (8.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.2 bpg) return from that starting lineup. “Keys will be an improved level of play from our wing players and finding some help off our bench,” head coach Eric West said. A HARTFORD team with three underclassmen in the starting lineup ended with a 9-13 record after a second round sub-state tournament loss to Waverly. Head coach Colten Barrett now enters season five with the Jaguars with juniors Tysin Bulson, Nolin Trester, and sophomore Keenan Renfrow back from the starting lineup. Senior Kevin Goza and sophomores Simon Blankley and Daden Wilson will see larger roles. “This year’s team will be able to have a more
Jeter Purdy
Atchison, Senior
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ATCHISON has three key starters back from a squad that took second in the Meadowlark and finished 19-4 overall after earning a state tournament berth a season ago. Seniors Trey Carter (5-10, 9.4 ppg, 4.7 apg), Xiomar Hernandez (12.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and Jeter Purdy (6-4, 9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg) return for fourth year Phoenix head coach Pat Battle – who is entering his 20th year as a head coach overall – to try and continue into the later rounds of the tournament come March. “We believe that we have the talent and experience to contend for a state championship,” Battle said. “We return seven lettermen including 6-6 center Jace Richards and 6-3 forward Eric Smith. We also feel that our team is capable of being very competitive in the tough Meadowlark League.” FL SCHLAGLE finished 1-19 with their lone
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LYON COUNTY LEAGUE
balanced offensive attack this year,” Barrett said. “Our depth offensively has improved, overall shooting will improve with the addition of our freshman class, going to be able to play faster with the depth at the guard position this season.” LEBO put together an 18-8 season with a bronze in the regular season LCL and silver in the league tournament to go with a 1A-DII state runner-up finish. After resting for their first round bye, the Wolves handled each opponent in double digits leading up to the title game, where they finally lost 49-43 to Greeley County. First team All-State selection Landon Grimmet leaves a hole in production, but All-State selections, senior Grayson Shoemaker (6-2, 16.4 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.6 apg) and sophomore Zach Oswald (6-4, 11.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg) return with valuable postseason experience. Head coach Alex McNeal led MADISON/ HAMILTON to a 12-10 mark in his first year at the helm and gets three starters back in juniors Colton Isch (6-1), Cade Hurlburt (5-11), and senior Lane Darbo (6-0) in year two. “Remain competitive in the Lyon County League, be a better team game 20 than game one, and position ourselves for the best opportunity for postseason success,” McNeal said of his team’s goals. MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY closed out their season at 2-19 and in seventh place in the final LCL standings. Back from that team are seniors Corey Criss (9.8 ppg, 7 rpg) and Mason Rose (6.8 ppg, 4 rpg). Head coach John Bass established a goal of “trying to finish in the upper half of the LCL and having a winning record” this winter. After winning back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, OLPE put together another memorable season that resulted in LCL regular season
and tournament titles along with a fourth place finish in 1A-DI. After defeating Centralia 46-30 in the first round of state, the Eagles were barely edged out by Classical School of Wichita 45-44 in the semifinals, and then lost 80-77 in doubleovertime in the third place game, leaving Olpe at 22-4 on the season. Head coach Chris Schmidt enters his 27th year with a 478-142 record and gets back All-State senior Blake Skalsky (6-5, 12 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 bpg) to form a new lineup around. “We hope to get better everyday and at the end of the year make a run in the postseason,” Schmidt said. “We will not be very big so rebounding will be a key for us. If we defend and shoot it decently we will compete.” SOUTHERN COFFEY COUNTY ended with a 1-20 record in Brian Rand’s first year as head coach. One starter is back from that group in senior Thomas Nickel (11.1 ppg, 5 rpg) as Rand develops his next group. “Our goal is to improve from week to week and learn the game better,” Rand said. WAVERLY went 9-13 with a fourth place finish in regular season league play and a fifth place result in the LCL tournament. Head coach Tyler Williams returns one starter in senior Ben Meehan (6-0, 8.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 7.8 apg, 1.6 bpg, 1.9 bpg). “Growth is key,” Williams said. “We are exceptionally young but have potential to be a competitive squad. With Ben, he’s a solid leader, and we saw great improvement with our sophomores and freshmen who will have to step up and play a ton.” GIRLS: BURLINGAME entered their sub-state as the top seed, but were caught off guard by
victory coming against Wyandotte. The Stallions now have a big senior class to replace, including All-League selection Merle Peterson. Powerhouse and six-time state champs HIGHLAND PARK finished third in the state last season after losing their lone game in the semifinals to soon-to-be 5A state champs Andover. The Scots then unleashed their vengeance in the third place match against Hutchinson with a 79-46 drubbing of the Salthawks. Just one starter returns for head coach Michael Williams from that group in junior Jacorey Robinson (6-6, 11 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg), but seniors Prince McMillon, Tamir Anderson and Amari Taylor, along with juniors Mikey Williams and Jamon Wilson have also seen time on the varsity hardwood. “This is the beautiful thing about being a part of Highland Park, with the storied basketball tradition that HP has always had,” Williams said. “With that comes a certain basketball expectation and this basketball expectation we are expected to uphold. This comes from us right now, but more importantly it comes from alumni, it comes from the community around us. So this season’s goals and expectations will be no different. We are working to win our mid-season tournament, we are working to win our league, we are working to win two sub-state tournament games and we are working to win a Class 5A boys basketball state championship.” JC HARMON won just two games a season ago, both coming against league opponent Schlagle. All-League graduate Michael King was
the Hawks’ top producer during that campaign. SUMNER ACADEMY managed a first round sub-state upset over Aquinas by a score of 59-54 and finished 12-10 on the year after a hard fought 67-63 finals loss against BasehorLinwood. Graduates Jammial Hicks, Terry Rowe, and now-senior Howard Peoples earned AllLeague recognition, but Peoples transferred to Bishop Miege for his senior season. WASHINGTON ended their season at 9-11 with a 7-5 mark in league play, but could see improvements on that this winter with five starters back. Seniors J’Vuaean Williams (6-4, 17 ppg, 6 rpg, 1 apg, 1 bpg), Damon Alexander (6-3, 14 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 apg, 1 bpg, 3 spg), junior Shaun Cannady (6-5, 6 ppg, 9 rpg, 2 bpg), and sophomores Jamari Williams (6-3, 8 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 bpg, 2 spg) and Elliot Berry (6-0, 10 ppg, 1 rpg, 2 apg) return with track records of production and another year’s experience. Head coach Michael Green cited “chemistry” as the key to his team’s success and set team goals to win the Meadowlark and make a trip to the state tournament. Third year head coach Marcus T. Johnson Sr. has back senior Kamari Murray (6-1, 12.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.5 spg) from a WYANDOTTE team that finished 4-16 last year with all their victories coming in league play. Outside of Murray the Bulldogs have various roles to fill. Johnson’s keys to success for his team include, “Taking care of business in the classroom,
Centralia in the second round of the tournament and ended their season 15-6. In league play the Wildcats finished fourth in both the regular season and LCL tournament. Back from that team is All-State senior Kaylin Noonan (20 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.8 spg) – the school’s career and single season scoring record holder – senior Madison Hovestadt (2.7 ppg), and junior Joselyn Simmons (4.6 ppg). “After putting together a solid summer going 10-4, I believe we have a great opportunity to be successful this winter with what we return and what we are adding,” coach Jeff Slater said. “Kaylin Noonan is one of the top players in our classification, she will step into a new role as our point guard. Going from a three year post player to point guard could be a difficult swap but this summer Kaylin did a great job of handling the ball, getting us out in transition and sharing the ball well with teammates, while also filling up the stat sheet herself. Joselyn Simmons is a girl that we need to really have a big season shooting, as she is capable of catching fire any night she steps on the court. Senior Madison Hovestadt continues to improve and is always an impact player for us defensively. We add to our mix transfer Mckenna McFarlane, (who) is a stud defensively for us, we hope as the season goes on we can find ways for her to contribute scoring, and incoming freshman Harper Seele will be a nice addition.” HARTFORD faced a second round sub-state loss to state runner-up Lebo and finished 5-17. Junior Trinity Windle earned All-League for the Jaguars. continued on page 100
MEADOWLARK CONFERENCE
establishing the Bulldog team rules, leadership and character development, minimizing outside distractions, and adopting a team first mindset.” GIRLS: ATCHISON took second in Meadowlark regular season standings with a record of 8-3 to go with their 11-10 overall mark last season. Third year head coach Nic Rebant returns two senior starters from that team in Presley Simpson (5-8, 12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Tyeera Heyward (5-10, 7.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.3 spg). ‘Working as a team and believing in one another,” Rebant said of the team’s keys to success, adding “great effort in practice and translating that into the games.” FL SCHLAGLE earned one win over league opponent Harmon last season, going 1-16 overall after a first round sub-state loss to Seaman. De’janae Brown was the lone Stallion to earn All-League honors and she graduated last spring. HIGHLAND PARK captured a Meadowlark Conference title with a perfect 10-0 regular season mark. The Scots paired that with a 19-4 overall record and a state tournament appearance after defeating Shawnee Heights 51-48 in the sub-state finals. All-State juniors Amelia Ramsey (6-0, 20 ppg, 16 rpg, 3 bpg) and DeAsia Sanders (12 ppg, 4 apg, 4 spg), junior Tahtionna Broils (7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), and All-State senior Angelique Gowan-Britt (9 ppg, 5 rpg, 5.5 continued on page 78
MID-CONTINENT LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ELLIS finished 5-16 with a 2-7 mark in league play last season, but senior Logan Russell (5-11, 3.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg), juniors Caleb Noble (6-3, 4.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.4 spg) and Toby Honas (6-0, 3 ppg, 3.8 rpg), and sophomore Jaren Frickey (5-8, 3.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.3 apg) are all back with noteworthy experience under their belts to help improve on the five-win season. “Our goals for this season will be shooting 70 percent as a team from the free throw line and winning the rebounding/turnover battle,” head coach Nolan Smith said. “We want to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season but if we can accomplish these tasks, we will be competitive this year. Last season, we had a majority of our guys getting their first taste of varsity basketball and we return a lot of our team. We will miss the seniors from last year, but I am excited to see the progress of our team this year.” HILL CITY lost a hard fought 45-43 second round sub-state matchup against league opponent Hoxie last season and finished 17-5 overall. Head coach Keith Riley enters his 56th season at Hill City – yes, you read that right – and returns seniors Jaden Nuss (13 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Dylan Gansel (9.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg), and Dylan Budig (6.7 ppg) from that starting lineup, but the graduation of first team All-MCL selection Trent Long does leave a hole. Riley, who is second all-time in wins in Kansas high school basketball coaching history with 764, was honored by the school in February when the gym was named the Keith Riley Fieldhouse in his honor. HOXIE made their way to the sub-state championship game after entering the tournament as a two-seed and knocking off Hill City in the semifinals in a 45-43 defensive struggle. The Indians weren’t able to overcome TMP in the finals, however, losing 57-36. The team now has a tough task in replacing All-League graduates Miles Baalman and Brady Jones. NORTON COMMUNITY placed third in the MCL with an 8-3 record but finished just seventh in the league tournament. Overall the Bluejays finished 14-8 and return senior Roman Hauser (6-4, 8.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.4 apg) and junior Eli Jones (14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg) from that starting lineup. “How well our new players to the rotation contribute and provide team chemistry is our key to success,” 33-year head coach Doug Reusink said. OAKLEY managed a major upset as a seven-seed in the sub-state tournament, knocking off two-seed Wichita County in the first round before getting knocked out in the second round by Medicine Lodge. The Plainsmen finished the season 10-13, but now have a tall task in replacing all five starters, including All-State selection Will Schmidt (Manhattan Christian College) and All-League selection Brayden Cunningham. Seniors Sheldon Temaat (6-0) and Ivan Reyes (6-0), juniors Mason Jackson (6-0) and Levi Renner (5-8), and sophomores Carsen Beal (5-11), Manuel Mancia (5-7), Easton Fink (5-8), Jonah Kuhlman (6-3), and Eli Schmidt (5-8) are all expected to compete for larger roles according to head coach Aaron Dardis. “Last season we took some big strides forward
with the most wins the boys program has had in nine years and the first sub-state win in nine years. With that, however, we lost a great senior class and all five starters. This season we will have a very young team. Players will have to quickly adapt to new roles on the team. We should have the advantages of a balanced scoring attack and a group of players who know the system and work hard. As always, our keys this season are to stay healthy and be consistent in our desire to compete and improve.” PHILLIPSBURG went 10-11 with a 7-4 league mark last season. Seniors Rad Rodriguez (63, 12 ppg, 6 rpg), Rhett Shelton (6-1, 8 ppg, 4 rpg) and Ryan Babcock (6-0, 4 ppg, 2 rpg), and junior Caden Seems (6-3, 8 ppg, 6 rpg) are all back from that starting lineup for 22nd year head coach Keith Sides. “Developing our young guards to complement our older post players,” Sides said of his team’s keys to success. “If our guards can up their game, I like our advantage inside with some of our big guys. Size will be a strength for us.” PLAINVILLE finished 7-14 in head coach Chris Drees’ 11th season with the team and now return three upperclassmen starters from that group. Seniors Braylon Bittel (6-3, 11 ppg, 6 rpg) and AJ Brown (6-2, 6 ppg, 4 rpg), and junior Roy Bright (6-1, 3 ppg, 3 rpg) are all back for the Cardinals. “Our goals are to build on the success we started to see throughout last year,” Drees said. “We need to be able to finish games and win a couple that we are not supposed to.” RUSSELL closed out last season at 14-9 with a 7-4 record in the MCL regular season and third place finish in the league tournament. The Broncos have a tough task in replacing all five starters, but head coach Cody Casey feels confident in his up and coming group. “Our team will be youth-centric this season,” Casey said. “We have a great group of hard working guys that we are excited about. Taking it one day at a time will be essential to developing our identity and culture. We will need to compete everyday to be the kind of team that we want to be by the end of the season.” SMITH CENTER finished 3-18 with an 11th place finish in the MCL in head coach Alex Hobelmann’s first year in his position. Seniors Tegan McKenzie (6-4, 6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3 bpg), Wyatt Overmiller (6-0, 8.4 ppg, 1.6 apg, 1.1 spg), Benjy Carr (5-11, 4.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg), and junior Daveyon Orr (6-0, 3.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg) give Hobelmann an experience group for year two. “Continue to build a culture and compete every practice and game,” Hobelmann said of his team goals. TMP-MARIAN took fourth in 2A with a 22-4 record at season’s end, which paired well with a 10-0 league championship regular season. The Monarchs saw the graduation of a talented senior class and an All-League trio in Kade Harris, Dylan Werth, and Luke Rome. Head coach Bill Meagher feels good about his remaining varsity group consisting of seniors Joey Mindrup, Griffin Schumacher and Caden Becker, junior Heuer Brungardt, and sophomores Caden Dinkel, Carson Liles, Will Eck and Ian Nehls. “We are excited for the group of young men that we have this year,” Meagher said. “This will be the youngest and most inexperienced group
Page 69 that we have had for a while, but we believe that they can be a tough team heading into postseason play. We graduated five strong seniors and will have to sort that out as we progress this season. We will be much more guard-oriented after graduating three strong big guys last year. We have our work cut out and may struggle early in the season, but we have great young men ready to take on that challenge and see how good this team can be.” First year head coach Zach McNall takes over a TREGO COMMUNITY program that returns one starter from a group that finished 8th in MCL regular season and tournament standings with a 10-12 overall record. Senior Quinten Walt (6-3, 3.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) gives McNall some experience as he implements his own style. “Create a successful program culture that begins with our high school and flows throughout the community,” McNall said of his team goals adding that he wants his squad to “be competitive night in and night out (and) hit our peak come sub-state.” GIRLS: ELLIS was upset in the first round of sub-state by Trego and finished the season 14-8. Juniors Isabella Eck and Natalee North earned All-League nods as sophomores, but the Railers have to replace All-State graduate Emily Eck. HILL CITY finished 4-17 with a 10th place finish in the MCL. Starters back from that team include sophomores Rylie Minium (5-5, 4 ppg, 4 rpg) and Sada Nelson (5-7, 2 ppg), and senior Grace Harmon (5-7, 4 ppg). HOXIE finished 18-6 overall with a third place finish in the MCL regular season at 8-3. In the league tournament the Indians advanced to the finals and finished as runner-up. Third year head coach Easton Slipke returns seniors Josey Kennedy (5-5, 18 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.2 spg), Kinley Rogers (5-9, 9.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3 apg, 2.5 spg), Ella Zerr (7.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.5 spg), and junior Emily Bainter (5-9, 8.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.2 spg) to the starting lineup. “We want to win our (mid-season) tournament, as well as winning both regular season MCL and MCL tournament (titles),” Slipke said. “The biggest goal this year we have is making the state tournament and winning it all. Very possible this
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Roman Hauser
Norton, Senior
year with our experience and how deep we are.” NORTON COMMUNITY finished 13-10 and took seventh at the MCL tournament a season ago. Back from that team are senior Jenessa Ruder (58, 12.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1 apg, 1.7 spg) and juniors Payton Bailey (5-8, 5.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.8 spg) and Hallie Brooks (5-9, 5 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.5 spg). Head coach Cheri Brooks called “aggressive team defense that will create transition opportunities” as the key to success for her team. OAKLEY finished 9-15 and placed eighth in league and second in sub-state. Back from that team for second year Plainsmen head coach Cheryl Martin are seniors Karli Krier (5-5, 4 ppg, 2.5 apg, 3.1 spg), Dayhsa Allison (5-6, 3.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.6 spg) and Justice Booker (5-9, 9.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.8 spg), and sophomore Jade Beckman (5-5, 8.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 3.7 spg). “We made tremendous progress in my first year,” Martin said. “We made it to the sub-state finals for the first time in a long time. This year our goal is to finish as sub-state champs and make it to the state championship. These are high goals but the girls have been putting in the work through the summer and have made improvements.” PHILLIPSBURG advanced to the second round of the state tournament after handily defeating Riley County 40-27 in the opener, but were unable to knock off Cheney, losing that game 58-49 and suffering what ended up being their only loss continued on page 102
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
MID-EAST LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Kansas Pregame *This is the final season for the MEL, with most teams merging with the Big 7 next season. BOYS: ALMA-WABAUNSEE squad had a solid follow-up campaign a season ago and finished 15-7 with a 6-4 mark in league play that left them tied for second in the Mid-East. Graduation gutted the Chargers roster last spring, but one starter does return in senior Zach Frank (5-8, 4.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.4 apg) as fifth year head coach Christian Ulsaker looks to replenish his lineup. “This will be a growing year for our younger players,” Ulsaker said. “We graduated seven seniors that all played significant roles on our team last year. Zach Frank will need to be a senior leader that helps some of these underclassmen get adjusted to varsity basketball.” RILEY COUNTY finished 6-15 last season with a young lineup. Back from that roster are juniors Eli Harmison (6-1) and Trent Webber (6-1), and seniors KJ Davis (6-0) and Jake Lambert (6-0) from the starting lineup, along with junior Jace Woodard (6-0) and sophomore Trey Webber (6-0) from the varsity rotation. The Falcons also return junior Brett Hopper (6-2) who missed all of last year with a torn ACL. ROSSVILLE ended their year at 7-14 with a 3-7 mark in league play. An experienced group returns from that starting lineup in juniors Saint Mildren and Tayson Horak, and sophomores Jakoby McDonnell and Jack Donovan. Other lettermen back include senior Avery Crosswhite, juniors Brock Bush, Kameron Badura and Will Koch, and sophomores Cameron Miller and Conner Bush. “I am very excited,” head coach Brandon McDonnell said. “Year one is out of the way. We were trying to learn each other and figure out all the pieces and how they fit together. We had a very young team last year and it is still that way. A majority of our team are sophomores and juniors, so we still have a young core which is great to have. Most of our players have experience at the varsity level as incoming freshmen so we have now got the butterflies out and know what to expect. Our guard play has gotten tremendously better as they have learned from the speed bumps from last year. Our big men are stronger physically and mentally. It’s going to be an exciting year to see the growth of our players on and off the court.” SILVER LAKE went 8-14 with a sixth place
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finish in the Mid-East League at 5-5. Back from that team are seniors Spencer Johnson (6-1, 5.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 spg), Elijah Lopez (6-4, 6.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg), and sophomore Dayne Johnson (6-0, 6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2 apg). ST. GEORGE-ROCK CREEK had a 13-9 overall record last season to go with a 6-4 mark in league play and have high expectations for this winter with the return of four starters. Seniors Daegen Vinduska (6-3, 9.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.2 spg) and Trevor Christensen (6-0, 3.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg), along with juniors Coley Burgess (6-6, 10.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg) and Ryker Zoeller (6-1, 3.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg) and an experienced rotation give the Mustangs a strong foundation as head coach Justin Smith enters his second year at the program’s helm. “Our goal every year is to compete for state championships,” Smith said. “We feel like having nine guys returning with significant varsity experience will help us continue to take steps to compete with some of the top teams in the state.” ST. MARYS won the league title at 9-1 a season ago and made a trip to the state tournament after a thrilling 66-63 OT win over Lyndon in the sub-state finals. The Bears met a buzzsaw in the opening round of the state tournament in eventual 2023 state champs Moundridge and were saddled with a 30-point loss to finish the year 168. The graduation of Keller Hurla, Kason Gomez and Josh Deiter set head coach Will Spradling’s team back in terms of production, but an experienced group consisting of senior Nate Hutley (6-0, 2 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg) and junior Brady Hurla (5-11, 13 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg), as well as rotation players in juniors Howie Rezac (6-4, 3 ppg, 5 rpg), Alex Gallegos (6-0, 1 ppg, 1 rpg), and sophomore Zach Sommars (6-3, 2 ppg, 2 rpg) have the former K-State guard feeling optimistic. “We will be a well balanced team that likes to play up-tempo,” Spradling said. “One of our biggest strengths the last couple of years has been our shooting ability and this team does not lack shooters. We will have four players on the court at all times that can shoot the ball very well. This opens up a lot of space for our guards to attack the basket.” GIRLS: A young ALMA-WABAUNSEE squad
couldn’t nab a league win last season and finished the year 4-17 overall. However, fifth year coach Trevor Keller returns seniors Tayrn Maike (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.8 spg), Karli Meseke (6.8 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg, 1.1 spg) and Kaci Meseke (10.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.8 spg) to try and help the Chargers put a larger number in the win column this season. “We want to take advantage of the opportunity to compete and improve daily,” Keller said. “If we make daily improvements then we will be playing our best basketball at the end of the season and that will give us a chance to make a deep run during the postseason. The biggest key to success for this year’s team will be how well we mesh and play our roles throughout the season. We have a large number of returning players that logged a lot of playing time for us last season and we are adding a talented freshmen class.” RILEY COUNTY went 16-8 overall with a 6-4 mark in league play that left them tied for second in the regular season standings. Third year head coach Kelsey Nelson returns junior Anna Lambert (5-9, 13.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2 spg) and seniors Taryn Shepard (7.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 apg, 1.5 spg), Maddie Davis (5-7, 3.5 ppg, 2 rpg), and Drew Shirley (5-7). “Our goal is to compete as a team every time we step foot on the court,” Nelson said. “We want to get better as the season progresses and be playing our best basketball at the end of the season. Our team’s key to success will be for each player to understand and fulfill their responsibility for the team.” The Perry-Lecompton sub-state finals featured a “War on 24” rematch with ROSSVILLE taking on rival Silver Lake, but the Bulldogs weren’t able to pull it off against the eventual fourth place finishers in class 3A. Rossville ended the year 16-6 overall and had three All-League selections in current seniors Kinsey Perine (Emporia State softball commit) and Emma Mitchell (Emporia State basketball signee), and sophomore Rylee Dick. SILVER LAKE ended last year ranked fourth in 3A after a consolation game loss in the state tourney. The Eagles held a 23-3 overall record at season’s end and won the MCL with an 11-1
mark in league play. Back from that starting lineup are All-State seniors McKinley Kruger (5-6, 13.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.2 apg) and Makenzie McDaniel (14.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg, Emporia State commit), as well as All-League senior Kaibryn Kruger (7.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 apg). Other key returners include seniors Kaylee Deiter (5-8, 3.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.4 apg) and Sarah Wehrli (5-4, 2.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg), and sophomore Kailyn Hanni (5-6, 4.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg), while juniors Ella Bolan (5-10) and Taylor Zordel (5-6) were noted as top prospects by head coach Kyle Porter. ST. GEORGE-ROCK CREEK ended their year 14-8 with a 6-4 record in league play good for a third place finish. The Mustangs lost all five starters to graduation, but return seniors Payton Rottinghaus (5-9) and Brooklyn Plummer (5-9), and junior Hadley Rempe (5-6) from the varsity bench. “This team will fight and will play for each other,” head coach Adam Plummer said. “We will likely only have 16 out but it will be an incredibly coachable group that will continue to get better as the year progresses.” ST. MARYS finished 12-12 with a 4-6 record in league play. The Bears punctuated their season with a state tournament appearance before a first round exit. Head coach Dorian Sills-Berry returns all five starters from that group in seniors Hope Garland (5-3, 4.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 1.4 spg), Catherine Moylan (5-5, 7.5 ppg, 1.7 apg) and Brenna Smith (5-10, 8. ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.2 spg, AllState), and juniors Isabel Hurla (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 apg) and Hayden Heim (6-2, 16.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 1.5 spg, Sports in Kansas POTY finalist). Others back include senior Guin McCann (5-3) and sophomore Maizie Kent (5-5). “We are excited about the upcoming season,” Sills-Berry said. “We were able to make the 2A state tournament last year and we are fortunate enough to bring back five starters, with a couple other players who have gained some varsity experience last year. The leadership in the gym this summer was awesome from our upperclassmen and all of the girls kept their weight room attendance up. We are all excited for another chance to hit the hardwood and can’t wait to get the season underway.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
NORTH CENTRAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: BELOIT put together yet another strong season under 16th year head coach Ryan Eilert – who has a 251-93 career record all at BHS – going 17-6 and taking second place in the NCAA and at sub-state, both behind a loaded Southeast of Saline team. The Trojans return four starters in seniors Bryce Beisner (6-6, 13.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.5 bpg), Quinn Eilert (6-3, 8.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2 spg, 4 apg) and Noah Gerstner (510, 9 ppg, 2.6 apg), and junior Eli Johnson (6-4, 6.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg). Junior Jackson Cheney and senior Lance Lundine return in the backcourt while sophomore Brody Litton (6-5) and senior exchange student Emile Lechien (6-4) provide even more depth and size for Beloit. “Defending the perimeter and controlling the paint” are keys to success, according to Eilert. In his first season with the team, ELLSWORTH head coach Brett Rolfs led his squad to a 12-9 overall record to go with a 6-4 mark in league play good for third place. The Bearcats were unable to get by Russell in the first round of substate, losing 42-36 in the 4 vs. 5 matchup, but expectations are high for this winter for a team that lost five games by six points or less and returns all five starters, including All-State senior Will Cravens (6-3, 21.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.7 apg), fellow seniors Riley Stone (6-3, 11.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1 apg), Lane Rolfs (6-1, 6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg) and Layton Leiker (6-0, 4.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2 apg), and sophomore Cooper McGowan (6-3, 2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1 apg). “Our key to success is taking the next step after last year’s maturation,” Rolfs said. “We have a lot of talent returning. Getting better every day and never being content are the most important keys. Staying healthy and peaking at the end of the season will also be vital.” MINNEAPOLIS finished 3-18 and tied for sixth in the NCAA, but the Lions have reason for optimism this winter with a group far richer in experience than a season ago. Senior Ryan Parks (6-0, 3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2 apg), junior Mason Smith (5-8, 2 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg), and sophomore Owen Just (5-11, 8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg) return from the starting lineup, along with a deep group of rotation players from last season. “Win every possession, to win every quarter, to give ourselves a chance at the end to win every game,” head coach John Darrow said of team goals. “We are bringing back seven players with varsity experience and having these players play together is one of our main goals. The sooner that these players find their roles on this
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Bourdeux (5-7, 6 ppg, 3.5 rpg), as well as bench depth from juniors Marley File (5-10, 1.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg), Addison Budke (6-0), and sophomore Dakota Gray (5-11, 1.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg). “The Lady Trojans will look to build off the experience their young players received last year,” head coach Shauna Remus said. “(We) have everyone returning from last year’s team. We will lean on their senior leaders who have had a lot of game experiences the last four years. This team has a number of very talented athletes and will add even more with a strong sophomore class. The depth of the team this season should be a strength.” ELLSWORTH finished 11-10 with a 6-4 mark in league play last season. Former SylvanLucas head coach Craig Batchman takes over the Bearcats head position with a 216-102 career mark and has no shortage of varsity experience to work with. Seniors Paityn Tenbrink (3.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 spg), Lexi West (2.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Kylin Turnipseed (4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.3 spg), Rylin Ohl (2.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Bell Lindsley (2.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Peyton Coonrod (2 ppg, 1.8 rpg), along with sophomores Elyse Haxton (6.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2 spg) and Lainey Peschka (12.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.4 spg) all return this winter. Batchman pointed to “working together on the court” as his team key to success. Third-seed MINNEAPOLIS faced a first round exit in sub-state against sixth-seed Hiawatha last season with a 45-35 loss. Prior to that the Lions experienced significant success with a share of the league title after an 8-2 NCAA mark and a 15-6 overall record. Juniors Maci McClure (5-7, 11.9 ppg, 7 rpg) and Braedee Weatherman (5-5, 7.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg), and senior Maggie Shupe (5.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) return from last season’s starting lineup.
team, the quicker that we will have success.” SACRED HEART lost in the sub-state title game against Bennington in a 52-50 nailbiter, ending their season at 12-10. Seniors Michael Matteucci and Max Ehrlich earned All-League for the Knights during their sophomore campaigns and return alongside fellow returning senior starters Evan Bogart, Jason Marrs, and Jett Samuelson. REPUBLIC COUNTY closed out last season at 3-17 overall and finished tied for sixth in the NCAA at 1-9 in league play. Head coach and Republic County High alum Nick Junker enters his fifth season at the helm with sophomore Connor Martin (6-1, 5 ppg, 3 rpg) the lone starter back. Junker’s team goals for this season include “building a strong fundamental base with our young core, being competitive in our strong league, creating an environment that fosters team chemistry and growth, as well as focusing on long-term improvement and development of our identity.” SOUTHEAST OF SALINE came just two points away from defeating state champs Hesston in the 3A semifinals, but couldn’t quite pull it off falling 53-51. The Trojans went on to win another close contest, 54-51, against Galena to finish third in the state and 24-2 overall. Southeast took first in the NCAA with a perfect 10-0 record and had five seniors receive postseason recognition. Head coach Bryson Flax saw eight seniors graduate in all, and now has the tough task of building a new lineup. One player with starting experience is back in senior Daniel Kejr (3.8 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg). “Of the nine rotational players the past two years, only one remains,” Flax said. “Daniel Kejr will make the transition to the point guard spot and be surrounded by a group of players 512 Kunkle Dr. that went 16-1 at the junior varsity level last Ellsworth year and 32-3 over the past two years. We will 785-472-3134 have to figure out how well our kids can transition from the junior varsity level to the varsity level. For us to be successful we will have to Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery find some leadership outside of Kejr, and find some guys that are willing to slide into roles they haven’t been accustomed to.” GIRLS: BELOIT had a down record last season going 4-17 overall with a 2-8 league Covering Beloit and St. John's-Tipton record, but the Trojans return five starters in athletics on KVSV AM 1190, 105.5 FM and seniors Peyton Remus (5-5, 6.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 Stereo 102.9 The Mix and kvsvradio.com apg, 2 spg) and Ashlyn Knight (5-6, 5.3 ppg, 5 rpg), juniors Cassandra Thompson (6-0, 6.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1 bpg) and Olivia Wright (5-10, 3.9 ppg, 5 rpg), along with sophomore Brecken
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Page 71 “We need to get better in the postseason,” head coach Bryan Weatherman said. “The last two years we have come up short losing at home in the first round of sub-state. We return quite a few kids that have played significant minutes over the last two seasons and gained valuable experience. Our strengths will be our quickness and speed. We need to shoot the ball a little better this year.” REPUBLIC COUNTY didn’t notch a win in head coach Allie Frederick’s first season with the team, finishing 0-21. Senior Kadence Henke (5-3, 1 ppg, 1.8 rpg) and junior Avery Stindt (5-7, 11.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 spg) both return as starters as the Buffaloes look to improve on last year’s result. Frederick called “building positive culture, playing hard, and taking care of the ball” keys. SACRED HEART ended last season 12-10 after a second round sub-state loss to eventual class 2A fourth place finishers Hillsboro. Seniors Kate Weiss (5-8) and Avery Eshelman (6-1), and sophomore Skyler Douglas (5-8) return from that starting lineup for head coach Carl Hines. The SOUTHEAST OF SALINE girls are the reigning North Central Activities Association champs after posting an 8-2 league record to go with a 19-4 overall mark last season. Back from that starting lineup are seniors Maddie continued on page 72
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 North Central Activities / from page 71 Harris (5-6, 7.3 ppg), Brielle Ptacek (8 ppg) and Lexi Jacobson (5-9, 9 ppg), along with junior Adyson Rohr (2 ppg), and sophomore Abigail Pearson (5-7, 4 ppg) off the varsity bench. The Lady Trojans did graduate a pair of first team All-League selections in Avery Caselman and Reagan Goetz. “The entire school at SES has developed a culture that league titles and state tournament berths are the expectation,” coach Shauna Smith said. “I feel that the work our program puts in during the offseason, the classroom, the weight room, and the season has kept these expectations in the forefront for this year’s team.”
Tanya Dougherty
Kaw Valley Conference / from page 67 CAIR PARAVEL lost their first round matchup against Lyndon and ended the year 7-14. AllLeague senior Josie Barkley was a top player for the Lions. Entering as a two-seed, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY faced an upset in the first round of sub-state last year against sevenseed Jeff West with a final score of 39-38. AllLeague seniors Caelyn Ferguson and Anna Schenk were key players for the Chargers with Ferguson winning KVC Player of the Year. KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN finished 9-13 and
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Page 72 took fifth place in the KVC with a 5-5 regular season mark. Senior Meagan Dekker (5-5, 6.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 2.3 spg) and junior Brooklyn Veer (5-6, 3.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2 apg, 1.9 spg) return from that starting lineup as third year head coach Josh Woodword works to develop players in new roles around them. MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY wrapped up their season at 4-15 after a first round sub-state loss to league opponent KC Christian. All-League senior Laine Sramek was a top player on that team.
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NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ABILENE finished one game above .500 at 11-10, but had notable success in league play where they finished second with a 7-3 mark. Head coach Erik Graefe has two senior starters back in Brax Fisher (6-0, 10 ppg) and Stocton Timbrook (6-3, 12 ppg). Graefe pointed out “rebounding” and “turnovers” as the key to the team’s success this winter. CHAPMAN took fifth in league play with a 2-8 record to go with a 4-17 overall mark. Despite the limited wins, third year Irish coach Drew Gruver gets back all five starters, including seniors Gage Picking (5-8, 5.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1 spg), Ian Suther (6-2, 5.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.5 apg), CJ Holm (6-3, 9.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1 apg, 1.2 spg), Weston Langvardt (6-4, 8.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.3 apg), and sophomore Kelan Gruver (6-1, 11.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.4 spg). “We return all but one starter this year so we will have a lot of experience,” Gruver said. “Taking care of the ball on offense, limiting turnovers, being disciplined, working for the shot we want on the offensive end, playing together as a team, and playing solid team defense will be keys to our success this year.” CLAY CENTER closed out last season with a 9-14 record after back-to-back upset wins in substate against Augusta in a 62-60 overtime bout and Pratt in a convincing 51-37 championship win. The Tigers were knocked out in the first round of the state tournament by eventual 4A champs Hugoton, but head coach Travis Smith
and his team have a lot to be excited about, including five starters back in senior Justin Wright (5-11, 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg), and juniors Cole Pladson (5-11, 14 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg), Jace Weller (6-1, 9 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg), Owen Craig (5-9, 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), and Weston Hammond (5-11, 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg) “This year we will have a lot of guys who can shoulder the leadership role,” Smith said. “Like every year our schedule is very tough, but that is what makes it fun. Every night we have to bring our best. We will be very talented but our roles are not clearly defined. We will have to find our roles and figure out what it looks like to play well together.” CONCORDIA finished 10-11 with a 3-7 record in league play that paced them fourth in the NCKL before getting knocked out in the first round of sub-state 55-48 against Nemaha Central. Entering his fourth year as Panthers head coach, Derek Holmes has back some key pieces in seniors Joey Henderson (5-9, 10.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.6 spg) and Payton Breese (6-1, 9.2 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 spg), and junior Peyton Retter (5-11, 9.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg) from the starting lineup, and senior part-time starter from last year Jonathan Turner (6-7, 5.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Henderson received AllState recognition while Retter and Breese were All-League. Retter shot a ridiculously efficient 44.9 percent from three last season. “Our goals every year are to win every game
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we play and continue to improve throughout the season so that we are playing our best ball when sub-state and state arrive,” Holmes said. “Every year we also have our team represent our school and community on and off of the court with a great amount of pride. We take pride in doing things the right way in our program.” MARYSVILLE earned a trip to the 3A state tournament in Hutchinson after convincing wins throughout sub-state, including a 53-35 win in the championship game against a Nemaha Central team that had just upset undefeated top-seed Sabetha. The Bulldogs continued their winning ways right up until the state finals where they were finally bested by Hesston 5044. Marysville’s final record sat at 23-3 and their postseason success was complemented by a 10-0 NCKL title in the regular season. Sophomore guard Will Otott is the lone returning starter after the program graduated 10 lettermen. “We lost a large senior class so there are plenty of opportunities for the next guys coming in, head coach Scott Brown said. “Those guys are going to need to get uncomfortable for us to continue to win games.” WAMEGO earned third place with a 6-4 mark in the NCKL before finishing second in their substate to Eudora and finishing the season 13-9. Two senior starters are back from that team in
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Spencer Hecht Wamego, Senior
Spencer Hecht (6-2, 9.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Drew Pettay (6-4, 8.3 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.1 spg) as head coach Steve Fritz looks to develop talent around his experienced duo. “Our main goal is to get better every day and to begin playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” Fritz said. “We have lost a lot of key seniors over the last couple years. This year’s group is fairly inexperienced at the varsity level. Our ability to prepare them for what it takes to be successful at the varsity level and get them to play as a cohesive group will be keys.” GIRLS: ABILENE ended their season 2-18 with a 1-9 mark in league play. All-NCKL senior Claira Dannefer (6-0, 12.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), along with fellow seniors Sammy Stout (5-5, 4.2 ppg), Hannah
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 North Central Kansas League / from page 73 Maya and her offensive output will be crucial to Walter (5-6, 4 ppg, 1.9 rpg), Callie Powell (5-10), our success.” and junior Renatta Heintz (5-8) are projected as In his first season as CLAY CENTER head starters for head coach Shawn Herrman. Seniors coach Dalton Haist put together an 11-10 season Adin Bruna (5-7), Zoey Bebenham (5-6), and with a 6-4 league mark that left them third in the Blair Adams (5-7) are other key returners, with NCKL. Junior Raegan McDonald (6-0, 7.4 ppg, sophomore Makenna Stover as another expect- 5.2 rpg, 1 bpg) is the lone returning starter and ed to compete for varsity minutes. provides a strong presence in the paint. After a 13-8 regular season with a 6-4 league CONCORDIA went 6-15 with a 3-7 league record that left them in second place in league, record in Trey Kuhlman’s first year as a head CHAPMAN gets back four of five starters from coach, but the former Republic County standout that team in seniors Elyssa Frieze (5-4, 4.7 ppg, has back a strong core in senior Carlie Green 3.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.3 spg), All-State selection (5-8, 7.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.6 spg), junior Taylor Keira Jones (6-0, 10.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2 spg), Ava McDaniel (5-9, 6.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 spg), and Locke (11 ppg, 1.1 apg, 1.8 spg), and soph- sophomore Charlize Cash (5-7, 7.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, omore Avery Baer (5-7, 3.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.5 3.3 apg, 2 spg). apg, 1.7 spg). The graduation of All-Stater Maya “Our goal for the season is to build off of what Kirkpatrick leaves a notable hole. we have started,” Kuhlman said. “We want our “We want to be competitive in each and every girls to have a sense of pride in anything they do! game,” head coach Michael Wahlmeier said. Have pride in ourselves, pride in our teammates, “We have made winning our Irish Classic tour- pride in our school, and pride in our community.” nament a first goal of the season. Replacing MARYSVILLE finished 5-16 in head coach Ben Central Kansas League / from page 56 in the second round of sub-state, HESSTON couldn’t quite overcome soon to be state runnerup Cheney in the finals. The Swathers finished the season 17-6 with a 7-2 mark in league play. A trio of juniors returns for head coach Matt Richardson including All-State selection Kendal Brueggen (5-10, 19 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3 spg), returning starter Abby Proctor (5-9, 7.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.1 spg), and Kaycee Mason (5-8, 4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg) off the bench. “Returning two starters and a bench player with experienced minutes is to our benefit, including returning about 70% of our scoring from last year,” Richardson said. “The core foundation of our team has some experience but we will also be putting some inexperienced players on the floor.” After dispatching Wichita County in the first round of the state tournament, HILLSBORO wasn’t able to navigate past Berean Academy in the second round or Colgan in the finals, leaving them ranked fourth in 2A with a 21-5 record. The Trojans did finish first in the CKL and now return four starters from that team. All-State seniors Zaylee Werth (14 ppg, 8 rpg, 6 apg, 5 spg, 2 bpg) and Savannah Shahan (6-0, 13 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and classmate Anslee Brewer (5-9, 2.5 ppg, 4 rpg), along with All-League sophomore Kinglsey Ratzlaff (5-10, 5 ppg, 3 rpg) are all back, along with senior Bailee Gawith (5-7) and sophomores Talia Jost (5-10) and Addison Jost (5-7). “We will look to rely on that core as well as add a couple upperclassmen and a couple younger girls to make an impact this year,” head coach Micah Ratzlaff said. HOISINGTON went 14-9 with a 5-4 record in league play last season and now has a new head coach in Trina Lutters, who is coming off a successful four-year stint with Osborne. Lutters has seniors Kylee Hahn (9.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2 apg, 1.7 spg), Jordyn Boxberger (8.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.9 spg) and Mallory Mooney (6 ppg, 5.1 rpg), and junior Ellie Crawford (5.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg) back from last year’s lineup. “Along with the strong leadership we have returning, we are looking forward to having our underclassmen step up into both leadership roles and other supporting key roles,” Lutters said. “They are going to be a fun group to watch.” LARNED finished 3-18 with a 1-8 record in league play last season. Seniors Abby Holt, Jaidyn Pinkston, Akielah Collins, and junior Karley
Lemuz are all back from that starting lineup as coach Jerrod Smith enters his third year leading the girls after five years coaching the boys. “We had a good summer and I expect that to carry over to the season,” Smith said. “We return five seniors who have improved much in the last two seasons with me and I expect them to take a big stride forward this year. We have an outstanding group of freshmen who will come in and compete hard, elevating our practices daily.” LYONS finished 7-14 after a first round substate defeat against Hesston. The Lions now have a tough task in replacing a senior class that featured All-State selection Caitlyn Belote. NICKERSON closed out the year at 5-16 after a first round sub-state loss to top-seed Cheney. The Panthers relied heavily on trio a trio of returning players in seniors Kalyse Abernathy (16.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 1 bpg) and Destiny Ponds (8 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.3 apg), and junior Adaylee Morrell (9.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2 apg, 1.7 spg). Seniors Ayla Ontjes and Avery Hambrick (1.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) are also expected to play key roles this season. PRATT ended the season at 10-11 with a 3-6 record in the CKL that put them in seventh place. Back from that team are All-State senior Jaycie Theis (5-6, 10.7 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2 spg), fellow senior Corinne Donnenworth (5-7, 3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3 apg), and junior Quinn Thibault (5-8, 6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 spg). Other returning varsity letterwinners include senior Baily Jackson (5-5), junior Renee Hamm (5-8), and sophomore Hope Hughes (5-7). “We have a good group of returners that have some experience at the varsity letter with three seniors to lead the way,” head coach Dustin Hildebrand said. “Now after these returners we will see who steps up and fills in and hopefully create some depth with this team. We had a successful JV season last year and so hopefully some of those girls are ready to step into the varsity level.” SMOKY VALLEY posted an 11-10 record and went 4-5 in league play last season and now returns a deep pool of experience from that team in seniors Adrian Hazelwood (5-7, 15.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1 bpg, 3 spg), Clara McElroy (5-6, 2.7 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.5 spg), Breanne Peters (5-5, 2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 spg), Eva Malm (5-5, 5.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1 spg), Tinley Scott (5-7, 8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 spg), and junior Katja Blanchat (5-11, 10 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 2 spg). The girls need to buy in to the program,” coach Jason Drouillard said of his team’s key to success.
