Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview 2018 by Sixteen 60 Publishing Co.

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Volume 1 2018

PREGAME winter sports preview

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The Push to Sanction Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wrestling PAGE 11

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

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Winter Is Here!

Kansas Pregame

Welcome to the new Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview. After nearly 20 years publishing two small weekly newspapers in Kansas, and 13 years producing the Sunflower State’s only comprehensive statewide high school football preview, my wife, Bree, and I, sold our two weeklies with a goal to make coverage of high school sports in Kansas my career. The next natural step after producing a Kansas high school football preview magazine is to expand into coverage of basketball and wrestling. For the last several years I’ve partnered with Linda Denning, publisher of the Ellsworth County JOHN BAETZ Independent-Reporter, to produce a regional basketball preview called Kansas Hardwood. And up until PUBLISHER three years ago my company produced Kansas Mat Preview, a statewide wrestling preview. Due to a lack of staff resources and a publication date during one of the busiest times of the year for weekly newspapers - the holiday season - we had to put Kansas Mat Preview on the shelf, but I’ve always remained interested in both basketball and wrestling. Basketball is one of my favorite sports to watch because of the way it showcases an athlete’s natural athleticism through dribbling, passing, shooting and rebounding. And wrestling is equally enjoyable, not just for the action on the mat, but also for the tremendous family atmosphere of the sport. Wrestling families travel in packs to tournaments and duals and opposing fan bases often embrace one another. If you’ve ever been to the 3-2-1A state tournament in Hays and watched the fans of teams like Hoxie, Norton and Smith Center, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. And from a spectator sport, nothing is better than a basketball game or wrestling match because if you get there early, you can get closer to the action than any other sporting event. Sometimes fans in the front row of basketball games will even get involved in the action when a ball gets tossed out of bounds and an intense competitor goes leaping into the stands to save the possession. So, please enjoy our first attempt at previewing the state’s two largest winter sports, and, we appreciate your patience as we work to grow and expand this publication on a scale similar to the football preview. While we think Volume 1 is a pretty good start, the best is yet to come.

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW, Vol. 1

John Baetz & Bree McReynolds-Baetz, Publishers Co-owners of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co., publishers of Kansas Pregame Football Magazine, Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, and other specialty publications. Layout and Design: Becky Rathbun, Sixteen 60 Publishing Ad Design: Kayla Kvacik, Kvacik Graphics Contributing writers: Ryan Atkinson; Gallagher Martin, McPherson Sentinel; Brent Maycock, Topeka Capital-Journal; Kyle McCaskey; Conor Nicholl Contributing photographers: Joey Bahr, Joey Bahr Photography, www.joeybahr.com; Bree McReynolds-Baetz Photography; Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com Acknowledgments: With a project of this size and scope we can’t possibly thank all the contributors, but a special “Thank You!” goes out to the school secretaries, athletic directors, coaches and parents who helped us secure team information. Thank you to the advertisers who made this possible - without your support this publication would not be a reality.

WHAT’S INSIDE? 5 Officials Needed!

13-27 Athlete Profiles

9 Straight Shooter

28 Directory 29 Basketball

11 Sanctioning Girls Wrestling

68 Wrestling

Mail inquiries to johnbaetz@gmail.com or Kansas Pregame, PO Box 186, Lincoln, KS 67455 Publication date: Volume 1, November 29, 2018 The 2018 Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview cover was photographed at the beautiful Rolling Hills Zoo and Wildlife Museum just west of Salina. For details about zoo location, hours and the many great events hosted at the zoo visit www.rollinghillszoo.org. Find digital editions of back issues of Kansas Pregame 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 and Twitter

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LETTER FROM KSHSAA: OFFICIALS NEEDED! There are many reasons to become a middle or high school game official, an avocation that can be rewarding personally and that provides benefit for your community as well. If you find one of the following to be intriguing, we invite you to contact the KSHSAA so you can join our officiating team. Why would you want to serve as a game official? You can … • Give back to the game – if you have enjoyed playing or watching a game, working as an official allows you to stay in the game and make a significant contribution to our schools and to the game you enjoy. It seems like an obvious statement, but games cannot be played without our men and women who choose to officiate. • Stay active in a sport you love – if you are no longer able to play the game you love, you can still be part of that game if you serve as an official. Former players and coaches draw upon their experiences and knowledge and often follow a playing/coaching career by serving as an official for the game they love. • Earn a little spending money – if you need to generate resources to pay the bills, or earn a little money for a special project or vacation, game officials are paid for all games they work. You can work as much as you want, and hours complement other work and family obligations. • Keep in shape – if you want to stay active and healthy, running up and down the court or field will help your physical fitness and keeps your mind sharp. • Work with kids – our kids need you! Without game officials, our students will not be able to play the games they love; they need coaches and officials for game opportunities to be realized. Running up and down the court/field with those kids will keep you young! • Learn – You will learn more about the game and the way it is played and coached than you ever thought possible. For any game you attend, or as you watch college and professional contests, you will be looking not just at the player and coaches, but at the officials, their positioning, their application of rules, and recognize there is much more to officiating than just good