Page 74 Wertenberger’s 16th year at the helm. In his 17th season, Wertenberger gets back Senior Bella Rader (5-5, 8.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.25 spg) and junior Lindsey Dressman (7.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1 spg) though the Bulldogs did suffer a major loss for this season when 5-11 senior Hailey Ingalls (7.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg) went down with an ACL injury that will keep her on the sidelines. “Last year, we shot the ball poorly; 28% from two, 22% from three, and 48% from the line,” Wertenberger said. “Those three stats were a huge reason our record was what it was. We’ve worked really hard to remedy those stats. Our defense and rebounding were pretty good most of the year and that kept us in a lot of games. For us to take the step forward that we want to take this year, the shooting numbers must improve.” WAMEGO had an extremely strong regular
season that resulted in a 10-0 league title and 20-2 overall record, but unfortunately for the Lady Raiders, they were knocked out 56-48 by eventual state champs Bishop Miege in the sub-state championship game. From that team, Wamego lost six seniord to graduation, but three starters return in sophomore Lexi Hecht (14 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 spg, 41%3pt), and seniors Rylie Meinhardt (6 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 spg) and Sara Springer (6 ppg, 40%3pt). Junior Isabella Wilber is also likely to make a big impact, while the other vacant varsity spots are filled around those four. “We will rely heavily on their leadership at the beginning of the season, but we also have several girls that are ready to have an immediate impact,” head coach Brian McIntosh said. “A few of them were ready last year, but didn’t get the opportunity because of our deep senior class.”
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By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ATCHISON COUNTY finished 14-8 and tied for second in the NEKL with an 11-5 mark in league play last season. First year head coach Cory Eckert gets one starter back from that team in senior James Schuetz (5-10, 9 ppg). “Our goal is to be prepared and ready to execute the skills necessary to excel on and off the court,” Eckert said. HORTON held a 15-9 record and 11-5 league mark good for second in the standings at the end of head coach David Losey’s first year with the team. Back for year two is group that includes six players with staring experience in seniors Gannon Becker (6-0, 13.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2 spg), Cooper Wischropp (6-2, 7.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.2 spg) and Kaden Smith (6-3, 7.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1 bpg), and juniors Luke McAfee (6-2, 9.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.7 spg), Donte Masqua (6-4, 5.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1 bpg) and Jackson Moman (6-0, 2.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1 apg). “As a team we are always striving to get better at every facet of the game each day,” Losey said. “This will hopefully translate into successful outcomes throughout the season. We’d like to continue to build the program to be competitive every time we step on the floor. We want to become better defenders and create a culture that opponents have to work very hard to get looks at the basket.” JACKSON HEIGHTS went 5-15 overall with all five wins coming in the NEKL, leaving the Cobras in seventh in the final league standings at 5-11. Junior Jace Robinson (6-0, 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and sophomore Drake Mellies (5-9, 9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.1 spg) will be joined seniors Brayden MCQueen (5-10) and Weston Schultejans (6-1) who transferred after the closure of Wetmore High. “Our goal is to finish the year playing at our peak and close out close games that we have failed to finish in the past,” head coach Brett Plattner said, adding he wants his team to “be competitive each and every game in our league.” JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH saw success in year one under head coach Cory Noll, going 14-8 with an 11-5 mark good for second in league play before losing to Riverside in the sub-state semifinals. The Chargers lost one starter to graduation in Blake Fowler, but return seniors Carson McAfee (All-League), Calvin Manville, Conner Keirns, Grady Noll, Ethan Noll (All-League), and junior Andy Baker from last season’s varsity rotation. “We return a lot of experience from last season bringing back six of our top seven,” coach Noll said. “We have a strong senior class of six, with five of the six having a significant amount of varsity time under their belt. Our guards will be led by senior point guard Carson McAfee ... our leading scorer last year and best three point threat. Joining Carson in the backcourt are senior guards Connor Keirns, Calvin Manville, and Grady Noll. Our frontcourt is led by senior forward Ethan Noll. Ethan is joined down low by junior center Andy Baker. Senior center RB Tweed will also be in the rotation down low.” MCLOUTH finished 1-20 last season, but has back three returning starters in juniors Jerrick Chenhall, Judd Holwick, and Gage Fields. “With lack of depth we need to play under con-
trol and as a team,” coach Eric Gorenc said. OSKALOOSA ended the year 6-15 in head coach Jeremy Rockhold’s eighth season with the team. Returning starters include seniors Coy Perry (5-10, 7 ppg, 2.5 apg), Gunner Rockhold (5-10, 8.1 ppg) and Josh Roe (6-0, 3.4 ppg, 3 rpg), and junior Trenten VanHoutan (6-0, 13 ppg, 6 rpg). “Our goal is to continue to grow throughout the season,” Rockhold said. “We bring back a lot of experience. So excited to see how they come together.” Head coach Christian Wessell enters his first year as a head coach with a MAUR HILLMOUNT ACADEMY coming off a 15-5 league championship season. Two key starters return for Wessell in senior Bohdan Korbelik (6-0, 9.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.6 spg) and junior Luke Siebert (6-2, 5.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 spg). “Keeping disciplined and playing hard every game,” Wessell said of team keys. “(We need) to get a deep bench in the game without hurting the flow of the game (and get) and stay in shape so that we can play an uptempo style.” Entering as a six-seed, PLEASANT RIDGE played three-seed Valley Falls tough in their first round contest, but ultimately lost 51-49 and finished the year 6-15. All-League graduate Aiden Webb was the team’s leading scorer and leaves a big production void, but All-League junior, seniors Cooper Beying (3.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg) and Wyatt Gwartney (1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg), juniors Canon Duncan (5.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.3), Noah Siebenmorgen (4.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.2 spg) and Luke Heim (2.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg), and sophomore Brady Mance (4.9 ppg, 3 rpg) also earned varsity minutes last season. VALLEY FALLS went 12-9 with a 10-6 mark in league play good for fourth place. Back from that team is one of the top scorers in 2A in AllState senior Zac Evans (6-0, 20.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), along with junior Hayden Kearney (12.2 ppg). Jeff West transfer Collin Kearney, a 6-3 sophomore, is also likely to be an impact player. “Staying healthy,” coach Caleb Gatzemeyer said of his team’s key. “With the return of standout Zac Evans for his senior year and experience and addition of new talent the Dragons are poised to make a deep run into the postseason.” GIRLS: ATCHISON COUNTY finished 22-2 with a perfect 17-0 record in league play. Much of the team will look different this season as head coach Andrew Eckert enters his first season with the Tigers and returns just two experienced varsity players in junior McKinzee Bauerle (5-7, 11.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and sophomore Madison Martin (63, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 bpg). “Our goal is to grow tougher together as a team and individually as we try to continue the success our program has seen over the past several years,” Eckert said. “We return two players that played significant varsity time last year. Success for our team will be based on how our team grows from game one to game 20. We will be a significantly better team as they see what it takes to compete at the varsity level.” HORTON went 4-17 a season ago and now have a new head coach in 24 year veteran Gary Sorensen. All-League junior Kara Coversup was a top player for the Chargers last season, but will be out for the season with a torn achilles suffered
Page 75 during volleyball. Juniors Carly Hutfles and Piper Chartier are projected to make varsity impacts this season. JACKSON HEIGHTS closed out at 18-5 overall after a sub-state championship loss to eventual 2A runner-up Riverside. Two starters are back from that team in Dawson Cochran (7.6 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.7 apg) and Taylor Bosley (2.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 spg). Other lettermen back are Brynn Shupe and Makinley Mulroy. “Jackson Heights girls basketball has big shoes to fill after losing four very strong seniors,” head coach Madison Massey said. “I have no doubt we have players who can step up to the plate. I have seen growth over the summer and I know it will continue into the season. We will be competitive in our league.” JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH returns three starters from a team that went 13-8 with an 11-5 third place finish in the NEKL. Seniors Abby Laird (6-0, 10 ppg, 9 rpg), Emily Langley (6-0, 9.8 ppg, 9 rpg) and Clara Johnson (7.5 ppg, 3 apg), along with sophomore letterwinner Rylee Thompson (5-7) are back this season. “Last year we had 11 players out with two injured most of the season, so we were unable to play a JV schedule,” head coach Steve Noll said. “This year we look to have 18 players out and 13 of those will be freshmen, so we will be young, but I think as the year moves on this team will grow. We had a very successful summer and hope to build on that.” MAUR HILL-MOUNT ACADEMY finished 13-9 with a 10-6 league record that left them tied for fourth in the NEKL. Seniors Bethany Urban (10.7 ppg, 3 apg, 2.6 spg) and Hope Baniewicz (5 ppg), and sophomore Kaitlyn Folsom (6 ppg, 6 rpg) return from that starting lineup. All-League senior Pleasant Ridge transfer Rileigh Cox has already been named a starter by head coach Luke Noll, with others competing for varsity minutes including senior Jordyn Renk, junior Nora Adams, sophomore Hannah Coady, and freshman Capri Koechner. “Coming off a winning season and fourth place league finish, we hope that we can be competing towards the top of the league by utilizing our combination of experience and skilled newcomers,” Noll said. “We had a strong summer playing together and are hoping we can take that next step to grow in our ability to compete at a high level.” MCLOUTH ended the year at 4-17 with a 2-14 league record. First year head coach Victoria Johnson returns juniors Calleigh McColley (8.4
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ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.1 apg, 2.1 spg) and Piper Sheeley (4.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) from that starting lineup. “Our team goals for this season will be to improve and build upon our skills,” Johnson said. “We will be a very young team this year and we will have to work hard to compete. Our goal is to compete at a high level to better ourselves for the future. Our team’s key to success are to work together and use the abilities we have. With a young team, we will have to hone in on our skills and utilize what we already have.” OSKALOOSA ended up 3-18 after winning a sub-state play-in game against McLouth and going on to lose to top-seed Mission Valley in the sub-state quarterfinals. All-League sophomore Emma Vogel was a top performer for the Bears in that campaign. PLEASANT RIDGE took third in NEKL play with a 9-6 record along with a 13-8 overall mark. Seniors Mia Ernzen (5-10, 8 ppg, 7 rpg), Maddie Heim (5-5, 5 ppg, 3 apg, 3 spg), Ava Potter (5-10, 5 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 spg) and Kelsi Ko (5-5, 4 ppg, 3 apg, 2 spg), along with junior Bela Major (5-10, 6 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 spg, 2 apg) give the Rams one of the most seasoned starting lineups in the league. “We are an experienced team and hope to contend for a league title,” coach Laurie Gann said. “Key to success is to continue to improve on a day to day basis and stay away from injuries.” VALLEY FALLS went 8-14 with a 6-10 NEKL mark. Back from that lineup are All-State senior Korie Kirkwood (15 ppg, 10 rpg, 2.5 spg), AllLeague senior Lauren Brown (6.5 ppg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg), and junior Cassie Frakes (2 ppg, 3 rpg). “Our greatest indicator of success will be how well we shoot the ball and make the ‘easys’ on offense,” head coach Jordan Hale said.
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NORTHERN PLAINS LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: BELOIT-ST. JOHN’S/TIPTON punched their ticket to the state tournament after entering sub-state as the two-seed. The Blujays faced tough resistance in the second round against Thunder Ridge, but overcame the Longhorns in a 51-48 win before beating Northern Valley in the finals by 15. The season ended in the first round of state after a loss to state runner-up Lebo, leaving the Blujays at 18-6 on the year. St. John’s loses All-League selections Luke Bates and Joshua Towner to graduation. Current senior Daniel Eilert and sophomore Edward Horinek earned All-League honors last season. Tyson Gates and Jacob Winkler are likely to play important roles at guard and post respectively. Lincoln transfer Gage Stewart (6-2) is another senior who could contribute this season. CHASE finished 3-18 after a first round substate loss to Wilson. All-League graduate Jaden Freisner will be missed in the Kats’ rotation. LAKESIDE lost to Clifton-Clyde in the substate semifinals last season, leaving them at 1211 with a 7-5 mark in the NPL. Returning starters from that team include juniors Jace Cunningham and Reece Remus, and senior Jordan Schoen. Other key returners include juniors Kaden McCoy and Gage Gradig, and senior Ian Kresin. “With Ross Hutson graduating, we lost a good chunk of offensive production. Jorden Schoen, Jace Cunningham and Reece Remus will return from last year’s starting line-up,” head coach Drew Duskie said. “Schoen will need to be more aggressive in running the offense and Cunningham and Remus will need to take over on the offensive end. Ian Kresin, Kaden McCoy and Gage Gradig return as well and will compete for starting positions. Hunter Albrecht and Korbin Naasz should see more varsity time this year as well. We will have size and quickness and we will have to rely on that to have a successful season
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this year.” LINCOLN wasn’t able to overcome a first round sub-state matchup with league opponent SylvanLucas last season and closed out the season 8-13 with a ninth place league finish. Second year head coach Chase Klozenbucher has three senior starters back from last year’s 8-13 squad in Logan Meier (5-9, 5.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.4 spg), Caleb Dotterer (5-8, 7.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.3 spg), and Branden Sinclar (5-10, 5.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.9 spg) and should get a spark from an influx of underclassmen including 6-2 freshmen twins Xavier and Jeremiah Miller. Klozenbucher also welcomes back junior guard Levi Bates with significant varsity experience and expects big things from junior post Cooper Rathbun who just a little varsity time last season. “As a team we will have to take better care of the ball and rebound better than we did last year,” Klozenbucher said. “We have a mix of older talent and younger talent who will have to learn how to play together quickly.” NATOMA went 0-22 in head coach Cade Watson’s first year in charge, but four returning starters are hoping to bump the goose egg from the win column. Senior Jackson Young (10.1 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.2 apg) and Grant Young (5-9), and sophomores Trentni Maupin (5-10, 3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Kelden Rubottom (5-9) give the Tigers a solid foundation to build on. OSBORNE was narrowly defeated by Blue Valley-Randolph, 54-53, in the second round of a tough sub-state held at Washington County High School, leaving the Bulldogs with a 20-2 record and second place finish in the NPL tournament. Jason Wilson, an 18-year veteran head coach, takes over for longtime head coach BRUSH ART • DONLEVY LITHO • SUN GRAPHICS and 2023 Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year finalist Jamie Wolters, and has back seniors Jonny Hamel (5-10), Doak Guttery (6-4), Nathan Goheen (6-4) and Aiden Conrad (5-10), junior
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Dalton Garman (5-10), and sophomore Dawson Lantz (5-10) to continue the Osborne hoops tradition. Wilson will coach both the boys and girls at Osborne this season. PIKE VALLEY has back three starters from last year’s squad that finished 10-9 and was knocked out 57-53 in the first round of sub-state. Seniors Gavin Massel (10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg) and Elijah Field (8.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 spg), and junior Andy Cooper (12.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.9 spg) return alongside junior sixth man Miles Rickard (2.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.5 spg). “We will have quite a few young additions to the team with a strong freshman class hoping to contribute to our success,” head coach Blaine Joonas said. ROCK HILLS closed out the season at 7-13 with a 4-8 mark in league play a season ago, but have reason for optimism with an experienced group coming back. Juniors Cooper McDill (13.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg), Eli Vance (3 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg) and Cam Ward (3 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg), along sophomore Ethan Wirth (2.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg) return as head coach Zach Duffy enters his third year running the team. “Our team needs to find more of a sense of urgency on the defensive end of the floor,” Duffy said. “I would like to see us hold teams in our league to 40-45 points. Cutting our turnovers down to around 10-12 a game will help us a lot as well as rebounding the ball more effectively.” STOCKTON finished the season winless after their first round loss against sub-state champs St. John’s/Tipton. The Tigers have no starters back and make the move to the NPL from the Mid-Continent League as head coach Don Moffet enters his second year with the team. “Team goals are to compete in each game and win 10 or more games,” Moffet said. “Keys to success are quality shooting and shots and operating the offense.” SYLVAN-LUCAS UNIFIED ended up 15-7 after a second round sub-state loss to CantonGalva and graduated first team All-NPL selection Valden Dohl. The Mustangs have key rotation pieces back in senior Lane Homewood (6-1) and junior Harlan Pancost (5-9, 2 ppg), and senior Kolton Palmer provides experience off the bench, while an influx of players from Wilson leaves the Mustangs with 23 on the team, even
with a couple seniors opting not to play their final season of basketball. Former Wilson students Cade Brokes (6-4, Jr.), Connor Charvat, and Braden Nelson (6-3, So.) are expected to make significant varsity contributions as are returning Sylvan-Lucas sophomores Carter Johnson and Vance Dohl. Head coach Jeff Starkey feels his varsity could be very deep but the need to “blend new players into a new system” is key, especially with a tough pre-holiday break schedule. SOUTHERN CLOUD finished 11-12 with a 5-7 mark in league play, leaving them at sixth in the final standings, but the Warriors made a trip to the state tournament coming out of a sub-state that featured no teams with a winning record. SC was the top seed in the sub-state entering at 8-11. The Warriors return seniors Dante Peterson (6-0, 3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.5 apg) and Gus Rice (4.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.7 apg), junior Kye Chase (6-7, 9.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1 bpg), and sophomore Logan Haley (.6 ppg, 1 rpg) from that starting lineup, but graduate seacond team All-NPL selection Levi Cool. Head coach Roger Perkins noted “development of our guard play and the development of younger players” as his team’s keys to success. TESCOTT finished 4-16 after a first round substate loss to Logan/Palco. Senior Dawson Lee was the Trojans lone All-NPL selection a season ago and will be a building block for coach Curt Graves, the fourth Trojan coach in the past four seasons. Senior Carter Peters also returns to the starting lineup. Juniors Austin Miller and Kade Oetting also return with varsity experi-
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 ence. Lincoln junior transfer James Dickerman and freshman Joey Stirn will add to the varsity rotation, along with several other sophomores and juniors. “We will rely on team play and play a brand of basketball our town can be proud of,” said Graves, who serves as prinicipal at Tescott. THUNDER RIDGE lit up Natoma 106-11 in the first round of sub-state, but couldn’t get past state-qualifiers St. John’s/Tipton in the next round, losing 51-48. The Longhorns ended the year 15-7 overall and will have to replace their top four scorers lost to graduation. Senior Josh Ferguson (4.8 ppg, 4 rpg), Mason Baker (3.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and sophomore Evan Slavik (4 ppg, 5 rpg) will look to make a much bigger impact on varsity this season. GIRLS: BELOIT-ST. JOHN’S/TIPTON made it out of sub-state with relative ease, winning their second round matchup with Tescott 56-25 and finals matchup with Thunder Ridge 54-35. The Blujays went on to beat Central Christian in the first round of state, before going on to take fourth in 1A-DII. Senior Jenna Gengler and junior Carlie Brummer earned All-State honors, while graduate Ella Wiles earned All-League. Jenna’s twin sister Aubrey Gengler is back and sophomore Lynelle Gengler also returns after providing minutes off the bench a season ago. CHASE won their first round sub-state matchup with Otis-Bison 39-38 before getting knocked out of the tournament in the second round against top-seeded Wilson, leaving them at 3-18 on the season. Junior Haylee Miller was the Kats lone All-League recipient. LAKESIDE ended up second in both regular season and the NPL tournament standings a season ago. The Dragons had a 10-2 league record with a 15-7 overall mark. Second year head coach Scott Jermark returns three starters in seniors Lauren Brummet (5-11, 12.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.3 spg) and Faith Ruthstorm (6-3, 2.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg), and sophomore Tatum Miller (5-9, 3.1 ppg). “Our key to success will be the development of our players since we will be a young team and
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lack experience in certain spots on the court,” Jermark said. LINCOLN went 9-12 in head coach Jenna Farris’ second season leading the team. Back from that squad are seniors Bentley Smith (5.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.2 spg), Kylie Hull (3.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.2 spg), Jasmine Fenn (2.2 ppg, 1 apg) and Carisa McBride (.2 ppg, .8 rpg, .4 spg). The Leopards graduated a pair of tall posts in Avery Obermueller and Hannah Behrens, and a pair of guards in Lilly Sinclair and Emalie Hull. Farris also welcomes Ryan Perkins to the bench as an assistant coach this season. “Our goal is to end the season with more wins than losses, place in the top four of the NPL tournament, lower our turnovers per game, increase our shooting percentage, (and) lower our points given up per game,” Farris said. “Limiting turnovers, staying disciplined on defense, getting in the gym outside of practice times, and shooting are keys to success.” NATOMA finished 3-17 overall with a 1-11 league record. Junior MaKayla Murphy (1.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.1 apg) along with sophomores Sophia Robison (4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1 apg), and Caylie Lyle (1.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg) are back from that starting lineup. “We are young, so our main goal will be to grow as a team and be competitive,” head coach Kurt Grafel said. “Every player will need to step up their game and improve due to the fact that most of our scoring from last year was from graduating seniors.” OSBORNE was unable to get by Frankfort in their sub-state final, but had a fantastic season overall with a 20-3 final record and third place finish in the NPL tournament. After head coach Trina Lutters took the head coaching job at Hoisington the Bulldogs tasked veteran incoming head coach Jason Wilson from Elkhart with taking over the squad, and in a rare move he will also coach the boys. Seniors Gracie Riner (5-8, 13.7 ppg, 3.1 spg) and Hudson Wolters (5-8, 1.6 ppg), juniors Grace Williams (5-10, 10.1 ppg), Addison Poore (5-10, 2.7 ppg) and Kassie Kiser
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(5-8, 1.3 ppg), and sophomore Leavie Riner (5-10, 1.1 ppg) are all back from last season’s varsity rotation. PIKE VALLEY finished 6-13 with a 4-8 mark in league play a season ago. Key returners back include senior Realyn Bolte (4.2 ppg, 4.7 rp), Reese Douglas (4.1 ppg, 1.6 spg), and junior Breanna Reeves (13.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.9 spg). “This year’s squad will be very young,” head coach Cole Calloway said. “With just three upperclassmen, we will seek a lot of production from our younger players. With depth and size in the post, I anticipate us to be competitive on the boards each game. Our offensive production and ball control will heavily depend on our three upperclassmen. This team will likely experience growing pains. But the ceiling remains high for this group.” ROCK HILLS was 11-11 with a sixth place regular season finish at 7-5, as well as a sixth place league tournament finish. Sophomores Bethany Simmelink (5-3, 7.7 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.5 spg) and Halle Mizner (5-9, 4.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg), along with seniors Hannah Simmelink (5-5, 2 ppg) and Grace Ayers (5-5, 1 ppg, 2.6 rpg) return from that starting lineup. The Grizzlies did graduate six seniors, most notably 5-9 1,000 career point scorer Lauren Whelchel, now playing at Hastings College. STOCKTON returns juniors Aubrey Kesler, Brin Muir, Ava Dix, and Bodye Stithem from a team that finished 6-15 last season. Head coach Alexa Rogers is entering year nine with the team
and is optimistic about her team’s chances in their first year in the NPL, especially given the success of the volleyball team which finished 6-0 in league play and 20-18 overall. SYLVAN-LUCAS UNIFIED went 16-7 overall with a 9-3 record in the NPL last season and now have a new first year head coach in Brady Ryan. He welcomes back seniors Emma Finkenbinder, Elsie Finkenbinder and Emma Cline, and junior Maggie Labertew from last season’s starting lineup. Replacing All-State senior Keeli Knobbe will be a tough task for the new coach but the program gets a big boost from a number of new players that joined the district following the closure of the Wilson school at the end of the 2023 school year. Juniors Serenity Steinike and Abby Dlabal are two Wilson transfers coaches look to see big varsity minutes right away. “Rebounding will have to be big for us being undersized,” Ryan said. “Learning how to play in transition successfully, and making the smart decision.” SOUTHERN CLOUD ended up 4-17 after a second round sub-state tournament loss to state-qualifier Hutch-Central Christian. The Warriors graduated their lone All-League performer, Braya Darnall, in the spring, but bring back junior Bethany Demars, senior Georgia Rolph, junior Anna Peterson, and sophomore Kyndra Chase from the varsity rotation. TESCOTT finished 11-11 and with a ninth place finish in the league standings. Senior Riley Still, junior Ava Adams, and sophomore Breonna 20+ Years Design Experience!
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Northern Plains League / from page 77 Peterson are back from that starting lineup as head coach Johanna Libal takes over in her first year calling her team goal to “get 1% better every day.” THUNDER RIDGE finished 13-11 without one of their top players in senior Kamryn Rietzke,
who suffered an ACL injury last January and missed the majority of the season for the second year in a row. Rietzke and since-graduated Toree Slavik both received All-League honors. Joining Rietzke in the varsity rotation are senior Starla Cochrun and juniors Jenna Barnes, Madison Brown, and Jennifer Cochrun.
Meadowlark Conference / from page 68 spg) are all back looking for another big year. “Our goals are improvement every day and holding each other accountable on and off the court,” head coach Robert Brown said. JC HARMON won three games over Hogan Prep Charter (Mo.), Washington and Schlagle last season. All-League graduate A’luel Miller was a top producer for the team during that campaign and will be missed in the lineup by new coach Derian Lockett. SUMNER ACADEMY lost in the first round of sub-state to Piper and ended their year 14-7. Seniors Myleah Brown and Ariana Rivera were both All-League selections, along with graduate J’Layne Hulse. Sophomores Bella Cook and Anastasia Davis also return. WASHINGTON finished 5-14 after a first round sub-state loss to 5A third place finishers St. James Academy. All-League senior Layla Johnson was a top performer for the Widlcats
last season. WYANDOTTE lost their first round sub-state matchup with Shawnee Mission West and ended the season just outside of .500 at 8-9. Graduates Kavionna Dodds and Dyshay Marogan leave a production void for the Bulldogs, but All-League junior Jaylynn Hunt was a top player in the league for Wyandotte.
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NORTHWEST KANSAS LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ATWOOD-RAWLINS COUNTY finished second in the NWKL tournament after going 7-3 and placing fourth in regular season league play to go with a 14-8 overall record on the season. First year head coach Tyler Lare takes the reins as the Buffaloes returns AllLeague senior Brayan Rodriguez (5-10, 17.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 3 spg), fellow senior Braxton Dixson (6-0, 8.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.8 spg), and sophomore Tru Dewey (6-0, 5.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1 apg, 1.5 spg) from last year’s starting lineup. “We want to build off of last year’s success and increase our win total from a year ago. We also would like to advance deeper into the postseason,” Lare said. “Being disciplined on both ends of the floor (is key). Senior leadership is going to be very important this season with 10 out of the 14 players being freshmen and sophomores.” DIGHTON had the tough task of taking on the eventual state champs in their sub-state finals matchup, losing 54-36 to league opponent Greeley County and finishing the season 16-7. The Hornets also came up short in the league standings, finishing second behind Greeley in the regular season with a fifth place finish in the NWKL tournament. A significant portion of that team’s production returns this winter, with AllState junior Daniel Cramer (5-10, 19.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.2 apg, 5.4 spg), All-State senior Carson Shimer (6-4, 15 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.7 bpg), and fellow returning starters, senior George von Leonrod (6-0, 5.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1 spg) and Peyton Redurn (5-11, 6.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.2 apg) all back. “This year we want to win the NWKL regular season and tournament championship,” head coach Tyler Lingg said. “Dighton boys have not made it to the state tournament since 2016. We will strive to end that drought this year. The biggest key to our success this year is playing solid defense every night. Last year our defense was very good. I feel like we have the ability to take it to another level this year. We also need to shoot the ball better as a team from three point range. Last year we shot 27% from three. I would like to see that get above 33% this year.” OBERLIN-DECATUR COMMUNITY ended the season 3-19 with a seventh place finish in the NWKL. Three starters are back from that squad in sophomore Tyler Ostmeyer (6-4, 12 ppg, 8 rpg), David Jensen (5-8, 5 ppg, 2 spg, 2 apg), and senior Jaden Capuzzo (2.5 ppg, 2 spg, 2 apg). Head coach Brad Weese also noted five incoming freshmen he expects to compete for varsity minutes. “The improved development from returning starters listed above and successful contribution from underclassmen joining the program,” Weese said of his team’s keys. “Guard play will be competitive. Need to find another post to go along with Ostmeyer.” QUINTER finished 13-9 last season with a 3-3 mark in league play. Entering his 31st year with the program, head coach John Crist has four senior starters returning in Trace Kinderknecht (5-9, 5.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.5 apg), Ethan Gruenbacher (5-10, 2.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.5 apg), Avery Briggs (5-11, 6.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg)
and Lakin Getz (5-11, 8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg). Senior Kahne Johnson (6-3, 2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and junior Shea Salyers (6-1, 4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg) were also key pieces off the bench. “We will return a nice core of players who have varsity experience,” Crist said. “We will need to use our speed and quickness to create an up-tempo style of play. We should have nice depth so we will try to use that to our advantage and play fast and play a lot of kids. The league looks to be very competitive again with Dighton and Greeley County being the teams to beat. Wallace County and Rawlins County will also be very strong. If we can get some consistent outside shooting and stay healthy, we hope to be very competitive when postseason rolls around.” SHARON SPRINGS-WALLACE COUNTY saw its season come to an end after a second round sub-state loss to eventual state champs Greeley County, leaving the Wildcats at 12-10 on the year. Seniors Tharyan Hawkins and Evan Pearce earned All-State on that team, along with graduate Cade Johnson. ST. FRANCIS didn’t manage a win in head coach Brock Waters first season with the team, going 0-22. A still young, but far more experienced team returns this winter with plans for improvement. Sophomores Lucas Raile (511, 7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Joel Gilliland (5-10, 2.9 ppg, 1 rpg), Jakob Lytle (5-5, 5.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Diego Mendoza (6-0, 1.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg), and junior Cris Silva (6-0, 1 ppg, 1.6 rpg) are all back with varsity experience. “Our goal is to continue to grow and develop,” Waters said. “Had a very young team last year - two sophomores and seven freshmen - so just trying to get these young kids to progress and take the next step in both their skills and knowledge (is key).” TRIBUNE-GREELEY COUNTY were nearly untouchable last season, finishing 25-1 after winning a state title 49-43 over Lebo, and dominating their matchups in postseason games leading up to the championship. The 1A-DII champs lost their only game in early January to a tough Northern Valley team. Head coach Josh Gooch gets back one starter from that squad in junior Lincoln Shafer (5-11, 10.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.2 spg), though he was likely lost for the season to a football injury, giving the backto-back state champs plenty of rebuilding to do. “Our goals are similar to last year in that we want to compete for league season title, tournament title, and get back to the state tournament,” Gooch said. “The keys to our success this year will be figuring out our new roles on the team. Since losing so much experience, the younger guys are eager to play but need that varsity speed experience. They are ready, just how quick can we settle into it.” GIRLS: ATWOOD-RAWLINS COUNTY finished 14-8 in head coach Deone Horinek’s fourth year leading the team. Now entering year five with an overall mark of 65-32, Horinek returns a strong core group in seniors Abby Micek (10.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Kacie Dirks (2.3 ppg, 2 rpg), junior Tayten Dewey (11.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), and sophomore Kayte Shively (9 ppg, 4 rpg). Juniors Kennedy Timm, Paige Lankas, and Allison Rippe are expected to make an impact on varsity as well.
Page 79 W. Hwy 36
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Dine-in or Carryout “Compete,” Horinek said of his team’s key. “(We want to) be the best we can possibly be, which in turn should yield a very deep playoff run! This could be a very exciting year, but it is going to take a lot to get there.” First year head coach Cyrus Haynes takes over a DIGHTON team that finished 6-16 with a 2-8 NWKL record leaving them sixth in the standings. Two returning starters are back in senior Ayden Whipple (5-8, 3.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.5 spg) and sophomore Rylee Meyers (5-7, 2.7 ppg, 2 rpg). Sophomores Lani Speer (5-10, 3.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg) and Kenzie Zimmerman (5-6, 2.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg), and senior Elaina Weeks (5-3) are others expected to round out the varsity rotation. “Our team’s goal this year is to find our identity and build a foundation for years to come,” Haynes said. “We will have a very young team. We want to compete and continue to get better as the year progresses. The keys to our success this year will be taking care of the ball on offense and limiting our turnovers especially with a young team. Defensively, our goal is limiting our opponents’ opportunities by securing defensive rebounds and only allowing one shot. Everyone is going to have to step up as players and leaders this year.” OBERLIN-DECATUR COMMUNITY finished 15-7 with a 4-2 record in league play a season ago. Junior Jenna Fortin (5-3, 5 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2 spg) and sophomore Brylee Minnick (5-9, 3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.9 spg) return from that starting lineup for head coach Brandon Gehring. “Our goals will be to win our league tournament, and make it to the state tournament,” Gehring said. “Handling pressure, finding ways to score, and playing with confidence are key.” QUINTER was the class 1A-DI state runnerup after a hardfought 55-49 contest against Doniphan West in the title matchup. The Bulldogs held a 21-5 record and won a league title to go with their silver at state. Seniors Kennedy Werth
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Kennedy Werth Quinter, Senior
(5.2 ppg, 3.8 apg), Kelsey Selensky (5.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg), and junior Bryn Gillespie (10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) are back from that starting lineup as Matt Havlas enters year 10 as head coach. Havlas’ team goal is to “start where we left off last year and make another run at state” and lauded the athleticism and experience of his current group. SHARON SPRINGS-WALLACE COUNTY was 16-8 overall with a 4-2 mark in league play in Braydon Summers first year as head coach. Juniors Jaelyn Daily (8.8 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.4 spg), Jyma Stafford (4.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.1 spg) and Jersi Benisch (13.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.6 spg), and senior Ja’Asia Stafford (6.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg) are back from that team, and are joined by senior homeschool student Aubree Richardson (19 ppg) who competed for Weskan last season. “Our goal this season is to put a better team on the court every night, and make it back to the state tournament and make some noise this year,” Summers said. “For us to be successful this year will need to continue to build on our defensive pressure we had last year. We forced 28 turnovers a game last year. We will need to turn the turnovers we force into points this year.” ST. FRANCIS ended up 18-4 last season after a sub-state championship loss to Quinter. Returning starters include senior Makaila Matthies and junior Delaney Myers as Jeffrey Parsons takes over head coaching duties for the Indians with Sidnee Crabtree serving as his assistant. TRIBUNE-GREELEY COUNTY finished 5-16 after a first round sub-state loss to Dighton in the 4 vs. 5 game. Junior Jadyn Mangan and sophomore Jadence Stewart both earned AllLeague for Jackrabbits last season.
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Willie Dorsey Wellsville, Senior By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ANDERSON COUNTY advanced to the sub-state championship game, but weren’t able to knock off Wellsville in the final, losing 4025. The Bulldogs were 13-10 on the season and now need to replace the production of All-League graduates Garrison Martin and Caden Register. BURLINGTON finished the season 16-6 after a 56-51 loss in the second round of sub-state against Wellsville. Prior to that the Wildcats managed to secure a tie for the league championship with an 11-1 mark in Pioneer play. Two starters return from that squad in senior Brody Felts (6-1, 7.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, .9 spg) and All-State junior Sage Fejfar (6-3, 17 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.3 spg). “Our team goals for this season are to improve each and every day in practice by focusing on the process of what it takes to compete for another Pioneer League title and a chance to compete in Hutchinson at the end of the year,” head coach Justin Logan said. “If we stay locked into the process then we will be in contention to achieve the result-driven goals we’ve set out to accomplish.” IOLA ended up 8-13 with a 4-8 record in league play a season ago. A trio of upperclassmen return from that starting lineup in seniors Landon Weide (6-0, 10 ppg, 6 rpg, 3.1 spg, 5.8 apg), Mac Leonard (5-10, 10 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 spg), and junior Cortland Carson (5-10, 8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1 spg). Head coach Luke Bycroft called “playing fast and taking good shots” as his team’s keys to success. OSAWATOMIE ended their season at 4-16 in head coach Chris Pitts eighth season with the team. Entering year nine, Pitts has back five guys with starting experience in seniors Cooper Peterson and Kail Calderwood, along with juniors Tucker Fennel, Walker Beets, and Joseph Mitzner. “Our number one goal is to compete and enjoy the game of basketball,” Pitts said. “Our keys to success are being willing to play defense and compete every night.” PRAIRIE VIEW finished the year with one win after losing their first round matchup at sub-state to top seed Osage City. SANTA FE TRAIL went 8-13 with a 7-5 record in league play that put them in third place. Back from that team are seniors Lane Workman (6-0, 15 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg), Luke Edwards (6-1, 11 ppg, 3 rpg, 5 apg, 2 spg) and Chad Robert (5-9, 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg), and junior Jalen Smith (6-6, 9 ppg, 9 rpg, 1 apg, 4 bpg). “After what we consider an underachieving year in 2022-23 we are anxiously looking forward to 2023-24,” head coach Thatcher Decker said.
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 “Last season inexperienced was an issue and early in the season it showed, as we squandered opportunities for wins. As the season progressed we matured and were playing our best ball at the end. We return the majority of our offensive firepower and after a great summer we are poised to have a great year in Charger Nation.” WELLSVILLE entered sub-state as a two-seed before punching their ticket to state with wins over Osawatomie, Burlington, and Anderson County. The Eagles then lost first round at state 38-35 to Galena and finished the year 18-6. AllState graduate Dylan McCarty will be tough to replace, but the Eagles had two more All-State performers in seniors Dezmond Winton and Willie Dorsey. Coach Rick O’Neil also welcomes back returning varsity players Calvin Dwyer and Brody Lee in the backcourt, and Chase Douglas and Jake Taylor in the front court. The addition of Kenyon Gillins, who moved in from Utah, should strengthen the Eagle lineup after the junior was the third leading receiver on the football team. GIRLS: ANDERSON COUNTY took second in both league and sub-state behind Santa Fe Trail and ended the year 15-8 overall. Four senior returning starters are back for the Bulldogs in All-State selection and human block party Kylie Disbrow (6-0, 17.3 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 8.5 bpg, 1.5 spg), All-State selection Caitlyn Foltz (6-0, 13.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 bpg, 1.9 spg), Addie Fudge (5-6, 7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.6 spg) and Rilyn Sommer (6-0, 2.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.2 spg). “We have worked to put down the building blocks the last two years with this team and the key is bringing it all together this year,” head coach Amy Disbrow said. “(We must) continue to build our consistency on both ends of the court, be disciplined and focused on defense, and look for opportunities and finish on the offensive side.” BURLINGTON went 10-11 with an 8-4 mark in Pioneer League play that left them tied for second in league standings along with Anderson County and Prairie View. The Wildcats season ended after a 49-37 loss to Osage City in the first round of sub-state. Two returning starters are back from that team in juniors Alivia Bangs (5-8, 2.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Grace Birk (5-8, 5.1 ppg, 5 rpg), along with junior Mallory Over (5-5, 1.6 ppg) and sophomore Hattie Burgio (5-7, 2.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg) from the varsity rotation. Senior Ava Beyer (5-7), sophomore Jaycee Belcher (5-4), and freshmen Mac Medlock (5-10), Alexa Splechter (5-3) and Karlee Docman (5-4) are others who will compete for varsity minutes. “The Ladycats lost their top three scorers from last season, including 1,000 career point scorer Harlee Young,” first year head coach Erin McGown said. “Any time you have to replace a player like Harlee it’s always a challenge as she was a four-year starting point guard and led us in pretty much every statistical category last year. I expect our scoring to come from a lot more players this season depending on who is hot that night. While scoring could be a challenge some nights, I think we have the potential to be a much better defensive team this season. We also have some incoming freshmen that have an opportunity to be impactful. Between them and a solid core of returners, we expect to be a team that improves throughout the season and plan on competing for a league championship and making a run in sub-state.” SANTA FE TRAIL finished up as Pioneer
Page 80
League champs with a perfect 12-0 record to go with a state tournament berth after knocking out Anderson County in the sub-state finals 64-45. The Chargers were then knocked out in the first round of state against Silver Lake. Back from that state-qualifying starting lineup are seniors Kaelee Washington (5-11, 13.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.6 bpg, 2.3 spg), Braegan Buessing (5-3, 11.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.7 apg, 3.5 spg) and Whitney Herren (5-7, 5.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2 spg), and junior Abby Clark (5-6, 8.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 spg). “We return a lot of key players and we have a great freshmen class that will provide us with depth and solid minutes,” head coach Jacee Kramer said. “Our seniors have developed into mature basketball players on both ends of the court. This will allow us to again elevate our style of play, push past our current limitations, and venture outside of our comfort zone offensively and defensively. If we can combine our senior experience and the depth of our bench with an offensive and defensive playbook that supports our fast paced style of play, we will have a successful season.” IOLA saw their season end after a first round sub-state loss to Wamego and ended up 6-15. Replacing All-League selection Aysha Houk will be key for the Mustangs. OSAWATOMIE finished 0-20 last year and has a new head coach in Zach Zerr, who welcomes back senior Erin Upshaw as well as sophomores
PIONEER LEAGUE
Maddison Hampton and Lexie Palmer from that starting lineup. PRAIRIE VIEW closed out the season at 14-8 after a second round loss to Anderson County in sub-state. Junior Kally Stroup earned All-League for the Buffaloes during that campaign. WELLSVILLE went 3-18 with a 2-10 mark in league play. Back from that team are seniors Aaliyah Green (5-8, 7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1 apg, 1.4 spg), Jaeda Fletcher (5-5, 1.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Rachel Pio (5-7, 1.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg), and junior Katelyn West (5-9, 5.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1 spg). “Our goals this season are to contend for a league championship,” head coach Brock Campbell said. “We have some tough teams in our league this year with Santa Fe Trail and Anderson County. We know that if we can compete with them we will have a good chance to win our league and give ourselves a chance to compete for a sub-state championship. The keys to our team this year will be how well we come together as a team with a lot of new players. We will have several freshmen who will contribute at the varsity level. Our point guard will be Savannah Viets who is a transfer from Coffeyville. We will need everyone to find their role and push each other in practice to get better every single day.”
SANTA FE TRAIL LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: DEERFIELD advanced to the sub-state finals after handling Moscow in the semis 57-35, but were overwhelmed by top-seed Bucklin in the championship matchup 79-34. The Spartans finished 7-15 overall. The graduation of Jesus Amaro, Ryan Musil, and Cesar Ramirez is a big hit on production for the Spartans, but juniors Maverick Najera (6.9 ppg), Brayden Huband (1.7 ppg) and Yulexis Robles (1.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg), and senior Xavier Robles (1.5 ppg, 8.1 rpb) were varsity contributors last season. After a hard-fought 37-35 win over Rolla in the first round of sub-state, MOSCOW lost their second round matchup with Deerfield and finished the season 5-15. Senior Jose Moran earned All-League honors for the Wildcats last season. ROLLA finished 1-16 after a first round substate tournament loss to league opponent
Moscow. Senior Rylan Williams and junior Jose Alvarado earned All-League for the Pirates. GIRLS: DEERFIELD finished 5-16 after a first round sub-state loss to Ingalls. Seniors Shaylle Hill and Alyssa Smith, and junior Jisselle Saenz earned All-League for the Spartans during that campaign. MOSCOW took a second round sub-state exit after losing to Ashalnd, leaving the team at 10-9 on the year. Lily Gonzalez, Jacklen Sunderland, Janette Gonzalez, Jaylen Sunderland, Kenia Gonzalez, and Yareli Rojo earned All-League for the Wildcats last season. ROLLA lost their first round sub-state matchup with Ashland and finished the season 4-14. Seniors Gabby Bolin (7.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg), Elana Reza (10.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.6 spg), and sophomore Cayle Crowl (1.9 rpg) earned AllLeague for the Pirates last season, along with graduates Carissa Sohm and Andrea Reza.
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SOUTHEAST KANSAS LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: CHANUTE has the luxury of returning five upperclassmen with starting experience from a team that went 14-7 and finished second in the SEK standings at 8-4. Seniors Jordan Duncan (5-10, 6.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.1 apg), Kaiden Seamster (10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 spg), Lars Koester (6-1, 9.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.4 spg) and Rhett Smith (6-0), and junior Eliott Stephenson (6-2, 8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.8 spg) all return as Devon Crabtree enters his fifth year as head coach. The Blue Comets did take a hit when senior Brax Peter (5-10, 1.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg) suffered season-ending knee injury. “We want to continue to build off our season last year,” Crabtree said. “Our guys have really taken ownership of their team. They are playing well together with a common goal. We want to see those types of things continue and continue to improve. Our key to success this season will be on how our senior group leads. They are a great group of student-athletes and there are some great group of leaders within their group. If they can get everyone on the same page, our chances of a successful season will increase significantly.” COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY finished up 5-16 after a first round sub-state loss to statequalifier Atchison. Senior Jamarrion Logan was the lone All-League recipient for the Golden Tornado a season ago. Veteran head coach Mike Krull led FORT SCOTT to a 9-12 record in his first season with the team to go with a 4-8 mark in league play. The loss of All-League selection Marquinn Johnson will be noticed, but seniors Spencer Goldston, Cal Cosens and Rocco Loffredo, juniors Dub Chipman and Ty Marbery, and sophomores Kanin Brown and Dierks Kegler all return with at least one year of varsity experience, though Marbery will miss significant time to injury. “We gained valuable experience last season,” Krull said. “Lost six games that we had leads during the fourth quarter and was in the same place at Holton in our sub-state game. We have a lot of players that have common skills and all can shoot it well. For us to be successful we will need to do a lot of little things good on defense and take care of the ball on offense. It could be a very good year if we learn how to finish games.” INDEPENDENCE finished 6-15 with five seniors in their rotation last season led by AllState big man Easton Ewing. Lone returning starter and letterwinner Camdon Julian (10.7 ppg, 4.4 rpb, 1.1 spg) gives head coach Brad Smith a nice piece back to work with as he builds a new lineup. “Camdon is a competitive team player who leads in every way and plays hard from tipoff to buzzer,” Smith said. “The team will take on Camdon’s personality and by doing so this team could be a surprise in the SEK. It might take a while to get our players some experience, but with our overall team quickness and speed and shooting this could give opponents problems. Other SEK teams have experience, but this team will have work ethic and grit and this will make us grow and develop as the year progresses.” LABETTE COUNTY made it to the sub-state finals for a second season in a row, but again fell short, this time against Bishop Miege. The
Grizzlies ended their season at 10-12 with a 6-6 mark in league play and return All-League senior Hudson Baker (6-8, 13 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 bpg) and fellow senior Zavier Phillips (6-4, 8.8 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.1 apg) from that starting lineup. “Hudson Baker, Zavier Phillips and Kendall Holtzman will be our seniors this season and they will be looked upon to lead our team,” head coach Bradley Argabright said. “Baker and Phillips have both started for two years and have put in great work this offseason playing for various teams. We will be younger than we have been in the past few seasons but we’re excited about our new players stepping into those roles and watching them compete night in and out.” PARSONS returns a strong core from a team that finished 11-10 last season. Seniors JahMarion Washington (6-2, 8 ppg, 5 rpg), JJ Kendrick (6-1, 8 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg), Tra Mack (59, 3 ppg, 3 apg, 2 spg) and Landon Wheat (6-4, 11 ppg, 6 rpg) are back for coach Anthony Houk. “Keys to success for our team this year will be for us to be disciplined and consistent, “Houk said. “We must be disciplined in our approach to the little things that win games. Next, it is vital for our group to be consistent in those little things in the presence of adversity.” PITTSBURG captured a league title last year and finished 17-6 overall after a substate championship loss ended their season. Returning from that starting lineup are seniors Mason English (6-4) and Joey Cronister (60), along with rotation players in juniors Nate Mitchell (6-2), TJ Wesley (6-5), and sophomore Jayden Brown (6-2). “With making a run late last year to get to state, our players now know what is expected of them and the intensity it takes night in and night out to continue to play the entire weekend of the state tournament,” head coach Jordan Woods said. “We will have a lot of returning players with experience and leadership. We will need to stay the course throughout the season if we want to get back to where we were last season and take the next step. We will lean on our leadership to get us there and make practices competitive and hold everyone accountable to getting better as a team.” GIRLS: CHANUTE went 7-14 with a 4-8 mark in the SEK that left them fifth in the standings. The Blue Comets return four senior starters with All-State selection Peyton Shields (5-4), Kelsey Haviland (5-7), Jayelynn Smith (5-6) and Kierny Follmer (5-11) back, along with fellow seniors Ashley Haviland (5-8) and Kynleigh Chard (56) coming off the bench last season. Junior Cha’Kyra Walls (5-1) and freshman Sarah Uhner (5-4) are others expected to earn varsity time. “We want to get better every day and be the best versions of ourselves at season’s end,” head coach Dustin Fox said. “Along the way we want to win as many games as possible. I think we can compete for the SEK title if we play for one another and really embrace the idea of team success over personal accolades.” COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY ended the season 6-15 after a first round loss to Fort Scott at sub-state. Junior Taiylor Caron earned AllLeague, along with graduate Chaunte Porter. FORT SCOTT made it back-to-back league titles with a 19-3 overall record a season ago.
Page 81 The Tigers weren’t quite able to make it out of their sub-state after losing an overtime matchup to Hayden, but have reason to expect another strong team this winter. All-State senior Keegan Yarick (5-8, 16.4 ppg, 8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.4 spg) and All-League juniors Allie Brown (5-5, 6 ppg, 2 apg) and Kylee Comstock (6-0, 7.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg) are back from that starting lineup. Others back include senior Raveyn Kegler (5-6) and sophomores Abbie Gorman (5-6), Raylee Cowen (5-7), Aubrey Yarick (5-8), Claire McElroy (5-8) and Jacee Rogers (5-9). “Even though we came up a little short of our ultimate goal of making it to state,” head coach Pechone Stepps said, “we experienced quite a bit of success last season, and we are motivated to continue to build on that foundation. We will look to try to use our depth as an advantage to possibly play a faster tempo on both ends of the court offensively and defensively to create more scoring opportunities.” INDEPENDENCE took second in the SEK with a 9-3 mark. Overall the Bulldogs went 18-5 with a state tournament appearance after beating Labette County 34-27 in the sub-state finals, but were knocked out in the first round of the 4A tournament against Hugoton, 53-40. Seniors Camdyn Eytcheson (5-5, 7.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.8 spg, 2.7 apg), Tionne Johnson (5-10, 8 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Alexandra Jones (5-11, 2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) return from that starting lineup for head coach Brycen Byrd. “Our goals this year are to continue building a culture that values hard work and to show improvement in communication throughout the year,” Byrd said. “We had some strong leadership last year because of our senior class. A key for this year is going to be the way in which the new leaders are going to set the example in practice and continue to hold each other to high standards.” LABETTE COUNTY ended the year 1012 after a sub-state championship loss. The Grizzlies posted a 6-6 record in league play and return three starters in All-State senior Kayton O’Brien (5-4, 12.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 spg), senior Nevaeh Jones (5-6, 6.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg), and junior Landry O’Brien (6.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 spg) who missed nine games last season from injury. Senior Addison Rexwinkle (5-5, 2.7 ppg, 2 rpg) is another back from the varsity rotation, with seniors Allee Martin (5-9), Raegan Roberts (5-7), Libby Pool (5-7), and juniors Aubrey Boss (5-9) and Kinsley Boss (5-10) expected to compete for varsity minutes.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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Independence, Senior
“We are returning a core group of athletes who are all three sport athletes,” head coach Brianna Volkmer said. “So we are very athletic. Kayton O’Brien, Nevaeh Jones, and Landry O’Brien are returning players with starting roles that we will lean on for leadership. Returning players Addison Rexwinkle, Allee Martin, Libby Pool, Raegan Roberts, and Aubrey and Kinsley Boss will be asked to step into new veteran roles. We return almost all of our offense and look to continue to use our defense to help score transition buckets. Our team speed and athleticism should be a huge asset for us as we navigate the always challenging SEK.” PARSONS made a trip to the state tournament after knocking out Holton and Louisburg in hardfought sub-state matchups. The Vikings were unable to knock off Andale in the first round at state and ended the season 16-7. Seniors Iniya Hinman, Sydney Schibi, and Aashka Patel each earned All-League last season. PITTSBURG went 2-19 with a 1-11 mark in league play. First year head coach Dalton Gromer takes over the program with senior Jacqueline Hall (5-10, 14.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 spg), juniors Alyssa Hotze (5-2, 5.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.6 spg) and Gabbie White (5-9, 2.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), and sophomore Onna Jorge (5-4, 3.2 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.1 spg) back from last season’s lineup. Gromer spoke laconically of his team goals, “Win SEK.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer We had some injuries last year that opened the BOYS: ARGONIA lost their first round sub- door to the starting lineup for Cordell Jordan and state matchup with South Barber and finished Kellen Green. Those two were our go to guys the season 3-17. All-League senior Dalton down the stretch last year, they became a solid Morrison (15.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and sophomores scoring combo, both having multiple double Carson Vineyard (8.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Jackson figure games. Cordell is a plus athlete, he gets Kollmeyer (3.8 ppg), and Dakota Specht (1.6 down hill on drives and his mid-range game is ppg, 2.1 rpg) were major contributors for the Red very good. He’s a tough matchup vs. man D Raiders last season. because of his length and athleticism. We will be CALDWELL finished 12-10 with a 6-3 mark looking for those three to lead us early on with in the SCBL that left them fifth in the regular their experience.” season standings to go with a sixth place league ROSALIA-FLINTHILLS knocked Marmaton tournament finish. First year head coach Jalen Valley out in the 4 vs. 5 matchup of sub-state Risley takes over the Blue Jays this season with 71-67, but were defeated in the second round All-League senior Jackson Risley (6-2, 12.6 ppg, by state bound Olpe and finished the year 9-13. 7.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.7 spg) back as one of the top All-League graduate Nate Becker leaves a players in the league and he’ll be joined by Miles production void for the Mustangs. Newell, a senior that missed half of last season At 8-1 in league play, SEDAN and new head because of an injury. Coach Risley emphasized coach Zac Hill shared an SCBL regular season “playing together and causing chaos for the title with Cedar Vale/Dexter before winning the opposing team” as his squad’s keys to success. SCBL tournament outright and then entering CEDAR VALE/DEXTER went 17-4 and sub-state as the one-seed. The Blue Devils earned a share of the SCBL regular season title easily handled Leon-Bluestem in the opening alongside Sedan. Back from that team are four round, but were then upset 52-48 against fourstarters in seniors Brayden Henderson (6-3, 10 seed Belle Plaine. Back from that starting lineup ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Devonte Harris (5-11, 5 ppg, are seniors Lyndon Sears (5-11, 12.5 ppg, 3 apg, 4.1 rpg), along with sophomores Royce Potter 2 spg), Jeremiah Prince (5-10, 10 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.5 (5-11, 5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Jaylon Harris (6-3, 3.4 apg, 2.5 spg) and Triston Wade (6-5, 5 ppg, 5 ppg, 2.1 rpg). rpg), and junior Jackson Dowell (5-10, 5 ppg, 4 “Obviously we want to go to work and focus rpg, 1 spg). on getting better each and every day,” head “We want to get better each day of the coach KB Criss said. “Offensively we need to season to be playing our best basketball by late improve. We have to do a better job of screening, February,” Hill said. movement, spacing, and getting out and running SOUTH HAVEN finished 4-16 after a first the floor better. Defensively, we need to build on round loss to Caldwell at sub-state a season last year’s solid season and work to get more ago. Senior Alex Smith is the lone returning pressure on the ball and to get out and defend starter from that group as veteran head coach in the passing lanes better.” James Broughton returns to the Cardinals bench Year one for head coach Ben Ponce at after 20 years with stops at Cowley County, CENTRAL-BURDEN went well, with a 7-2 Wichita West, Rose Hill, Campus, Norwich, and record in league play that put them in second Belle Plaine in different coaching capacities. in the final standings with a 14-9 overall mark. The Biggest focus for Broughton early on are The Raiders have back three senior starters from numbers. that team in Ben Long (6-0, 11 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, “We will have one senior this year, and I am 1.4 spg), Jace Wunderlich (5-8, 8 ppg, 4.2 apg, looking to get around 12 to 14 to come out,” 5 rpg, 2.2 spg), and Russ Smith (6-0, 10.3 ppg, Broughton said. “The team only had 7 or 8 at the 7.4 rpg, 2.8 spg). end of last season.” “We want to continue to build on the success UDALL lost their first round sub-state contest we had last year”, Ponce said. “Finishing at with Oxford 77-58 and ended the season with the top of the league and winning both our pre- a 7-14 record. Senior Jenson Harness and season and league tournaments. We also have graduate Braden Hopper both earned All-League a goal of playing for a sub-state championship. for that group. Keys to a successful season will include staying WEST ELK went 11-10 overall and took fifth healthy and continuing to work hard and build in the SCBL regular season standings at 4-5, chemistry.” along with a fourth place league tournament OXFORD finished fourth in the regular season finish. Seniors Uriah Tillapaugh (6-3, 12.4 ppg, SCBL standings at 5-4 and took third in the 7.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg), Martin Shipley (6 ppg, league tournament. Once at sub-state, head 2.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.4 spg), and junior Maddex coach Kyle Green’s squad managed to make it Moreno (5-11, 13.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.5 out of the first round, but couldn’t overcome a spg) are back from that starting lineup as head loaded Wichita Classical team in the semifinals. coach Dave Miller enters his 18th year with the Senior Cayden Carpenter (7.5 ppg, 7 rpg), junior team and 24th year as a head coach overall with Cordell Jordan (6-2, 7.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg), and a record of 341-169. sophomore Kellen Green (6-1, 6.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, “Our goals are to be competitive every game,” 2.1 apg) return from that starting lineup, along Miller said. “We plan to improve on our 2022-23 with juniors Sam Wheeler (5-9, 2.2 ppg), Zane season and compete for league and tournament Whitson (5-8, 1.1 ppg) and Connor Commerford titles. Our main goal is to stay healthy. We won’t (5-8, 1.1 ppg), and senior Anthony Williams (6-1, have a lot of varsity depth to start the season.” 1.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg) off the bench. GIRLS: ARGONIA made it out of the first “With three starters back, we have some round of sub-state after beating South Barber experience,” Green said. “Cayden Carpenter 27-26, but were knocked out in the next round has been a three-year starter inside. He’s a by sub-state champs South Haven and ended great rim protector and gives us size that other the season 9-12. Senor Maya Jones earned AllSCBL schools don’t have. He can finish inside League for the Red Raiders last season. and step out and knock down shots as well. CENTRAL-BURDEN entered sub-state as
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SOUTH CENTRAL BORDER LEAGUE
a third seed, but were knocked out in the first round by Wichita Classical and ended the year 7-14. The Raiders lost their lone All-League recipient, Emily Long, to graduation. CALDWELL went 1-20 with their lone win coming against Cedar Vale/Dexter, 41-34. The Bluejays graduated their top player in All-League selection Jacelyne Brown. CEDAR VALE/DEXTER finished 3-17 with a 2-12 mark in league play that left them ninth in the standings. Third year head coach Eric Swanson returns juniors Riley Schalk (5-8, 7.4 ppg, 5 rpg), Edee Boatman (5-3, 7 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 3 spg) and Kylee Bragg (5.8 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 spg), and sophomore Gracie Webb (2.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 spg) from that starting lineup. “We are returning all but one starter from last year’s team and we have a group of incoming freshmen that will help us be deeper on the bench,” Swanson said. “Our goal is to finish top four in our league, advance in sub-state for the first time in 10-plus years and compete every day. Our depth on our bench is going to determine how successful we are this season. The new players we have added pushing the returners every day in practice will be what helps us be more competitive this season.” OXFORD was 8-15 and finished sixth in the SCBL last season. Sophomores Sophia Bain, Savannah Whitson (2.4 ppg) and Yacinia Gardea (1.3 ppg), and All-League junior Yasmin Gardea (10.8 ppg) are back from that starting lineup for head coach Gina Westernman. “Our goals for this season are to play as a
team and out-rebound the opposing team,” Westerman said. “Our keys to success will be to buy into each other’s talent and execute our plays.” ROSALIA-FLINTHILLS placed second in both the SCBL tournament and regular season standings to go with a 15-8 overall mark. Back from that team are juniors Paige Corter (5-8, 15 ppg, 8 rpg), Tagen Carney (5-5, 7 ppg, 3 rpg), Emily Scribner (5-3, 6 ppg, 3 rpg), Rylie Wright (5-8, 5 ppg, 3 rpg) and Alex Scribner (3 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg). “Balanced scoring from a core of juniors that are ready to take the next step will be key,” head coach Daniel Scribner said. SEDAN went 11-9 with a 7-3 record in league play and a sixth place finish in the league tournament. First year head coach Brooklyn Hilton takes over the Blue Devils with seniors Violet Norris (5-9, 3.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Pacey Sellers (5-5, 2.6 ppg, 1.1 apg), and sophomore Hailey Kunath (5-9, 3.3 ppg, 3.4). “We are coming off of a season where our first five starters were all seniors,” Hilton said. “We are going to have to work hard adjusting to new coaching staff once again this year. Our team goals will be to always work hard and represent our school in the best way. I think it will be crucial for this group to play as one unit. We will also need to focus on defense. We will have to stop the ball to set us up to score.” SOUTH HAVEN won a league championship
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SOUTHERN PLAINS-IROQUOIS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ASHLAND won their first round substate matchup over Ingalls 65-51 before ending their season in a second round matchup against sub-state champs Bucklin, finishing the year 5-16. Senior Landen McPhail earned All-League honors a season ago but opted not to play this season, though classmates Britt Grigsby (9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg), Kale Harris (8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 bpg) and Trae Vera (4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 apg) return to give coach Alex Torrez a strong core of varsity experience. Torrez calls Lathan McPhail a player to watch after the junior missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but started his freshman year and average 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He also scored 17 points in the sub-state win over Ingalls last season after returning from injury. BUCKLIN came out of their sub-state after dominating Deerfield 79-34 in the championship round, before getting knocked out in the first round of state against Axtell. The trip to state was the second consecutive for the Red Aces and head coach Derek Bevan. Back with hopes of making it three straight is an experienced group consisting of seniors Andrew Bowman (6-1, 11.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.3 apg) and Dairius McKinsey (5-10, 2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1 apg), along with juniors Lucas Kirk (6-0, 9.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 apg), Kolson Cook 6-0, 7.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg), Kaden Tilley (6.9 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.2 apg) and Leighton Konrade (6-0, 1.1 ppg), though a back injury from football may sideline Bowman until after the holiday break. “I feel we have lots of experienced minutes coming back this year that should help guide us through the season,” Bevan said. “Bowman was kind of our do it all guy last year as he was second in scoring and rebounding, and our leader for assists. We will look to him to continue that balance this year. I really like the mix of upperclassmen that we have and feel it should help us in tight, end of game situations.” HODGEMAN COUNTY ended their season at 15-8 with an 8-3 league record that placed them third. All-State senior Owen Reece (6-4, 19 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.1 rpg) and junior Hazen Rydquist (5-10, 4.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1 spg) are back from that squad as head coach Gustavo Flores enters year four with the program with a 43-24 overall mark. “Our team goals this year are like any other year and that is to compete and give ourselves a chance to win at the end,” Flores said. “In order to compete we will need to take practice seriously and learn to play as a team. A new goal for us this year will be for our kids to take pride in themselves and their schoolwork. When good things happen in the classroom it will only transition to positives on the court which helps shape the future of our program. We are going to be a very young team with only two returning starters from last year’s sub-state runner up team. Owen Reece will be entering his senior year and is a three-year All-State, All-League starter for us. The only other returning starter is Hazen Rydquist who is a one-year starter at the point guard position. This year’s incoming freshman will get thrown out in the mix from the start as the only other varsity player from last year is senior Drake Weber.”
With first year head coach Nathan Lowther taking over, INGALLS returns four starters from a team that finished 3-18 with a 1-16 record in league play. Those players back are seniors Layton Simon (6-0, 9.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 spg) and Mitchell Lehman (5-10, 6.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.9 spg), along with juniors Langston Northern (6-3, 10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.3 spg) and Breck Averhoff (6-2, 5.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg). “The expectation and the standard is to make a trip to Great Bend for the state tournament,” Lowther said. “We have a competitive conference with some really talented teams that is going to prepare us to play at a high level once late February rolls around. We expect to compete each time we take the floor and improve every single day. We will need to limit turnovers on the offensive end, and create turnovers on the defensive end. We will also need to outhustle, outwork, and flat out want it more than other teams to be successful.” KIOWA COUNTY went 9-13 with a 5-6 mark in SPIAA play. The Mavericks finished eighth in regular season league standings and fourth in the tourney. Back from that team for coach Matt Hoffman are All-State junior Brock Deterding (5-11, 8.4 ppg, 2.7 spg), junior Kaden Wesloh (6-2, 4 bpg), and All-League sophomore Sawyer Campbell (6-0, 16.3 ppg, 3.6 bpg, 3.2 spg). “We will be young again with the potential of having three freshmen having to play a lot,” Hoffman said. “Our goal is to be competitive and be in the top half of the SPIAA league. I think we will need to rely on our leadership of Brock and Sawyer on the floor to get our younger guys up to speed. We know we play one of, if not the toughest schedules in 1A, which hopefully prepares us for postseason.” MEADE has a new head coach in former St. John standout Cole Kinnamon, the latest in a line of coaches that include uncle Kurt Kinnamon of McPherson and father Clint Kinnamon of Remington. The Buffaloes advanced to the substate finals last year, but were knocked out by a tough Medicine Lodge team 46-41. The team finished 19-4 with a first place finish in regular season standings at 10-1 before taking second in the SPIAA tournament after a loss to South Gray. All-State senior Brock Keith (5-10, 18.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.5 spg) returns to the starting lineup along with fellow seniors Brandon Bird (6-2, 14.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.9 apg) and Cade Cronister (5-10, 7.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg). “Of course a state championship is every team’s goal,” Kinnamon said. “I want our team to get better every single game and compete their tails off. We are going to play fast and have as many possessions as we can get.” MINNEOLA went 12-10 in head coach James Temaat’s ninth season with the team. In year 10 the coach gets back All-State senior Eli Lang (61, 16.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 7 apg, 3.3 spg, 1.7 bpg), junior Jesse Smith (6-0, 11 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.8 spg), and sophomore Levi Lang (6-0, 8.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1 apg, 1.5 spg). “Pressure defense will be key this season,” Temaat said. “We are going to be undersized this season, but will have some speed. We will look to run whenever we have the chance.” PAWNEE HEIGHTS finished 15-7 overall after
a sub-state championship loss to go with a 7-4 mark in league play last season. Back from that team are seniors Davin Hamby (5-10, 13.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, 1.6 spg, 3.3 rpg), Reed Stedje (6-3, 3.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Jimmy Gardner (5-10, 1.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1 spg) and Leighton Munk (5-9, 2.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.3 apg, .9 spg), but the graduation of career 1,000-point scorer Alec Carlson leaves a significant voide in production. “Our team goals are for everyone to compete hard in practice, push each other for playing time, and work better as a defensive unit,” head coach Rick Carlson said. “For everyone to understand their role on the team and be unselfish for the team’s sake. Each player to build up their teammates to make them a better basketball player and person.” SATANTA went 9-12 overall with a 3-8 record in league play and were eliminated in the quarterfinals of sub-state. Lone returning starter, junior Isaiah Manriquez (5-10, 8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 3.6 spg, 3.2 apg), gives head coach Tim Dusin a key piece of last year’s team to build around. “We want to improve our record, make it deeper in the league tourney and further in the sub-state tourney,” Dusin said. “We need our younger guys to play well and our experienced guys to lead us in the right direction.” SOUTH CENTRAL took third in 1A-DII after defeating Axtell 59-45 in the consolation game, leaving them at 18-8 on the season. Back from that team are all five starters, including seniors Heath Howell (6-6, 9.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.3 bpg) and Gavin Uhl (6-0, 12.6 ppg, 6 rpg), juniors Jamie Sarmiento (5-8, 12.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.3 spg, 2.5 apg) and JT Prusa (5-8, 5.3 ppg), and sophomore Jack Herd (6-2, 8.2 ppg,). “With the return of the entire team from last year our expectations are high,” head coach Bud Valerius said. “We want to get back to the state tournament and compete to win it all. The guys have worked hard all summer to improve and put themselves in a position to get back to state. We want to continue to be great at the defensive end. We will look to pressure more full court and play a little faster this year. We know that we will have to stay focused and improve every day to have the opportunities to reach our goals.” SOUTH GRAY won their league and sub-state tournaments last season before going on to take third place at 1A-DI state after a thrilling doubleovertime win over Olpe, 80-77. The Rebels finished the season 22-4 overall and return noteworthy talent in All-State seniors Joey Dyck (6-2, 19.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and Dominic Martin (61, 13.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.2 spg), and junior Sam Moore (5-10, 8.2 ppg, 4 apg, 3.3 spg). “Our ultimate goal is to make it back to the state tournament,” veteran head coach Mark Applegate said. “We have to come together as a team. We will have some young players stepping up to the varsity, they are going to have to grow up in a hurry.” SPEARVILLE took a second round sub-state exit after upsetting Minneola in a 3 vs. 6 matchup in the first. The Lancers finished 7-15 overall and had one player earn All-League in now-junior Aydin Ruiz. GIRLS: ASHLAND finished 13-10 with an 8-10 league record last season. New head coach Jon Schnable welcomes back junior Jaya Milburn (10
Owen Reece
Hodgeman County, Senior
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ppg, 1.5 rpg), senior Lily McPhail (4.2 ppg), and sophomore Emilia Ceniceros (4.1 ppg, 1 rpg), along with juniors Biannca Ceniceros (4.1 ppg, 1 rpg) and Delaney Garman (.5 ppg) from last season. Formerly a multi-sport coach at Rolla, Schnable called “improving and being competitive in every game” team goals. BUCKLIN took third in 1A-DII last season after beating St. John’s-Beloit/Tipton in the consolation game at state 56-51 and ended the year 20-5. The Red Aces also won the SPIAA tourney and finished tied for second in the regular season standings. In his 14th year as head coach, Craig Bowan returns All-State senior Sydnie Jones (59, 15 ppg, 6 rpg, 3.5 spg), her classmate Brooke Evans (5-5, 2 ppg, 3 rpg), junior Whitney Scott (5-5, 2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and sophomore Emerson Kirk (5-4, 11.5 ppg, 3.5 apg). “Controlling tempo of the game, rebounding on both ends of the floor, getting to the free throw line and finishing shots are our keys to success,” Bowman said. SPIAA regular season champions HODGEMAN COUNTY ended the year at 10-1 in league play with an 18-4 overall mark and a third place finish in the league tournament. Head coach Trent Bright returns seniors Morgan Ruff (5-8, 17.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3.6 spg) and Casey Schaffer (5-6, 4 ppg, 1.8 apg), junior Blake Dansel (5-7, 3.3 ppg, 4 rpg), and sophomore Taylor Bamberger (5-10, 5.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.1 spg) from that starting unit. “A lot of our team’s success will rely on staying healthy,” Bright said. “We will need some key contributions from some younger players. We aren’t returning a lot of starters from last season so it is key for us to figure ourselves out early on in the season.” INGALLS went 8-14 last season, knocking out Deerfield in the first round of sub-state before losing to a loaded Bucklin team in the second round. The Bulldogs enter this season with high expectations thanks to the return of seniors Brook Bailey (10.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 2.4 spg, 6.7 rpg), continued on page 99
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SUNFLOWER LEAGUE
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: GARDNER-EDGERTON ended up 6-14 last season, but seniors Colton Hawkinson (6-5), Max Nichols (6-5) and Cooper Williams (6-0), along with juniors Bravin Powell (6-4), Jake Linden (6-4), and Malachi Parks (5-10) leave the Trailblazers with plenty of experience. First year coach Cody Ziegler called “defensive intensity and commitment from upperclassmen, development of chemistry and understanding of individual strengths and weaknesses in our offense, and development of confidence and fundamentals in our guard play” team keys. Head coach Nick Wood is taking over a LAWRENCE team that finished 17-5 in head coach Mike Lewis’ last season with the team, but returns just one starter from that group. Luckily for Wood, All-State senior Zaxton King (6-3, 24.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2 apg) is among the most productive players in the state. “First off, we will have a lot of new players experiencing varsity basketball for the first time and their ability to step up and rise to the occasion will be vital to the level of achievements we encounter,” Wood said. “Secondly, Zaxton will have to have another big-time season for us. Not only will he need to carry the load of consistently scoring and rebounding, it will also be critical that he raises the level of play of his teammates which he definitely has the ability to do.” LAWRENCE-FREE STATE got a new head coach in Dwayne Paul, who holds a 77-38 record as head coach at Hayden and Lebo. Paul pointed out seniors Wesley Edison, Devon Hamilton and Dash Johnson, and junior Korbin Dowdell as a trio he expects to lead the team. “I think every team’s goal is to win state, but I do not want to put all the emphasis on just winning,” Paul said. “I want to get better daily. So we preach maximizing our potential. If we can do that daily then we have a chance to win a lot of games.” MILL VALLEY had a tough blow dealt in the first round of sub-state with an upset loss to Blue Valley West in an 83-82 double-overtime thriller. Overall the Jaguars had a solid season despite the upset loss, going 15-6 with a 10-3 record in the Sunflower League. Fourth year Jaguar coach Kurt Bangle returns three starters from that team in seniors Mason Kemp (6-8, 9.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg), Bryant Wiltse (6-0, 6.2 ppg), and junior Carter Kaifes (6-6, 16.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg). “We want to build on our growing success,” Bangle said. “We have high expectations with a great core of players returning for the new season. Team goals are to win a tough Sunflower League, Win our sub-state and compete in a tough 6A state tournament.” OLATHE EAST finished 9-12 and returns seniors Michae Deaver, Ryan Horsch and Devin Schmitt, and junior Carter Gooding from the starting lineup, along with other expected contributors in Jordan Blake, Jayden Collichio, and senior Landon Wadsworth. The Hawks also have a new head coach Ryan Darst, formerly head coach of Shawnee Mission West. “Olathe East has some top returners led by point guard Micah Deaver,” Darst said. “(We) will go as he goes as Deaver is poised to lead. Devin Schmitt and Carter Gooding are also top returners looking to make a big impact. Ryan
Horsch is coming back off an injury and will be a significant piece (for us).” OLATHE NORTH advanced to the state tournament after a thrilling 67-61 win over Blue Valley West in the sub-state finals. The Eagles couldn’t get past Derby in the first round of state losing 64-54 and ended with a 16-7 mark. Junior Jaalan Watson (5-9, 14.6 ppg, 2.8 apg), seniors TJ Porter and Aiden Bruce, and sophomore Cam Love return from that team as head coach Adam Olerich enters year five in charge. After going 10-12 with a 5-8 Sunflower League record last season, David Gonzales and OLATHE NORTHWEST are expecting to take a step forward in the coach’s second season on the job. Senior Logan Burnett (6-1, 5 ppg, 2 rpg, 4 apg, 1 bpg, 2 spg) and junior Merak Greinert (6-1, 7 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg) give Gonzales experienced pieces to help that process along. “We feel like we can have a winning season and be in the top half of our league,” Gonzales said. “We must defend, take care of the ball, and find a way to finish out games in the fourth quarter.” OLATHE SOUTH finished 12-9 with a 7-4 mark in the Sunflower League. Head coach Dan Morrow is entering year 10 with the team returning seniors Matt Corrales (6-3, 12 ppg) and Josiah Polynice (5-9, 9 ppg), and junior Nic Anderson (6-4, 18 ppg) from last season’s starting lineup. “Shooting and sharing the ball well will be key,” Morrow said, “along with playing solid D with our undersized line-up.” Sunflower League champs OLATHE WEST held a 12-2 record in league play along with a 17-5 overall mark. Unfortunately for the Owls, their season ended in the sub-state finals after a loss to league opponent Shawnee Mission Northwest 73-64. Senior Jackson Collins (6-2, 11.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.3 apg) is the lone returning starter from that group. “We want to overachieve and be the energy in the building,” head coach Brad Ball said. SHAWNEE MISSION EAST finished 9-12 with a 6-7 record in league play that placed them fourth. Back from that team are seniors Teddy Saylor (6-3, 10 ppg, 3 rpg) and Abdoulaye Kante (6-8, 6 ppg, 6 rpg) for head coach Shawn Hair as he enters year 36 at East having posted a 474291 overall record. “We want to compete every game and play with tremendous energy,” Hair said. “We have a great group of young men and they are fun to coach. Blake Hanson, Joey Hoffmann, Cole Chinnock, Walt Jones, Carter Brock, Will Beck and Smith McKinney will be major contributors this season.” SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH went 2-18 with zero wins in league play last season. Head coach Denton Hays has one game under his belt as an interim coach, but starts year one in earnest with a trio of starters back in seniors Aziz Jagne (66, 8.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg) and Quincy Bynum (5-10, 2.5 ppg, 1 apg), and sophomore Alex Casares (5-11, 6.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2 apg). “Our goal this year is to stay competitive in every game and learn how to win the close one,” Hays said. “We are instilling a mindset in our athletic program that every game is winnable and that we need to prepare as such.” SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST punched
Page 84 their ticket to state after upsetting Olathe West in the sub-state finals 73-64. The Cougars couldn’t overcome Blue Valley Northwest in the first round of the state tournament, however, and finished the season 15-8 to go with an 8-5 mark in league play. Northwest hopes to ride their postseason success into this winter with a strong group including All-League juniors Keaton Wagler (6-5, 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg), Van Collins (12.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg) and Aiven Riley (6-2, 8 ppg, 2 apg, 2 rpg), as well as All-League sophomore Ethan Taylor (7-0, 6 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg). “Sharing the ball, dealing with pressure, and dealing with a target on your back as a top team,” head coach David Birch said of his team’s keys. SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH took fourth in the Sunflower League with an 8-4 record along with an 11-10 overall mark. Junior Jadon Sautter (6.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg) and sophomore Drake Debaun (6-4, 7.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 apg) are back from that starting lineup as head coach Brett McFall enters year 15 with the team. “How quickly our young kids can be ready for the varsity level” is McFall’s key to success. SHAWNEE MISSION WEST was knocked out in the first round of sub-state by state champs
Blue Valley Northwest and ended their season 6-15. The Vikings lost their lone All-League selection, Pierce Ross, to graduation last spring. GIRLS: GARDNER-EDGERTON finished 8-13 with a 4-9 league record that left them 10th in the 14 team league. Sixth year head coach Joe Leiker returns seniors Aaliyah Moss (5-10, 8.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1 apg, 1.9 spg) and All-State sophomore Landri Shaffer (5-10, 16.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 spg) from that squad. “Our keys to success in 2023-2024 will be to play together as a team, minimize mistakes, and develop depth,” Leiker said. LAWRENCE made a state tournament appearance after beating Wichita West and Wichita South convincingly in both sub-state matchups. The Lions weren’t able to knock off state runner-up Washburn Rural in their first round matchup at Koch Arena, however, losing 58-49. All-League selections Amaya Marshall, Lucy Hardy, Serenity Keo and Daphne BrackerSturm graduated last spring, but All-State junior Brynnae Johnson and All-League senior Cyrenity Hardy return. LAWRENCE-FREE STATE ended the year winless at 0-21 in head coach Summer Frantz’s
By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: ARMA-NORTHEAST went 9-12 in head coach Karl Wicker’s fifth year with the team. The Vikings bring three starters back from that team in seniors Dawson Troth (6-0), Braden Young (6-0), and Tayshawn Gaynor (6-0). Wicker called understanding roles, controlling the boards, and limiting turnovers as team keys to success. As a first year head coach Dave Vance led BUFFALO-ALTOONA MIDWAY to an 8-13 mark a season ago. Back from that team are juniors William Stackhouse (6-1, 10.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.9 spg) and Kieran Foster (5-8, 9.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg), and senior Jacob Meigs (62, 9.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.2 spg) “Cutting down turnovers and sharing the basketball are our keys to success,” Vance said. CHEROKEE-SOUTHEAST entered substate as a one-seed and dominated first round opponent Uniontown. Central Heights had other plans in the second round though, knocking off the Lancers 67-60 and leaving them at 17-5 on the year. All-League selections Cade Burdette, Easton Renn, John Turpen, and Wyatt Scales all graduated last spring. CHETOPA went winless a season ago and had one All-League selection in senior Blake Carter. COLONY-CREST took second in the league with a 9-2 mark to go with a 15-8 overall record. Entering his third year with the team, head coach Dakotah Sporing returns one starter in All-League senior Ryan Golden (6-6, 13.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg). “We should be able to compete at the top of the league and give ourselves a chance to win it,” Sporing said. “I also think we could be around the 12-15 win mark in the regular season this year. We will have a lot of new faces in the starting lineup this year. I think the biggest thing for us will be adjusting to varsity play. The guys that will be stepping into a varsity role have been successful on the JV level the past few years together.” MORAN-MARMATON VALLEY closed out the season at 8-13 after a 71-67 first round sub-state loss to Flinthills. All-League selection Dylan Drake graduated in the spring. Junior Brayden Lawson
also made All-League. Two-seed MOUND CITY-JAYHAWK LINN faced a first round loss against seven-seed – and eventual state qualifier – Colgan, in the sub-state tournament, losing that match convincingly 64-32 against the Panthers and ending their campaign at 15-6. Senior Gus Grote and junior Braedon Nation both earned All-League for the Jayhawks. OSWEGO finished 2-19 with both wins coming in league play. Third year head coach Steve McBrien returns two starters from that team in juniors Josh Hutchinson (5-11, 7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg) and Tanner O’Neal (6-1, 7 ppg, 4 rpg). Juniors Rayden Myers (6-1, 2 ppg, 4 rpg) and Alex Long (1.5 ppg, 2 rpg), and sophomore Owen Jackson (6-1, 2 ppg, 2 rpg) are projected to enter the starting lineup this winter. Sophomores Cooper O’Brien (5-9, 1.5 ppg, 2 rpg) and Braden Wary (6-0, 2 ppg, 1 rpg) are also back from last year’s varsity rotation, while freshman Teiden Kiser and Wyatt McClure, and junior Connor Minor were noted as top newcomers. “We will play fundamental and physical basketball and will compete each night to make our school and community proud,” McBrien said. “We will go as far as our juniors can lead us.” PLEASANTON was knocked out in the first round of sub-state by Central Heights 78-40 and ended up 11-10 on the year. Senior Tony Gillespie (6-0) earned All-League for the Blu-Jays. ST. PAUL went 9-11 before graduating a majority of their team in the spring. The Indians have a new first year head coach in Trey Johnson taking over with one starter back in All-League senior Zachary Kirkpatrick (6-4) . “After losing a big senior class, we are in a rebuilding year,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of young and inexperienced players at the varsity level. Our goal for the year is to be competitive in every game and win the games we’re supposed to. We should have plenty of speed this year. The key to our success will be to get up and down the court and keep the game sped up. We have one returning starter from last year with a lot of potential. We will need him to be dominant on the
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first season with the team. The Firebirds return four starters from that team in senior Cydnee Price (5-7), juniors Hadley Lonnberg (5-10) and Chloe Clossen (5-9), and sophomore Addie Fulscher (5-6). “We need to be able to defend better and score points off of our defense,” Frantz said. “We also have to be able to get out and score points in transition.” MILL VALLEY finished 3-18. Junior Avery Landon returns after she earned All-League for the Jaguars last season. OLATHE EAST went 6-15 with a 5-8 mark in league play that left them ninth in the standings. First year head coach Johanna Falls gets two full-time starters back from that team in senior Braylee Rogers (5-10, 7.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4 apg, 1.3 spg) and junior Meredith Reese (57, 5.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 3.2 spg). Seniors Cate Whitehead (5-10, 5.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 spg), Graysyn Mills (4.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and junior Corrine Cole (6.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg) also saw considerable varsity minutes. “The goal is for the team to adjust to having a new head coach and new program expectations and leadership and to improve upon last season’s record,” Falls said. OLATHE NORTH took fourth in the Sunflower League with an 8-5 mark, along with a 13-9
overall record. Fifth year head coach Alonzo Williams returns sophomore Asia Lee (5-9, 12.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 spg) and junior Rhema Stemmons (5-7, 2.2 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.1 apg) from that starting lineup. Junior London Cousin (6-0, 8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.6 spg) was also a starter last season, but is out this year with an ACL injury. OLATHE NORTHWEST knocked off league rivals Olathe East and Olathe North in back-toback matchups to secure a sub-state title. Once at state 6A third place finisher Derby ended the Ravens season at 15-8 in a hardfought 43-38 contest. Seniors Jillian Huckabey and Skyler Pierce both earned All-League for Northwest, with Pierce also earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in the league though the future Nebraska volleyball player will head to Lincoln in January. OLATHE SOUTH finished 10-11 after a first round sub-state loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest. Graduation took two All-League selections from the Falcons, but current AllLeague seniors Ella Anderson and Adriana Tetley were also key for South. OLATHE WEST lost a sub-state championship contest to Blue Valley 48-36 and ended their season 14-8 overall. The Owls had two of the best underclassmen in the league with junior Emma Sales and sophomore Jessica Borders
both earning All-League honors. Replacing graduates Keely Barnard and Kate Harter will be key for West. SHAWNEE MISSION EAST was knocked out in the first round of sub-state by Blue Valley North and finished the year 4-17. Current senior Abigail Long earned second team All-State for the Lancers and is committed to play for Yale after graduation. SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH finished 4-17 in head coach Matt Jacobsen’s second season. Back from that group are sophomores Tamiah Washington and Haley Wieneke, and senior Iliana Garcia. Jacobsen said “team chemistry and communication” are key. SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST returns five starters from a 12-10 team that went 8-5 in league. Seniors Paige Cheffey (6-0, 5.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.1 apg), Kaitlin Parker (4.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Lydia Davis (5-7, 1.1 ppg), All-League junior Gabriella Jackson (6-0, 15.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg), and fellow junior Briana Uhde (5-11, 2 ppg, 1.1 rpg) are all back. Junior Sienna Lewis (5-7), sophomore Abby O’Connor (5-5), and freshman Ruth Gipson (6-0) are each newcomers to watch, according to head coach Tyler Stewart. “We are looking to build off our previous year,” Stewart said. “We bring in a bunch of players that gained varsity experience for the first-time
last year. Look for us to shake up what we have done defensively. Early in the season we will rely heavily on our ability to rebound and our physical play. We are excited to surprise a lot of teams that may be overlooking us.” SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH lost their only game of the season in a 41-34 overtime heartbreaker against Blue Valley in the first round of the state tournament. Besides that, the Raiders dominated, going 13-0 in league play and winning the Sunflower League with a 22-1 overall record. South gets back four senior returning starters from that team in Camryn Smith (5-8, 14.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.7 spg), Azailah Funches (6-0, 11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Joycelyn Moore (5-6, 8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.1 spg) and Ashley Vanelders (6-3, 6.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.7 bpg). Coach Mark Western listed two words as his team’s goal: “State Championship!” SHAWNEE MISSION WEST dominated Wyandotte 49-13 in their first round matchup during sub-state, but weren’t able to overcome league champs Shawnee Mission South in the finals, losing 55-44 and ending the season 11-11. Senior Izzy Joyce was All-League last season for West. Replacing one of the best in the state won’t be easy after the graduation of All-Stater S’Mya Nichols, who now plays at KU.