judgment. • Be part of a team – the camaraderie experienced by game officials is very much like that you may remember as a player in the locker room or as a coach in chalk talks. You learn to count on others as your fellow officials count on you. • Have FUN – while our games are always about the kids, our best officials enjoy the game and have fun on the competition field, working to ensure the players have a level field of play and the experience is memorable for all the right reasons. • Fill a need – each year, more officials retire and leave the game than the number joining the officiating ranks; if this trend continues, we will reach critical levels in a few short years. We need more men and women willing work as officials in all of our activities. If you are an official, thank you! Please continue to serve and let us know how we better equip you for this service. You may also consider serving as a mentor. The KSHSAA has established a mentorship program for new officials that currently has 42 officials enrolled. New officials are paired with an experienced official in that sport to help the officiating journey get started in the right direction. The brotherhood and sisterhood of officiating is unmatched and we believe this mentorship program is in place to enhance your experience. An example the success of that program is evident in the following testimony: “I have had so many people assist me in becoming the official I am today. George Ebert really took me under his wing when I moved to Manhattan. He watched me officiate a few games and decided to take a chance on me. I wouldn’t be officiating today if it weren’t for him. Josh Tanking was another person who really looked after me and still does today. If I ever was uncertain about something, he could either help me or find someone who could. Having these two men mentor me and believe in me has given me confidence in my ability. I strive to make them proud every time I step on the court.” Keri Pfrang, new official and mentorship partner. Our best wishes for a great season ahead! KSHSAA Administrative Team, kshsaa@kshsaa.org

NEW TEAM. NEW UNIFORM. BECOME AN OFFICIAL.

Photo courtesy of Tom Fleeman

To learn more about becoming an official contact the Kansas State High School Activities Association: 785-273-5329 or kshsaa@kshsaa.org or scan

NAME: Tyson Villalpando SCHOOL: Minneapolis Lions INJURY: Right Knee

INJURY DATE: September 2017, Returned to mat in 2017

PROCEDURE: Knee Arthroscopy, Lateral Meniscal Tear SURGEON: Todd Herrenbruck, M.D. & Lindsy Newton, P.A-C RE-Injured: Wrestling DATE:1/20/18 Rehab with PT: Steve Sjogren, PT 2018-2019 GOAL: State Champion

Weight Class: 182#

After his knee scope Tyson had one goal on his mind, “getting back on his feet and on the mat”

“I thought that the right knee surgery was going to be difficult to overcome but the surgery and rehab did everything. The docs and pt did a fantastic job and now it feels like it used to.”

NAME: Brogan Richardson SCHOOL: Salina Central Mustangs INJURY: Right Knee INJURY DATE: 10/20/17 Football PROCEDURE: Knee Arthroscopy SURGEON: Gary Harbin, M.D. & Amber Sawyers, PAC- ATC “Recovering from an injury is a process. Salina Ortho was helpful and supportive in guiding me through this process. Dr. Harbin and Mrs. Sawyer were able to quickly diagnose my knee injury suffered in football and then schedule surgery that went very smooth. Physical Therapy was a vital part of my recovery journey. Nate Lee did not just help, but pushed me hard while I was there and provided me with exercises to do on my own between sessions. The goal was to return to the court as soon as possible! I was excited that I was able to get back and join my team and be a part of a successful season that earned us a 2nd place state finish.”

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Page 9

Fisher’s book explains PHYSICS OF SHOOTING

By Julie Perry, The Marysville Advocate What began 10 years ago as a science-based approach to shooting has led 14-time world record holder Bob Fisher, Centralia, to write, “Straight Shooter.” His book, sub-titled “A Game-Changing

New Approach to Basketball Shooting,” was released Sept. 11 and has sold well at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. “College coaches have been the most numerous buyers to date,” Fisher said. In the past 10 years, Fisher has developed a practical approach to shooting

based on physics. The beginning for Fisher was John Fontanella’s book, “The Physics of Basketball.” What Fisher learned from that book altered his focus away from shooting mechanics and steered him to a physics-based approach.

“Fontanella utilized physics to arrive at his answer for the optimum arc,” Fisher said. “I went searching for the answer to left/right misses.” He started breaking world records after that. Fisher owns 22, some he has reset and some he submitted for Guinness’

consideration before he attempted them. Some of Fisher’s records include: Most free-throws made in 30 seconds at 53; most in a minute, 52; most in 2 minutes, 92; most in 10 minutes, 448; most in 1 hour, 2,371; and many others.

Centralia native Bob Fisher owns 22 world records for shooting the basketball. His new book, available through Amazon or Barnes & Noble and online at secretsofshooting.com, explains the physics of the shot. (Courtesy Photo)

“My original intent was to improve the way shooting is taught,” he said. “I, like most everyone else, have experienced the frustration of shooting poorly and not knowing why. It provides me a great deal of satisfaction that I have figured out what is important in shooting and what is not.

There is a great deal of misinformation floating around and bringing science into it provides a true north of what is relevant and what is not.” The book is for players to understand how to enhance their enjoyment of the game and eliminate the frustration of shooting poorly. “Straight Shooter is going to impact the game,” Fisher said. “It will improve shooting at all levels. It feels fantastic to have contributed something of value, which will help others.” When Fisher started breaking world records, he began to meet other record holders, which included Tom Amberry, who holds the record for most consecutive free throws at 2,750 straight. Fisher attended Amberry’s funeral in March 2017 and met Phil Reed, who co-authored “Free Throw” with Amberry. Fisher sent Reed a chapter of his book detailing the core concepts of the physics-based approach to shooting. “His response was, ‘I think there is a book here, and you are just the person to write it,’” Fisher said. “That was all the encouragement I needed.” Straight Shooter is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble and at Fisher’s website, secretsofshooting.com, where visitors can also purchase the video, Secrets of Shooting. This article is reprinted with permission from The Marysville Advocate.