glass and be able to finish at the rim.” UNIONTOWN finished with their second straight 6-15 season and also held a 4-7 record in league play. The Eagles were knocked out in the first round of sub-state by Southeast, but are fortunate to have five starters back from that group. Seniors Levi Snider (5-9, 9 ppg, 4 apg), Bryce Stewart (63, 7 ppg, 7 rpg), Joey Marlow (5-9, 5 ppg) and Byron Fry (6-0, 6 ppg, 7 rpg), and sophomore Colter Powell (6-4, 11 ppg, 7 rpg) are all back, along with Gaige Lape (5-8) off the varsity bench, though a football injury may keep Lape off the court for much of the season. “Last season, our basketball program took a step in the right direction,” head coach Chad Hays said. “It didn’t result in a lot more wins, but we continued to work hard and improve throughout the season. We were a much better team at the end of the season than we were at the beginning. We did not have a senior on the roster, so we return all of the production from a year ago. We have high expectations from this group as we enter the new basketball season.” YATES CENTER finished 5-16 with a 3-8 record in league play. Second year head coach Lane Huffman returns juniors Jarret Birk (6-4, 5 ppg, 4 rpg) and Garrett Audis (5-8, 4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and senior Devereaux Sarchet (5-8, 3 ppg, 3.3 rpg). “Our goals are to compete for a league championship, and set ourselves up to attack our sub-state,” Huffman said. “We are also trying to be better basketball players and better men each day. Everybody has to find their role. Finding guys that can score the ball will be crucial. We are going to put our focus on being a sound defensive team, and the offense will come. We will need a few freshmen to take on roles as well.” GIRLS: ARMA-NORTHEAST took second in the Three Rivers League with a 9-2 record. Overall the Vikings ended up 16-7 after losing in the sub-state championship against Colgan. One starter is back from that squad in senior Shelby Underwood (5-7, 6 ppg, 6 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg). “We will be young with varsity experience but we would like to be competitive in our games,” head
coach Brandon Sigmon said. “Taking care of the basketball and finding a few scorers will be key.” BUFFALO-ALTOONA MIDWAY went 3-17 in Jessica Porter’s first season as head coach. Back from that group are seniors Ava Hufford (3 ppg, 1.8 spg) and Summer Raymond (4 ppg, 2.6 rpg), and junior Emmalynn Pupanek (7 ppg, 2.7 rpg). “Key to success is to stay focused and work hard to get better individually and as a team,” Porter said. “We will have more players this year, so that in itself will help tremendously.” CHEROKEE-SOUTHEAST ended their season at 9-13 with a 6-5 record in the TRL. Head coach Derek Sanders returns juniors Eliz White (5-6, 8.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1 apg, 1.8 spg), Charlee Gideon (58, 2.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Bella Tavernaro (5-5, 5.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.7 spg), and senior Kinzey Cassidy (5-6, 6.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 spg) from last year’s lineup. “Staying healthy is always important, but sometimes out of our control,” Sanders said. “I believe the most important thing for us is to improve our number of turnovers. Being able to dictate pace of play will also be an area of focus for us.” CHETOPA ended their season at 1-19 after a first round sub-state loss to St. Paul. The Hornets lone win came over Altoona-Midway. COLONY-CREST went 10-12 in head coach Steve Zimmerman’s first season, an improvement of eight wins over the 2021-22 campaign. The second year sideline boss gets back senior Kayla Hermreck (5-11, 8.9 ppg, 9 rpg), juniors Karlee Boots (5-9, 4.5 ppg, 4 rpg) and Cursten Allen (53, 4 ppg, 2 rpg), and sophomore Aylee Beckmon (5-9, 4 ppg, 3 rpg). Zimmerman hopes to bring consistency for the Lancers; this is the first time in four seasons C-C won’t be welcoming a new head coach. “Our goal is to have a winning record and to make it into the second round of the postseason,” Zimmerman said. “We will have to compete hard on and off the court, be good teammates, and cut down on turnovers.” MORAN-MARMATON VALLEY lost a first
round 4 vs. 5 sub-state matchup against Crest 2923 and finished the season 12-9. Seniors Janae Granere and Payton Scharff earned All-League for the Wildcats as juniors. MOUND CITY-JAYHAWK LINN finished 7-14 after a first round sub-state loss to Northeast. AllLeague selection Gia Schneider graduated, but sophomores Brooklyn Brogan and Brea Dawson both earned All-League as freshmen. OSWEGO went 2-18 last season and had senior Dezi Trotnic earn All-League. Entering sub-state as a two-seed, PLEASANTON faced a first round sub-state upset to Erie, losing 33-29 in the contest and ending the year at 15-6. Seniors Eryn Sabine and Leah Myrick, along with 2023 grad Landry George, earned All-League for the Blu-Jays. ST. PAUL won the Three Rivers League title at a perfect 11-0 in head coach Calea Augustin’s second season with the team. The Indians finished 16-6 overall after a sub-state title loss to 1A-DII runner-up Lebo. Augustin lost All-League selections Sophia Albertini, Josey Harris, and Kenna Doherty to graduation, but returns juniors Jorja Harris, Kylie Darling, Megan Doherty and Kat Devereaux, and sophomore Brittany Deegan
from the varsity rotation. “Our team goals are going to be taking one game at a time,” Augustin said. “We are a very young team and they are going to have to build new team chemistry and leadership. Leadership, team chemistry, focus, and giving all our effort every game and practice are keys to success.” UNIONTOWN ended up 12-9 after a first round sub-state loss to Southeast to go with a third place league finish at 7-4. Returning from that starting lineup are seniors Rylee Coulter (9.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.8 spg, All-League), Brooklyn Dresibach (5-5, 5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.4 spg, All-League), Addisyn Hall (5-10, 4.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1 spg), and junior Reese Gorman (9.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg, All-State). Others back include senior Alexis Herring – as she bounces back from an injury last season – junior Masen Powell (5-9, 2 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and sophomores Ella Shelton (5-10, 2.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Klara Stock (5-7, 1 ppg, 1.6 rpg). Freshmen Jessi Beerbower, Mercedes Schultze and Jordi Wolf are also varsity prospects. YATES CENTER finished 3-17 after ending their season with a loss to Flinthills in the first round of sub-state.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: CANEY VALLEY lost their first round sub-state game to Columbus and finished 8-13. Juniors Colt Hightower and Ben Matthews earned All-League for the Bullpups last season. CHERRYVALE put together a 14-7 season last year, but graduated a majority of their starting lineup and now also have a new head coach in first year man Brad Gilchrist. All-State senior Stetson Hempel-Schafer (6-2, 17 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg) is the lone starter back for Gilchrist. “Our goal is to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” Gilchrsit said. “To do this, we must take our shots on our schedule, break the other team’s rhythm, and win the mental battle.” ERIE finished 13-9 and as co-Tri-Valley League champs a season ago. The Red Devils return seniors Ethan Dillinger and Daniel Chio, and juniors Reid Duff and Eli Montee from that starting lineup and also have a new coach in Braven Born. “Our goal is to provide every student with the opportunity to learn life skills that work on the basketball court and off,” Born said. “Things such as sportsmanship, respect, responsibility, and teamwork. Another goal of ours is competing in everything we do. The overall goal is to always push yourself to be the best you can be.” EUREKA lost their sub-state opener with Wichita Collegiate to finish 3-18 last season. AllLeague selection, Trey Howard, graduated and Carson Spoonts moved to Valley Heights, but new coach Al Brown has four returning letterwinners with seniors Cole Adkins and Lyle Perrier, junior Laken Valentine and sophomore TJ Mills. FREDONIA ended up 10-11 after a second round loss to Wichita Collegiate in sub-state. In league play the Yellowjackets were 4-4. Back from
that varsity rotation are juniors Ashton O’Neal (60), Emmet Couch (5-10) and Eli Barnett (6-1), and senior Nathan Lewis (6-2). “There are quite a few we will look to for leadership,” head coach Dee Barnett said. “There has been a core who have put in a lot of work in the weight room as well as the gym since the end of last season. They know the expectations and the standards for the program and we will need them to hold themselves and others to those standards.” HUMBOLDT advanced to the sub-state finals before seeing their season end and finished 19-4 overall with a 11-1 league record that left them in a tie as league champs. The Cubs graduated standout Trey Sommer (Emporia State football), but return everyone else. All-State senior Sam Hull (6-5, 13.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), All-League junior Colden Cook (6-5, 14 ppg, 5 rpg), and his classmates Logan Page (5-10, 4 ppg), Jacob Harrington (6-0, 3 ppg), Blake Ellis (5-9) and Asher Hart (5-11), and sophomore Mason Sterling (5-9) are all back for head coach David Taylor. “I was happy to see how we progressed from the previous year,” Taylor said. “We had a good season due to some of our sophomores maturing as the season went on. They were able to win the Tri-Valley League and bounce back from some adversity losing two games in a row mid-season.” LEON-BLUESTEM ended up 0-21 last season, but return four starters in seniors Malachi Jimenez (6-5, 5.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 2 bpg) and Brody Mohr (5.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and juniors Korbin Hebb (1.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.9 spg) and Bronc Kieffer (5.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg). “Last year we didn’t have a lot of experience at the varsity level after graduating a big class,” head
TWIN VALLEY LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: AXTELL placed fourth at 1A-DII state last season and had a 20-6 overall record. The Eagles also took first in their league tournament and second place in the regular season TVL at 11-1. An experienced group returns for head coach Jayson Tynon with senior Grady Buessing (6-2, 9 ppg, 7 rpg), juniors Brandon Schmelzle (6-3, 12 ppg, 7 rpg, 3.5 apg) and Eli Broxterman (6-0, 10 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg), and sophomore Colin Shaughnessy (6-0, 4.5 ppg, 3 rpg) back from the starting lineup. Tynon listed the team’s goals to “win the TVL regular season and tourney, get back to state, win a state championship.” BLUE VALLEY-RANDOLPH advanced to the finals of the Washington hosted sub-state before seeing their season end at the hands of CliftonClyde. The Rams finished 17-5 and now have All-League graduates Jaylyn Pleasant and Ryan Stevens to replace this winter. CENTRALIA finished 15-9 overall with a sixth place TVL tournament finish and fourth place mark in regular season league standings. Seniors Paxton Bowers (6-0, 8 ppg, 4 apg) and Maveryk Becker (5-7, 3 ppg 2 spg) return from that starting lineup. “Our goal is to be competitive in a very tough TVL league, get one percent better every day, play as a team, share the ball, play extremely hard, and disciplined defense,” head coach Nick Evans said.
CLIFTON-CLYDE won the regular season TVL title at a perfect 12-0 to go with a third place league tournament finish. The Eagles also made a state tournament appearance after dominating their sub-state, but weren’t able to top South Gray in the first round at Dodge City, losing 7563 and ending the year at 21-3. Back from that team are seniors Trent Long (5-9, 14 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg), Coy Steinbrock (5-10 11 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2 apg, 1.5 spg) and Drayden Reed (6-3, 7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 2 bpg), and junior Jack Skocny (6-2, 13 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 1.5 spg) as head coach Justin Steinbrock enters his third year with the team at 37-10 overall. “We want to defend our regular season title in the Twin Valley League this year,” coach Steinbrock said. “We also slipped up in the tournament last year and would like to get a chance to compete for that title as well. As far as the postseason, it’s to make it back to the state tournament, which would be the third time in four years, and advance in it this year.” Head coach Derek Shelton takes over a DONIPHAN WEST squad that finished 1-20 overall with their lone win coming in league play. Four starters return from that team in juniors Cooper Eberly (6-0) and Hudsen Penny (5-10), as well as sophomores Kolter Peterson (5-10) and Michael Albers (6-4). Junior Kelby Windmeyer (6-2) and sophomore Dustin Veach (5-10) also return off the varsity bench.
coach Brandigun Gomez said. “We had a good turn out this summer with numbers showing up to weights, camp and individual workouts. I think we are going to carry our work ethic over to games.” NEODESHA finished 3-18 on the season and sixth in league play. Seniors Krewe Johnson, Wyatt Songer and Talon Roebuck, and junior Rylan Allen are returning starters for third year head coach Nick Hart. “Our goals each year are the same; beat our rivals, win the league, and win sub-state,” Hart said. “I think this year we are more improved to be closer to obtaining these goals.” GIRLS: CANEY VALLEY lost their first round matchup with sub-state champs Frontenac 57-26 and ended the year 5-16. Senior Anny Washburn earned All-League for the Bulldogs as a junior. After losing in the sub-state championship to Frontenac, CHERRYVALE finished the year 18-5 overall with a 4-3 record in the TVL good for third. Seniors Jailee Reister (5-4, 15.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 spg, 3 apg) and Bethany Umbarger (5-9, 12 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 spg), and junior Kadynce Forman (5-8, 5.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2 apg, 2.5 spg) are back for sixth year head coach Kelsey Overacker. “We have set our sights on a league title for a while now,” Overacker said. “It is something that has never been done with our girls’ program. We obviously got a taste of the state tournament, after 13 years, in 2022, but fell short to Frontenac last year. We look to be in a similar position this upcoming season so we want to focus a lot on our mental toughness and putting ourselves in good positions to win games early.” ERIE finished 7-15 overall with a 1-6 mark in TriValley play. Fourth year head coach Sindy Daniels returns seniors Kinzie Cleaver (5-7, 6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 spg) and Alex Pasquarelli (5-10, 8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 1.8 spg), along with juniors Taytum Old (5-3, 2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg) and Jackson Powell (5-8, 8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg) from that starting lineup. “My goals for the season are to improve our skills, work together as a team and aim for victory “We are going to be young again with no seniors on the team,” Shelton said. “We are going to be more athletic this year and will have to get out and run more. We will be undersized and will look to score in transition and knock down three balls. On defense we will get after it and try to lock teams down. Overall there will be some growing pains early on but we will have to learn quickly as playing in the league there’s no easy games.” FRANKFORT finished 3-18 a season ago with a 1-12 league record and now have a new head coach in Adam Schreiner. The seven year coaching veteran returns All-State sophomore Wes Anderson (5-10, 15.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg), his classmate Fred Rodquist (6-1, 1.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), and juniors Ty Smith (5-10, 8.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 apg), Lane Loiseau (6-2, 7.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Carter Olson (6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg). “We want to compete and challenge for a higher standing within the league,” Schreiner said. “Toughness and togetherness are key. We are going to build something special and it takes a toughness and togetherness that needs to continue to grow throughout the year. Need to do a better job of rebounding the ball and limiting turnovers.” HANOVER took third in the TVL regular season standings and finished 18-6 overall. Head coach Cory Jensen enters his fourth year with
Page 86 in every game,” Daniels said. EUREKA won a TVL championship with a perfect 7-0 record to go with a 21-3 overall mark and state tournament appearance. Once in Hutchinson the Tornadoes lost in the first round to state runner-up Cheney. All-State senior Ashley Singhateh, along with her sister Ali, transferred to Maize South in the offseason and graduation took away more impact players for Shelly Hoyt, but All-State sophomore Brenna Rucker provides a talented centerpiece as Hoyt enters her 33rd year as a head coach with a 581-147 record. “We are very young – no seniors – therefore learning and understanding roles and getting one percent better each day (is key),” Hoyt said. FREDONIA finished 8-14 after a second round sub-state loss to Eureka. Senior Zoey Sims was the team’s only All-League recipient. HUMBOLDT finished 9-13 after a second round sub-state loss to Neodesha. The Cubs have a tough task in replacing All-League duo Carsyn Haviland and Karley Woods after their graduation. LEON-BLUESTEM ended the season 19-6 after a sub-state championship loss to WichitaIndependent. Junior Tinley Lovesee earned AllLeague for the Lions, but replacing her fellow All-Leaguers Riese Witty and Taytum Lovesee won’t be easy. NEODESHA advanced to the sub-state finals after easily handling their first two matchups of the tournament, but weren’t able to knock off topseeded Eureka in the championship game, losing 61-46 and ending the season 18-5. First Team All-League junior Prayer Roebuck was impressive as a sophomore, but will be without graduated AllLeague selection Kristen Stover.
Providing Coverage For Our Eureka Tornadoes! www.eurekaherald.com 620-583-5721 senior Brigham Bruna (10 ppg, 2.5 apg) and sophomore Braylon Meyn (10 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2 spg) back from the starting lineup. “There will be a lot that rides on our success,” Jensen said, “how we practice, how we communicate, how we can deal with adversity.“ LINN ended the season 9-12 overall with a 5-7 league record. Head coach Michael Voelker enters his fourth year with the team returning juniors Conner Ohlde (6-3, 7.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Ethan Bott (6-0, 6.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg), and senior Gavin Turk (6-1, 9.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg). “Our goal is to continue to grow and compete every game,” Voelker said. “We were 9-12 last season and that was the most success we have had in 10 years. We look to build on this and strive to have our first winning season in 10 years. We graduated one senior this last season and we return a good mix of older and younger players from last year’s team.” ONAGA went 7-14 overall with a 4-7 mark in league play. Head coach Jason Claycamp enters
Hanover (785) 377-2224
his first season with the team and brings back seniors Konnor Nider (6-0) and Rayce Fisher (62), and junior Jackson Kolterman (5-10) from last season’s starting lineup, along with junior Dylan Magnett (6-3) and sophomore Josh Daniel (5-9) from the varsity rotation. “There will be a lot of change this year with a new coach and several seniors lost to graduation. The key for us will be to defend early,” Claycamp said. “Offensively, there may be a few growing pains as we find the right rotation. There is a lot of potential with our sophomores and freshmen as many of them will have the opportunity to help out on the varsity floor as we try to find some depth.” TROY returns three starters from a team that ended last year 16-7 overall with a fifth place TVL finish at 9-4. Seniors Seth Judd (5-5) and Christian Etherton (5-5), and junior Logan Blevins makeup that trio. Juniors Jack Hartman (6-0), Gannon Bowe (6-0), Wyatt Wissler (6-3), and sophomore Henry Geiger (6-2) are others that return from last season’s varsity rotation. “This season we will have to get back to the higher standard that is Trojan basketball,” head coach Jonathan Rodvelt said. “Despite losing talented seniors we return many experienced players. Our optimistic goals never change. We must be more disciplined in our actions on and off the court and represent Troy as the great community it is.” VALLEY HEIGHTS has a new first year head coach in Drew Honas who inherits a team that ended last season 9-12 in the first round of sub-state. Junior Royce Ekstrum earned AllLeague for the Mustangs during his sophomore campaign and senior Carson Spoonts will look to carry over his success from the football field after moving in from Eureka this summer. Juniors Mack Shanks, Logan Gray and junior Jayden DeWalt, and senior Kaison Bigham also return with starting experience and junior Dustin Denton and senior Drake Slifer were significant contributors in the varsity rotation. Honas, a native of Medicine Lodge, spent two seasons playing junior college basketball before spending two seasons as part of the K-State program. WASHINGTON COUNTY lost a first round sub-state matchup with Randolph-Blue Valley and ended the year 5-16. GIRLS: AXTELL knocked off Pike Valley 4630 in the first round of sub-state, before getting caught in the path of eventual state champs Hanover in the second round, losing 58-5 and ending the year 7-14. BLUE VALLEY-RANDOLPH finished last season 5-15 after a first round sub-state loss to eventual 1A-DI third place finisher Frankfort. CENTRALIA finished 14-10 with a 6-6 league
1613 Quivira Rd Washington, KS (785) 325-2232
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record. In the TVL tournament the Panthers took sixth place and now return senior Tori Kuckelman (5-6, 4.2 ppg), juniors Oen Deters (5-6, 17.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, All-State) and Tatum Kramer (5-7, 5.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), and sophomore Cora Thompson (5-7, 3.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg). “We want to be competitive every night in what will be a very tough league,” head coach Dusty Thompson said. “(We need) some older girls step up and some younger girls to fill into other roles that we will need to be successful. We’ll play as many freshmen and sophomores this year as juniors and seniors so our keys will be having the older girls mix well with the younger girls and also take on more of a leadership role than they’ve had to do in the past.” CLIFTON-CLYDE took third in both league regular season and tournament competition and posted an overall record of 18-5. Head coach Kieran Wurtz enters year 11 in charge with senior Shea Wurtz (5-9, 13.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 2.3 spg), juniors Lillian Steinbrock (5-5, 8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 spg) and Mylee Hammond (5-6, 5.5 ppg), and sophomore Sevy Wurtz (5-6, 13.1 ppg, 3.8 spg, 2.7 apg) back to lead the way. “We will lean heavily on our returning experience,” coach Wurtz said. “We have girls who have started multiple seasons and have been All-TVL players. We will need to rebound the ball better this year and be more consistent from the outside in order to accomplish our goals.” DONIPHAN WEST captured their first state title in program history, going 21-5 after double-digit victories in the first two rounds at state before a 55-49 victory over Quinter in the finals. Perry Smith earned is now entering his eighth season with the Mustangs and welcomes senior Malaina Whetsine (5-6) and junior Brennah Edie (5-3) from that championship lineup. Others back with varsity experience include seniors Lena Leatherman (5-5), Ava Gladhart (5-4) and Ali Foster (5-4), juniors Katie Johnson (5-10) and Brooklyn Rawles, and sophomores EmmyJo Whetstine (5-6) and Kya Keller (5-7). “It will be a tough challenge for us to replace our three seniors that graduated,” Smith said. “With that being, said the cupboard is nowhere near bare. We have a lot of girls that will have to step up and we expect them to do just that. The league will be just as good as it has been its whole existence. If you finish in the top half of this league you can win a state championship.” FRANKFORT took third at 1A-DI state after beating Norwich 49-23 in the consolation game to finish 22-4. The Wildcats also finished 11-1 in league play and earned a TVL regular season
runner-up finish. Back from that team are all five starters in seniors Hattie Gros (5-8), Emma Hardwick (5-6), Sydney Wapp (5-10) and Lexi Dalinghaus (5-8), and junior Breleigh Ebert (5-8). Seniors Tana Stowell (5-6) and Kayelynn Combs (5-6), and sophomore Ashlyn Dalinghaus (5-8) are also back from the varsity rotation. “We will push tempo when it’s available and slow it down and run our half court offense when we can’t run,” head coach Brian Ebert said. “We will need everyone to step up and do that night in and night out. Consistency is a must for us to be successful. Our underclassmen are very talented and will be relied on a lot this season. The key this season is finding more scoring threats night in and night out.” HANOVER captured a 1A-DII title with a perfect 26-0 record last season. The Wildcats didn’t have a single team come within double-digits, including a previously undefeated Lebo team that they easily outpaced 59-34 in the state finals. A talented senior class – including All-State selections Ceegan Atkins and Massey Holle – graduated in the spring, but the Wildcats also had top performers in All-State junior Anna Jueneman and All-State senior Tessa Lohse, along with seniors Katelyn Klipp, Kaydence Schotte and Shaylee Schotte and should again be near the top of the TVL and a postseason contender. LINN finished 13-10 with a 7-5 league record that placed them fifth in regular season standings. Head coach Trevor Kuhlman enters year five with the team with juniors Marcela Huerta (5-10, 11.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Morgan Wurtz (5-5, 4.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.7 spg) back from the starting lineup. “We’ve got a lot of inexperienced players coming in with new freshmen and sophomores,” Kuhlman said. “We are looking to get better every opportunity we get and strive to compete every game. If we have some young kids that show growth early, this team has a chance to be competitive.” ONAGA lost their first round sub-state matchup with Centralia 48-39 and ended the year 9-10. Senior Maria Krohn and junior Bridgett Campbell were top producers for the Buffaloes. TROY finished 7-15 overall with a 2-10 mark in TVL play that left them 11th in the final standings. All-League sophomore Harper Whetstine (5-8, 14.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, 3.4 spg) and junior Allie Franken (5-6, 6 ppg, 4 rpg) are both back from that starting lineup. Seniors Karlie Grable (5-8) and Katie Nett (5-5), juniors Macy Grable (5-5), Gracie Grable (5-6), Emerson Weber (5-6) and Mackenzie Christenson (5-7), and sophomores
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Alyson Grable (5-5) and Nicole Judd (5-3) are others set for varsity contributions. “The Lady Trojans won a postseason game for the second year in a row,” coach Derek Jasper said. “Troy lost 10 games by 10 points or less. Just a couple of plays here and there in those games from a possible winning record. We lost six games to teams who finished third or better at state tournaments. Troy averaged 41 points per game while giving up 44 points per game. A very close margin and a step in the right direction.” VALLEY HEIGHTS went 14-9 with an 8-4 league record that left them fifth in league standings. The Mustangs also placed fifth in the TVL tournament and now bring back a majority of last year’s production. Senior Maggie Toerber (5-7, 9.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.7 spg) and Delana Murk (5-8, 8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.7 spg), junior Anne Toerber (5-8, 3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg), along with sophomores Ava Smith (5-9, 9.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.2 spg) and Mia Vermetten (57, 6.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.3 spg) return. “Our team goals are to challenge each other daily in practice and work toward playing our best team basketball by March,” head coach Jordan Broxterman said. “Keys to a successful season will be limiting turnovers, generating pressure defensively, and quality shot selection.” WASHINGTON COUNTY finished 8-12 overall with a fourth place league tournament finish. The Tigers tied for seventh in TVL regular season standings and bring back three starters in juniors Jesse Hoover (5-6, 11 ppg) and Addy Goeckel (5-7, 6 ppg), and senior Ella Dusin (5-7, 4 ppg). “We will be undersized,” coach Scott Romeiser said, “so rebounding will be a key for us. We will need to shoot the ball more consistently.”
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senior team leader in assists Savanah Fisher (56, 6 ppg, 3 apg). Sophomore Kinley Christopher (5-11, 4 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg) is also back from the varsity rotation. “We had six seniors graduate,” Tatkenhorst said. “We had big wins last year. We have four returning players that played a lot of minutes last year and Harley, Kodi and Savanah have played a lot of varsity minutes for quite some time. We will be putting inexperience on the court after the above mentioned four players. That’s okay. We have players developing that will be ready to go.” DE SOTO finished 13-8 after a 38-35 first round sub-state loss to Shawnee Heights. Seniors Violet Conley, Addison Tower and Amanda Tower, and junior Makenzie Farmer earned AllLeague for the Wildcats a season ago. KC-PIPER put together a 15-7 season with an 11-5 mark that placed them fourth in the league. Head coach Shane Stout returns juniors Avary Vallejo (5-6, 8 ppg) and Abbie Roth (5-9, 4 ppg), and senior Lauren Marron (5-6, 13 ppg) from that starting lineup as he enters year 13 with the team with an overall mark of 202-69, and year 24 overall as head coach at 384-165. KC-TURNER finished 1-20 with their lone win coming against Washington by a score of 52-48. LANSING went 4-16 overall with a 3-13 record in UKC play in Brett Pierce’s first season with the team and fifth overall as a head coach. Senior Ashlynn Jaccard (10 ppg, 12 rpg) is the lone returning starter for the Lions. “(We want to) evelop our talent each day and continue to build our youth programs,” Pierce said. LEAVENWORTH ended last season at 5-16 after a 53-38 first round sub-state loss to tournament champs Highland Park. Senior Kylee West earned All-League for the Mountaineers, along with graduate Monece Thomas. SHAWNEE HEIGHTS posted a 15-7 record with a 12-4 record in league play last season. Seniors Breezy Canady (5-5), Audre Schulte (56) and Rachel Swift (6-1), juniors Haley Bowers (5-3), Taylor Brees (5-3) and Kaydence Torrez (6-1), and sophomores Jaidyn Euwer (5-6) and Reianna Vega (6-0) are all back from last year’s varsity roster. “The Thunderbirds return a number of girls with varsity experience, just few return as starters,” head coach Bob Wells said. “Breezy Canady is returning as the starting point guard
for the third year in a row. She will be joined by a group of very talented young players that pushed last year’s varsity every day in practice. There are a few other girls who could prove to be skilled enough to add to the mix at the varsity level including freshman Ka’Lean Emmott. The Lady T-Birds are a group of girls with both speed and height. They have shown the ability to compete and play well together in varsity situations. Time spent playing and working together over the spring and summer has only added to the level of experience. The level of expectation is high for this group.” TOPEKA WEST finished 6-15 after a 54-41 first round sub-state loss to 5A fourth place finisher Andover. Senior Zoe Clark earned All-League for the Chargers. Clark’s fellow AllLeague recipients Azaryah Duncan and Jazmyn Ford graduated in the spring. TOPEKA-SEAMAN won the UKC league title at 15-1, along with a sub-state championship, before losing in the first round to St. James Academy. The Vikings finished with a 21-2 overall record and return an overwhelming amount of experience in seniors Taylin Stallbaumer (5-6, 11 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg, All-State), and Brooklyn Gormley (6-0, 5 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), juniors Anna Becker (5-10, 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg, 3 spg, UKC POTY) and Jaida Stallbaumer (5-7, 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg, All-League), and sophomore Maddie Gragg (5-9,14 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg, All-State) from the starting lineup. Others back include senior Elinore Stallbaumer (5-7, 1 ppg, 1 rpg), juniors Kinley Wilhelm (5-7, 3 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg), Maggie Moulden (6-0, 2 ppg, 2 rpg), Ava Esser (6-0) and Anna McLaughlin (56), and sophomore Ryin Miller (5-6, 1 ppg, 1 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg). “We want to use our athletic ability and play fast, but need to get better in the half court as well,” head coach Matt Tinsley said. “Girls need to continue to play within their role that we have established over the years. We cannot get comfortable or complacent.” Full Service Financial Institution
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 as we could go eight or nine deep in the rotation and we haven’t had that in years.” DE SOTO won a UKC title last year with a 15-1 league record to go with a 19-3 overall mark. Once in the postseason the Tigers easily handled their first round sub-state matchup with Leavenworth 61-40, but were knocked out 7464 against Blue Valley Southwest in the finals. Entering his 14th year with the team, head coach Matt Rice returns All-State senior David Cobin (5-10, 17.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4 apg, 3.7 spg), his classmate Nick Ogden (6-2, 3.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg), and junior Jayden Lang (6-0, 10 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg). Rice noted league and sub-state championships as his team goals this winter. KC-PIPER finished 16-5 a season ago and brings back three All-League selections in senior Devin Kerr, junior PJ Moore, and sophomore DJ Jackson. Senior DJ Thomas and junior Lantz Walton are projected to see time off the bench for head coach Steve Wallace. The Pirates do lose All-League junior Kai Reid after his transfer to Lee’s Summit North and will also likely be Seaman, Senior without All-League senior Gannon Roth, but gain sophomore Alamar Brooks from Leavenworth. KC-TURNER managed one win last season, 42-31 over Tonganoxie. Sophomore Josiah Harris earned All-League for the Golden Bears. LANSING ended the year 2-19 with both wins coming in league play. Veteran head coach Larry Hogan takes over the program this season with senior Brandon Stephens and juniors Mahki Butler and Carson Zimmerman back from that starting lineup. “Our goal is to improve in every aspect of the game,” Hogan said. “Be competitive in every game.” LEAVENWORTH finished 7-14 after a first round sub-state loss to De Soto. The Pioneers graduated lone All-League selections Jeremiah Lewis and Eddie McLaughlin. SHAWNEE HEIGHTS lost their sub-state title contest with Pittsburg 53-52, coming just short of a state tournament appearance and ending up 15-7. Senior Brennen Dodge and junior Jaret Sanchez both made All-League for the Thunderbirds. Replacing All-League graduates Jeremyan Kendrick and Q Stovall is likely at the Piper, Senior top of the team’s to-do list. TOPEKA WEST finished 14-8 after a subBy Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer state championship loss to Hutchinson on the BOYS: BASEHOR-LINWOOD finished Salthawks’ home court. The Chargers have a 9-14 after a first round exit from the 5A state major task replacing All-State selections Xavier tournament. The Bobcats didn’t get their 17th Alexander (Seward County) and Malachi Berg straight winning season, but they did play well (HCC Football). enough late in the season to earn a trip to the TOPEKA-SEAMAN came in fourth in regular state tournament. BLHS dropped nine of their 14 season UKC standings at 10-6 before going losses by a possession or less and now return on to place fifth in the league tournament. The four starters from that team in seniors Kaleb Vikings were 13-8 overall and return seniors Scott (6-1, 3.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2 apg) and Mile Jack Unruh (6-3, 2.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg) and Braden Hinkle (6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1 spg), and Chapman (6-0, 4.9 ppg, 3 rpg), junior Bryer juniors Breckin McBride (5-11, 6.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, Finley (6-3, 5 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg), and sophomore 2.4 rpg, 1.3 spg) and Peyton Brown (9.2 ppg, 4.7 Kaevon Bonner (6-1, 8.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, rpg, 1.1 apg). Junior Micah Gibbs (3 ppg, 2.5 1.1 spg) from that starting lineup. rpg) is projected to finish out the starting lineup, “We hope to be competitive in our 16 UKC with other returners including senior Eddie games which will prepare us for postseason Wilson (6-2), junior Logan Orton (5-11), and play,” coach Craig Cox said. “Despite not having sophomores Cole Hofer (5-11), Nash Morrison a true big man, we have a number of versatile (6-3) and Chase Young (5-9). players that should make us tough to defend.” “We will still be young but we have more GIRLS: BASEHOR-LINWOOD went 14-7 with experience this year as we were very young a second place finish in the UKC regular season last year,” coach Mike McBride said. “The three standings. Head coach Jason Tatkenhorst juniors will carry most of the scoring load as the enters his 12th year with the team and returns senior class will provide defensive toughness All-League seniors Harley Baker (5-7, 11.7 ppg, and athleticism. We have better depth this year 11.5 rpg) and Kodi Greer (5-6, 11.4 ppg), and
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By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: DODGE CITY returns three starters from a squad that finished 6-15 overall with a 2-6 mark in the WAC that placed them fourth in the final standings. Juniors Jaiden Springer (5.3 ppg) and Anthony Perez (4.9 ppg), and senior Tochi Okoro (6.9 ppg, 7.4) are back from that lineup, along with seniors Deiondre Reese-Hardyway (1.5 ppg) and Claudio Diaz off the varsity bench. Senior Grayden Gamblin (6-2), junior Bryson Unzueta (5-10), and sophomore Ty Scheck (510) were others coach Shane Traughber called top newcomers. “Two sophomores – Anthony Perez and Jaiden Springer – got a lot of playing time last year,” Traughber said. “So we look forward to them using that experience as a springboard for their junior year. We will rely heavily on senior Tochi Okoro on the inside – a threat to get a double-double on most nights – along with fellow seniors Grayden Gamblin, Claudio Diaz and Deiondre Reese-Hardyway.” Finishing 20-2 with a league championship in tow last season, GARDEN CITY was on fire in head coach Jeff Williamson’s second and last season with the team. The Buffaloes only losses came against a state runner-up and to Junction City in the sub-state championship game. Williamson then took a coaching job back in his home state of West Virginia in June. Fourth year high school head coach – and most recently NAIA assistant coach – Luke Swedberg is tasked with taking over the program, but welcomes just
one starter back in senior Emilio Zundt (5-8) after graduating three All-League selections including WAC Player of the Year Jace Steinmetz. GREAT BEND finished 11-10 with a 5-3 mark in the WAC that left them in third place. Four starters are back from that team for third year Panther coach Kyle Kriegh including seniors Carter Coombs (5-11, 7.5 ppg, 3.3 apg) and Maddox Spray (6-1, 8.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg), and sophomores Ian Premer (6-5, 12.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.1 apg) and Jacob Hall (6-1, 7.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Senior Parker Dicks (6-1), and juniors Ben Nicholson (6-5) and Izaeh Reed (6-1), sophomore Daxton Minton (6-0), and freshman Cooper Ohnmacht (6-1) are others expected to compete for varsity minutes. “We want to compete for a WAC championship and know how challenging that will be,” head coach Kyle Kriegh said. “We will play in the early season Kingman Eagle Classic and have our sights set on playing in the championship game on Saturday. In addition, the team will be playing in the Salina Invitational Tournament for the first time this season. We are excited to have different opponents on the schedule and want to play the defending 5A state champs in the tournament if the opportunity arises.” HAYS placed second in WAC standings with a 5-3 league record. Overall the Indians went 13-9 and now return one starter in senior Jack Weimer (5-10, 12 ppg, 4 apg). Head coach Sean Dreiling called “defense and rebounding” his team’s keys to success as they “continue to grow
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as a program and reach our potential.” LIBERAL went 2-18 and placed last in the WAC a season ago. In his 10th year as a head coach, Brandt Rogers takes over Liberal after a successful run at Ness City. Seniors Zayden Martinez (64, 14 ppg, 11 rpg), J Brooks Kappelmann (6-2, 8 ppg, 6 rpg) and Carson Chamberlain (6-2, 4 ppg), and sophomore James Fieser (6-1, 9 ppg, 3 rpg) are back from last season’s lineup. Rogers noted his team’s keys to success as “running the floor, getting into offensive sets, (and a) strong defensive mentality.” GIRLS: DODGE CITY won the WAC with a 6-2 league record, along with a 10-11 overall mark. Head coach Kelley Snodgrass returns seniors Easha Potts (5-11, 10.3 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.5 spg) and Ashlyn Lembright (5-0, 6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.8 spg) from that starting lineup. “We will need consistent play by our veterans, and for them to lead our youth which will need to step up into big roles at the varsity level,” Snodgrass said. GARDEN CITY finished 6-15 after a first round sub-state loss to Topeka High. The Buffaloes graduated All-League selection Amaya Gallegos last spring, but sophomore KJ Pinchon earned All-League after establishing herself as one of the top underclassmen in the league.
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GREAT BEND finished 7-14 with a 1-7 mark in the WAC and finished last in the league. It’s important to note, however, the Panthers were a young team and bring back seniors Mersadie Spray (5-9, 17 ppg, 4 rpg, 4.2 spg), Emilee Hall (5-9, 5-5 rpg), Mackenzie Premer (5-6, 5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2 spg) and Paige Thexton (5-6, 3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and junior Jillian Reimer (5-7, 2 ppg, 2 spg) continued on page 103 Full Service Financial Institution
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keys. “We are a very top heavy team, with the Photos by Darci Schields bulk of our stats being produced by four kids. We need to develop some younger kids into quality role players, and see if we can get some valuable production off our bench later in the season.” GRAINFIELD-WHEATLAND/GRINNELL finished 5-16 and took seventh in the WKLL in Will Bixenman’s seventh year with the team. Sophomores Coltin Deges (5-11, 6.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.9 apg) and Daniel Mason (6-2, 2.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg) return from that starting lineup. “We will be an incredibly young and inexperienced team this year,” Bixenman said. “Our success will be dependent on the young Wheatland/Grinnell, Senior guys getting thrown into the fire and how quickly JOE MELTON #30 DREW SCHIELDS #2 TYLER SABATKA #1 they can understand how to play basketball Three-Year Starter KPG 6-Man Top 6 Kpreps.com HM All-State WR By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer the right way. I’m extremely excited to coach Kpreps.com All-State Three-Year Starter BOYS: ALMENA-NORTHERN VALLEY this group and start our foundation to become Four-Year Starter earned a first round bye as the top seed at sub- competitive again.” state and crushed Logan/Palco in the second LOGAN/PALCO ended their season 14-8 round 58-27. St. John’s/Tipton was determined overall after second place finishes in both the in the title matchup though, winning the 1v2 WKLL regular season and league tournament. matchup 65-50 over the Huskes. Northern Ave, Valley McDonald Juniors Rhett Kats and Ethan Gaschler, and 202 Rawlins Kansas finished 18-4 overall. Seniors Kenton Thalheim, senior Cameron Morgan each earned All-League 785-538-2528 Jeremiah Hansen and Drew Schemper earned for the Trojans last season. Head coach Michael All-League during their junior campaigns and Delimont noted “working together” as team keys. Trego senior transfer Nolan Kinderknecht earned REXFORD-GOLDEN PLAINS finished 2-19 honorable mention All-MCL as a junior. with no wins in league play in head coach Ed BIRD CITY-CHEYLIN ended up 15-5 overall Weiner’s first season with the team. Back from with a third place finish in the WKLL tournament. that varsity rotation are senior Will Bruggeman Head coach Chris Walden enters his third (6-1, 1.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg), juniors Josh Rath (4 ppg, season with the Cougars with a 31-10 record 2.8 rpg, 1.5 spg), Owen Patmon (5-7, 5 ppg, 2.2 and returns four seniors in Pablo Bermudez (6- rpg, 1.2 spg) and Miguel Garcia (6-2, 1.9 ppg, 0, 14.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.4 spg), Logan 3.8 rpg), and sophomore Dylan Wark (5-10, 9.9 McCarty (6-0, 12.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2 spg). BRENDA JOHNSON spg), Brady Ketzner (5-9, 13.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 “Need to play as a team with a positive attitude,” Owner/Manager spg) and Victor Hernandez (6-2, 6.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, Weiner said of team keys. “Underclassmen need 2.1 spg), though the team got a late start thanks to step up and play the roles required.” to winning the 6-Man football title. Bird City, KansasTRIPLAINS-BREWSTER 7-12KS a 112 W. Bressler •finished Bird City, “Staying healthy, staying focused, and season ago and welcome a new coach in 785-734-2050 developing our bench,” Walden said of team Douglas Fisher. Seniors Carson Schmidt,
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WHEAT STATE LEAGUE By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer BOYS: CANTON-GALVA took third in the Wheat State League last season and held an overall record of 16-6. Larry O’Connor enters year four with the Eagles and 29th overall as a head coach with All-League senior Wyatt Collins (15.6 ppg, 12.9 rpg) and fellow senior Lane McMannis (11.2 ppg) back from the starting lineup, but will miss All-League graduates Jett Vincent and Garrett Maltbie. “We have very good depth, nice shooters, and should make a nice run in the postseason,” O’Connor said. ELYRIA CHRISTIAN entered their sub-state held in Goessel as the one-seed and showed why with wins over the host school in the second round and Canton-Galva in the finals. Once at the state tournament they couldn’t overcome Wichita-Classical in the first round in a 66-46 loss, leaving them 19-5 on the year. Coach Zach Goodrich won Wheat State Coach of the Year, while seniors Johnny Unruh and Alex Robertson,
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and junior Ty Romero earned All-League. GOESSEL finished 11-11 with a 5-4 league mark in head coach Curtis Guhr’s 11th season with the team. Entering year 12 the Bluebirds return senior Noah Schrag (12.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg), and Javin Schmidt (1.4 ppg), and juniors Koy Smith (5.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and Jack Nickel (3 ppg, 3.8 rpg) from last season’s rotation. “With graduating four of our five starters, we will be looking to guys to step up this season,” Guhr said. “I am excited to see how guys who played small roles for us last year step up and fill the voids that we have. Offensively, we lost a good portion of our scoring from last season so we will be looking to others to step up and fill those roles. With size being an issue, we will look to our speed to help make up for the lack of height. With decent numbers we look forward to competitiveness in practices and finding the right people to fit into roles.” HERINGTON ended head coach Blake Homman’s first year at 6-14 and return three
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Ben Peterson, and Nick Zerr return from last season’s starting lineup. Fisher noted “learning to adapt” as the team’s key to success. WESKAN returns to 1A-DII after a stint as a KSHSAA Approved Status school, where the Coyotes finished 14-9 and took second in the division’s state tournament held in Wichita behind Midwest Adventist of Kansas City, along with a fourth place finish in the WKLL. All-League junior Trey Allen (6-0, 16.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.8 spg) and classmate Judah Crow (5-11, 9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.2 spg) return to the starting lineup. Others back from the varsity rotation include senior Brennan Aldridge (6-0, 6.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and sophomore Nick Cottrell (6-0, 4 ppg, 2.7 rpg). Sophomores Austin Smith (5-7) and Jack Cadle (5-9), along with freshmen Karsyn Wright (5-10), Dautry Allen (6-0), Eli Aldridge (6-2) and Ivan Muruno (5-7) are other potential contributors. “Weskan will be looking to build on a 14-9 season,” head coach Val Reiss said. “Which included a second place finish at the KSHSAA Approved School State Tournament in Wichita, and fourth place finish in the WKLL. Weskan will try and play a fast paced, high scoring style with lots of defensive pressure.” WESTERN PLAINS/HEALY went 9-12 overall with a 2-6 mark in the WKLL. The Bobcats have no returning starters back from last season, leaving head coach Jeff Jones with decisions to make. The coach noted “developing our young players” as this season’s goal. GIRLS: ALMENA-NORTHERN VALLEY made it to the second round of sub-state before getting knocked out by Thunder Ridge 51-25. Seniors Mary Baird, Austyn Cox and Braxton Cox earned All-League for the Huskies during their junior seasons.
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BIRD CITY-CHEYLIN finished 1-22 and has a new head coach in Chad Baker. The first year coach returns one starter in sophomore Emily Serrano (5-4), and noted other players to watch as freshmen Taylor McCarty (5-8), Abby Wright (5-7) and Ashleyn Schields (5-5), and sophomore Gabby Pochop (5-7). “We are a very young team – all freshmen and a few sophomores – and are coming off of a rough year,” Baker said. “So this year our goal is to compete in every game and give ourselves a chance to be in each contest regardless of the outcome. Overall we would like to be a .500plus club, then build from there. How we handle pressure will dictate our chances at success.” GRAINFIELD-WHEATLAND/GRINNELL closed out the season at 11-11 after taking third in both WKLL league and tournament standings. Head coach Marlin Beougher enters year three with the team returning seniors Karoline Schroeder (5-8, 11.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2 apg, 2.8 spg), Jordyn Beckman (5-5, 5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2 apg, 1.7 spg) and Maddy Zerr (5-10, 2.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg), and sophomore Evangeline Godek (5-7, 2.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1 apg). “We need to step up and play every minute of every game and limit mistakes,” Beougher said. LOGAN/PALCO went 7-13 and now have a new coach in veteran head man Mike Jenner. Seniors Cydnee Ryder (4 ppg, 3 apg), Kenzie Wells (5 ppg, 3 apg), Ansley Delimont (11 ppg, 4 rpg), Mara Kats (8 ppg, 7 rpg) and Mikaela Merceri, and sophomore Lyla Voss (5 rpg) return from last season’s varsity rotation “Our goals are to be competitive, put ourselves in position to win games, learn and get better as players and a team each week and have fun,” continued on page 103
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starters from that group. Seniors Tyus Becker (5-10, 15.6 ppg, All-League) and Tristen Swarts (6-0, 6.6 ppg), and junior Mason Mortensen (6-3, 7.4 ppg) are all back for the Railers. “Our goal is to improve every day and compete to be the best team we can be,” Homman said. “The key to success is to come to work every day and be ready to compete.” LITTLE RIVER took second in the Wheat State League with an 8-1 regular season record to go with a 17-6 overall mark. Third year coach Erik Base returns senior Andrew Smith (6-3, 6 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.4 spg) and junior Logan Renken (6-2, 8 ppg, 3.5 rpg) to a lineup hit hard by graduation. “Developing our youth will be huge,” Base said. “We will lean on our only senior and only junior for leadership.” LOST SPRINGS-CENTRE finished 6-16 after a 53-49 second round sub-state loss to HutchCentral Christian. PEABODY-BURNS finished 5-16 a season ago. Three starters from that lineup return entering year six under Bob Kyle, including juniors Chris Spencer (6-0) and Cade Gossen (5-7), and sophomore Luke Partridge (5-10).
“We are going to be a very young team,” Kyle said. “We will not have a senior on the team and will have to have freshman play a lot of minutes. Key will be to improve every time out.” RURAL VISTA ended last season 7-14 after a first round sub-state loss to Canton-Galva. Parker Stilwell was the Heat’s lone All-League selection and was lost to graduation. SOLOMON took third in the WSL with a 7-2 mark to go with an 11-10 overall record. Third year Gorilla head coach Kyle Stein returns AllState senior Spencer Coup (6-0, 19 ppg, 9 rpg, 3 apg, 1 spg), his classmates Spencer Krause (5-10, 7 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg) and Hayden Zerbe (6-1, 3 ppg, 2 rpg), and honorable mention All-WSL junior Carlos Duran (5-11, 13 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg) from last season’s starting lineup. “Our goal is to improve daily and focus on the little things,” Stein said. “If we take care of our business and take pride in all the small details, the bigger things like league championships and state tournament berths will take care of themselves. We are focused on the process of every single day. Offensive efficiency and creating chaos on defense will be huge for us.
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
We are undersized but have quickness and athleticism at every position with depth. We must be able to use this to our advantage pushing the pace of play and making things very difficult on the defensive side.” WAKEFIELD went 1-19 last season and lost in the first round of sub-state 52-29 to HutchCentral Christian. GIRLS: Entering sub-state as a four-seed, CANTON-GALVA won their first round matchup with Goessell before knocking off the tournament’s one-seed Elyria Chrisitian 51-38 and two-seed in the championship game 5239, earning themselves a state tournament bid. Once there the Eagles fell to Norwich in the first round and finished 15-9. The program welcomes in Shelby Hoppes as head coach and returns AllState sophomore Trinity Espinoza (16 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg) and her classmate Adi Alcala (6.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.4 apg) from last year’s starting lineup. Others expected to compete for starting spots include juniors Hailey Barton, Red Craig and Raegan Hawkinson, and sophomores Jordyn Elliot, Emerson Hoppes, Makinlee Hoppes, Malia Hoppes and Jayden Orth. “Replacing the seniors’ production from last year’s state tournament team will be our biggest concern going into the season,” Hoppes said. “Not only did the seniors provide statistical production, but the experience and leadership will be very hard to replace as well. We will be a young team this year with no seniors. Those young players, going through that late season run last year was a great experience for them and will be something we hope to build on.” ELYRIA CHRISTIAN earned a first round bye after entering sub-state 16-4, but were quickly upset in the next round by a state bound CantonGalva squad 51-38, leaving them 16-5 on the year. Head coach Greg Fields won Wheat State League Coach of the Year and will need to use those chops again with the graduation of All-League duo Allie Stone and Rylan Hawkinson. GOESSEL went 12-9 with a 5-3 record in league play. Four starters return from that group for head coach Ryan Hoopes
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including All-League senior Cheyenne Sawyer (5-5, 11.5 ppg), classmates Braylyn Hoopes (55) and Jaicee Griffin (5-8), and junior Abbigail Funk (5-4). Juniors Aimee Funk (5-4) and Logan Bryant (5-5) also return from the varsity rotation. “The Lady Bluebirds return 90% of their varsity team,” Hoopes said. “This team has a lot of experience and are very competitive. For what we lack in size, we will need to make up for it by playing fast and at a high speed with a lot of defensive pressure in most games. Defensive pressure should be our strength. If we can become more consistent shooting, this group has potential to be very exciting on the court, and hopefully make a postseason run.” HERINGTON finished 8-12 in head coach Troy Heitfield’s seventh season with the team. Back from last winter are senior Tyler Urbanek (5-7), juniors Leslyn Kremeier (5-6), Harley Larosa (5-6) and Adrian Harrison (5-7), and sophomore Isabelle Ecklund (5-8). “Our goal is to improve defensively as a whole, to have fun and to play every game to the best of our ability,” Heitfield said. Wheat State league champs LITTLE RIVER finished up with a perfect 9-0 league record to go with an 19-2 overall mark after a second round sub-state upset at the hands of St. John/Hudson. Cy Rolfs takes over the program’s head coaching position with six years of experience and returns an experienced and talented group in seniors Alaina Eck (5-5, 17 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3.2 spg), Aubrey Olander (6-1, 14.5 ppg, 10 rpg, 1 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.8 bpg), Ashley Stephenson (5-8, 2.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg) and Kate Ellwood (5-5, 2.5 ppg) from last year’s starting lineup, along with sophomores Havana Olander (5-8, 5.7 ppg, 2 apg, 4 rpg, 2 spg), Adelynne Strecker (5-5, 3.2 ppg, 3 apg,
2.3 rpg, 2.6 spg), Evie Look (5-7, 3.8 ppg, 1 apg, 2 rpg, 1 spg) and Arika Feldman (6-1, 4.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1 bpg) from last year’s rotation. “Goals are improvement every day, being leaders on and off the court, winning our league and winning the state title,” Rolfs said. LOST SPRINGS-CENTRE went 3-18 with a 1-9 record in the Wheat State League that left them ninth in the standings. Fourteenth year head coach Alan Stahlecker returns seniors Allie Stuchlik (5-6, 1 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Jenaya Plett (5-5, 4.7 ppg) and Jenna Bittle (3.3 rpg, 1 apg, 1.2 spg), and junior Olivia Carlson (5-8, 7.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1 apg, 1.5 bpg, 1.8 spg). Plett missed a majority of last season with an injury, while Carlson is currently recovering from her own injury and is out until at least January. “Staying healthy, returning as many players as possible, and becoming more effective at scoring the basketball are our keys to success,” Stahlecker said. PEABODY-BURNS didn’t win a game last season and were forced to forfeit their first round sub-state matchup with Wakefield due to a lack of players available. RURAL VISTA finished 14-8 overall last season and return Angie Linder (12 ppg, 8 rpg), Bailey Rapp (5 ppg, 2.5 apg), Shaylee Sanford
(6.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg) and Kambyl Riedy (2 ppg) from that starting lineup. “Our focus will be on improving each and every day to ensure we are competitive night in and night out,” head coach Kane Hensley said. SOLOMON went 4-17 with a 2-12 league record in Luke Riordan’s first season as coach. Riordan returns seniors Elise Baier and Taytum Anderson, and juniors Maya Newcomer, Lacie McLaughlin and Emerson Shirack. “Our goal is to grow as a team and come away with an appreciation of the game of basketball,” Riordan said. WAKEFIELD ended the season 11-12 with a 4-5 record in league, good for a sixth place finish. Entering his 28th year overall, head coach Riche Steppe is in his second season as head coach of the Bombers and welcomes back juniors Allison Adams (5-6, 9 ppg, 6 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.6 spg), Paige Smith (5-8, 9.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 1.6 spg) and Presley Miller (5-4, 2.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1 spg). “Go out every night and play tough, consistent basketball and let the wins and losses take care of themselves,” Steppe said of team goals.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 year ago and also replace 20-year veteran head Logan Lagerman (36-6) at 144, and heavyweight coach Bill Ross, who retired in May. Veteran senior Clayton Frehn (33-8). The Indians also Derby assistant Kelly Heincker, a two-time state return three other state qualifiers: Ben Uher champion for Derby in high school, will take the (157), Landon Dobson (190) and Raymond reins from Ross. Gary-Hernandez (220), and if that wasn’t “Derby has a rich tradition built around a strong enough, Manhattan also added Junction City culture built by coach Ross,” Heincker said. “We senior transfer Zeke Witt, who is a three-time will tirelessly work to maintain that standard by state placer and one-time state champion at 106. coming in and working on the little things that The Indians want to “continue to build off of last make great wrestlers and young (people).” season’s success and put ourselves in a position The Panthers lose state champion Knowlyn to compete for a team trophy,” Bammes said. Egan (157) and second-place finishers Braden Speaking of JUNCTION CITY, the Blue Jays Tatum (126), Troy Allen (144) and Tate Rusher will have to replace more than just Witt, thanks Manhattan, Senior (150) to graduation, but have five previous state to the graduation of seven state qualifiers placers coming back: junior Jayden Grijalva is a from a year ago when they took seventh as a two-time state placer at 106, senior Diago Gauna team. They do return a trio of state placers in took fourth at 132 in 2022 and will wrestle at 144 senior Jaime Villanueva (144), senior Griffin this year, senior Peyton Neptune took fourth in Bohanan (175), and 2022 state-placer, senior 2023 at 175, senior Mason Hopper was fifth at Cooper Bogenhagen (190). New head coach 190 and sophomore heavyweight Max Robinson Aryus Jones, who returns to his hometown after finished sixth in 2023. Junior Tanner Heincker a season at Blue Valley, said the Blue Jays was also a state qualifier at 113 a season ago. are looking to “embrace the strengths of our “We graduated a big senior class, but we have wrestlers, win every match we should, and find a five returning placers and several new faces in way to seal a couple that we are not favored in.” the lineup excited for their opportunity. We are Prior to 2023, WASHBURN RURAL had won focusing on growth over results, and expect to back-to-back team titles and the Junior Blues are look much different in February than December.” not shying away from their desire to reach the The second-place team from 2023, GARDEN pinnacle of the sport once again. Maize, Senior CITY returns five state placers, including “(We want to) perform at our peak in February state runners-up and weight class bookends and win a state title in dominating fashion,” head Sebastian Lopez (285) and Braydon Pacheco coach Josh Hogan said. By Levi Burnfin, For Kansas Pregame A pair of state champions led the Junior Blues A pair of 2023 team title winners with new (106). Head coach Carlos Prieto believes those coaches at the helm might be on a collision two will lead a quality group of returners and to a sixth-place team finish a year ago, and course entering the 2023-24 boys wrestling leave the Buffs in a good spot to make a run at a both junior Easton Broxterman and sophomore Landen Kocher-Munoz return this year. season. Maize was dominant in a run to a state title, listing it as the team’s top goal. “That’s always my expectation, to win a Broxterman won the 113-pound division and is 40-point team title in Class 5A in February, but the Eagles are moving up this season to a state championship,” Prieto said. “I’m a big set to wrestle at 126 this year, while Kocherloaded Class 6A (especially in the West) – Derby believer that you gotta expect great things, Munoz took the 120-pound division and is moving won the top class team title in February by 25 and great things will happen. If we win a state up to 138 this year. State placers Cooper Stivers championship, then every other goal we have (120), Blaine Baird (144), Kristjan Marshall (150) points over Garden City. and Brody Byrne (157) all return, as well, and will Those three teams, along with perennial will take care of itself.” Pacheco was 24-7 last year and Lopez was be joined by “incoming stud freshman” Brodye contenders, Manhattan, Mill Valley and Washburn Rural – which won the 2021 and 2022 37-4. Meanwhile, juniors Matt Long (17-2, Kocher-Munoz (132) and Jadyn Baum (175). Six of the top eight teams in 6A a year ago were team titles – are in the mix at the top of the class 120) and Brayden Hill (39-7, 215) return after placing at state last year. Several others – such from the west regional, and add in Maize to that this season. The 2023 state title run for MAIZE came under as junior Kaven Carabajal and twins Dio and side of the state and it’s absolutely loaded. That’s long-time coach Mike Schauer who retired from David Holguin – look to make an impact, as well, why LAWRENCE FREE-STATE head coach Randy Streeter is looking for his Firebirds to coaching after leading the Eagles to their first according to Prieto. MILL VALLEY head coach Joey Lazor – now in “compete in the west – it’ll be packed with Maize team title in school history. Former Fort Hays State and Hoisington standout Brandon Ball his second season taking over for Hall of Fame coming up,” he said. If a team competes in the takes over for the Eagles, who will be replacing coach Travis Keal – said he wants his third place west, it’ll compete at state. The Firebirds lost a pair of senior state five senior state-placers (one champion) from finishing team from a year ago to “continue to last season. That won’t stop Ball from having the grow each tournament,” calling team keys champions a year ago, and are junior heavy Eagles’ sights set high, as he said the goals are “growth and consistency – row the boat in the this season, with 11 or 12 in the varsity lineup, according to Streeter. Those will be led by to “create a positive team environment… (and) same direction.” The Jaguars return state champions in seniors returning state placers Drew Streeter (6th, 106) win another state championship.” They do return a defending state champion in Collin McAlister (165) and Dillon Cooper (138), and Grayson Hagen (5th, 126). Another west regional team, DODGE CITY senior Ayden Flores, who won the 215-pound as well as state placers Robert Hickman (126), division in 2023 but is slated to move to 190 Maddox Cassella (144), Brady Mason (150) and returns a quintet of state qualifiers after taking pounds this year and three state placers: MJ Wash (220). They also return three other 10th as a team in February. Junior Alan Flores sophomore Talon Verbeck took second at 106 state qualifiers in Jeredy Nilges (106), Jacob is the lone returning state placer, taking fourth at 165. Sophomores Rylee Salcido (106), as a freshman, and is moving up to 120 this Reitz (120) and heavyweight Jayden Woods. It’s possible that none of those teams are the Armando Garcia (132) and Jayden Amaro (157), year; senior Daniel Gomez took third at 132; and favorite to win 6A as the MANHATTAN Indians and senior heavyweight Edgar Hernandez also Jayden Ford finished second at 165. Class 6A defending champion DERBY also will enter the season with more returning points from bring back state experience. The Red Demons need to replace several senior wrestlers from a the state tournament than any other team. The are looking for another top-10 team placement Indians finished in fourth as a team in at state, fifth-year head coach Tate Lowe said. Full Service Financial Institution February, but only had one senior state Western Activities Conference rival LIBERAL participant (Jaxon Vikander at 215). loses state champion Trystian Juarez (190) to Head coach Shawn Bammes returns a graduation, but returns senior state qualifiers pair of state champions – sophomore Aidan Schwindt (150), Julian Harvey (165) and Caelab Hutchinson (34-3) at 120 and Jacob Cutshall (175). Head coach Michael senior Jameal Agnew (39-9) at 138 – Fowler set his team’s goals as winning the WAC Garden City • 1714 E. Kansas Ave • 1504 Taylor Plz • and a trio of state placers: sophomore and finish top three at state. 800.825.7661 • gpcu.org Federally insured by NCUA Member NCUA Cameron Coonrod (31-21) at 126, junior On the other side of the state, BLUE VALLEY
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6A WRESTLING
NORTHWEST enters the third year under head coach Zack Orrick. The Huskies return a quartet of upperclassmen with state experience, and add a few young faces to the group. “Show up to work every day, and continue to grow our team’s culture,” Orrick said about the group’s goal for the season. They’ll be led by seniors Mikha’el Muldrow (1311 at 120) and Andrew Shahrokhi (21-19 at 175). Juniors Reid Saugstad (138) and Carter Hughes (150) round out the returning state qualifiers. Right next door, BLUE VALLEY WEST also brings back four state qualifiers into 2023-24, coach Randy Lowe’s 23rd season at the helm. “Hopefully our strong upperclassmen can provide good leadership,” Lowe said. Those upperclassmen are two-time state qualifiers Logan Meinheit, who was 43-7 a year ago at 138, and Brady Watts, who was 39-11 at 150. Senior heavyweight Brody McMannamon and senior Kenny Woods (175) also bring some experience to help lead the Jaguars. Leaning on experience is the plan for GARDNER-EDGERTON heading into this season as well. “The keys to success this year will be our experienced wrestlers showing youthful talent how to work and the expectations of the program,” head coach Tyler Cordts said. The Trailblazers bring back seniors Kasen and Caden Smith, who are both three-time state qualifiers. Kasen went 40-16 a year ago and took sixth at state at 120; he will be in the 132 weight class this year. Caden, meanwhile, was 20-27 and will wrestle at 138 this year. Junior Ty Hammers took third a year ago and is a two-time state placer, and sophomore Roman Clouse ended his freshman campaign with a fifth-place finish at state at 106. He will be at 120 this year. LAWRENCE HIGH does not have the luxury of experience entering this year, having lost three of the Chesty Lions’ five state qualifiers from a year ago to graduation. They only return sophomore Lou Elsten and junior Andrew Honas – but both not only qualified but placed at state, with each taking fourth in February. Elsten will wrestle at 120 this year and Honas – a three-time state placer – will be at 132. But long-time head coach Patrick Naughton is looking to bring a much bigger contingent to Hartman Arena in 2024. The Lions look to “qualify 14 for the state tournament, finish in the top half of the Sunflower League, and finish in the top 15 at state,” Naughton said. The OLATHE EAST Hawks have their eyes on a top-five finish this year. They are led by senior heavyweight Brett Carroll, who steamrolled through Kansas 6A for an individual title in 2023, going 49-1 on the way. The dominant Carroll’s only loss came in a decision to the undefeated two-time Nebraska state champion Tyson Terry. Carroll is joined by senior state placer Michael Costello (215) and junior state placers Aiden Stuart (126) and Ender Rider (150). “Veteran wrestlers continuing to improve on their accomplishments along with our less experienced wrestlers stepping up to that next level,” are the keys to the Hawks’ season, 17thyear head coach Lance Larson said. Elsewhere in Olathe, the OLATHE NORTHWEST Ravens are entering their second continued on page 110
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
5A WRESTLING
By Jackson Medina, For Kansas Pregame Over the past decade, Goddard dominated class 5A in wrestling, with a streak of eight straight team titles from 2015 to 2022. Their streak was broken last season with Maize taking the 2023 team title, their first in school history. With the new classifications coming out within the last month, Maize has bumped to 6A this season, paving the way for a new 5A champ come February of 2024. The final results from state last year saw Newton take second place with a total of 175.5 team points, and the Railers are again among the favorites in 5A this season. Aquinas placed third overall as a team with Great Bend right behind them in fourth, just right of a trophy spot. To finish out in the top five spot was the aforementioned Goddard with 114.5 points. A year ago NEWTON pushed hard to beat out Maize for the first place trophy but came up short. Tenth year head coach Tommy Edgmon wants the Railers to “get better as a team and improve on last year’s performance, and have fun and work hard.” The Railers bid farewell to two of their state champions from last season due to graduation (Nick Treaster and A.B. Stokes) but return seven wrestlers including 113 pound state champion Lucas Kaufman, likely to wrestle this season at 120. Other key returners are Nate Barron, state qualifier at 138 a season ago; Bailey Stienmentz, fifth place at 144; Kamden Wise, state qualifier at 150; Keon Edwards, third place at 165; Marcel Gonzalez, state qualifier at 215; and Logan Bucannan, sixth place at 190, though likely to make the jump to heavyweight this season. GREAT BEND enters the season ranked second under new head coach Gannon Reichert after coach Nathan Broeckelman took over the Barton Community College wrestling program. The Panthers have six wrestlers ranked entering the season including senior Kaiden Hoffman in first at 132, sophomore Trenton Kern in first at 190, junior Jace Schartz in second at 157, senior Coper Liles in third at 150, senior Matthew Johnson in fourth at 215, and sophomore Triston Tomlinson in fourth at 113. East regional champions ST. THOMAS AQUINAS should also be in the contender bubble with five state finalists last year and a third place team finish. Eric Akin is entering his ninth season as the head coach and has built the Saints into a wrestling power. Akin graduated state champions Sean Carroll (now wrestling at Northern Illinois) and Dylan Elmore (now wrestling at the Naval Academy), but the room is bolstered by the return of three state finalists: Caden Gallet was the state champion at 106 last year and will bump up to 113 for his junior season; 132 pound state runner-up junior Kaden Allen will compete at 138 this season; and state runner-up PJ Cunningham is back at 215 and looks to claim a state title as a senior. Senior Gianni Rizzi returns for his senior season at 157 as a two time state qualifier, along with senior Luke Hancock who is also a two time state qualifier and a Fargo All-American at 175. The Saints also return juniors Shane Gifford, who was a state qualifier at 113, and sophomore Stephen Carroll, a qualifier at 285 a season ago. “We put five in the finals last year and took third
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place as a team (at state),” Akin said. “We think we can match that this year and put five or more in the finals and be a top three team again.” After heading home without a championship trophy for the first time in almost a decade, GODDARD is looking for a return to dominance at next February’s 5A state tourney in veteran head coach Brett Means 16th season at the helm. They return 11 wrestlers from last season and also add four highly talented freshmen. State champion Jacob Goodwin enters his junior year ready to defend his 144 pound title while senior Zach Wessley took second last season at 157 after a third place finish at 145 as a sophomore. He would like to bookend his high school career with a state title after winning at 132 as a freshman. Other returning state placers for the Lions include sophomore Harrison Glover, who was fifth at 113, and junior Dave Sample, who was third at 150. Other wrestlers returning with state experience include senior Gavin Lamkin, sophomore Nick Miller, sophomore Kolton McElwain and sophomore Eastyn Vieyra. “Returning guys (need to) step up to the next level and we have four very talented freshmen coming in that will need to contribute at a high level, which I believe they will,” Means said of his teams keys to taking home a team trophy. VALLEY CENTER took third last season at regionals and then sixth as a team at state. Under the direction of fifth year head coach Justin Schwartz, the Hornets are looking for a top three podium finish come the end of this season. State placers returning, and last year’s weight, include third place finishers Aiden Shields (120, Jr.), Jett Schwartz (126, Sr.) and senior Dai’Mont Mucker (190, Sr.). More key returners include state qualifiers Braxton Moody (113, Jr.), Derek Truman (165, Sr.), Steel Schomaker (175, Jr.) , and Cooper Boone (138, So.). BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST returns seven state qualifiers and three state placers. Coming off an EKL first place team finish and regional runner up trophy, head coach Cody Parks is looking for a higher finish at state this season after trailing Bishop Carroll by four points to fall to ninth place in the final 5A team standings a season ago. The three placers back are sophomore Wyatt McCulley, sixth at 106; sophomore Tad Forsyth, fourth at 165; and junior Kaden Markley, who was third at 106 in 2022. “Our goals are always the same,” Parks said. “We practice everyday to win EKL, regionals, and state. I am always excited to watch and see how the next leaders step up and lead our program. Those leaders take us where we want to go. Hopefully tradition holds true and we have some great leaders step forward.” ANDOVER enters the season ranked sixth in the 5A rankings with sixth wrestlers ranked including senior Coulter Rieschick in fourth at 126, junior Luke Potter in fifth at 132, senior Adam Maki in first at 138, senior Brad Trimmell in fourth at 150, junior Cole Compton in fifth at 165, junior Logan Warkentine in sixth at 175, and junior Tate Hutchinson in second at 190. After a fourth place regional finish and 11th Full Service Financial Institution
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place finish at state last season expectations are high for Chad Parks’ SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Thunderbirds thanks to the return of seven state qualifiers including sophomore Tristan Buce, who will wrestle at 106, junior Carson Anderson at 120, senior Andrew Bonebrake at 138 (3X SQ, 6th in 2023), sophomore Gavin Hartman at 150, sophomore Evan Johnson at 157, senior Allen Baughman at 175 (2X SQ, 6th in 2023), and senior Rykan Carver at 285 (2X SQ). “This team has great talent, character, and work ethic,” Parks said. BISHOP CARROLL graduated five of their 11 state qualifiers from a season ago, all at 150 or heavier. Now, a strong group of lighter weight sophomores and juniors will move up a couple classes to pave the way for a talented crop of freshmen, including 106-pounder Jackson Herman (preseason fourth) and 113-pounder Conner Landers (preseason third). Four other Golden Eagles started the season ranked as BCCHS is given the seventh spot in the preseason team rankings. Seventh year Bobcat head coach Jason Puderbaugh leads BASEHOR-LINWOOD into the season with high hopes thanks to the addition of four talented freshmen to go along with the graduation of just one of last season’s seven state qualifiers. The Bobcats are shooting for a 6-0 dual record, a top three finish at the Bobcat Classic, a United Kansas Conference title, and a 5A state championship. Senior Evan Vielhauer (36-8) will compete at 132, and is looking to be at the top of the podium after his fifth place showing at 120 last season. Junior Brody Ballard (30-14) is looking to do the same at 138 after a fourth place finish at 126. Past state qualifiers (and
this year’s anticipated weights) are Ethan Kelly (144, Sr.), Caden Puderbaugh (157, So.), Tucker Hutchison (165, So.), and Logan Plum (175, Sr.). “Stay healthy, be positive and enthusiastic, help each other get better each day, maintain a growth mindset, keep wrestling fun, maintain faith through adversity, and just believe in each other and our team goals,” coach Puderbaugh said of his team’s keys to success. SALINA CENTRAL checked into the preseason rankings in ninth place with junior Jase Adam holding down the top spot at 126, sopohomore Abram Owings in fifth at 150, and Cooper Reeves in third at 175. Coach Jeremy Biddle is entering his second year as the head coach for the ARK CITY Bulldogs. His goals for the season are a top three podium finish and for underclassmen to step up into bigger roles. Biddle will look to three returning state placers to lead in sophomore Kolby Quint, fifth place at 106; junior Carlos Leyva, third place at 113; and Spencer Mosier who was fourth at 132. Cameron Bruce will be a junior this season and was a state qualifier last season at 120. BONNER SPRINGS placed fifth in the Frontier League and eighth in the 5A East Regional. They are led by Brandon Jobe who is entering his 15th season. Goals for this season include a top three finish in league and a top five regional finish. They return four state qualifiers which include sophomore Jermey Welch (30-15) at 113, junior Frankie Garcia (31-15) at 126, sophomore Lane Vogel (27-15) at 144, and senior leader Sam Harrigan Hernandez (9-13). continued on page 111
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
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4A WRESTLING
Andale won its second 4A title in the past three seasons in February and plans to make a run at another one next February. (Submitted) of the KWCA preseason poll are Clay Center in fifth, Independence in sixth, Baldwin in seventh, Colby in eighth, Holton in ninth, and Pratt in 10th. Last season, ANDALE had seven wrestlers place in the top six of the state tournament, including two that finished as champions. Head coach Doug Eck has high expectations once again this season with the return of four of those individuals. That includes three-time state champion Owen Eck, his son, though he’s likely to start sometime after the holiday break thanks to a broken collarbone suffered late in the football season. During his first three high school wrestling seasons, Eck has a career mark of 107-4 as he seeks a fourth consecutive championship. This year he enters as the number one ranked
By Brian Thomas, Montgomery Co. Chronicle
As the preseason favorite to win the Class 4A state championship a season ago, Andale did not disappoint. The Indians finished with 163 points at the state tournament to distance themselves from runner-up Rose Hill. It was the second state title in three years and fifth all-time in the Andale program, also winning it all in 2006, 2011, 2012 and 2021. Andale is not the favorite entering this season to repeat as champions at least according to the preseason Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association rankings, as it was picked fourth. Preseason favorite this season is last season’s runner-up Rose Hill, with Tonganoxie picked second and Paola third. Rounding out the top 10
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wrestler at 157 pounds. He is coming off a 46-0 season at 144 a year ago and has signed to wrestle at the University of Oklahoma after high school. Two individuals that are looking to make a run at a state title are sophomores Tristen Cox and Ethan Eck. Cox placed fifth at 106 as a freshman and is ranked fourth at 113 this season. Junior Isaiah Wilson, the runner-up at 175 a season ago, heads into the season ranked third at 190. Junior Trent Eck, who missed postseason last year due to an injury, returns after placing second at 106 as a freshman. Ian Aouad and Cody Engelbrecht return for their senior years. Aouad was third at 165 last season after previously earning third place at 152 as a freshman. Others that could contribute for the Indians will be junior Jackson Aaron, and sophomores Corbin Steadham, Ace Altman, Ben Patton and Camron Woltemath. “The team that will win 4A is going to have to stay healthy,” coach Eck said. “We got bit at the end of last season with injuries but really performed well at state.” Preseason favorite to win 4A this season, ROSE HILL has plenty of talent returning. The Rockets, directed by fourth-year head coach Chris Saferite, have six wrestlers preseason ranked by the KWCA, led by top-ranked Adam Bilby at 126 and Johnny Leck at 132. Leck, a junior, finished 31-4 and state runner-up last season at 106 after winning it all as a freshman. Bilby, a junior, was 27-7 after capturing third place at 113 last season. Three individuals are preseason number two in their weight class — junior Damon Ingram (36-5) at 138 after finishing as the runner-up at 126, senior Rhett Briggs (39-13) at 165 after taking fifth at 150, and junior Milan Colvin (40-5) at heavyweight after placing top three the past two seasons. Freshman newcomer Tucker Saferite is also preseason sixth at 106. Other individuals returning to the lineup this season are a two-time state qualifier in junior Tyren Emberson (22-18) at 157, as well as junior Trenton Richwine (18-6) at 113, sophomore Sebastian Bentley (18-13) at 120, sophomore Leven Jones (21-17) at 175 and junior Cole Rogers (25-15) at 215. “Our goals are to win a league title, a regional title and to win a state championship,” Saferite said. “To win a state title, you need some luck.