Page 11

Behind the push to sanction GIRLS WRESTLING

Photo by Jacob Isaacson, Jacob Isaacson Photography

McPherson’s Mya Kretzer By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame McPherson’s Mya Kretzer was immersed in wrestling from a young age. Her dad, Doug, is currently the McPherson head wrestling coach and has coached for more than 20 years. Mya has three brothers: Kaden, Cole and her twin, EJ. Kaden, six years older than Mya, was an elite high schooler and ranked in the top-10 all-time in state history in multiple categories. Cole is a year younger than Kaden and talented, too. Mya enjoyed participating in household games with her brothers and their friends. She fondly remembers laying on the trampoline in a game called “dead man.” The boys jumped around her and tried to see how high they could bounce her in the air. She never wore pink or played with dolls. Kretzer loved camo, horses, monkeys and stuffed animals. “She is a firecracker,” her dad said. “She has always been a handful.” She participated in swim team and enjoyed activities that pushed her limits. In sixth grade, she tried Cross Fit and had soreness one day. “Had no idea what that even was,” she said. “Where you actually push yourself to where you can’t even sit down, that was just like really cool to me.” Before seventh grade, Kretzer decided to wrestle, initially against her father’s wishes. “She just has a relentless personality, and when she makes her mind up, there is no bending her will,” he said. She fell in love with the sport. Rich Settle, who coached the McPherson varsity for 23 seasons, served as Kretzer’s junior high coach and a great early influence on her career. Mya is normally at the YMCA before 6 a.m. She has driven to other towns, including Kansas City, for a practice partner. Her dad said Mya searches for information as much “as any kid that I have ever coached.” Mya loves journaling and inspirational quotes. She has an arm tattoo with the McPherson wrestling logo, “On a Mission” in her dad’s handwriting, and right above that, multiple stars. The stars signify a conversation with her dad around the last Summer Olympics. He told her to “shoot for the stars.” She loves scheduling, including her meals and training, and would rather organize her week than go out. “I just like to work hard all the time,” she said. “That’s kind of what gets me through it – is just working hard and getting through things that people don’t think I can get through.” Kretzer, now a senior and an elite national wrestler with an Olympic dream, and her dad, are spearheading another movement: Get girls’ wrestling sanctioned as an official Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) sport.

Nickerson’s Nichole Moore

Kretzer, longtime Burlington coach Doug Vander Linden and Nate Naasz, the current marketing and communications director for the National Wrestling Coaches Association, have met with KSHSAA three times. Naasz is also the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association president and has coached for many years, most notably 11 seasons at Lincoln. Doug Kretzer serves as the state girls’ representative. Girls’ wrestling would likely start with one class and two regionals. The top-four from each regional would qualify for state. The state tournament would likely conclude the day before boys’ state starts. “There was a lot of good responses to the current proposal,” Naasz said. “I believe, from what I am understanding, it will go up for a vote this spring to add it for next year.” In the last year, Kretzer has heard from multiple well respected coaches who believe girls’ wrestling needs to be sanctioned. In the last month, he has received near daily emails from coaches with questions about creating their own girls’ team. As well, Kansas has performed very well at the national level. This season, six girls are ranked in the preseason national rankings. Nickerson junior Nichole Moore is No. 11 at 106 pounds. Moore, like Mya, has a leadership presence. An elite wrestler since she was young, Moore has boundless energy and enthusiasm. “She is very gritty, and what Nikki does really well in my opinion, is Nikki knows how to wrestle the best way for Nikki,” coach Kretzer said. “She wrestles her match.” Paola sophomore Jordyn Knecht stands ninth at 117. Kretzer is ninth at 127. At 132, Burlingame sophomore Gianna Culbert is 20th. At 152, Fredonia senior Mason Claibourn is ranked 19th. Junction City junior Elisa Robinson is third at 180. “We have also got a group of girls statewide that are just really good,” Naasz said. “They are top level, national level girls. They are finding their way onto collegiate rosters, and so it’s just become something that there were a lot of different things that tipped in its favor, and we are just really hoping that the board of directors from the Kansas State High School Activities Association acknowledges that, and they add it sooner rather than later.” Multiple states have girls’ wrestling as a sanctioned high school sport, including Missouri this year. Missouri had around 800 girls weigh-in for high school wrestling this season, approximately triple who competed last season. Several Kansas colleges have added women’s wrestling, including NAIA Baker and Southwestern College this school year. Southwestern College head coach Sarah Bollinger, from California, started to wrestle when she was four and followed her older brother. Bollinger competed at a high level for Missouri Baptist,

Courtesy Photo

located in St. Louis, and has four women for SW this season. Bollinger believes sanctioning girls’ wrestling would “definitely double” the numbers in Kansas. “The inclusiveness – you could really see anyone from anywhere with any type of problems or baggage and you are allowed to wrestle,” Bollinger said. “I mean you can be male, female. You can be black or white. You can come from a low income family or a rich family, and I just love that it’s really a sport that welcomes everyone.” During the years, multiple schools, including Lincoln, McPherson, and Hoisington, have had girls on the roster. McPherson had talented Addie Lanning earlier this decade and was the KCAC Most Outstanding Wrestler at Ottawa last year. Rare ones have qualified for the high school state tournament, including Lakin’s Samantha Gonzales in the mid-2000s. The high school girls always had to wrestle boys. “It seemed like there’s been a lot of girls, really good girls that have wrestled before,” coach Kretzer said. “And we weren’t getting any movement, and somebody had to pick up the ball and start to push, and now we have got a mountain behind us inside of in front of us saying that it’s the right thing.” Two years ago, McPherson decided to form a girls’ team. Coach Kretzer had 13 girls come out, many whom had no desire to compete against a boy. Kretzer told them he wasn’t sure whether they would ever wrestle a match outside of the Bullpups’ practice room. However, he considered them an official team. The girls bought in. For McPherson’s own tournament, Kretzer decided to add a girls’ division. Around 20 girls, including McPherson’s, competed. In 2017, McPherson decided to host an unsanctioned state tournament and had it again last winter. By Kretzer’s numbers, 36 schools and 56 girls participated in ’17. Last year, 57 schools and 145 girls were involved with the sport. Mya Kretzer, a multi-time All-American, was 25-13 with 12 falls as a starter on the McPherson boys’ team last winter. She captured Kansas girls state the last two winters and was voted 2018 Outstanding Wrestler of the girls’ state tournament by the coaches. Naasz has watched Mya in multiple settings and said she has “some of the cleanest technique” he has ever seen – boy or girl- and has been impressed with her tenacity. Kretzer wants to attend a Kansas college with ROTC and a wrestling program. She has narrowed her list to Baker and NAIA University of St. Mary, which added wrestling before ’16-17. She has attended high-level development camps and wrestled in Estonia. “She is just like any other girl walking around in the hallway at least in stature, but her guts sets her apart, and her drive is pretty special,” coach Kretzer said.

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Page 13

Photos by Bree McReynolds-Baetz Photography

Boys Basketball

Xavier Bell

Caleb Grill

“Eighth grade, I was kind of the wild kid who was just like running around everywhere,” Bell said. “Someone actually sat down, and broke my game down, just to build it back up again, which was really awesome.” The left-handed Bell said he and Tyler developed his shot “a lot,” and improved his ball handling, especially with his right hand. Bell worked on ball handling first, then shooting, then shots off the dribble. “I would always do everything, but try and come back left,” Bell said. “So I think when we got in the gym and really just tried to work on my right hand.” Bell traveled throughout the country with MOKAN, including Atlanta, Dallas and Indianapolis. He has procured two offers from Division I mid-majors: University of Denver and Southeast Missouri State. Bell and his MOKAN coaches have had communication with multiple schools. Oklahoma State was the first school to contact him. Valparaiso, Colorado, Missouri State, George Washington, Tulane, Drake and others have talked to him as well. Bell has received the most contact from Wichita State and Tulsa. This season, Andover Central moves up to 5A and is the smallest 5A school. McPherson, a 4A power, also bumps to 5A. However, Bishop Miege, the three-time defending 4A champions, remained in 4A. AC returns 92 percent of its scoring and 86 percent of rebounding. The top-six scorers

Tanner Halling

return. Senior Braden Belt averaged 14.1 points, while senior Easton Leedom has delivered 13.4 points and six rebounds a contest. Veteran coach Jesse Herrmann calls this “probably the most experience team I have had in 22 years of head coaching.” “We return over 85 percent of our points, stats, assists, rebounds from last season,” Herrmann added. “We had an undefeated JV season last year and our junior class has some depth. The key to us being successful is everyone buying in to the ‘we before me’ mentality and playing for each other.” Caleb Grill, Maize As a freshman, Maize’s Caleb Grill was 5-foot-9 and weighed between 130 and 135 pounds. Then, Grill went through a growth spurt and had sizable weight room gains. His sophomore year, he was 6-1, 160. Grill realized he could play at a higher level. He went from 3.1 points a contest as a freshman to 14.5 as a sophomore. Last season, he delivered 16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals a contest for a 17-win Maize squad. Now, the 6-3, 180-pound Grill is one of Kansas’ best quarterbacks and basketball players. Grill, who had already committed to Division I South Dakota State for basketball, still wanted to play football this fall. “It was going to be my last time ever playing football, so I continued on page 15

Rolling Hills Zoo, located at 625 North Hedville Road, six miles west of Salina and two miles south of Interstate 70, was the host sponsor for this year’s Winter Sports Preview cover shoot. Check out some of the many fantastic events planned at the zoo in the coming months: Armed Forces Day – May 18, 2019: FREE admission for active and retired military personnel and their immediate families. Military ID required. Art Gone Wild – September 14, 2019: Immersing guests in the artistic experience is all part of this year’s Art Gone Wild Plein Air Event at Rolling Hills Zoo. Regional plein air artists, along with the Zoo’s own animal artists, will be in the park showcasing their artistic talent during Salina’s only plein air event.