We need to stay healthy and get our kids bought in to hard work and staying dedicated.” Taking sixth place in 4A a year ago, TONGANOXIE has been selected to finish second this year by the KWCA. The Chieftains are once again under the direction of head coach Brett Delich, who is now in his fifth year with the program. THS was the Frontier League runner-up last season. Leading the way for the Chieftains is defending 132-pound champion Braeden Moore. The senior has placed three times at state and will make the move up to 144 this season as the preseason number one wrestler in that weight class. Nine other qualifiers return for Tonganoxie, including sophomore Brodie Starcher at 113, sophomore Dax Duffett at 132, junior Emmett Crookham at 138, senior Noah Bailey at 150, sophomore Brady Martin at 157, senior Gannon Sonntag at 165, senior Colton Brusven at 175, senior Tyler Pankey at 190, and sophomore Gavin Rhoads at 285. Also returning to the lineup are senior Presley Herring at 120 and junior Cael Dye at 215. “This year, we will improve daily to peak at the regional and state tournaments,” Delich said. “Team unity will be our key to success – wrestle for each other and for a true team bond.” Frontier League champion PAOLA has been picked to finish third by the KWCA after capturing fourth place in 4A a season ago. The Panthers are led by fifth-year head coach Marvin Willard. PHS returns sophomore Brock Johnson (42-2), the defending state champion at 106 who enters this season top-ranked at 120. Sophomore Bryson Rockers (30-11), last year’s runner-up at 113, heads into the season ranked first in that weight class. Junior Kaiden Powell (38-6), a two-time state placer, is coming off a thirdplace finish last year and is ranked third at 126. Three other individuals are preseason ranked, including senior Clayton Younger (36-7), third at 175; junior Hagan Blanck (19-8), fifth at 132; and sophomore Carson Martin (6-6), sixth at 215. Another state qualifier back in the lineup is sophomore Brody Latto (29-15) who will wrestle at either 132 or 138. “The key for us is getting guys in the right weight and going to the state tournament healthy,” Willard said. Fifth at state a year ago, CLAY CENTER enters the season ranked fifth by the KWCA. The Tigers are led by Brandon Pigorsch, who begins his 15th year as head coach. CCHS has an experienced group with returners at 11 weight classes, including five returning qualifiers and two state placers. Two-time state placer Tucker Jackson returns for his senior season at 175, while threetime qualifier and state placer Talyn Pfizenmaier is also a senior at 157. Also back in the lineup are junior Hayden Kalivoda at 120, junior Ethan Tiers at 190, and senior Braylon Perry at 215. “We need to stay healthy and have more consistency throughout our lineup,” Pigorsch said. “We had a number of wrestlers that were in the placing rounds at state and regionals last season. We need to make breakthroughs of getting on the podium and getting more wrestlers to the state tournament.” After taking ninth place at state a year ago, INDEPENDENCE has high expectations this season as the continued on page 104
3-2-1 A WRESTLING
at 175, and senior Vincent Webb (22-11) at 215. “We have a large group of upperclassmen, so we will go as far as they take us,” said Cody Kramer, who begins his fifth year as head coach. Aiden Amrein, the defending state champion at 175 pounds, returns for his senior campaign to lead HILL CITY. The Ringnecks, under the direction of second-year head coach Craig Amrein, are coming off a sixth-place finish at the state tournament a season ago. It was the third straight season they placed in the top 10 of state. Prior to that, Hill City had not been a top10 team since 1996. Aiden Amrein went 37-5 en route to the state title in his junior season. He is one of three state placers back for Hill City that also included junior Alexander Hamel (38-9), third place at 106 that has moved to 113; and junior Dayton Stephen (34-12), sixth at 150 but now at 157. Three other state qualifiers are back in sophomore Tyler Ashbaugh (26-14) at 132, junior Sylar Rohr (24-11) at 144 and junior Cade Dinkel (20-24) at 165. “We want to bring home a top-three trophy from state,” Amrein said. “The key will be hard work, weight management and getting better on our feet.” HOISINGTON tied Hill City for sixth place in the final 3-2-1A standings at state a year ago. Four members of the squad placed at state, led by Josiah Ball in second place at 132. Also placing were Eastin Redetzke, third at 126; Deryk Yott, fifth at 150; and Teron Kraft, sixth at 157. With the return of seven state qualifiers from a year ago, PHILLIPSBURG is looking to build off its seventh-place finish in Class 3-2-1A last season. The Panthers are once again under the direction of head coach Andy Kenney, who enters his seventh year leading the program. Leading the way for PHS this season will be twotime state placer Kaden Sisson. Now in his junior season, Sisson (26-4) will compete at 126 after placing second last year at 120 as a sophomore and third a year earlier as a freshman. Another state placer back is Kaden’s twin brother Hunter Sisson (10-6), who took fifth as a freshman while qualifying at 126 last season. He will compete at 132. Blake Buresh, a sophomore, went 34-14 last season while taking fourth place at 132. He will compete at 138. Also taking fourth place at 157 was junior Seth Keeten, who will wrestle at 144 this season. Other state qualifiers back are senior Patrick Driggs (17-5) at 120, Seth’s twin brother Cole Keeten (29-17) at 150 and senior Carsen Meiti at 175. Also in the lineup this season will be junior Kayden Hudson (26-17) at 165, sophomore Blayze Christy (1-15) at 190, and junior Jaden Boyle (6-6) at 215. “We want to mprove on all aspects of wrestling and get better at correcting mistakes,” Kenney said. “We would also like to improve on our final standings at league, regionals and state. The key will be our returners stepping up more as leaders and pushing each other in the room.” Three state qualifiers return for REPUBLIC COUNTY, which captured ninth place in 3-2-1A a year ago. Under the direction of coach Adam Polansky, the Buffaloes welcome back two-time qualifiers Owen Weatherhead (37-10), a junior at 138; and Alex Dyke (34-9), a senior at 165/175. Another key returner is senior Jordan Williams, who qualified for state and will now fill in at 150/157 following a 28-16 campaign. In addition to the returning qualifiers, other wrestlers back for RCHS include sophomore Kash Henke (19-13) at 126/132, junior Graham Jensen
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Kayla Donahey
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 said. “I look to be competitive and for the kids to continue to get better. We return five qualifiers and four medalists. Our senior class this year is By Brian Thomas, Montgomery Co. Chronicle small but will have to step into the role as leaders For a third consecutive season, Hoxie for these teams to have success.” SABETHA, following a third-place finish at dominated at the state tournament to claim the 3-2-1A championship. The Indians will once state a year ago, has reason to be optimistic again be one of the favorites to capture the title this season with the return of several state during the 2023-24 campaign as they seek a qualifiers from last year’s squad. Leading the way for ninth-year head coach Ricky Creek are fourth straight crown. Last year, Hoxie left no doubt of the final a pair of state runners-up in senior Colin Menold outcome as it dominated the state tournament (43-4), a three-time qualifier, at 144; and senior field. The Indians recorded 260 points to finish Joshua Grimm (38-8), a two-time qualifier, at well ahead of runner-up Norton Community with heavyweight. Senior Cullen Wikle (34-12), a 101. It was the 13th state championship in the three-time qualifier, returns at 138. The Bluejays program’s history. Prior to the current three-year have three two-time state qualifiers in junior run as champions, Hoxie previously won titles Caleb Renyer (30-15) at 126, senior Cole Hinton in 1969, 1971, 1972, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1998, (24-6) at 150 and senior Dalton Rokey (19-12) at 195. Other returners include senior state qualifier 1999, 2002 and 2003. There’s plenty of reason to believe that Zach Kibbe (18-16) at 132, as well as senior HOXIE may be bringing home another state Brayden Meredith (18-14) at 165. “Our goals are to be academic team championship trophy this winter. The MidContinent League champion, under the direction champions, top two at the state tournament of 17th-year head coach Mike Porsch, has plenty and develop a second team that will compete of state-level competitors returning this season. for state championships again next year,” Creek Three defending state champions are back for said. “We must stay healthy, focus on making the Indians in sophomore Ian Giancola at 113, daily improvements and don’t get caught up in who will move up to 120 this season, senior things going on outside of what is important.” Finishing fourth place at state last season Carson Ochs at 132, but could move up to 138 this season, and senior Gavin Schippers at was SMITH CENTER, which returns some heavyweight. Ochs was the champion at 132, key wrestlers from that squad. Back is state while also finishing as a runner-up as a junior champion Eli Franklin, a senior, who went 42-6 and sixth place as a sophomore. Four other a year ago. Two other returners were state returners qualified for state, with three of them qualifiers, including Eli’s twin brother Luke placing. Junior Kash Schiltz was the runner-up at Franklin (36-15) at 190 and sophomore Kharson 106 and will compete at 113 this season. Junior Montgomery (32-16) at 285. The remainder of the Duncan Bell was third at 144 and will now be at projected lineup for this season will be freshman 150. A year after finishing as a state runner-up, Isaac Stansbury at 106, sophomore Nate Phy at junior Sam Watkins claimed third place at 175 113, junior Landon Erickson at 120, junior Will and will likely wrestle at 190. Junior Easton Tucker at 126, sophomore Jacoby Feldman Nickelson was also a state qualifier at 157. Other at 132, sophomore Jayten Blickenstaff at 138, varsity lettermen in the lineup include Layne sophomore Bracksten Carr at 144, sophomore Jueneman, Draden Herl, Etson Moreno and Parker Hutchinson (22-21) at 150, sophomore Gannon McCoy at 157, and freshman Tanner Giovanny Gomez. “Our goal is to fill the lineup the best we can to Rowe at 165. “We had a very young team last year and had be able to qualify as many wrestlers as we can and have them score points and win places at a lot of young guys see a lot of matches,” said the state tournament,” Porsch said, who noted Avery Hawkins, who begins his first year as he anticipates filling all 14 weight classes for head coach of the Redmen. “I’m hoping that the first time since 2003. “Our returners need to experience from last year can propel us forward stay hungry to keep getting better and help get this year. We will need our veterans to bring the our newcomers up to speed and believing in the young ones along and show them what it takes to be successful.” culture and process.” “We had a very young team last year and had Last year’s runner-up NORTON returns eight starters to its lineup this season, meaning it a lot of young guys see a lot of matches,” said should again contend near the top of 3-2-1A. Avery Hawkins, who begins his first year as The Bluejays, led by third-year head coach head coach of the Redmen. “I’m hoping that Bill Broeckelman, also finished as the Mid- experience from last year can propel us forward Continent League runner-up and was champion this year. We will need our veterans to bring the of its regional. NCHS has five returning state young ones along and show them what it takes qualifiers, with four of those placing. Derek to be successful.” After taking fifth place at state a year ago, Clydesdale (29-19) returns for his sophomore season at 113, as does sophomore Jatin Weigel ATCHISON COUNTY COMMUNITY has a (25-19) at 126, junior Brennan Pfannenstiel solid group of returning wrestlers, led by state (27-13) at 144, sophomore Ayston Kats at 120 runner-up Easton Schletzbaum. Capping off a and junior Corbin Puga (43-5) at heavyweight. 40-win season, Schletzbaum (40-4) took second Clydesdale, Weigel, Pfannenstiel and Puga all place at 150 pounds but will make the move placed at state competition, with Puga being a to 157 for his junior campaign. Another state two-time medalist. Others returning to the lineup placer was senior Adler Koonz, who went 37-7 this season are sophomore Jack Carter (15-21) and took fourth place at 126. Six other wrestlers at 150, senior Logan Pfannenstiel (14-18) at 165, were state qualifiers for the Tigers, including sophomore Rance Vessar (19-15) at 132, senior and junior Colton Stover (9-2) at 215. “We graduated a lot last year, but are going Austin Smith (28-19) at 138, junior Kannon to be able to fill a lot of their shoes with the Crossland (33-12) at 150, sophomore Max junior class and newcomers,” Broeckelman Bottorff (34-9) at 165, senior Carter Page (31-12)
Corbin Puga
Norton, Junior
(14-9) at 132/138, junior Ethan Ines (19-18) at 144, senior Zach Piroutek (20-16) at 150/157, sophomore Carson Beavers (24-15) at 144/150 and sophomore Conner Sheetz (13-10) at 132. “We want to continue to challenge for tournament championships week to week individually,” Polansky said. “As a team, our dual portion of our schedule will be more challenging due to not filling as many weight classes as in past years. We have some big shoes to fill from graduation the last few seasons, but we have a talented bunch of guys in the middle weights that have a high ceiling.” LARNED had a pair of state champions a year ago in Luke Fischer at 190 pounds and Carter Atteberry at 215. The Indians are coming off a 10th-place finish at the 3-2-1A state tournament. Brogan Monty returns for BELOIT after capturing an unbeaten state championship (410) a season ago at 106 pounds. He will move up to 113 for his sophomore campaign. Firstyear head coach Cade Hewitt takes over for retired Hall of Fame coach Andy Niemczyk and welcomes one other returning starter to the lineup in state qualifier Brodie Boudreaux. The junior will compete at 215 after going 15-14 last season. “We want to have a winning dual record, win a team tournament, and win all our league duals,” Hewitt said. “The key will be leadership amongst our upperclassmen.” Three state qualifiers return for BLUESTEM and coach Nash Burtin, who enters his seventh year in charge. Leading the way is senior Dagan Turner, a two-time qualifier who went 25-12 a season ago at 113 pounds. Other qualifiers include junior Laythan Vice (33-16) at 120 and sophomore Ian Frazier (18-20) at 138. Four other wrestlers return to the lineup — senior Zak Dotter (6-16) at 132, junior Colten Neal (22-22) at 190, and sophomore Noah Couey (3-8) at 215. “Our goals for the season are to have a winning dual record and win regionals,” Burtin said. “We will fill 12-14 weights, many with heavy experience, so these goals are attainable. We need to stay heathly and develop some younger talent for the end of the year push.” In charge of the program since 2004, Doug Bingham returns for his 20th season as head coach at BURLINGAME. The Bearcats are led by Logan Courtois, who went 49-2 and finished as the runner-up at 113 pounds a year ago. He will make the move up to 126 for his sophomore season. BHS had two other state qualifiers in junior Scotty Leandro (29-15) at 120 and senior Calvin Noonan (10-15) at 145. Also returning this season are sophomore Logan Leandro (5-10) at continued on page 107
Submitted
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 for us this season. Addi Broxterman and Alexis Fredrickson were two of the best,” Parker said. Junior Annie Gallegos takes over at Broxterman’s former weight (125) and brings with her almost as much experience. She has placed twice, finishing fourth in February at 120. Senior Kristin Rezac also has twice placed at state, taking bronze at 110 a year ago. Juniors Molly Spader (105) and Madison Davison (135) also return with podium experience, as well as seniors Laiken Clark (130) and Sophia Ross (235). SHAWNEE HEIGHTS finished fourth at last season’s state tournament and graduated just two of their 10 state qualifiers. The Thunderbirds vaulted to the top spot in the second batch of KWCA preseason rankings released November Wichita West, Senior 20th. Junior Reece Taylor finished fifth at 125 a season ago (25-11) and enters this season ranked second at that weight. Junior Madison Freeland was runner-up at 135 (32-7) and is also ranked second in that class entering the season. Sophomore Cianna Graves was sixth at 155 and starts the season ranked second at that weight. Sophomore Connie Burns (100), seniors Emerlynn Phillips (105), McKenna Haltom (145) and Odessa Schmidt (110), and junior Isabel Reyes (130) all qualified for state as well. Meanwhile, DODGE CITY – the only other program to claim a girls team title and added a third place team trophy in February – opens the season as the fifth-ranked team in the state with five ranked wrestlers, including a pair of state-placers. Olathe North, Junior Fifth-year head coach Tate Lowe said “work ethic and team chemistry” are the keys to the Red Demons’ season this year. Junior Ashley Alonso By Levi Burnfin, For Kansas Pregame The only two girls Kansas 6-5A programs in (second ranked at 110) and sophomore Yareli history to win a state title enter the season sec- Garcia (fifth ranked at 145) return after placing at ond and fifth respectively in the Kansas Wrestling state a year ago. Senior Ariana De La Rosa (130), Coaches Association preseason rankings. senior Dayanara Garcia (140), and junior Hailey Washburn Rural has won three of the four girls Ramos (135) also enter the season ranked in the team titles, including in February when the Junior first preseason poll. Also out West, the GARDEN CITY Buffaloes are Blues edged Garden City by 12 points to reign supreme once again. Washburn Rural also won looking to break through for their first girls state in 2020 and 2021 but the program’s dominant championship under head coach Carlos Prieto, run was interrupted in 2022 by Dodge City, which who has helmed the boys’ side to a quartet of tienters this season as the fifth-ranked team in the tles in his tenure. They return individual champion preseason poll. While plenty of teams are looking Maya Tarbett, who won the program’s first state to compete for team titles, the common goal for championship in February at 125 pounds. The jumany of the coaches in 6-5A girls wrestling was nior enters this year atop the 125-pound rankings. the continued effort to improve the numbers in The Buffs dot the preseason rankings in the lower their program. Girls wrestling has only been a weights, with all four of their preseason-ranked KSHSAA-sanctioned sport for four seasons, wrestlers at 125 or lighter. Prieto is hoping the and numbers have grown each year. Shawnee Buffs can build depth in the heavier weights. “Getting numbers out and staying healthy Mission Northwest head coach Zach Davies said, “One of our main team goals is to keep growing through the season,” he said, is the key to the women’s wrestling. We currently have two alum- Buffs’ goal of a state title. “One of our superstars ni wrestling in college, and it’s our goal to keep was involved in an accident this past summer and that going.” Olathe Northwest’s Doug Newcomb her health and recovery are still up in the air. If she wanted to get at least 20 girls on his team’s roster. is in the lineup, it will make us much better, but for Manhattan’s Shawn Bammes wanted to “increase right now her health is my main concern.” That is state-placer Julissa Rodriguez, who took numbers” for his Indians team. So did Blue Valley second in February at 120. However, junior Alyxia Southwest’s Cody Parks. All of those programs and the rest in 6-5A are Serrano returns after a sixth-place finish a year attempting to catch WASHBURN RURAL.The ago, and sophomores Kaira Acosta (100) and Junior Blues have built the three-time state ti- Emjay Marez (105) also were preseason-ranked. OLATHE NORTHWEST finished seventh at tle-winning program through overwhelming depth – winning last season without the benefit of a state as a team in February, but the Ravens are single individual champion – and this year does expected to make a jump this year, ranking third in not appear to be any different. The team loses the preseason poll. They return four wrestlers who three-time state placer Addison Broxterman, as made the podium in February, including a pair of well as state-placers in Alexis Fredrickson and seniors who have taken bronze twice: Chloe Ashley Schwarz, but return six other state-placers Harris (155) and Val Galligan (170), both who are under their only head coach in program history, expected to bump up a weight class this season. Harris is a USA Wrestling preseason All-American Damon Parker. “We are certainly going to have our work cut out after going 30-1 a year ago and is ranked second ON Girls Wrestling Twitter
Druzzla Johnson
Kaylan Hitchcock
Page 96 behind Olivia Stean of Bonner Springs at 170, who gave Harris her only loss in the state semifinals a year ago. The Ravens also return sophomore state qualifier Megan Vasquez (120) and junior two-time state qualifier Hailey Arthur (145). Despite not finishing in the top 10 of the team standings in February, MANHATTAN has cracked the preseason team rankings in sixth thanks to a pair of top-ranked wrestlers: freshman Kayla Cramer (120) and junior Sage Rosario (155). Rosario has the chance to become a four-time state champion after winning titles her first two years, including an undefeated run last year. The Indians also return sophomore state qualifier Alayna Slifer at 140. “Gaining experience and confidence throughout the year will be key to reaching our team goals,” coach Shawn Bammes said. While HAYS does not have a returning star like Manhattan’s Rosario, these Indians – who took sixth at state last season – do return a ton of depth in six state qualifiers and a pair of state-placers. Junior Tionna Napue is looking to avenge her loss in the finals a year ago as she’s returning off a 31-4 year that finished with a silver medal. She’s ranked third at 115 in this year’s first preseason poll. Meanwhile, senior Lexi Burton (140) returns after twice qualifying for the state tournament and a fifth-place finish in February. “The team’s goals for this year will be to finish in the top five at state and qualify at least eight into the state tournament,” head coach Heath Meder said. “The biggest key to success this year will be to build off what the girls accomplished last year. The WAC is one of the hardest leagues for girls wrestling and if we can continue to see success in our league it is no question we will see success at the end of the year.” OLATHE NORTH not only brings depth but also an individual state champion in Kaylan Hitchcock. Hitchcock, a junior, was 51-1 and won the title at 120 in February with three pins and an 8-0 major decision in the final. Hitchcock also took second in 2022 as a freshman. Senior Hailey Conley – a three-time state-placer – took home the silver at state last year and enters this season as the top-ranked 235 wrestler. Those two, along with four other state qualifiers, have head coach Dylan Hitchcock with his sights set on a top-three team finish at state. “Staying healthy and peaking in February” are the keys to the season, he said. BONNER SPRINGS finds its way into the 6-5A preseason rankings at No. 10 after scoring an individual title last season from Olivia Stean at 170 pounds. Stean was a perfect 43-0 last season and cruised to the gold with four first-round pins. The senior enters this season as the favorite at 170 once again, according to the preseason rankings, and is joined by sophomore teammate Addison Vogel, who is No. 5 at 155 to begin the year. KAPAUN MT. CARMEL also brings back good depth with six state qualifiers returning from an eighth-place team finish in February. Senior Jayla Johnson leads the way after taking the silver medal last year and is ranked atop the 140 pound class entering this year. Sophomore Taylor Barringer (105) also returns after fifth at state a year ago, as well as state-qualifiers Vy Do (125), Aalyra Arguelles (135), Chinyereugo Okafor (155) and Gianna Redcord (190). The Crusaders hope to “create a strong foundation for the future of our high school program while having fun and improving daily,” new head coach Quinton Burgess said. OLATHE WEST brings back some depth but
6-5A GIRLS
might get an even bigger boost from a returning state qualifier who was injured last season and a new wrestler from out-of-state. The returning depth is led by senior Marissa Brown, who took sixth at state a season ago at 100. They also have junior Ileen Sanabria-Baez returning after she qualified for state in 2022 before falling one win short of qualifying at regionals a year ago. Joining those two is senior Gianna Garcia-Campos (115), who qualified in 2022 but was injured for the 2023 state tournament, and transfer Maci Pearson, who took second at the Oregon state tournament at 135 a season ago. The Owls want “to improve the little things day by day so we’re wrestling our best in February, and to wrestle hard, score points and have fun,” new head coach Mike McLaughlin said. The DERBY girls have three-time state-placer and two-time state champion Amara Ehsa returning as the favorite at 110 once again. Ehsa went 34-2 last season and pinned all four of her state tournament opponents in a dominant run to the title. But that is it in terms of state experience for the Panthers and head coach Kelly Heincker. BASEHOR-LINWOOD brings back quite a bit of state experience with five state qualifiers leading the way into 2023-24 and will combine that with a good mix of new faces. “This is a really exciting group,” head coach Jay Johnston said. “We have a lot of talented young wrestlers, especially with the influx of freshmen with club experience, and a mix of experienced veterans.” The Ladycats will be led by senior Chloie Knapp at 170 – she’s a two-time state qualifier. They also have juniors Karla Barrios (115), a state-qualifier last season, and Claire Vanderwiede (155 or 170), who qualified her freshman year. They also return sophomore Makayla Faulkner (145) and Izzy Renfro (190), a pair of state qualifiers. “The Ladycats will definitely rely on our veterans for leadership with all of our young wrestlers,” Johnston said. BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST returns three state qualifiers as well as a sixth-place finisher. Morgan Miller took sixth at state at 190 in February, and will lead the T-Wolves this season. She is joined by 2023 state qualifier Haley Flores (155) after a 30-12 season, and then 2022 qualifiers Karoline Kendall (130) and Brynn Lowe (135). “We have shown steady improvement on the mat,” head coach Cody Parks said. “We hope to continue to improve and grow the program as a whole with good numbers and great families.” CAMPUS is looking to grow its program as well – and has a program-first goal in mind: “qualify multiple girls for the state tournament for the first time in school history,” head coach Jacob Allen said. The Colts do not return a single state qualifier this year, and only senior Natalie Puentes (105) had a winning record of those who do return, but Allen has his eyes set on a big improvement. “The key is going to be consistency and intensity from our athletes – we want to score often and early,” Allen said. “We are looking to new freshmen and girls new to the program to help boost numbers and raise our competition in the room.” Like Campus, HUTCHINSON is short on state qualifiers this year, with senior Miranda Sanders (140, 12-1) leading the pack of three juniors (Madalynn Hernandez, 120; Nevaeh Kellar, 155; continued on page 98
Danielle Cummings
4-1A GIRLS
Page 97 runner-up performance a year ago and closed out the season at 27-3 overall. She previously took fifth and third place in her first two state appearances. Joining High in the Orioles lineup will be junior Harley Dehner (11-9) at 170. After finishing as the Pioneer League runner-up last season, BURLINGTON will be shooting for the top spot in the league this season while making a move up the ladder in 4-1A. Michael Vander Linden begins his second season as head coach of the Wildcats. He will have some experience back in the lineup, led by two-time state qualifier Johanna Carrasco, a senior, at 190. Last year, Carrasco went 35-5 and took fourth place at state. Another two-time state qualifier is Liv Lyons (33-13), a junior, at 120. They will be joined in the lineup by qualifier Haylei Potter (31-18), another junior, at 130. Two other individuals return to the lineup in junior Carlee Cole (25-13) at 155 and sophomore Jaylin Reppert (22-15) at 110. “The key for us is buying in to the extra side of things,” Vander Linden said. “Everyone does what it takes to get to the podium. Those who reach it do the extra things.” Tied for 21st place in 4-1A last year, CHAPMAN will be led by defending 110-pound state champion Alyssa Calovich. The sophomore made a splash last season as a freshman, finishing 22-3 and taking the top spot in her weight class. She is one of two qualifiers returning for fifth-year head coach Zach Lucas and the Irish, joining junior Taya Rowley (26-10) at 140. Senior Aly Brown also returns at 155 after a shortened junior campaign due to injury. “Our goal is to make every practice count,” Lucas said. “We had injuries last year that kept some of our girls out of competition for an extended period of time, so our goal is to stay healthy and practice hard. We have been recruiting our halls like crazy, so having more girls in the room will increase the level of competition. We have some grizzled vets that will help the new batch of incoming wrestlers, which is going to be something that will help our team succeed this year.” Senior Kinzie Rogers will lead the way for CHASE COUNTY this season. The two-time state qualifier is coming off a 23-10 campaign that included a fifth-place finish at 110 pounds. Secondyear head coach Ashia Passmore also welcomes back junior Lexi Taylor at 155. “We are trying to grow our women’s team,” Passmore said. “We want to qualify at least one for state. We will be finding good practice partners that push and motivate each other to be better.” CHERRYVALE, which finished as the Tri-Valley League runner-up a year ago, has two key figures back in its lineup. Casey Lickteig, now in his eighth year as head coach of the Chargers, returns a pair of senior state placers. Wrestling at 130 will be Zoey Kessler, who capped off a 22-2 season with a third-place finish in 4-1A. Taylor Plumley is at 170 after a 20-6 record and sixthplace finish at state. Kessler and Plumley are defending league champs. “Our goal is getting more numbers and working hard,” Lickteig said. “We need the vets stepping up and leading the young girls coming in.” Second-year head coach Edgar Roman hopes to continue the growth in the CIMARRON program this season. The Bluejays welcome back three-time state qualifier Veronica Greene for her senior campaign. A season ago, she finished 2410 overall. She previously took sixth at state. “The team goal is to have a higher team GPA and to improve every match by trying something
Reese Clements
Chanute, Senior
Colby Wrestling Facebook
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 as head coach at SVHS. The Vikings are coming off a season in which they were third in the Central Kansas League, runner-up at the regional tournament and 12th overall at state. They enter the new By Brian Thomas, Montgomery Co. Chronicle season picked third in the KWCA preseason rankJust three years after the boys captured a state ings. Keira Mullen returns for her senior campaign championship, Chanute claimed its first-ever title after a spectacular junior season that included in girls wrestling. The Blue Comets took first place a 26-6 record and state championship perforat the 4-1A state tournament in Salina, edging out mance at 135 pounds. Another state placer, junior runner-up Rossville. Kenzlie Crain, returns at 115 after going 36-8 and CHS closed things out with 88 points to earn finishing sixth at state. Other qualifiers back in the the top spot ahead of Rossville at 73. Rounding lineup include junior Taytum Reed (22-15) at 120 out the top 10 in the final standings were Baldwin and sophomore Sara McCullick (9-16) at 105. in third with 70, Santa Fe Trail and Pratt tied for “We have good experience in the lineup,” Elliott fourth at 66, Hoisington in sixth at 64, Columbus in said. “The numbers are lower, so we are looking seventh at 61, Buhler in eighth at 53, Oskaloosa in to fill as many weight classes as possible.” ninth at 52 and Winfield in 10th at 49. PRATT has produced top girls’ teams since Many of those same teams are found in the KSHSAA sanctioned the sport four years ago and preseason rankings by the Kansas Wrestling are again expected to challenge for a team trophy. Coaches Association. Rossville is the favorite to The Greenbacks enter the season with just two win it all this season, followed by Chanute in secranked wrestlers – junior Wendy Candia (third at ond, Smoky Valley third, Pratt fourth, Girard fifth, 130) and senior Keimarla Thompson (third at 135) Goodland sixth, Paola seventh, Winfield eighth, – but only two of Pratt’s seven total qualifiers a Santa Fe Trail ninth at Chapman 10th. season ago graduated. Candia was fourth at 135 CHANUTE will be shooting for a second a season ago (39-6) and Thompson was third at straight state championship this season. The Blue 140 (40-8). Comets’ run to a state title a year ago was a bit of a Finishing fourth at the state tournament last year surprise as they entered regional competition unwas SANTA FE TRAIL. The Chargers will return a ranked by the KWCA. After winning the Southeast total of seven wrestlers to the lineup for first-year Kansas League championship, they captured the coach Tyler Gonzales. In addition to state, SFTHS title of the Coffeyville regional tournament to carry also took second place at the regional tournament plenty of momentum into state competition. CHS and was third in the Pioneer League. Six state had a successful event as four of its five qualiqualifiers return this season, including two that fiers placed in the top five, and all five qualifiers placed in the top four — senior Hailee Crossland had at least two state wins. Nick Nothern returns (36-1), who took third place at 145; and sophofor his third season in charge of the program. He more Audry Johnson (27-11), who was fourth at welcomes back three wrestlers that placed in the 100 but will now be competing at 105. Two-time top five of state last season — senior Kadynce qualifier Madison Adkins (25-7), a junior, is back Axelson at 120, senior Reese Clements at 130 at 115. Other qualifiers back are Kaysha Florence and sophomore Kiley Dillow at 170. Clements (30-17) at 125, sophomore Morgan Pickering (31has placed three times at state, including sixth at 14) at 155, and sophomore Addalyn Michaelis 109 as a freshman, fourth at 120 as a sophomore (18-17) at 170. Another returning wrestler is seand third at 125 last year as a junior. Axelson is a nior Alexis Kelly at 120. two-time state placer, finishing sixth at 115 in 2022 “We want to grow the sport participation withand fifth a year ago at 120. Dillow capped off her in the school, win 80 percent of our duals, win freshman campaign a year ago with a third-place League, finish top five at regionals and get all finish at 170. regional entrants to state,” Gonzales said. “It will “Our goal is to bring home another team trophy take a positive attitude. We must build confidence from state,” Nothern said. “The keys for us will be through our training and be confident through our our returning leadership and having our undermotivation, dedication, and commitment to the classmen stepping up.” craft in order to accomplish our goals.” After finishing as the runner-up a year ago, Two qualifiers returns for BUHLER following ROSSVILLE looks to make that push to the top the team’s eighth-place finish at state last seathis season. The Bulldawgs will be under the son. First-year head coach Travis Mullen will be direction of first-year coach Bryce Gfeller. There looking to sophomores Kimber Crabbs (27-5) at will be experience back in the lineup this sea105 and Macey Parks (28-15) at 140. Both of son with the return of a trio of three-time state those individuals advance to state in their first qualifiers. Leading the way is three-time state year of competition at the high school level. One champion Kendra Hurla, a senior, who claimed other returning wrestler for the Crusaders is junior the 120-pound title a year ago to cap off a 27-1 Kennedee Applegate (21-15) at 125. season. Finishing as the runner-up at 115 pounds “We want to grow the girls’ team and get some was Keera Lacock. After placing fourth as sophomore state qualifiers,” Mullen said. more, the senior took second place in her weight Rounding out the top 10 of state last season class last season to close out a 33-2 campaign. was OSKALOOSA, who are under the direction Senior Haylie Horton (32-7) also returns at 155 of head coach Chris King. The Bears have a key after placing third last season and fourth one year piece of their lineup back this season in two-time earlier as a sophomore. state champion Holly Thacher. Last year, she set “We want to win a team regional title and also a school record with a 52-3 mark as a junior en a team state title,” Gfeller said. “We have to buy route to the 105-pound title. That came one year in. If our seniors can buy in to what we’re trying to after winning it all at 100 a year earlier. She may accomplish, then they can lead by example for the wrestle at the 110 spot this season. lower classmen.” “We want to take multiple girls to state and place Experience will be key for SMOKY VALLEY as multiple girls at state,” King said. the Vikings return four state qualifiers from last Three-time state placer Jill High returns for her year’s squad. Ben Elliott begins his 19th season senior season at AUGUSTA. High is coming off a
Amanda Jaeger
Colby, Senior
new,” Roman said. “We want to get out of our comfort zone.” A pair of three-time state qualifiers return to the lineup for COLBY. Cole Garcia, now in his first year as head coach, will look to defending 130-pound state champion Amanda Jaeger, a senior who went 32-1 a year ago, to lead. In mid-November she signed to wrestle at Fort Hays after high school. Last season, the Eagles took fourth place as a team in the Great West Activities Conference and fourth in the regional tournament en route to a 24th-place finish at state. “We want a trophy at state,” Garcia said of team goals. “We need to build our numbers up to get more girls involved. We also need our seniors to lead by example and help bring our freshmen along throughout the year.” Former Chanute coach Andy Albright moves over to FRONTENAC to coach the girls there this season. He’ll have four experienced wrestlers in the room this season in junior Pyper Lough (130), and sophomores Abby Albright (115), Kylin Perry (145) and Andrea Wood (120). “If we can realize we need to enjoy the challenges we face in wrestling it will keep us scoring points in matches,” Albright said. “I am also very excited about our freshman class; they are full of talent. Harper Holmes and Mya Courtney bring lots of USA wrestling experience to our room so that will help everyone in the room.” HALSTEAD has some experience back this season with the return of three state qualifiers. Joshua Ortiz begins his third year as head coach for a Dragon squad that took fifth place in the Central Kansas League. Back in the lineup will be sophomore Mariah Swarts (34-14) at 120, junior Kahlyn Davis (14-26) at 135 and senior Faye Thompson (13-16) at 235. All three of those individuals bring state experience back for HHS this season. Also look for freshman Callyn Divine to make an impact coming in at either 125 or 130. continued on page 106
Brian Turrel/Wyadotte Daily News
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Kamahni Jackson
J.C. Harmon, Junior
6-5A Girls Wrestling / from page 96 and Maleigha Bornholdt, 170) and one sophomore (Sophia Zwickl, 130) returners. Head coach Dane Edwards said his Salthawks have the simple goal to “work hard every day.” It seems JC HARMON’s Matt Langhofer has a concise goal for this season: “Win!” He returns junior Kamahni Jackson (135), who took sixth at state in 2022, and third in 2023. EMPORIA has its target set on a team plaque as the Lady Spartans return five state qualifiers and a pair of state-placers. Senior Virginia Munoz is the most accomplished, qualifying for state in all three of her previous seasons and taking fourth in 2021 and second in 2022, before failing to place in February. She will wrestle at 140 this season. Senior Katina Keosybounheuang qualified for state two times, and took sixth at 120 in 2023. Junior Breanna Wolf (190), and sophomores Kensley Madrano (125) and Alexa Castillo (235) also return as state qualifiers. GREAT BEND is looking to join Dodge City as the only west team to win a state team title, head coach Gannon Reichert said. “The goal is always a first-place team finish with as many individual champs as possible,” he said. The Panthers return three state qualifiers and two state placers. Senior Daisy Gomez finished her junior campaign fourth place at state, and sophomores Kaylea McMullen and Natalee Daniels qualified and return this year. “Creating explosive, intense athletes with solid wrestling fundamentals,” is the key to the season, Reichert said. JUNCTION CITY not only returns state qualifiers, but a trio of state placers. The Blue Jays bring back 115-pound state champion Bre Villanueva, as well as third-place Jaidyn Alvarado (100) and
Page 98
build team chemistry, and be competitive in each fifth-place Charly Goodwin (125). The goal for Hi-Plains League / from page 67 Junction City this year, head coach Aryus Jones STANTON COUNTY ended the season 16-6 contest,” head coach Casey Finlay said. WICHITA COUNTY finished 19-5 last season said, is a top-five team finish at state, and the keys after a second round 48-42 sub-state upset at are, “understanding good position and patience.” the hands of Oakley. Sophomore Avery Scott after a 36-30 first round state tournament OLATHE SOUTH features a pair of preseason (13.2 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.9 spg, 3.4 bpg) defeat at the hands of Hillsboro. The Indians ranked wrestlers in senior Nicole Redmond, top- and senior Halle Waldron (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.9 entered their sub-state as a one-seed and had ranked at 115, and Justice Thomas, who is ranked apg, 2.7 spg) were top producers for the Trojans no issues making it through for an appearance at Bramlage beating Sublette, Elkhart, and No. 3 at 155. Redmond won the 130-pound divi- during that campaign. sion a year ago with a 52-1 overall record. SUBLETTE hired Gary Page as their new Oakley all by at least 11 points each. Back from SALINA CENTRAL senior Lydia Dong is shoot- head coach after going 2-19 a season ago. The that varsity rotation are seniors Megan Ricke ing for a state championship in her final try after Larks graduated their top two producers in All- (13.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and Erika Terrequiz (2.8 qualifying three times and placing second a sea- League selections Clarysa Webber and Rachel ppg), juniors Ashlynn Ricke (8.8 ppg, 2.2 apg) and Sammy Medina (6.3 ppg), and sophomore son ago (125, 25-7) and sixth as a freshman. She Froese last spring. enters the year ranked third in a brutal 130-pound SYRACUSE finished the season 7-14 and Breanna Ricke (7.2 ppg). “Our keys to success will be to outwork our class. Two of last season’s four Lady Mustang return three starters from that group in senior state qualifiers graduated. Alex Housholder, junior Emily Pena-Montes, and opponents every day,” head coach Bryce Nickelson said. “Our pressure mentality is our SALINA SOUTH sophomore enters the season sophomore Kimber Thomeczeck. as the top-ranked wrestler at 100 pounds after a “Looking to improve on last season’s record, identity. We will never let our opponents rest.” 4-3 loss in the state final a season ago leaving her as state runner-up with a 24-4 record. SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST is led by junior Mia Butler, who won her region a year ago at 125 and did not place at state, but enters the season fourth at 125. Also back is state qualifier Hannah Mott at 170 (though, she intends to graduate at the semester, head coach Zach Davies said), as well as sophomore state qualifiers Kenzie Etim (235) and Calla Hardison (110). SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH has a pair of preseason ranked wrestlers in sophomore Stella Segura (fourth at 115) and junior Sevyn Donovan (third at 145). Both returning are state placers as Segura was third at 110 and Donovan fifth at 145. SHAWNEE MISSION WEST has senior Ella Weber back after her bronze medal a year ago at 120. She is ranked second at that weight. WICHITA WEST returns state champion senior Druzzla Johnson. The 190-pound standout was a MEADE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL perfect 28-0 a year ago and swept the title with a pair of pins, one major decision and an 8-2 win. WICHITA SOUTHEAST brings back not only a state placer, but has four wrestlers in the preseason rankings to begin the year. Alivia Wilson took sixth at 110 a year ago, and the senior enters this year fourth at that weight. Teammates TaNayaih Hunt, Aveiyeah Wilson and Kyra Cole also appear in the preseason rankings. Hunt, a senior, is fourth at 100; sophomore Aveiyeah Wilson is sixth at 105; and Cole, a junior, is fourth at 170. WICHITA NORTH matches that with four wrestlers of in the preseason rankings. Junior Xitlaly Meraz is fifth at 115, senior Anisa Moreno is third at 140, senior Jaycee Tyler is fourth at 145 and FALL • WINTER • SPRING sophomore Aariyah Jackson is sixth at 170. Tyler Brought to you by the Meade Booster Club took bronze at 140 in February and Meraz was ULYSSES, KS KS GOODLAND, KS SYRACUSE, WHEELER, KS KS COLBY, KSOAKLEY, KS SUBLETTE, KS JOHNSON, ULYSSES, KS KS ULYSSES, WHEELER, KS fourth at 115. 2718 West Oklahoma1100 Ave.US-50 | Toll | Free: (620)800-356-3460 384-7421 | 620-356-3460