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Page 15 year ended, Halling played in the spring, summer and fall. He mainly was on a team of small school standouts such as St. John’s Mason Osborne, Chaparral’s Quinton Pfaff, Ashland’s Greysen Gardiner, and Attica’s Ezra Goodman and Blake Harnden. The team played strong competition at several places, including Wichita and Dallas. Halling most improved his aggression and power. “I stepped up and worked my hardest everyday,” Halling said. The work helped the 6-foot-7 Halling enjoy a breakout sophomore year with 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game. St. John finished third in Class 1A, Division I with a 20-6 record. “Last year, Tanner was a 6-4 gangly, fall down freshman, and his coordination has gotten much better obviously,” longtime St. John coach Clint Kinnamon said at state last year. “His athleticism has improved tremendously.” Two seasons ago, St. John went 24-2 and lost to Sacred Heart in the 2A championship game. However, the Tigers graduated half of their scoring for last winter. “It surprised everyone, because growing up, everyone didn’t expect much out of me,” Halling said. “And then my sophomore season, I came out and played pretty good, which I think everyone appreciated, because we needed that. We needed someone to step up, so I just tried to play my hardest.” Halling learned from SJ’s 6-4 forward Chase Fisher, the top player on last year’s team. Fisher finished his career with 924 points and was a key contributor all four years. “He was like my role model in high school,” Halling said. “Like a lot of the other upperclassmen just don’t pay attention to the lower class. But he understands they are going to be the upcoming team, so he helped me and worked with me a lot, so he taught me to not be selfish and play as a team.” This winter, Halling and seniors Osborne (5.9 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds) and Eddy Calleros (7.6 points) are

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 from page 13 didn’t want to leave it on my junior year losing in the sectional game versus Carroll,” Grill said of the 9-2 2017 season. This year, Grill passed for more than 2,500 yards as the Eagles won double-digit contests, and advanced to the Class 5A sub-state title game, where they nearly knocked off preseason favorite Wichita Northwest, tying the 1990 team for the best finish in program history. Grill set a school record for passing yards and is also one of Kansas’ best punters and high jumpers. Grill is an outstanding shooter with 71 percent from the free throw line, 55 percent on 2-point attempts and 40 percent on treys in his career. The last two seasons, he has combined for 108 3s. Maize returns 73 percent of its scoring from last winter for coach Chris Grill, Caleb’s dad. Caleb has played for his dad since third grade. Grill’s first offer came from South Dakota State. He received more than 10 DI offers, including Colorado State, Texas Tech, Southern Illinois, Washington State and Weber State. Grill stayed with the Jackrabbits and has committed to SDSU, located in Brookings, a town of 22,000. Grill said he had “an unbelievable relationship” with the coaches, current players and the other 2019 recruits. “It just felt like home, because it’s not in a big city,” Grill said. SDSU is one of the nation’s top mid-major schools and has reached the last three NCAA tournaments and five of the last seven. In January, Grill attended a 78-76 win versus Fort Wayne at Frost Arena. The contest drew 3,536 fans. “It’s everyone’s favorite team up there, so they are all for you, they are all your fans,” Grill said. Tanner Halling, St. John Tanner Halling was a limited role player for St. John as a freshman. In 6.6 minutes per contest, he contributed 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds. Immediately after his freshman

John Pfannenstiel

the key returners for the Tigers. St. John is expected to have plenty of height. “It’s hard for the offense to do their thing when we have arms everywhere,” Halling said. “And it makes it hard for them to get the ball around, and inside we are big, so they have to turn to their outside shooters a lot of the time.” John Pfannenstiel, Ness City Since he was a child, Pfannenstiel has always felt a desire to lead. Pfannenstiel, a standout quarterback and point guard, credited his parents and Sacred Heart, the Catholic church in Ness City. Even when he was young, Pfannenstiel continued on page 16

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 from page 15 paid attention in church. “Most kids, you go to church and you can’t really pay attention or you almost fall asleep, but it’s just been really interesting to me my whole life,” Pfannenstiel said. “And I have just understood from a young age that if you do the right things, and you work hard and you treat people right that things are just going to work themselves out for you and good things are going to happen, you have just got to trust in it.” The affable Pfannenstiel is a constant for a Ness City program under now second-year coach Brandt Rogers, who was the Eagles’ third head coach in the last four seasons. The Eagles went 17-5 last season and have won at least 20 games three times in the last eight winters. Last year, Pfannenstiel averaged 19.8 points and 4.9 assists, both team-highs, along with 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Pfannenstiel has received interest from NAIA schools but called playing Division II college basketball “a dream come true.” However, as of early November, Pfannenstiel had yet to receive an offer. He has some interest from Pittsburg State, Fort Hays and Washburn. “You see the cliché of these small-town Kansas kids not getting looks or anything, and it is stressful for all of us,” Pfannenstiel said. “I have been wanting to play college basketball since I was little. … It would just be nice to get that offer to just more of enjoy your senior year and just calm down and just play ball and just have fun with it.” Pfannenstiel won a state free throw contest in elementary school and has worked hours on the family’s driveway. He has long focused on ball handling drills, including simpler ones, such as a ball through the legs, around the waist and head without dribbling, and also dribbling a ball through the legs as many times as possible in a minute. continued on page 17

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Page 17 asked his mother was whether Trey and Phillipsburg won. His mother said no. The Panthers fell in the last seconds, 44-43, to Halstead. “I was pretty heartbroken for Trey,” Riley said. “I about had tears come down for Trey and Ty, because I know how much they worked for it, and how much they wanted it, and I wanted it for them as much as I wanted it for myself.” Trey Sides, Phillipsburg Trey suffered a thumb injury in the 2017 football season, where he is one of the state’s top quarterbacks and a four-year starter, and missed the first part of basketball. The point guard returned after Christmas to a 5-1 team – and significantly improved the offense. “We weren’t struggling or anything, but it just elevated it even more,” Trey said. Overall, Phillipsburg finished 23-2. Coach Sides earned his 200th career victory. Trey paced the Panthers with 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.9 assists a contest. Trey had played with last year’s senior class since seventh grade and had started since his freshman year. “They have always looked at me to help them be the best teams that they can be, and just leading them at point,” Trey said. Without Sides, Phillipsburg averaged .82 points per possession, shot 43 percent on 2-pointers and averaged 12 free throw attempts a contest. With Sides, Phillipsburg delivered .97 points a possession, shot 49 percent on 2s and averaged 18 free throw attempts a contest. Phillipsburg had a balanced team that had 12 players who saw consistent playing time. “Able to open up shots for other guys, run the court a lot better, and then vision-wise, be able to make the right passes and stuff to get guys open shots is what helped,” Sides said of the offensive improvements. “We had a lot of really smart basketball IQ guys last year, so they kind of turned it on as well as we continued throughout the year.” Sides has scored 913 career points and has an offer from NAIA Bethel College, though is undecided about his future. For his career, he has delivered 14.8 points, six rebounds, 3.4 steals and 3.3 assists per contest. Check out league previews starting on page 29, and here’s a look at some of Kansas’ other top players: Ty Berry, Newton, Jr. The offers continue to flow in for Berry, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior and the state’s top point guard. Berry is a four-star recruit with 12 scholarship offers, including Wichita State, Creighton, Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, K-State and others. This summer, he averaged 12.3 points, 3.4 assists and 2.3 steals a game in the high-level Under Armour Association. Jonathan Jackson, Maranatha Academy, Jr. The 6-foot-4 Jackson averaged 20.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists a contest. The Eagles went 20-3 and enjoyed a 12-win improvement. It marked Maranatha’s first winning season in 17 years. Jackson had been homeschooled and transferred from Metro Academy (Mo.). Jonathan is the younger brother of Justin Jackson, who won a national championship at North Carolina, and now plays for the Sacramento Kings. The Jacksons moved to Kansas several years ago, as Justin played high school and was homeschooled in Houston. Jonathan Jackson, who played for MoKan, has already received an Oklahoma State offer and has seen interest from

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Texas A&M, Duke, Central Florida and North Carolina. Jake Alexander, McPherson, Sr. Alexander (6-5, 185) has averaged 13.6 points and 3.1 rebounds as a sophomore, and 13.9 points and 3.7 rebounds last winter. McPherson has been state runner-up to Bishop Miege in Class 4A, Division I the last three years after titles in ’14 and ’15. McPherson is in the top-two all-time in state history in titles (13), title game appearances (25) and state tournament appearances (55). Jake’s dad, Chad, was an all-state selection for McPherson in the early ‘90s and played at Oklahoma State. Christian Braun, Blue Valley Northwest, Sr. Christian Braun is the first player from longtime successful Blue Valley Northwest coach Ed Fritz to receive a scholarship from Kansas. The 6-foot-6 Braun chose Kansas this fall over Kansas State, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Creighton and Wake Forest, among others. Braun played for MoKan basketball this summer and received significant interest from Kansas. Braun averaged 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists a contest with two-time defending champion BVNW. He has grown nearly a foot in high school. Braun’s older brother, Parker is playing at Missouri after he graduated last season. Aaron King, Yates Center, Jr. The 6-3, 175-pound King averaged 22 points and six rebounds a contest and has already exceeded 1,000 career points. He ranked second in 2A in continued on page 27

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from page 16 “Other kids are doing other things, and you are just in the gym or on the driveway, but it’s a thing that you fall in love with and it doesn’t even seem like work sometimes,” Pfannenstiel said. He has done higher-level drills with two balls – including switching hands with two balls and going through the legs and behind the back. At times, he has even put on a blind fold and used a tennis ball. “Most kids just want to go in the gym and shoot a bunch of shots and play pick up games and throw up half courters,” Pfannenstiel said. “But it was really just ball handling for me, and then shooting came more and more and understanding the game and seeing those little creases where you can make those tight passes.” Riley Sides, Northern Valley Keith and Kevin Sides are twin brothers and 1991 graduates of Almena-Northern Valley. The Huskies won state basketball titles in ’90 and ’91 with then-coach Doug Reusink and then-assistant coach Chuck Fessenden. Reusink is currently the veteran coach at nearby Norton, and Fessenden has been the NV football coach for more than 40 years and eventually took over as Husky head boys’ basketball coach. Keith moved to Phillipsburg, 30 miles away from home. He and his wife, Robin, serve in various coaching roles with the Panthers. Keith is the longtime head boys’ basketball and head golf coach. They have three children: senior Trey, sophomore Ty, and eighth-grade girl Taryn. Kevin remained in Almena. Kevin and his wife Joy, along with the Sides’ father, Dale, farm and work the family farm. Kevin and Joy have three children: senior Riley, freshman boy Bailey and sixth-grade girl Delaney. Kevin is assisting Fessenden this winter for the first time. With their dads coaching, Trey, Riley, Ty and another cousin from nearby Alma, Neb., often played on the same travel team that went to Kearney, Neb. Riley has long worked with his father and developed into one of the state’s top shooters. “Shooting came naturally for me, but my dad was a pretty good shooter in his day,” he said. “So I think that passed down, but his help, and my knack for perfecting my shot, just a lot of repetitions to get to where I am now. Even when I was younger, I was outside shooting, getting ready. I always wanted to bring home state championships like my dad did.” Last year, Northern Valley went 25-1 and captured the school’s first boys’ basketball title since 1991. The Huskies had an average margin of victory of 69-41, averaged nine treys a game and shot 39 percent from long range. NV, with just one senior, won every state game by double figures. “We have got shooters everywhere,” he said. “We play a fun game of basketball.” The 6-1 Sides earned Class 1A, Division II Player of the Year honors with 17.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 steals a contest. He made 76 treys and shot 42 percent from 3-point range. In his career, Sides has scored 1,114 points with 208 treys and 37 percent from 3. The Sides family nearly captured two titles on the same day. Phillipsburg played in the Class 3A state title game and Trey earned 3A Player of the Year honors as the Panthers reached state for the first time since 1973. After Northern Valley celebrated the championship, the Huskies started to line up for pictures. The first thing Riley