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 SPIAA / from page 83 Molly Murphy (5-8, 3.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), juniors Tessa Irsik (6.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.5 apg), Mea Alexander (5-5, 12.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, Kami Whipple (4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.1 apg) and 2.7 spg) and Isabel Hackney (5-5, 4.1 ppg, 5.7 Elly Jo Tancayo (10.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.4 spg, 2.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.5 spg), and sophomores Kassidy apg), along with All-League sophomore Olivia Lee (5-7, 5.9 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.9 spg) and Stein (9.8 ppg, 12.9 rpg) from last year’s starting Logann Patterson (5-7, 2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2 apg, lineup. Head coach Terra Simon noted teamwork 1.9 spg). and development of younger players as key for “Staying healthy will prove to be a huge benefit her team. to the team this year,” Howell said. “Injuries hurt KIOWA COUNTY took fourth in regular season us all year, but we got healthy in the playoffs and league standing and sixth in the tournament with made a run to the sub-state finals. We return an overall record of 14-9. No starters return for three full-time starters and two more who were head coach Marcus Mitchell as he enters year part-time starters last year. These girls must step three in charge of the program. up and take more of a leadership role this year to “It’s going to be tough to replace seven seniors replace the loss of two starters. Alexander was from last season, and junior Hannah Greenleaf second team All-League last year and Hackney will be the lone returner from an eight man ro- was All-League Defensive Team, so these girls tation,” Mitchell said. “Having to replace a three will be counted on heavily.” SOUTH GRAY entered sub-state as a threeyear starting point guard, Raygan Heft is the biggest hole we need to fill by committee. The fresh- seed and proceeded to dispatch Satanta, man trio of Hallie Frazier, MaKenzie Gilkey, and Spearville, and Hodgeman County on their way Sayre Hassiepen will make an immediate impact to a state tournament berth. The Rebels weren’t this year. Adele Janssen and Ava Little will see able to overcome eventual third place finishers minutes as our posts this year. Our success will Frankfort in the first round at state, however, depend on staying healthy, freshmen adjusting and finished 17-7. Senior Vi Helm and junior to the speed of the game, and our guard play Allie Reed both earned All-League for that team, on both sides –especially defense – of the ball along with Halli Meairs who graduated in the since we are undersized and have low depth at spring. the post position. We hope to make up for what First year head coach Carson Konrade helped we lack in size and experience with our athleti- lead SPEARVILLE to second place finishes in cism and aggressiveness.” regular season and tournament SPIAA play, MEADE was upset in the first round of sub- holding a final mark of 15-7 after a second round state by Oakley in a 55-51 contest and finished sub-state loss to South Gray. All-State sophothe season 13-9. Cross country and track coach more Faith Ackerman is the lone returning starter Garrett Daugherty adds girls basketball to his list from that group as Konrade looks to fill in spots of coaching duties this season and welcomes around her. juniors Dallas Sherman (8 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Charity Powell (7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.9 spg) and senior Carlie Martin (12.3 ppg, 2.9 spg) back to provide a strong trio of players with varsity experience. “We return a strong core to our main rotation,” Daugherty said. “We look to build off some of our successes from last year and improve in our weaknesses. Our goal is to steadily play better and work harder each day we get a ball in our hands, and play our best basketball at the end of the year.” MINNEOLA finished 10-11 with a 3-8 record in league play last season. Maiya Shelor (5-3, 10.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg), Ava Vinton (5-5, 3.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg), and Braegen Shelor (5-0, 5.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1 spg) return from that starting lineup as former assistant Jim Nelson takes over coaching duties for the Hodgeman County, Senior Wildcats. “Our goals this year center around playing every game to the best of our ability, and improving every day,” Nelson said. “The keys to our success this year will be working well together as a team, encouraging one another, keeping each other accountable, and our more experienced girls providing mentorship to our younger girls.” SATANTA ended up 3-19 after a first round sub-state loss to state-qualifier South Gray. SOUTH CENTRAL went 13-11 with a 6-5 mark in league play that left them in fifth place. Timberwolves coach Scott Howell returns senior Everett Royer/KSportsImages.com
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Page 99 Flint Hills League / from page 61 CHASE COUNTY finished 5-2 in league play and fourth in the Flint Hills League tournament to go with an overall record of 14-9. Senior Lilly Hinkson (5-10), junior Avery Beyer (5-2), and sophomore Madelyn Wilson (6-2) return from that starting lineup as first year high school head coach Clayton Happy takes over the program. “Growing together as a team under a new coaching staff,” Happy said of team keys. “We plan to form a family-like environment that will be cohesive and successful, building a culture of hard work, camaraderie, and trust.” A young, seven-seed COUNCIL GROVE finished 5-16 after a first round sub-state loss to two-seed Neodesha. Back from that team are juniors Shanyn Miller and Casaiia Mullen along with sophomores Marlee Gant, Liliana Blackledge, and Hayley Grant. Former Inman head volleyball and basketball coach Megan Heckel takes over a LYNDON program that finished 9-13 a season ago and returns two impact players in senior Taylor Thompson (10 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and All-League sophomore Allie Kneisler (12.6 ppg, 1.6 spg). “One goal for this year is to improve on fundamentals,” Heckel said. “I am a big believer that the little things go a long way. Another thing is to be good teammates. Being a good teammate is encouraging each other, cheering for each other, being coachable and keeping one another accountable.” MISSION VALLEY put together a strong 18-5 campaign with league tournament and regular season Flint Hills titles at 6-1. The Vikings then came one game short of a state tournament
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berth, not quite able to overcome St. Marys in that sub-state title game. Back from that team are juniors Adaline Bloomfield (5-6, 11.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3.9 spg) and Kyplee Jacobson (7.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.2 spg), and sophomore Lillie Foster (5-6, 6.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.8 spg). “We’d like to continue improving throughout the season, so we are playing our best at the end,” head coach Ben Packard said. “In 2021-2022, we went 14-9 and made it to state for the first time in about 40 years. Last year, we went 18-5 which tied the second most wins in school history.” NORTHERN HEIGHTS was eliminated in the first round of the sub-state tournament by top seed Hillsboro and finished the year 7-15. All-League graduates Teagan Hines and Kailyn Schlimme will be missed in the varsity rotation. OSAGE CITY posted a 12-10 overall record with a 6-1 league mark, taking second in both regular season standings and the FHL tournament. The Indians return five players with starting experience, including seniors Campbell Stark (13.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.3 bpg) and Jorjia Kitselman (6.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg), juniors Sadie Shoemaker (4.4 ppg) and Lexi Boss (3.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg), and sophomore Emory Speece (9.2 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.1 spg). Other Key returners include senior Callie Lane, and sophomores Jewelia Kitselman, Peyton Pitts, and Addison Watson. WEST FRANKLIN finished 2-18 last year, but has an experienced cast back with senior Katie Cameron (5.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), and juniors Emma Leach (2 ppg, 2 apg), Madison Scott (8.6 ppg, 7 rpg), and Rylee Smith (3.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) looking to gain some traction this winter.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 Lyon County League / from page 68
An undefeated LEBO squad plowed their way through sub-state and the first two rounds of 1A-DII state with all victories coming by double-digits. The Wolves faced fellow undefeated program Hanover in the finals and weren’t able to knock off the Wildcats, losing 59-34 and finishing the season 25-1. Senior Audrey Peek and junior Saige Hadley both earned All-League honors and if coach Patrick Gardner can fill the gap left by graduated standout Brooklyn Jones the Wolves should again be among the best teams in the state. Junior Abi Jones and senior Kate Ott also return to the starting lineup and Gardner says the duo excels on defense. “Both players are hard nose defenders taking on opponents’ best guards and post players to defend. I’m looking for both players to take another step offensively this season. Gardner wants his squad to “remain consistent on the offensive side of the ball with controlling the basketball and limiting turnovers” and “continue to put pressure on the basektball without fouling and provide good backside help with the ability to scramble on defense.” MADISON/HAMILTON took third in both regular season and tournament league play and finished 18-4 overall. Back from that team are All-State junior Jalynn Weakley (5-10, 17 ppg, 9 rpg) and sophomore Caylin Luthi (5-5, 7 ppg, 4 apg) as the Tigers look to restock a lineup hit hard by graduation. “Our goal is to compete for a league championship and for a trip to the state tournament,” coach Bill Nienstedt said. MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY finished 13-8 overall with a 3-4 record in LCL play earning fifth place finishes in the LCL regular season and league tournament. Three starters are back from that team in All-State sophomore Akyra Traver (5-5, 17 ppg, 6 rpg), All-League sophomore Gracen Stahl (5-11, 13 ppg, 8 rpg), and senior Olivia Lacey (5-9, 6 ppg, 5.5 rpg). “The Lady Trojans look to build off last year’s 13-8 season as they return three starters in senior Olivia Lacey and sophomores Akyra Traver and Gracen Stahl,” head coach Mike McDougald said. “Senior Haylea Bethel and sophomores Ella Reed, Catayah Thompson, Colbie Cormode and Kadence Masenthin return
Page 100 and will be counted on until the freshman and newcomers gain experience. Developing depth and team chemistry will be important as the Lady Trojans play in the always tough Lyon County League and hope to improve on their fifth place finish last season. Tough non-conference games with Mission Valley, Chase County, Lyndon and West Franklin of the Flint Hills League will prepare the Lady Trojans for the postseason.” OLPE narrowly slipped past Madison in the sub-state finals by a score of 50-46 to make a state tournament appearance. The Eagles season then ended in the first round at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City after a 57-47 loss to Quinter. Seniors Kadey Robert, Milly Bailey, and Lilly Skalsky each earned All-State and All-League honors for veteran college and high school head coach Ron Slaymaker. SOUTHERN COFFEY COUNTY saw their season come to an end in the second round of sub-state after a 61-37 defeat at the hands of St. Paul, ending the year at 11-10. The Titans likely have replacing the production of All-League selections Josie Weers and Jalea True at the top of their todo list. WAVERLY ended the season 6-15 overall with a 1-6 mark in league and finished sixth in both league regular season and tournament play. Head coach Ty Piper brings back four returning starters in senior Addison Miller (5-6, 5 ppg, 2 spg, 1 rpg), juniors Josie Romig (5-9, 8 ppg, 4 spg, 2 apg, 6 rpg), Allie Stukey (5-3, 4 ppg), and sophomore Kate Wagner (5-9, 3 ppg, 5 rpg)
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“We are very excited for this season at Waverly,” head coach Ty Piper said. “Expectations remain high after a down year. We have a good balance of experience and youth, and should be much more balanced offensively than we have been in the past couple of years. We return a lot of experience from last year, and should be deeper than in the past.”
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Page 101 coach Audrey Marshall and the Tigers didn’t win a game, going 0-20. Despite that, there is optimism with four starters back in senior Chloe Curl (8 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 spg, 2 bpg), juniors Clarissa Sianuqui (5-4, 9 ppg, 5 apg, 4 spg) and Natalya Sifuentes (5-5), and sophomore Yoselyn Lerma (5-6). “We didn’t win a game last season but our girls have experienced a lot of success in their spring season of last school year and their fall season this year,” coach Marshall said. “Our goal is to pick up where they left off and keep their success going.”
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 Great West Activities Conference / from page 63 finished third in 4A last season. Since true point, and a great leader for us. We then a talented senior class also graduated, have several girls waiting for their turn. Haley but senior Abigail Slocum (9 ppg, played seven Blochlinger and Jacelyn are both seniors now games before injury), junior Ella Beesley, and who have been waiting for their chance and sophomore Emily Tinoco (3.4 ppg) make for a have been key contributors for us as back-ups. solid foundation. “I have big shoes to fill taking over for Coach Looking forward to seeing what they can do this year. As well, we have a solid group of younger Adigun, and before him coach Gillen,” Slocum players ready and excited to keep things going. said. “Hugoton Lady Eagles basketball has a We may have a few up and downs early as we long tradition of winning, I’m excited for this work with a new group of players, but we will opportunity and hope I am able to continue that be striving to pull it all together and be there at tradition.” SCOTT COMMUNITY finished 8-13 last the end of the year. I’m really excited about this season. Entering head coach Amy Felker’s upcoming season and our team.” HOLCOMB took fifth in the GWAC with a 2-4 fourth season with the program and 21st overall record last season with an overall mark of 13-9. as a head coach the Beavers bring back seniors A deep group returns from that squad, including Erika Felker (5-6, 13.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1 seniors Jera Kruleski (5-7, 14.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.3 spg) and Cheyenne Cramer (5-9, 3.3 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.7 spg) and Brooklyn Deniston (5-5, 4.6 rpg), and junior Kendall Gentry (5-3, 4.7 ppg, 2.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.5 apg), juniors Halle Jones (5-6, rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 apg) from that starting lineup, 14.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.9 spg) and Kalyn along with juniors Avery Lewis (5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, King (5-5, 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.4 spg), 1.5 apg) and Megan Trout (5-10, 1.6 ppg, 2.5 and sophomore Isabella Galliart (5-3, 7.4 ppg, rpg) from the varsity rotation. “Stay focused every game and want to win 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg). “Every year, we look to improve on the season attitude,” Felker said of team keys, adding “win before,” head coach Andrea Ardery said. “The the rebound war every game, be a team, and put GWAC was stacked last year with 4A Hugoton each other before ourselves.” In her first season with ULYSSES, head taking third at state, and 3A Goodland defending their state title from the year before. We want to continue the tradition of quality basketball within our league and represent Holcomb basketball at the highest level.” Kingman, Lindsborg, Lyons New head coach Gentry Slocum Osage City, Medicine Lodge takes over for highly successful sixPhillipsburg whitesfoodliner.com season coach Emmanuel Adigun after St. John, Scott City HUGOTON posted a 19-6 record and
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2.2 spg), and Tinley Rentschler (6-0, 4.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.7 spg). We feel like we can challenge for the MCL title and make a run into the postseason,” Linn said. “There are some very good teams that stand in the way so it will be very tough. Adding depth to our returning senior group and molding them into a blue collar transition type team (is key).” TMP-MARIAN finished 15-8 overall with an 8-3 record in the MCL. Back from that group for head coach Rose McFarland are juniors Gracyn Schippers (5-10, 6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg), Brooke Koenigsman (5-7, 11.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.1 spg), and sophomore Claire Schippers (5-8, 4.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.1 spg). McFarland called “staying health and daily improvements” as her team’s keys to success. TREGO finished 9-13 last season after a first round sub-state upset over Ellis, followed by a defeat at the hands of sub-state champs Hoxie in the second round. Senior Annabelle Malsam and junior Reece Smith are back from that starting lineup as new head coach Lance Ziegler takes over after Shelby Crawford led the team to a 42-25 record over four seasons.
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Mid-Continent League / from page 69 of the year. The Panthers overcame Silver Lake in the consolation round 58-45 and finished the season 25-1. Head coach Rachel Miller has the tall task of replacing one of the best players in program history in Taryn Sides (K-State) along with the rest of a talented senior group. Juniors Kayla Jacobs (5-6, 6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg) and Karissa Keeten (5-5, 5.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3 apg) are back from that starting lineup along with rotation players, junior Brynn Billings (5-9, 2.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and sophomore Chloe VanDerVeen (5-7). “Though smaller this season, our team still has great speed as a team strength,” head coach Rachel Miller said. “Our team values defense and will work hard to turn defense into quick offense. This team is determined to remain a force in the MCL, undoubtedly one of the toughest conferences in the state.” PLAINVILLE managed one win that came in MCL play against Russell and finished 1-21 overall. Entering his second year with the team, head coach Rick Bice returns sophomores Nadalyn Ganoung (5-5), Emma Fuzzell (5-5), and senior Jolyn Johnson (5-9) from that starting lineup. “Our goals as a team are to get better and to become more knowledgeable of the game,” Bice said. “Our key to success will be having a seasoned point guard that will better our offensive flow.” RUSSELL went 2-20 last season with both wins coming in league play against Plainville. Despite that, the Broncos have reason for optimism as they return four starters in juniors Kelvie Reeves (5-5, 8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.3 apg), Aubrey Birney (5-9, 4.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Taylor Birney (5-4, 4.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.9 apg), and senior Harlee Donovan (5-9, 5.4 ppg, 1.2 spg), while adding All-State senior and Wilson High transfer Anna Thielen (5-5, 15.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.8 spg, 2.1 apg). “We will need to become a tighter unit in order to become successful and have confidence that we can play hard for 32 minutes,” head coach Tyson Revell said. After going 10-1 in league play and capturing a regular season silver and tournament bronze in the MCL, SMITH CENTER went on to face an upset in the sub-state finals game at the hands of Hoxie and ended the year at 19-4. Head coach Nick Linn returns four senior starters in Camryn Hutchinson (5-5, 5.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.5 spg), Gracie Kirchhoff (58, 10.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.3 spg), Dakota Kattenberg (5-8, 13.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 4.5 apg,
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Page 103 Western Athletic Conference / from page 89 from that starting lineup. “We are returning our leading scorer, Mersadie Spray, along with all other starters and strong senior leadership this season,” head coach Cindy Beck said. “We will be looking to some underclassmen as well to add depth and competition for positions. Consistency will be key on both ends of the court and good team cohesiveness. We look to compete in every game, and find ways to finish and win.” Fourth year head coach Len Melvin led HAYS to a 14-8 overall mark with a 5-3 record and third place WAC finish. Melvin returns juniors Molly Martin (5-7, 12 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.2 spg, All-League) and Katie Linenberger (6-0, 7.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1 spg) from last year’s starting lineup. “Staying healthy, playing great defense, and getting our young kids settled into their roles are our keys to success,” Melvin said. LIBERAL was 18-4 overall and took second in the WAC last season. Coach Brandi Fowler enters her fourth year (50-16) and returns seniors Elle Hatcher (4.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Hailey Contreras (12 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.8 spg), juniors Hannah McCarter (.7 ppg), Zoey Torres (2.6 ppg) and Kamilah Delgado (.9 ppg, 1 rpg), and sophomore Shamri Lewis (5.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.7 spg) from that varsity rotation. Fowler noted “defense and rebounding” as keys to success.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 Western Kansas Liberty League / from page 90 WESKAN finished 11-12 as a KSHSAA Approved School last season and is now Jenner said. REXFORD-GOLDEN PLAINS finished 19-4 returning to full KSHSAA status as a 1A-DII after a sub-state finals loss to Wallace County. program. WESTERN PLAINS finished 5-16 in head Back from that starting lineup are All-State senior Jordyn Fleckenstein (5-10, 10 ppg, 6 rpg) coach Joe Spangler’s first season. Seniors and classmate Emma Weiner (5-5, 4 ppg, 3 apg, Lilly Payne, junior Kalihan Flax (7 ppg), and 4 rpg), along with junior Hayden Wark (5-5, 3 sophomores Madelyn Kraus (13 ppg) and ppg, 2 rpg) and sophomore Anais Capeda (5-5) Rebecca Strickler (3 ppg) return from last year’s varsity squad. from the varsity bench. “We want to compete in every game and be “With only two returning starters and a couple of girls with varsity experience returning it will be there at the end of as many games as possible,” a season of learning and improving,” head coach Spangler said. “We want to work hard and try Parker Christensen said. “Will need our young to out-hustle our opponents with our speed. We girls to develop quickly for us to be competitive.” need to shoot the ball well and hustle on defense TRIPLAINS-BREWSTER finished 2-16 after a contesting every shot.” first round sub-state loss to Wheatland/Grinnell. Both of the Titans’ wins came against Cheylin.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 4A Boys Wrestling / from page 94 sixth-ranked team in 4A by the KWCA. Zack Camacho’s Bulldog squad has six returning state qualifiers, including four that placed last season. Returning are senior Kohen Wright, the top-ranked wrestler at 138 after finishing second last season; junior Keith Sanders, second at 126 after taking fifth; senior Mason Gibbons, third at 113 after taking fourth; and senior Josh Lawrie, fourth at 144 after finishing fifth. Also qualifying were Saxton Renfro and Dillon Kuehn. Other returners to the lineup are Jack Fairbank, Bryson Fulk, Josh Foreman ad Jake Garris. “We are an extremely talented team and very competitive,” Camacho said. “This is the best team I have ever had the pleasure of coaching, and we are pretty deep at most weights. We also have some great leadership, especially from this senior class. I think really we just need to be better teammates and realize this is a full team effort. We want to win as a team this year, and we have never, in the last 50 years, won a league title, regional title or state title. So we are hungry and want to cross a few of those off the list this year.” First-year head coach Levi Green has high expectations for his BALDWIN squad this season as the Bulldogs are preseason ranked seventh by the KWCA. Finishing third in the league a year ago, BHS had nine boys qualify for state, with five of those back in the lineup this season. Leading the way is defending 190-pound champion Jack Harvey. The senior, a two-time state finalist, went 44-1 last season and enters the season preseason number one in that weight class. Senior Jayden Westgate (30-11), a two-time state qualifier, is back at 120 as the second-ranked wrestler in that class. Other qualifiers returning are senior Aydedin Johnson (2417) at 126, senior Conner Murry (28-16, preseason fourth) at 215 and sophomore Ethan Williams (25-20) at 138. “I want the team to have a season they will never forget,” Green said. “As a team, I would like the boys to place top five at state. The keys for us are wrestlers not getting injured, everyone getting along and keeping positive energy throughout the season.” With the return of three-time state placer Kaeden McCarty,
Page 104 COLBY is led by first-year head coach Cole Garcia, a longtime Eagle assistant. McCarty went 42-10 last season and placed fourth at 126. He will be at 120 or 126. Sophomore Ryder Dempewolf (42-7) took third place at 106, but will move up to 113. Three-time qualifier Tucker Wark (42-12), also a two-time state placer, took fourth last season at 138, but could move up to 144. “We want to compete in every match and make progress every day,” Garcia said. “We have to wrestle to the best of our ability and be thankful for the opportunity to step on the mat.” Ranked ninth by the KWCA is Big 7 League runner-up HOLTON, who will be shooting for a league championship this season with the return of six starters from a squad that finished 16th at the state tournament. Cullen Jackson returns for his 15th year as head coach of the Wildcats, who were preseason ranked ninth as a team by the KWCA. HHS has three individuals preseason ranked, including senior Dalton Roush (23-6), first at 215; junior Maverick Hugg (21-16), thrid at 106; and junior Lucas Batz (2910), fourth at 132. Rousch, a three-time state placer, finished fifth at state last season, while Batz was sixth place. Other individuals back for the Wildcats include senior Cale Hein (31-13), a threetime state qualifier, at 144; junior Kyler Jackson (34-11), a twotime qualifier, at 165; and sophomore Cael Frazier at 175. “We want to be Big 7 champs, regional champs and finish top three at state,” Jackson said. “The key for us is staying healthy.” PRATT was picked 10th in the preseason rankings by the KWCA. The Greenbacks finished 10th at state last season but have some experience back for a run to the top this year. PHS had three individuals ranked in the preseason, led by top-ranked Taye Wilson at 165. A year ago, Wilson finished was state champion at 150. Blake Winsor is currently third at 150 after placing fourth at 144 last season. Madox Riffey is preseason sixth at 120. Just outside the preseason rankings is SCOTT COMMUNITY. The Beavers have three wrestlers ranked, led by top-ranked Houston Frank at 175. Frank was the runner-up at 165 last season. Collin McDaniel, who was sixth at 150, is ranked third at 165. Tanner Gooden is ranked third in the 215-pound weight class.
Tucker Cell is seeking a third state championship this season for ABILENE. The senior brings a record of 114-4 into his final season with the Cowboys. A year ago, he was 37-3 and captured third place at 144 after previously winning state titles at 113 as a freshman and 132 as a sophomore. He is the top-ranked wrestler at 150 pounds by the KWCA. Three juniors return as state qualifiers for head coach James Stout — Gage Taylor (11-11) at 106; Joseph Welsh (28-16), ranked fifth at 144; and Landon Taplin (33-13), ranked fifth at 157. Also expected to fill out the lineup are freshman Bryan Peterson at 106, freshman Murphy Randolph at 120, freshman Daven Cuba at 126, freshman Cael Casteel at 132, sophomore Lane Hoekman at 138, junior Parker Farr at 144, sophomore Pierce Casteel at 175, sophomore Heath Hoekman at 190, senior Hunter Clark at 215 and senior Jacob Hanback at 285. Three seniors will lead the way for head coach Jeremy McAdam and ANDERSON COUNTY this season. The Bulldogs return senior AJ Schaffer, who took sixth place last season at 138 but will jump up to 150 this year. Masten Wright, who will compete at 160, was ranked fifth in the state when he was injured. Colten Whitman, at 170, came up just short of a trip to state after losing in the blood round at regional. Also back are a pair of sophomores in Owen Thompson, who also lost in the blood round at regionals, at 120; and state qualifier Zach Schaffer at 132. “Key to our success will be grit and conditioning,” McAdam said. Despite losing 13 seniors from a year ago, AUGUSTA has some experience back this season. The champions of AVCTL D-III went on to take third place at state. Four individuals return to the lineup with state experience, including junior Willie Jon Morales (38-9, 285), a two-time state placer that has finished third and fourth; senior Elijah Foy (30-14), a two-time qualifier that moves from 106 to 113. Also returning are senior Cooper Buell (30-15) at 195 and sophomore Gunner Carey (13-24) at 165. Other wrestlers in the lineup for the Orioles will be senior Blacke Locke (9-6) at 144, junior Gabe Kohls (7-3) at 157, junior Sam Vittitow (9-3) at 220 and junior Devin Carrol (3-1) at 220. “Our team goals are simply to work hard, have fun and get better
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6
Page 105 some nice talent in this year’s freshman class.” First-year head coach Scott Mattison has a pair of returning qualifiers in the lineup this season for LABETTE COUNTY. The Grizzlies will be looking for leadership from Caeson Wyrick, as well as Chris Stevens at heavyweight. “We want to build a program that can compete for state titles,” Mattison. “The key for us is to learn and improve.” Bobby Bovaird returns for his 13th year as head coach at LOUISBURG. The Wildcats were fifth at regionals and 26th in 4A last season. LHS has three qualifiers back in the lineup, including senior J’Lee Collins (24-19), moving from 126 to 132; junior Jay McCaskill (24-9) up to 165 from 157; and junior Ashton Moore (20-8) from 175 to 215. Other returners to the lineup are junior Will Showalter (14-26) at 113, sophomore Keegan Rogers (7-22) at 126; junior Mika Mckittrick (1324) at 144; sophomore Vance Hahn at 175 and junior Brayden Yoder (32-14) at 190. “We have returning leadership with state experience,” Bovaird said. “Combined with intense work ethic from underclassmen, that will give us a huge boost this season.” Seth Ferguson, last year’s state runner-up at 190 pounds, returns to lead the way for OTTAWA. The Cyclones are coming off a season in which they were sixth at regionals and 13th at state. Second-year head coach Jayden Creach has several wrestlers back in the lineup, led by Ferguson. The junior went 39-12 last year but will move up to 215 pounds this season. Senior Parker Guge was injured last season but returns at 175 after previously qualifying twice for state. Other individuals that will be looked to fill in spots are sophomore Cole Mader (17-22) at 120, senior Colton Ray (16-21) at 132, senior Dalton Evans (27-16) at 144, senior Reese Parish at 150, senior Grady Sumrall (20-22) at 157 and senior Sam Clevenger (18-21) at 190. “We want to build off last season’s success,” Creach said. “We need to grow more and learn more. The key will be self, partner, and team accountability for each individual and coach.” ROCK CREEK finally has numbers on its side as it should have a full lineup this season. The Mustangs are under the direction of third-year head coach Brad Burenheide, who led them to a third-place finish in the Mid East League last season. Top returner Aidan McKinney went 35-8 last season as a sophomore and is at 157 this season. Also contributing for the Mustangs will be freshman Anthony Crubel at 106, junior Alex Cramer (13-15) at 113, sophomore Kingston Copeland (5-18) at 120, sophomore Jacob Harmon (8-9) at 126, sophomore Bryton Holmes (3-7) at 132, sophomore Mason Berggren (5-21) at 138, sophomore Izaya Wenzi (10-23) at 144, senior Kenny Luyo (2-5) at 150, junior Tristan Meyer (3-2) at 165, sophomore Nick Allen (1818) at 175, junior Kendall Grimes (5-15) at 190, sophomore Wade Rottinghaus (14-16) at 215, and sophomore Cordae Kirksey (10-9) at 285. “Last year, we had a young and inexperienced squad,” Burenheide said. “A good summer on the mat and in the weight room should be an omen for good things this year.” Pioneer League champion SANTA FE TRAIL will look to repeat that title this season with the return of six state qualifiers from last year’s squad. Tyler Gonzales begins his first year as head coach of the Chargers, who finished 22nd in 4A. Qualifiers back in the lineup are sophomore Tanner Sleichter (33-7) at 106, junior
Drake Kirby at 126, junior Blake Slavin (25-16) at 138, senior Chayse Jeanneret (19-17) at 150, senior Luke Greenfield (13-7) at 165 and senior Kyle Strother (20-11) at 175. Other returners are sophomore Bryson Crotinger (26-16) at 144, senior Hunter Tantaros (14-10) at 157, junior Tage Skocny (13-21) at 220, and sophomore Alex Strother (9-5) at 285. SMOKY VALLEY has two state-placers back from a season ago in sophomore Parker Gardner and senior Connor Barnes. Gardner went 35-7 with a fifth-place finish at 175, while Barnes was 39-9 and sixth place at 126. Head coach Ben Elliott, now in his 19th season with the Vikings, also has five other individuals back in the lineup — sophomore Deonte Crane (1817) at 106, junior Takoda Hauck at 132, sophomore Hayden Gehrke at 138, senior Andrew Young at 144 and junior Geo Luis (16-16) at 165. “Numbers are lower so we are looking to fill as many weight classes as possible,” Elliott said. Five qualifiers are back in the lineup for WAMEGO, led by state placers Thomas McIntyre and Knox Kanowski. McIntyre, a twotime state placer, took fourth place a year ago at 150 and heads into his senior season after a 22-7 record. Karnowski, a sophomore, was fifth at 126 and finished with a 33-9 record. Other qualifiers back include sophomore Harry Costa (17-12) at 106, junior Brody Oviatt (24-14) at 157 and senior Jake Meyer (28-6) at 190. Also back in the lineup is sophomore Talon Conrad (20-14), while other returners with varsity experience include seniors Ethan Ibendahl, Mason King and Caden Wilson; juniors Zaylund Lee and Trevin Steele; and sophomores Hayden Wolfe, Nathan Ferguson and Josh Flanigan. “There is a lot to be excited about with the upcoming season,” said WHS coach Kevin Brown. “We have a ton of potential returning with some tough incoming freshmen who will challenge for a varsity spot. These young men are great leaders on and off the mat and are not afraid to push themselves in the practice room. With the right mindset and preparation, I believe they will be competing for state medals at the end of the season.”
Makayla Michael
doing alright in the postseason.” CHENEY went into last season inexperienced, with 11 of its 12 wrestlers as freshmen or sophomores. That one year of experience may now pay off for the Cardinals. Junior Parker McClellan is coming off a 35-8 season at 138 as he qualified for state. Other wrestlers to keep an eye on are junior Grady Kuehn (21-17) at 190 and sophomore Maximus Miller (10-17) at 150. “We will be returning nearly all of our wrestlers from last year,” said first-year head coach Kevin Schultz, a longtime assistant and middle school coach. “The season had its ups and downs, but after a lot of work on and off the mat, we expect to have a much-improved season this year.” CLEARWATER has three state qualifiers back this season for coach Cooper Ross. After a 31-7 season a year ago, Bryson Snell moves up from 165 to 175. Dylan Hanna went 20-9 at 120 and will make the move up to 126. Another qualifier back in the lineup is Brody Harman, who went 17-12 last year at 113 but will go to 120 this season. Other returners to the lineup include Bryant Pechanec (15-21) at 113, Isaac Trosclair (14-15) at 132, Kaden Bohnenblust (11-20) at 144, Dalton Wulf (15-18) at 157, Emilio Martin (9-19) at 165, Keyson Halling (3-16) at 190, and Christian Bohnenblust (7-21) at 215. “The key for us is character, building culture and keeping things homegrown,” Ross said. Heavyweight state runner-up Kainen White returns for his senior campaign to lead COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY this season. White is coming off a 36-4 season last year. He is one of five state qualifiers back for the Golden Tornado, which also includes senior Amanie Luten (22-9) at 165/175, senior Tucker Vesey (23-7) at 157, senior Pierce Webber (14-15) at 126/132 and sophomore Brennen Westervelt (19-14) at 144/150. Other returning wrestlers include junior Trent Akins at 165/175, senior Jaylon Hal at 138/144, sophomore Tristan McGlothin at 132/138 and senior Manny Strickland at 190. “Filling our line up is going to be crucial,” said Spencer McGlothin, who begins his ninth season as head coach. “We got some really solid wrestlers coming back, but they are all stacking those middle weight classes. If some people are wanting to find themselves in the varsity lineup, then they are going to have to make some sacrifices and put themselves in a position to fill a spot.” State qualifiers Christian Belden and Ashton Dooley will be leading the way for CONCORDIA this season. The Panthers are once again led by head coach Josh Brown, who begins his seventh year in the program. Belden (24-5) and Dooley (28-10) are back for their senior campaigns at 106 and 120 pounds respectively. They will be joined in the lineup by seniors Cody Trost (127) at 126, Dustin Sterrett (17-18) at 144, Mason Eickmann (21-13) at 165 and Caleb Hanson (2910) at 175; and juniors Drew Sterrett (26-12) at 138 ad Tracer Murdock (26-13) at 190. “We will be looking to improve on last year’s regional and state finish,” Brown said. “We will be looking for some young kids to step into the varsity lineup and compete at a high level.” In the fourth year of the program, GIRARD Member will have a young and inexperienced squad FDIC with no returning starters in the lineup. That will be a tough task for Trojan head coach Scott Rieck, who will be looking for individuals to step into leadership roles this season. “We will start 10 freshmen in the fourth year www.bankoftescott.com of having a program,” Rieck said. “We will have
every day,” said AHS coach Brandon Terry. After posting more than 30 wins last season, senior Baker North returns from an injury to lead BISHOP MIEGE. North went 32-2 last season in at 285 but blew out his UCL at the Eastern Kansas League tournament and did not wrestle in regionals. He will be a key member of the team for fifth-year head coach Ryan Wrigley. Also coming back from a midseason UCL tear will be junior Noah Thomas at 215. Other returning wrestlers include seniors Stephen Kirk at 190, Jacob Drone (12-22) at 165, Graham Hawks (23-20) at 150/157, and Will Atchity (6-19) at 120/126; junior Bennett Jackson at 120/126; and sophomore Lucas Merriman at 150. “(Key) for us will be accountability to each other in keeping our pillars to success as our main focus,” Wrigley said. “We need to be better conditioned than our opponent, we need to be relentless riders on top and we need to have a pinners mindset in every match.” Seven members return to the lineup for BURLINGTON this season under first-year head coach Brandon Quaney. The Wildcats, who were fourth place in the Pioneer League, welcome back sophomore Ryan Hoyt (30-16) at 113, senior Ethan Bartley (18-20) at 132, junior Aden McManus (24-20) at 157, sophomore Bowen McIntosh (12-18) at 165, senior Karson Bangs (17-25) at 175, junior Brayden Riggs (11-17) at 190 and senior Sabian Mann (13-19) at 220. McManus is the lone returning state qualifier. Another individual that could step in is sophomore Kyzer Lehmann, who went 18-5 last year in junior varsity, at 145. “We want to fill 12 out of the 14 weight classes, have a winning dual record and finish in the top three in the Pioneer League,” Quaney said. Defending Southeast Kansas League champion CHANUTE will be under new leadership this season with first-year head coach Jacob Durossette. The Blue Comets, who were the regional runner-up last season, closed out the season in seventh place at the 4A state tournament. This year’s squad returns a pair of state qualifiers from lat year, led by junior Cade Small, who captured fourth place at 190 ponds. Also back is junior Quinton Harding at 165. “We want to compete for championships,” Durossette said. “It will come down to buy in from the wrestlers.” Fifth-year head coach Zach Lucas welcomes back nine individuals to the starting lineup at CHAPMAN. The Irish will be led by 2022 state qualifier Julius Raygoza (11-14) at 120 for his junior season. Sophomore Levi Willman (19-12) returns at 113 and will be joined by senior Travis Leasure (8-19) at 132, senior Mark Buus at 138, junior Ethan Calovich (12-9) at 144, sophomore Ian Sayers (11-20) at 150, senior Ryan Clark (17-16) at 165, junior Kaedyn Vanderford (1716) at 175 and senior Michael Shipman at 190. “We just want to compete,” Lucas said. “With the level of competition amongst our lighter weights, there will be opportunity after opportunity to get better and chase the varsity spot. If we can keep up our tenacity all season, we’ll be
Jack Harvey Baldwin, Senior
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 4-1A Girls Wrestling / from page 97 lose a senior from the varsity roster, so we have In a cooperative agreement with Canton-Galva, everyone returning. They tasted success last year HILLSBORO returns one starter to its lineup this by winning four invitational tournaments but came season. Scott O’Hare begins his 21st year overall up short in league and regionals. The girls have in the Trojan wrestling program and welcomes used that as their offseason motivation. With havback senior Rachel Schafer at 140. A year ago, ing 12 of the 14 weights coming back, we’re only Schafer went 9-9 while capturing the champion- going to be more solid.” Defending 170-pound state champion Grace ship of the Halstead Invitational and finishing second in two other tournaments. She also finished Johns returns for her senior campaign at third at the Central Kansas League Tournament. MINNEAPOLIS. One year after finishing as the Two newcomers to the squad could make an im- state runner-up, Johns capped off a 35-2 season pact this season, including junior Claire Morey at with a first-place finish at state. She will return at the same weight this season for Lions head coach 155 and freshman Aimee Kelley at 125. “I am anticipating that this team will be very Chas Hauck, who enters his 10th year. Coach Josh Parker, in his sixth year, returns coachable and willing to work hard to improve,” O’Hare said. “Overall, we are pretty excited to see three starters for MISSION VALLEY. The Vikings welcome back sophomore Annie Conley (6-17) at how this team progresses throughout the year.” Three sophomores will lead the way for HOXIE 140, sophomore Maranda Bennett (8-17) at 155 as they return to the lineup this season for head and junior Jena Grame (3-16) at 190. Mid-Continent League champion NORTON has coach Mike Porsch. The Indians return Clara plenty of experience back this season, led by twoJohnson, Regina Baldwin and Sarah Dardis. “(We want) to build on improvements from last time state qualifier Kenya Goss. The junior returns year and jump levels and qualify and win medals at 170 after a 9-8 mark last season. After losing in at the state tournament,” Porsch said. “We need the blood round last year, she looks to be the first to keep building our numbers. We should add girl from Norton to bring home a state medal. Also returning this season are senior Emma Belleau some experience with some newcomers.” INDEPENDENCE will be looking to make a (235); junior Natalie Simmons (115); and sophmove up in the Southeast Kansas League this omores Lorelei Granberr (105), Alise Wait (110), season after taking fifth place in the standings a Allyson Hale (120), Lilli Puga (130), Jessi Wait year ago. Now in his fourth year in charge of the (145), Evie Vance (155) and Cadence Greeson Bulldogs, Zack Camacho will be looking for some (190). Bill Broeckelman returns for his third year individuals to fill in spots of the lineup. IHS had as head coach of the Bluejays. “We didn’t have any girls graduate, and I look to two individuals qualify for state last year in Kelly continue to grow on what we learned last year,” Newton and Christina Brimm. “We want to make a run at an SEK title and Broeckelman said. OAKLEY returns a pair of state placers from send more girls to state than last year,” Camacho said. “Our keys will be numbers. We finished with last year, led by defending runner-up Ataxia Cain about 16 last year. Other keys will be two of our at 170. The junior capped off last season with a key sophomores and an incoming freshman. If second straight placement at state, also finishthey can set the tone for practice, everything will ing sixth place a year earlier. Sophomore Cali improve greatly. We also have a returning heavy- Wagoner also placed fifth at 135 last year for Quinter to cap off a 32-7 record. Another state weight who was a state qualifier two years ago.” Head coach Brett Kramer is looking for steady qualifier back in the lineup for the Plainsmen is improvement at JAYHAWK LINN as it begins its sophomore Abbygayl Jackson (30-11). Oakley finsecond year as a girls’ program. The Jayhawks ished third in the Mid-Continent League, was sechave four returners to the lineup this season — ond at regionals and 15th place overall at state. “We want to finish in the top two of league, top senior Abbi Stone at 145/155, junior Leah Nation at 125/130, junior Tara Weller at 130/135, and two of regionals and top five at state,” said coach Bryce Lewis. “The keys will be staying healthy and junior Gracee Willard (15-9) at 155/170. “We are hoping to have a few more girls out this having our state qualifiers as leaders.” Jason Knoll begins his third year as head coach year,” Kramer said. “We want to continue the success we had in our first season. Our girls made at OSBORNE with a pair of sophomores back in huge improvements last year. We would like to the lineup this season in Annie Kendig (10-20) at qualify several girls for the state tournament, and 120 and Cheyenne Knoll (12-20) at 140. Entering his third year as head coach at hopefully not only get our first ever qualifier but PLAINVILLE, Luke Wise has two wrestlers reour first ever placer.” LABETTE COUNTY will be looking to fill its turning to the lineup this season. The Cardinals lineup this season as it tries to make a move up welcome back Ella Normandin at 140 and Zoe the ladder in the Southeast Kansas League. The Brown at 145. The Buffaloes of REPUBLIC COUNTY have Grizzlies took sixth place in the SEK a year ago and were 12th overall in the Coffeyville regional two wrestlers back in the lineup for coach Adam tournament. Second-year head coach Joe Royer Polansky. Returning this season will be sophowill be relying on some young but experienced more Ava Thumann (12-9) at either 115 or 120, wrestlers to pick up the slack, led by senior while junior Sarah Miller (4-20) will fill the 110 spot. “We have a few more girls out this season,” Belinda Tompkins, a state qualifier, at 110. Other individuals that should contribute include Mady Polansky said. “Our freshman have some expeMyers at 105, Jessie Myers at 115, Pyper White rience from our youth program. Getting them to at 120, Lizzie Ludwig at 125, Hannah Benson at mesh with our returning high schoolers is key.” In just its second season as a girls’ program, 125, Emma Whittley at 130, Hallie Johnson at 135, Shaelyn Nibarger at 140, Lexi Spencer at RIVERSIDE hopes some experience will pay off 145, Harlie Edgington at 155, Kayleigh Ingalsbe for the squad this year. Sebastion Perry returns as head coach of the Cyclones. He welcomes back at 170 and Zoey Davis at 235. “We want to finish every dual and tournament juniors Baylfegh Cooper at 115 and Makayla Cera like we are capable of,” Royer said. “We’re still at 170, as well as sophomores Jaylin Wilson at young, but we have a lot of experience. We didn’t 130 and Riley Stewart at 155.
Page 106 “This is our second season with a girls’ program, Colt Rogers has three returning wrestlers in his and we have several new incoming wrestlers,” first year as head coach at SILVER LAKE. The Perry said. “We are looking to grow our numbers Eagles welcome back juniors Karley Holmes at and, with those numbers, grow our success.” 115 and Ellen Doty at 120, as well as sophomore In the final season of the Mid-East League, MaKayla Connor at 143. ROCK CREEK hopes to make some noise unFive wrestlers return to the lineup for der third-year head coach Brad Burenheide. The STOCKTON this season, including two state Mustangs will be making the move to the North qualifiers from a year ago. Clint Bedore, who beCentral Kansas League next year. RCHS has a gins his 13th year leading the Tigers, welcomes total of nine returning letterwinners this season, back two-time state placer Ashlyn Hahn. The led by state qualifiers Brooklyn Burenheide and junior went 32-4 last season en route to a fourthJoee Perkins. Returning from ACL surgery a year place finish at 120. One year earlier, she captured earlier, Burenheide, a junior, was the runner-up third place at 115. She currently has a 65-10 caat 130 pounds last season and finished with a reer record as she competes at 125 this season. 29-2 record. She was also an All-MEL selection. Sophomore Carolina Northup made quite an imPerkins (23-15), a sophomore, was also all- pression her freshman season, taking fifth place league and was a state qualifier at 100. Other re- and finishing with a 24-10 record. She will fill the turners to the lineup include senior Cecilia Lynch 100 spot in the lineup. Another state qualifier back (17-17) at 190, junior Haylee Mccluskey (4-19) is junior Rivver Long (13-19) at 190. Also returnat 105, junior Elocin Moran (21-13) at 145, junior ing are sophomore Temperance Northup (9-20) at Gabby Roth (22-16) at 170, sophomore Claire 115 and junior Shyanne Balthazor (7-7) at 135. Steeves (20-19) at 125 and sophomore Koda “With some added depth and quality, we hope to Moeller (21-14) at 155. be able to compete well as a team and not only as “The team looks to have filled the other weights individuals,” Bedore said. with new wrestlers and should be a contender at Claudine Stein is the only wrestler with considregionals and beyond,” Burenheide said. erable experience back in the lineup for TMPState runner-up Jaden Ney returns at 135 MARIAN this season. Dave Ward begins his first pounds to lead the way for RUSSELL this sea- year as head coach of the Monarchs. Stein was a son. Ney returns for her junior campaign after state qualifier last season as a sophomore. going 10-1 en route to a second-place finish at Two-time state qualifier Grace Stean returns for state. One year earlier, she finished third at 132. her junior season to lead TONGANOXIE. Stean She will be looking for a third consecutive state captured fifth place at state in the 170-pound appearance. Joining Ney in the lineup will be ju- weight class last season. The Chieftains have nior Madison Raybern (7-24) at 105, as well as two other qualifiers back in the lineup, including sophomore Cambrea Solze at 130. Luke Keller sophomore Autumn Wilson at 110 and junior returns for his second season as head coach. Mackenzie Cosgrove at 140. Adam Ludwin be“We will lean on our three returning letter win- gins his second season as coach at THS. The ners for leadership while our large and talented Chieftains are coming off a season in which they group of freshman get adjusted,” Keller said. were third in the Frontier League and Rossville After successful freshman seasons, four wres- regional, as well as 13th place at state. tlers will return for their sophomore campaign at “We want a team trophy.” Ludwig said. “They will ST. FRANCIS. The Indians are under the direc- need confidence to make that happen.” tion of head coach Chris LaBarge as they begin The runner-up in the Mid-Continent League their second season as a girls’ program. Leading last season, TREGO hopes to make a run at the the way for SFHS are Cheyenne LaBarge and league title this season. The Golden Eagles, unMadison Siegfried, who were the first ever female der the direction of third-year head coach Michael state qualifiers for Sainty. LaBarge will compete at Malay, return a pair of state qualifiers in seniors 115 after closing out last season with a 23-10 re- Adrian Wynn (28-6) and Myah Mattheyer (30-11). cord that included two tournament championships Also back in the lineup are sophomore Kallan and a fourth-place finish at regionals. Currently at Rothchild (16-17) and junior Keira Lee. 130, Siegfried went 16-11 while winning the Scott “We want to win a league championship, place City Invitational and placing fourth at regionals. in the top three at regionals and top 10 at state,” Also returning this season are Breck Lohr (15-9) Malay said. “We are returning two great senior at 120 and Avery Jensen (10-13) at 125. leaders this year. These kids work incredibly hard “These four girls have been competing against and aren’t afraid to do the work to succeed.” and with each other in multiple sports from a very Beginning his second year as head coach at young age,” LaBarge said. “Last season, each girl WABAUNSEE is Tyler Douglass, who returns a had three quality practice partners each day at pair of state qualifiers in Sienna Jones (15-8) at practice. More numbers in the program will pro- 170 and Sophia Castillo (17-12) at 105. There is vide more quality looks at practice.” some more experience in the lineup with Emily Great West Activities Conference champion Meyer (13-13) at 145, Katelyn Glotzbach (12-15) SCOTT CITY is looking for a repeat performance at 135 and Kadence Guinn at 155. this season. The Beavers, under the direction of “We want to qualify four to five girls to the state third-year head coach Dakota Hayes, are coming tournament,” Douglass said. “We also want to off a season in which they finished fifth place at place one to two girls at state, place in tournaregionals and 13th at state. They return a two- ments as a team and win the first and last ever time qualifier in junior Ashlyn Pazdernik (24-10). girls MEL Tournament.” This year, she’ll likely at 145. Other individuals that should fill in spots for Scott City include juniors Brooklyn Gossman (15-15) and Audrey Schwartz (14-9), and sophomore Dayanar Jimenez (13-8). “We would like to repeat as league champions and finish well in regionals and state,” Hayes www.homelumberpratt.com said.
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 3-2-1A Boys Wrestling / from page 95 After finishing as the Tri-Valley League runner113, junior Elijah Moon (15-17) at 132, senior up last year, CHERRYVALE will try to push its Jose Arevalo (29-16) at 165, senior Cooper way to the top of the standings this season. Burns (15-19) at 190 and senior Korden Kinney Under the direction of ninth-year head coach (11-14) at 215. Also look for freshman Chase Casey Lickteig, the Chargers have seven returning starters to the lineup, including state Courtois to fill in at 106. “Our goal is for the team to place in the top qualifier Cooper Smith. The sophomore went half of every regular-season tournament this 26-12 a year ago at 215 and will move to 285 season,” Bingham said. “The key will be avoiding this season. He was one of two individuals to win TVL titles for CHS, joining Reyce Booe at injuries and peaking at regionals.” State qualifiers Baker Moore and Jotham 132. Booe, a sophomore, now moves to 145 Meyer return for CENTRAL HEIGHTS this after going 22-16 last season. Also returning season under head coach Jeffery Meyer. Moore for the Chargers are senior Mason Bruggman is back for his senior campaign at 113 after going (23-17) at 195, junior Gram Putman (18-15) 20-12 a year ago. Meyer was a state qualifier in at 152, sophomore Caleb Slane (16-17) at 2021 and will compete at 120 this season after 138, sophomore Aden Ecret (7-18) at 120 and finishing 14-14 a year ago at 106. The Vikings sophomore Trenton Grimm (23-18) at 106. “We want to win league and go win some also welcome back senior Gavin Peine at 157. “We want to place at least one tourney as a medals (at state),” Lickteig said. “The key for us team,” Meyer said. “We will need to continue to will be working hard in the room and building on successes.” get better every day.” Leading CIMARRON since 1997, Lance Central Plains League champion CHAPARRAL has plenty of experience back for Walker welcomes nine returners to the lineup head coach Jeff Green, who returns for his 10th this season, led by state qualifier Andrew Bogner season. Returning to the lineup are five former at 190. Erik Garcia returns for his senior season state qualifiers — senior Pake Green at 144, at 120 after earlier placing third at 106 two years senior Josef Planansky at 175, junior Payton ago. Also back this season are sophomore Wyatt Haley at 120, junior Keaton Bollman at 126, and Nation at 126, sophomore Alex Schlesener sophomore Jesus Reyes at 165. Other returners at 144, senior Holden Kite (17-8) at 150, include senior Paul Mancilla (190), sophomore sophomore Dax Smith at 157, junior Logan Jay Cushenberry (132), sophomore Angel Seifried (18-17) at 165, sophomore Ben Vogel Mendoza (138), sophomore Justin Ord (138), (10-18) at 175 and junior Aiden Crow at 215. “With many open weight classes, our realistic and junior Sergio Reyes (215). “We want to win league, regionals and place goal is to place as many wresters as we can 10 at state,” Green said of his team’s goals. “The individually at each tournament and qualify key to our success is to outwork everyone else.” as many as we can for the state tournament,” CHASE COUNTY coach Derick Budke enters Walker said. “We need to stay healthy, work hard his 27th season at his alma mater with two-time and have fun.” Flint Hills League champion COUNCIL state qualifier Micah Cauthers back at 190 and a mix of youth and seniority through the rest GROVE has a total of six wrestlers back in of the weights including freshmen Brant Potter the lineup for second-year head coach Brogan (138), Clark Miller (144) and Drew Morgan Humphrey. All six of those wrestlers have been (152), sophomore Caleb Dexter (106), junior state qualifiers, led by junior Ace Monihen, who Luke Budke (132, 25-13), and seniors Silus took fourth place at 190 a year ago en route to a 36-4 overall record. Junior Holden Ziegler is Hernandez (160) and Brock Griffin (170). Budke set goals to “win the league tournament, a two-time state qualifier and went 35-4 last regional tournament, and wrestle our aggressive season as a heavyweight. Also returning are junior Hadley Smith (29-13) at 150, senior Jude style of wrestling.”
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Kormanik (8-11) at 175 and sophomore Tyler Hutchinson (29-13) at 215. The Braves also welcome in sophomore Leo DeDonder (11-8), a state qualifier last year at Northern Heights, at 120 pounds. Denton Bailey begins his first year as head coach of DECATUR COMMUNITY. The Red Devils are coming off a season in which they took 17th place at the 3-2-1A state tournament. DCHS’ top returner this season is two-time state qualifier Lukas Zodrow. The senior went 42-5 last season en route to a third-place finish at 138. He will make the move up to 144. Also back are senior Reid Fort (26-13) at 132, sophomore Sage Bryan (15-15) at 150, sophomore Theo Butterfield (4-15) at 165 and junior Garrett Emigh (28-20) at 175. “Our goals is to have multiple state placers,” Bailey said. “We are going to be very young, so we need to get better every day. We have great senior leaders that push the team.” Nate Normandin is in his first year as head coach at ELLINWOOD and gets a state qualifier back in senior heavyweight Jonathan Mason. Sophomores Gabe Martinez and Jonas Kern will wrestle at 150 and 190 respectively, juniors Cason Merrit, Nathan Hammeke and Cooper Gunn will hold middleweight spots, while senior Rylan Wirtz is expected to wrestle at 157.
Page 107 Normandin set a team goal to “qualify over half of the team to the state tournament.” ELLIS returns defending 126 pound state champion Mason Younger for his senior season with new head coach Ron Haag. After capturing sixth place at 126 pounds in the state tournament, Will Donley will return for his junior season at ELLSWORTH. Donley will be back in the lineup this season at 132. Steve Thorburn returns for his seventh year as head coach of the Bearcats. “Our goal is to grow as a team, expand our wrestling knowledge, compete and have fun.” Charl Hill begins his fourth year at FREDONIA with three returning starters to the lineup. The Yellowjackets welcome back junior Lyle Walker at 138, junior Jacob George at 170, and senior Dameon Kissel at 285. FHS took sixth place in the Tri-Valley League a year ago. “We have a talented freshman class with a small class of senior leadership,” Hill said. “We want to send four or more to the state tournament and place two.” GARDEN PLAIN senior Gage Lee enters the season as the fourth ranked wrestler at 165 pounds. Two-time state qualifier Clayton Considine returns for HALSTEAD after placing third at 113 pounds a year ago. Following a 40-5 season, CROP • AUTO • HOME • FARM • COMMERCIAL • LIFE • ANNUITIES
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 Considine will be moving up to 120 for his junior campaign. Previously, he was fifth place at 106 as a freshman. The Dragons were the Marion regional runner-up and claimed 15th place overall at state. They also returned senior Tucker Divine (24-10) at 144. “Our major key to success is developing our kids into competitors,” coach Josh Ortiz said. “We will be a young team this season and will need to rely heavily on each other to continue to grow in our wrestling abilities and confidence on the mat.” Central Kansas League runner-up HAVEN finished 11th at the state tournament. The Wildcats are under the direction of head coach Wade Spencer. Four state qualifiers return to this year’s squad — sophomore Tanner Loughrie (36-8), who moves from 113 to 120, junior Jacob Moore (36-8) from 120 to 126, senior Dustin Loughrie at 144, and junior Vance Loop (33-16) at 165. Moore and Tanner Loughrie both placed at state in fourth and fifth place, respectively. “Team goals are to keep moving the program forward,” Spencer said. “Finishing just outside the top 10 of 3-2-1A last year in our second year of the program was a great accomplishment. As a team, we want to improve on that finish to become one of the top teams in the state.” HERINGTON finished 13th at state last season with just four wrestlers. Current junior Benson Eggleston was fourth at 106, Colson McIntyre graduated after taking fifth at 132, current junior Cameron Svitak was sixth at 144, while 150 pound qualifier Justin Wilder has also graduated. Scott O’Hare begins his 21st year as head coach of HILLSBORO. The Trojans of the Central Kansas League return a total of 10 starters to their lineup. They are led by three returning state qualifiers — sophomore Sutton Redger (31-11), the CKL champion at 165; senior Anthony Fiches (20-14) at 120; and sophomore Aaron Hein (33-19) at 138/144. Also back are sophomore Koren Pawloski at 106, sophomore Gavin Bennett at 113, junior Emery Dalke at 120, junior Aidan Simmons at 126/132, sophomore Evan Jones at 150/165, senior Dallas Whorton at 190 and junior Logan Rogers at 215. “We will have a relatively young lineup with only
Page 108
two seniors and three juniors that have varsity experience, a couple with limited experience,” O’Hare said. “We do return three state qualifiers from a year ago, and we will lean on them to provide leadership going into the season. With a decent number of sophomores returning and a good size incoming freshmen class, we should have some decent depth and hopefully be close to filling the weight classes. This should help us be competitive in duals.” Defending Three Rivers League champion JAYHAWK-LINN returns a solid group of wrestlers as Brett Kramer begins his 18th year as head coach of the Jayhawks. The top returners from last year’s squad are a pair of sixth-place finishers at state in sophomore Denton White (40-8) at 113/120 and two-time qualifier Andres Flores (28-7) at 157/165. Other returning wrestlers and their projected weights include sophomore Alex Lowe (24-14) at 113/126, junior Jeremy Willard at 132, senior state qualifier Bowen Wade (22-14) at 138, junior Andrew Blevins at 138, junior Cooper Johnson at 144/157, sophomore Shane Riggs at 157/165, junior Dayson Eastwood at 175/190, senior Josh Doan at 220/285 and senior Ethan Ranes at 220/285. “This will be the most experienced team we have ever had in our 18 years of being a program,” Kramer said. “We only lost two seniors from last year’s team and bring in a very experienced freshman class that has a lot of kids’ state experience. We have a senior class that has had a lot of individual success, and they are ready to lead us to places we have never been as a program.” State placer Javion Granado returns for his senior season to lead LAKIN. Granado went 34-10 and finished in fourth place at state in the 150-pound bracket. He is one of four returning starters this season for the Broncs, who are led by head coach Jim Christiansen. Also back in the lineup are junior Alex Luce (10-18) at 126, sophomore Alex Robles (22-1) at 132 and junior Timmy Johnson, who is back from injury at 180. “Our team goals for the year are to keep building to a bigger team and to get as many kids to state as we can,” Christiansen said.”
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LYONS sophomore Easton Benavidez is the second ranked wrestler at 106 in the preseason. Tyler McMichael returns for his eighth year as head coach at MARION. The Warriors return just one wrestler to their lineup in junior Brian Nguyen (23-14) at 190/215. “Our team goal this year is to build on a young team,” McMichael said. “We won’t have any seniors on our team this season, so we are building up our younger wrestlers to become the best that they can be.” NEMAHA CENTRAL sent eight wrestlers to state a season ago and just one of those was a senior. Junior Abram Keim enters the season ranked third at 165 while senior Holden Bass is the fourth ranked heavyweight in the preseason. Other non-senior state qualifiers for the Thunder last season were Keaton Rottinghaus (106), Lucas Holthaus (120), Luis Lambrecht (132), Reid McKee (150), and Aden Feldkamp (157). With a pair of state qualifiers back in the lineup, OSBORNE — under the direction of head coach Jason Knoll — hope to make a return to the state tournament this season. Leading the way for the Bulldogs are sophomores Grant Middleton (15-13) and Kaiden Schultze (19-20), who both qualified for state a year ago as freshmen. Middleton is back at 215, while Schultze returns at 165. Two other individuals return to the lineup, in senior Sam Kendig (15-15) and junior Gage Seifried (0-6), both at 195 pounds. “We want to make it back to the state tournament,” Knoll said. “We also want to improve every day and work hard in the room.” OSKALOOSA coach Chris King welcoms back Colsen Perry, who returns after taking fifth place at state in the 215-pound bracket “We want to have multiple state placers,” King said. “That will take a lot of hard work.” Four wrestlers return to the lineup for PLAINVILLE under the direction of head coach Ryan Becker. The Cardinals welcome back senior Mason Hogan at 285, senior Jesse Wilkerson at 175, sophomore Ryddik Bethel at 195 and sophomore Zayne Stahl at 126. Now in his 22nd year at RAWLINS COUNTY, Scott Urban has seven returning wrestlers, led by two-time state placer Ryan Sramek. The junior captured sixth place at 132 pounds a year ago but will move up to 144 this season. Another state qualifier back is senior Gus Hanson at 138. Other returners for the Buffaloes include junior Eli Holle at 120, junior Asa Popp at 132, junior Tanner Vyzourek at 150, senior Henry Holle at 175 and sophomore Daylon Fairchild at 215. “Our goal is to get better every week and to
be wrestling our best at the end of the season,” Urban said. “The key to that is to stay healthy.” State qualifier Cody Hewins is back for his junior season at RIVERSIDE. The Cyclones are led by head coach Sebastian Perry. Hewins returns at the 132-pound weight class and will be joined in the lineup by junior Josh King at 150. “We are looking to build in numbers and grow,” Perry said. “We had two losses in the blood round last season. We are taking those losses and using it as a motivator.” Head coach Couy Weil will lead a ROSSVILLE squad that returns three state qualifiers, including placer Paxton Willett for his sophomore season. Willett placed third at 157 during his freshman campaign but will make the move up to 165. He will be joined in the lineup by a pair of seniors that were qualifiers last year — Barrett Lietz at 215 and Mason Broce at 132. Another returner to the lineup for the Bulldawgs is senior John McGrath at 190. “We have three goals … win the Mid-East League, have all that returned place at state and have the best season of their career,” Weil said. RUSSELL sent four wrestlers to state a season ago in Xzephren Donner (106), Brayden Suchy (157), Teagan Pfeifer (165), and Brayden Strobel (175), though Strobel was lost to graduation. Kike Yanez and Shane Todd return for ST. FRANCIS after qualifying for state competition a year ago. The Indians, led by fifth-year head coach Kyle Buffington, welcome back Yanez at 113 and Todd at 126 for their junior campaigns. SFHS also had seven other underclassmen that finished .500 or better last season. “We have some lofty goals this coming season, of which we haven’t had the opportunity to touch in many years,” Huffington said. “But we’d like to see a top-five finish at state this year. The key for us is just staying true to the basics and working hard to be the best wrestler we can be on the mat with each individual having confidence in themselves, while pushing their teammate’s and practice partners to be their very best every day.” Seven wrestlers return for SOUTHEAST OF SALINE this season, including two state qualifiers. The Trojans, under the direction of ninth-year head coach Chuck Schremmer, finished 19th at state a year ago. Leading the way for the squad this season will be sophomore Killian Vaughan, who went 36-7 and placed sixth at state in the 138-pound weight class. He will be moving up to 157 this year. Another qualifier returning from the heavyweight division is sophomore Brody Chambers (35-7). Other returning wrestlers include sophomore Jacob
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— senior Kendall Walker, and sophomores Eli Stein and Diego Fernandez. “The goal is the rebuilding of the program and qualifying three wrestlers,” Ward said. “The key will be the recruitment of additional wrestlers.” TREGO COMMUNITY/QUINTER will have plenty of experience this season after losing no seniors from last year’s squad. Michael Malay begins his third year as head coach of the program. Leading the list of returnees is junior Tate Blackwill (Quinter), who captured fifth place at state a year ago. He brings a 2915 record from last season into the 106-pound weight class this season. Other state qualifiers back in the lineup are sophomore Ashton Wynn (31-12) at 120 and sophomore Cass Smith (2318) at 144. Other returning wrestlers include sophomore Pierce Rummel (14-18) at 132, sophomore Aaron Samson (19-18) at 150, junior Conner Colby (10-17) at 157, junior Kaiden Bliss (11-18) at 190, senior Aiden Howard (6-21) at 175, sophomore Traxon Maley (21-18) at 215, and junior Hunter Yingling at heavyweight. “I really believe that we can finish in the top five of our league tournament,” Malay said. “If we wrestle to the best of our abilities, I also think we can qualify six or more for the state tournament. We graduated no seniors last season, and this year we only have one senior. Our young talent will be fun to watch develop throughout the year. The younger kids have really stepped up and become leaders, and they will help carry the leadership roles through the year.” The return of Mideast League champions Alex Beggs and Calvin Magette gives WABAUNSEE some experience in its lineup this season. Beggs finished 22-16 and will compete at 175, while Magette was 12-25 at 132. Weston Johnson (13-11) earned all-league honorable mention and was a state qualifier at 120. Also returning are Brody Droegemeier (13-19) at 190, Carson Reeves (3-5) at 138, Jakey Havenstein (5-18) at 165, and Victor Buchanon (6-18) at 126. “We want to qualify five boys to the state tournament and have one to two placers,” said Charger second-year coach Tyler Douglass. “We want to place in tournaments as a team and leave the last MEL Tournament ever with five
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Page 109 league champions. The key for us will be having enough practice partners close in weight and experience level.” For the first time in more than three decades, WEST ELK will be under new leadership in firstyear head coach Chad Koop. He replaces Kevin Weber, who had spent 32 years as coach. The Patriots return two key figures from last year’s squad in state qualifiers Creyo Koop and Evan Coble. After finishing as the state runner-up with a 44-1 record as a freshman, Koop enters his junior campaign at 165 after taking third place a year ago and going 42-2 overall. Coble, a senior, has surpassed 100 career wins and is coming off a 42-6 season and fifth-place state finish at 132. Also returning for WEHS this season are senior Nolan Denton at 157, junior Boedy Murphy at 220, junior Morgan Anderson at 126 and junior Josh Patteson at 190. “Our goals are to achieve greatness and develop life-long skills,” Koop said. “The key to our success will be our work ethic.” WICHITA COUNTY returns a pair of state qualifiers for third year coach Wesley Cooper. Three-time state qualifier Wyatt Gardner is likely at 144 for his senior campaign after a state finish runner-up last season. Another returning qualifier is senior Brandon Price at 215. Meanwhile, junior Jaiden Porter is back at 150 and sophomore Jose Magadan at 120. “Our goal this year is to qualify as many wrestlers as possible for the state tournament,” Cooper said.
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Foster (7-21) at 113, junior Cooper Westhoff (526) at 126, sophomore James Friesen (5-24) at 132, junior Landon Albrecht (14-17) at 150 and junior Kendall Minneman (19-20) at 165. “We are very young, with only two upperclassmen and two returning with state experience,” Schremmer said. “I will need those four men to help out the younger guys. We are going to make sure everyone gets their weight down, and we are spread out so we can fill out all the weights.” STAFFORD is hoping to break through and get some state qualifiers this season. The Trojans are led by fourth-year head coach Jimmy Brozek, who has six individuals back with experience this season. That includes senior Abe Lianos (12-23) at 157, senior Axle Ortiz (8-17) at 285, sophomore Dylan Brozek at 175, sophomore Lane Schawb (11-28) at 144, sophomore Lukas Schawb (6-32) at 138, and sophomore Kyle Haskins (8-29) at 132. “Our goal is getting better as the season goes on and get a couple first-time state qualifiers in at the end,” Brozek said. This will be the inaugural season of the STANTON COUNTY program as head coach K.C. Higley gets things started for the Trojans. A couple of seniors that will lead the way are Edgar Rodriguez and Sam Ehrlich. “We are a new team, so we have a lot of young men who are new to the sport,” Higley said. “As a coach and teacher, I have also been a process, not outcome guy. I believe that the journey you take every day as an athlete has more to teach you, than your record says about you at the end of the year. This season our goal is to be one percent better at the end of every practice, meeting and competition.” Three wrestlers return for STOCKTON and head coach Clint Bedore, who begins his 13th year with the program. Leading the way is 2022 state qualifier Emerson Lowry at 138 pounds. The junior went 18-17 a year ago. Also back are sophomore Cameron Balthazar at 120 and junior Ryan Mongeau (11-18) at 285. Dave Ward takes over as head coach at THOMAS MORE PREP this season. The Monarchs have three wrestlers back in the lineup
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 6A Boys Wrestling / from page 92 season under coach Jake Carroll, who returns a quartet of wrestlers with state experience. Senior Gabe Sherrell went 39-13 a year ago and took sixth at state. He will wrestle at 113 this year. At 190, the Ravens return senior Caleb Sharp. Junior Leo Blanding and sophomore Presley Hartwig are both listed at 132 or 138 and are returning state qualifiers. With so many inexperienced wrestlers joining the ranks, Carroll has a clear edict for his team: “Take on a growth mindset – understanding that where we start the season does not determine where we will finish.” OLATHE WEST is fairly inexperienced, as well, returning five state qualifiers. That experienced group includes four upperclassmen in senior state qualifiers Jackson Bell (120), Layson Johnson (157) and Carson Buster (215). Also, sophomore Sam West (126) returns after qualifying as a freshman. “We will have a very diverse team in terms of experienced and novice,” seventh-year head coach Tyler Rodden said. “It will be important for our experienced group to help grow our younger, less experienced group. Their leadership, both by example and vocally, will be important in our team’s growth.” In direct contrast, OLATHE SOUTH returns 10 state qualifiers: seniors Jayden Berry (285), Jeremiah Sanders (215), Hayden Marty (175), Julian Newson (165), Aiden Howat (144), Memphis Schulz (138) and Miles Dismang (132); junior Aiden Pina (113); and sophomores Landon Cooper (106) and Kai Rodriguez (150). The Falcons are led by 12-year head coach Conor Fitzgerald, who said they are focused on “continuing to build championship culture and transformational relationships.” For SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH, only senior Jackson Taylor returns as a state qualifier – he’s done so twice. A year ago, he was 36-13 at 190 and went 2-2 at the state tournament. Seniors Joey Piasecki (157) and Chris Andrews (215) also return. The Bison are looking to “continue to grow numbers and improve individual successes,” second-year head coach Conan McCormack said. The SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST Cougars return five state qualifiers, including medalist Adam Hageman, who took third at 157 in February. This season the junior will wrestle at 175, head coach
Page 110 Zach Davies said. The Cougars also return junior state qualifiers Anthony Maslovic (113), Gabe Gast (190) and Harper Engel (215 or 285), as well as sophomore qualifier Mason Barth (215 or 285). “Our team goals are to continue building on previous year successes,” Davies said. “We are always looking for ways to improve our team chemistry and continue building a strong team culture. Our goals are always to improve each week and peak at the right times.” WICHITA NORTH is helmed by new head coach Jason Storm, who returns a pair of state qualifiers in senior Orlando Watley (126) and sophomore Noe Alvarado (175). Storm is looking for his
returners to provide “leadership with development of our young wrestlers. We will have strong lower weights and upper weights, along with experienced middle weights.” The RedHawks have their sights set on a top five finish at regionals and a top 10 finish at state as a team, Storm said. Over at WICHITA WEST, head coach Jason Brown returns five state qualifiers, including a pair of two-time senior qualifiers in Zeke Brown (126) and Carson Bandy (145). The Pioneers also have Chance Johnson (190), Jacob Bible (165) and Brycen James (285) back off of qualifying. Brown said his team’s goals include placing at state.
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McMurray (132), Zach McMurray (144), Deacon McDonal (150), Maddox Girard (157), Gabe Wheelbarger (165), Brayden Fencl (215) and Dammian Hightower (285). Kanean Wendell and his staff set goals for this team that include “finish .500 in dual, finish top eight in ever tournament as a team, and have multiple state placers.” TOPEKA-SEAMAN finished first in the United Kansas Conference a season ago and 17th at state. Coach Tony Pena returns two time state qualifier Colin Little who will wrestle at 138 and will be looking for a state medal for his senior year. “Our team is hoping to keep rolling with the success we saw last year,” Pena said. SUMNER ACADEMY returns all three of their state qualifiers from a season ago in juniors Sommyr Moore (113, 25-14, SQ) and Miles Dean (126, 23-18, SQ), and senior Deavon McWashington (157, 31-8, SQ). The Sabres won the Meadowlark Conference a season ago, went 6-9 in duals, placed 13th at regionals, and 27th at state. Coach Brad Oxler enters year two as Sumner head coach with goals to have four state qualifiers, three state medalists, and a state champ.
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Jensen, who was sixth at 285. “Continue to improve in duals and tournaments as a team and individually,” Edwards said of team goals. “(The) 2021-2022 dual record was 3-12; 2022-2023 dual record was 8-7. (We want to) have a better dual record, individual records, and more state qualifiers.” KAPAUN MT. CARMEL wants to “create a strong foundation for the future of our high school program while having fun and improving daily,” according to former Wichita North coach Quinton Burgess, who enters his first year coaching the Crusaders. Kapaun went 7-2 in duals last season and placed third in the league. Senior Omari Elias took fifth at state last season and will wrestle at 215 after completing a stellar high school football career that resulted in a scholarship to the Air Foce Academy. The Crusaders also welcome back Brandon Chandler (113, Sr.), Ba Nguyen (132, So.), Ramiz Monaco (144, Jr.), Pete Gann (175, Sr.), Giulio Traglia (190, Jr.), and Landon Heise (285, So.). “Goals for this season are embracing the process and focusing on self improvement,” Burgess added. MAIZE SOUTH returns 113 pound sophomore Gavin Munoz (20-19, SQ), and seniors Josh Berlin (27-12), Isaiah Lowe (1514), and James Conway (20-20) to lead this year’s squad. Veteran coach Matt Kerr called goals for this season to “place several kids at every tournament, have six to seven state qualifiers, finish in the top half of the league, and have two to three state placers.” “We are a very young team, but the leadership from our three seniors will be needed for the youthful talent to yield results,” Kerr said. “We have a strong freshman and sophomore class that will have to learn the work ethic and commitment it takes to be successful on the varsity level.” LC Davis enters year seven with the PITTSBURG Purple Dragons with a team that went 5-5 in duals a season ago and was second in the Southeast Kansas League. PHS returns four state qualifiers and are led by seniors Eismael Hernandez at 138 or 144 and Tyler Bailey at 150, along with junior Stone Peery at 215 and sophomore DeMarus Partee at 175. Mike Medina enters year 18 for ST. JAMES ACADEMY as the only coach in program history. The Thunder bring back junior state placer Will Burchard (35-15) at 132 after a fifth place finish a season ago. Sophomores Liam Boweles (113), Dylan Spaeth (138), Gavin Puchalla (157), and Brennan Jones add youth the lineup. Juniors Tommy Barnes, Evan Taylor, and Oliver Rosendahl will be key contributors. Senior Ben Burchard looks to become a state qualifier this season. “Very young team that’s been working hard in the offseason,” Medina said of his squad prior to the season. “I expect by the end of the season we will qualify quite a few wrestlers (for state), with multiple having a chance to place. Many got varsity experience in their first season wrestling last season that should pay off this year.” SALINA SOUTH brings back state qualifier Kyle Rector (113) this season, along with experienced varsity wrestlers Trevor
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Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 5A Boys Wrestling / from page 93 Javier Vieyra enters his second season as coach at DE SOTO and his Wildcats are hoping to continue to build on last season’s seven state qualifiers, 11th place regional finish, and 24th place state finish. Goals for this upcoming season include getting 10 wrestlers to state, a top three league finish, and a top 15 state finish. Three seniors that will help with these goals include state qualifier Carson Jones at 132, Brett Tickle at 175, and state qualifier Josh Tait at 215. To pair with these seniors are three junior state qualifiers: two time state qualifier Casey Bowlin (150), Aidan Sullivan (157), and Dylan Roy (190). Freshman Emerson Tjaden looks to make some noise in his first season of high school wrestlng and enters the year ranked fourth in 5A at 138. “We return a lot of experience and have some underclassmen who are ready to go. The team grew a lot last year, but we have to continue focusing on better positioning and improving our fundamentals every day,” Vieyra said. Enrique Espinoza enters year 12 as the head coach at GODDARD-EISENHOWER and says improvement throughout the season and leadership from the senior class will help with the designated goals. Senior Braedyn Blasi (25-15) is looking for a podium finish at 150 after being a two time state qualifier. Other wrestlers that are returning include senior Tommy York (157, 1910), junior Ethan Popp (175), junior Lucas Freeman (190, 16-13), senior Cade Crook (215), and senior Nate Hamm (285). Two state qualifiers return for EMPORIA and coach Brook Medrano. Finishing 11th at state this past season, the Spartans return Christian Trujillo at 157 and Josiah Bradley at 285. Freshman Gabe Wasson also looks to score some points this season and enters the year ranked third at 106. Medrano says goals for this season include continuous improvement and taking it on one match at a time. HAYS finished 12-9 in duals, fourth in the WAC, eighth at regionals, and 16th at state last season. Two time state finalist and defending state champion Harley Zimmerman returns for his senior season along with sixth place finisher, and classmate, Elijah McCullough at 113. Other state qualifiers returning, and the weight they plan to wrestle this season, are sophomore Grady Lind at 106, senior Tacoma Augustine at 126, junior Dalton Meyers at 190, and Boston Brungardt at 215. “We were a young team last year,” coach Heath Meder said. “(We) will need to keep building those younger wrestlers. The seniors have seen success and will need to be good leaders” Freddy Maisberger enters year 27 coaching the HIGHLAND PARK Scotsmen. They are a young team with potential and look to improve throughout the season. Their main goal is to get as many athletes involved in the sport of wrestling as possible. JC HARMON coach Matt Langhofer enters his third year leading the Hawks. Dane Edwards and the HUTCHINSON Salthawks return youth and veteran status to their lineup. Two state placers return in junior Kade Smith, who was fourth at 165, and senior Camden
Deavon McWashington Sumner Academy, Senior
Kansas Pregame Winter Edition 2023, Volume 6 Page 112 South Central Border League / from page 82 (6.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg), and junior Kayli Knapp (8.4 with a perfect 9-0 mark in the SCBL to go with ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.2 apg). a sub-state title. The Cardinals finished with “Playing together as a team and moving the an 18-5 record after a 44-35 first round loss to ball quickly up the floor,” head coach Elise Bucklin at state. Senior Jacee Theurer (5 ppg), Gerlach said of her team’s keys. “It will be very junior Aubrey Pond (9 ppg), and sophomore important that our defense forces turnovers and Kelly Theurer (6 ppg) return from that starting that each player rebounds the ball offensively lineup for head coach Mike Heater who wants and defensively. Each player must execute the his team to “play fast and force turnovers” to offense and defense correctly.” achieve success this season. WEST ELK won a tough first round contest UDALL finished 6-16 with a 3-6 mark in league at sub-state against Sedan 40-37, but couldn’t play. The Eagles finished sixth in regular season overcome Bluestem in the second round, losing league play and fourth in the league tournament 38-26 and finishing the season 15-7. Seniors and return noteworthy experience in seniors Makaila Gillespie and Kodi Harshman earned Alexa Logsdon (7 ppg, 1.3 rpg), Ciara Hopkins All-League for the Patriots. (2.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.2 apg) and Emma Alberts
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