RILEY SIDES

TREY SIDES

Girls Basketball

By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Earlier this fall we welcomed just a sampling of the state’s top athletes to a feature photo shoot at Rolling Hills Zoo west of Salina. The Zoo and Wildlife Museum made a stunning backdrop for the shoot. These athletes are fiercely competitive and display an almost “Animal Instinct” in the sport they love. Check out their profiles below and read to the very end for a list of other top players in Kansas. To learn more about Rolling Hills, one of the state’s top attractions, visit their website, www.rollinghillszoo.org. Tor’e Alford Amos Alford knew current Derby coach Jodie Karsak before his daughter, Tor’e, was born. Amos loved basketball and was well-known in the Wichita area. In 2016-17, he watched as the Derby girls lost 44-42 to Manhattan in the Class 6A state title game. Derby delivered a massive comeback after it trailed by 18 points with 5 minutes, 2 seconds to play. It marked the last time Alford saw his daughter play. Amos, a Wichita East assistant coach, passed away in the spring. Derby dedicated last season to Amos, including “AA” on game day shirts and blue ribbon on shoes. Alford and Kennedy Brown led Derby to its first girls’ basketball title with a 50-35 win against Olathe South. In the semifinals, Derby trailed Wichita South, known for their deliberate play, by 12 points midway through the third quarter. The Panthers tallied 13 straight points, and Aliyah Myers sunk a layup with two seconds left for a 42-40 victory. “We don’t really panic,” Alford said. “We know at the end of the day, Karsak, she has a plan, so we just kind of trust her.” Alford, known for her glasses and ability to thread passes and run the offense, averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.1 steals a game. She has committed to Missouri State. “Since I was little, I have never really been selfish, shoot the ball,” Alford said. “I prefer to pass it than to shoot it, so I think it’s just a gift, something that I have been raised with.” Alford said her father always wanted her to play hard and remembered his saying. “Defense wins games, but rebounds wins championships, so I try to rebound,” Alford said. Brown collected 14.5 points, 12 rebounds and 11 blocks a game. Myers and junior Sydney Nilles combined for 14.9 points per contest. Derby went 23-1 and set a higher goal this winter. “I want to go undefeated,” Alford said. Alford has known Jackie Stiles since the fifth grade. Stiles, one of Kansas’ all-time greats, is a Claflin graduate and former Missouri State All-American.

Page 19

Photos by Bree McReynolds-Baetz Photography

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Tor’e Alford

She is currently an assistant coach at her alma mater, but used to come back to the Wichita area for training. Alford’s goal after college is to serve as a graduate coaching assistant and then work up the ranks and hopefully become a head coach at a big college. “They were the first people who really, really reached out to me,” Alford said of the Bears. “They were my first offer, so just that atmosphere, it’s not too far away from home, but it’s far enough, and those coaches, they are great, and to play under Jackie Stiles, one of the greatest point guards ever, that doesn’t get really any better than that.” Kennedy Brown, Derby Derby 6-foot-6 senior center Kennedy Brown was ranked No. 19 in the country by ESPNW’s Hoopgurlz, the industry standard for women’s basketball recruiting. Brown, a five-star recruit, had narrowed her list to seven schools, mainly national powerhouses: Baylor, Tennessee, UCLA, Oklahoma, Oregon, Louisville and Oregon State. A few weeks before Derby practice opened, Brown announced her decision on Twitter. She selected Oregon State and coach Scott Rueck. In eight seasons with the Beavers, Rueck is 179-88 with Final Four, Sweet 16 and Elite Eight showings the last three winters. From the start, Rueck and his staff knew Brown didn’t want to play with her back to the basket. Rueck envisions Brown

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Kennedy Brown

as a versatile player, one who can shoot the three more consistently, take defenders off the bounce and shoot mid-range and pull-up jumpers. Brown took official visits to Oklahoma, Oregon and UCLA. Brown has played at the international level, including the 2018 Women’s U18 National Team Trials. “I think just the relationships that I built with those coaches,” Brown said. “We are all really close, and I have kind of clicked with the head coach since Day 1. “He has had a vision for me that was just unique,” she added. “And it has helped me see myself playing there and going there and just meeting the girls, I felt like I really fit in, and it just felt like the right place.” Brown has enjoyed a strong chemistry with Derby and veteran coach Jodie Karsak. The Panthers were 7-14 and 8-14 before Brown and point guard Tor’e Alford entered high school. Since then, Derby is 19-4, 20-5 and 23-1 with a 50-35 win against Olathe East in the Class 6A state title game, the first girls’ basketball crown in school annals. Brown averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds as a sophomore. At state last season, Brown delivered 16 points, nine rebounds and four blocks a game. Alford, a Missouri State commit, and Brown are great friends and have played continued on page 21

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“A great student, not just an athlete,” Brown said. “A good person. I want to be known for my personality, not just my abilities, so when people really get to know me, I think they know I am more than just that, and it’s very few that actually do try. … (Alford) knows me better than anybody, and she knows that it’s more than just basketball to me, but I also want to be able to help others.” Aubree Dewey, Plainville As a freshman, Plainville point guard Aubree Dewey was a whirling dervish on the court for the Cardinals. She perpetually played at a quick tempo and averaged 16.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.3 steals a contest. In addition to playing virtually every minute of varsity, Dewey performed a rare feat for a standout. She also played two quarters of junior varsity. “I hate to come out of the game,” she said. Plainville coach Kate Bremerman (Lehman) noticed Dewey’s love for the game and didn’t mind having her on JV. Dewey enjoyed both levels. This season, Dewey, one of the state’s top players, might again see time on JV and varsity because of low numbers. “JV would give me a warmup for the varsity games,” Dewey said. Last season, Dewey kept the same Logan intensity and delivered another huge Phillipsburg year with 22.3 points, 5.8 assists, 5.1 Russell rebounds and 3.4 steals a contest. She was one of nine WBCA/MaxPreps Stockton National Player of the Week nominees for the week of Feb. 26-March 4. Dewey has helped Plainville enjoy a big turnaround under Bremerman. Before she took over the Cardinals, Bremerman, a Newton graduate, was a four-year standout for Fort Hays State University. She was NCAA Division II National Player of the Year as a senior. She went 3-18 in Dewey’s eighth grade season, and then 11-10 with Dewey as a freshman, the program’s first winning record since 2010-11. Last year, the Cardinals finished 11-12. “It’s very nice playing for coach,” Dewey said. “She knows everything about basketball, and she will take stuff that she learned from her college coach and try and put it over to our team, and ever since she has come to our school, our basketball program has picked up so much.” Dewey comes from a five-sibling Free to do what’s right for you. family that loves basketball. She startSM

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Page 21 ed playing around four to five years old in Kearney, Neb. on a carpeted gym with short goals. The family moved to Plainville when she was around eight. Dewey first started to play on the same team as her older sister, Maeson, in third grade. The two were teammates for Plainville the past two seasons. Maeson, who averaged 14.2 points per game as a senior, currently plays for Cloud County Community College. “It was just fun playing with my sister Maeson, because I always knew she was going to be there,” Dewey said. This fall, without Maeson as a volleyball teammate, Aubree moved to cross country and took 15th place in Class 2A for all-state. In basketball, Plainville is expected to have another small team with one senior after 11and 12-player rosters the last two seasons. “We always like to come out with more wins than losses,” Dewey said. “This year, we are probably just going to try and get more people to go out for next year.” Emilee Ebert, Frankfort continued on page 22 A Marysville native, Kendra

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 from page 19 together since junior high. Brown’s high school career has long been defined publicly by her Division I recruitment. Brown, though, doesn’t want to be defined only by her success as a basketball player. She enjoys English, writing and the sciences. Brown said she might major in broadcast journalism or physical therapy at Oregon State.

AUBREE DEWEY

EMILEE EBERT

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 she was just a lot of fun, and obviously a great all-around player, and so I just kind of wanted to make my style of game like hers. I am very versatile. I can do a lot of things. I am quick and tall, so that really helps a lot.” Her dad, Brian, served as the Frankfort boys’ basketball coach for 14 years, then coached junior high girls two seasons and is entering her third year as the head high school girls’ coach. Around five to six years old, Ebert started to attend Frankfort boys’ basketball practices. Brian Ebert said Emilee saw “how competitive” the boys’ practices were. “She has always been around it, so she has always had that passion for it,” coach Ebert said. The Eberts live across the street from the Frankfort gym. Emilee greatly enjoys shooting in the gym, often by herself. Ebert normally shoots for 60 to 90 minutes with at least 500 shots. “I do enjoy gym time alone,” Ebert said. “I just crank my music up and get on the gun. It’s really relaxing, and gets your mind off things.” Ebert participated with MAYB for several years, and then played for Ohlde Elite Hoops with Drew and Nicole (Ohlde) Johnson. Ohlde, from Clay Center, like Wecker, played at from page 21 Kansas State and in the pros. Wecker led the Bulldogs to an undefeated senior season and “My outside shooting has improved a lot through them,” earned All-American honors. Wecker is in the Kansas State Emilee said. “Just getting extra shots up, outside of just Hall of Fame and played in the WNBA. Frankfort’s Emilee Ebert like my own gym time with them has really helped, and ball grew up 22 miles from Marysville. When she was young, Ebert handling, I ran point guard for them a little bit, so that helped said she wanted “to be just like” Wecker and set a goal to be a a lot.” Division I player. “Really pushing her and understanding that she could get The 6-foot Ebert was offered by Division I University of to the level that she wants to get to,” coach Ebert added. Nebraska-Omaha early in her high school career. Throughout Last season, Frankfort defeated Hanover in the regular 2018, Missouri State showed interest in Ebert and offered. Ebert, season. In the first round of the Class 1A, Division I state who averaged 20 points and nine rebounds a game last winter, announced her commitment to Missouri State via Twitter on Sept. tournament, Frankfort led Hanover before the Wildcats ended the game on a big unanswered run for a 50-47 victory. 22. Hanover then cruised to its second straight state title. “I went to a couple of her camps,” Ebert said of Wecker. “And

Emily Ryan

Page 22 This winter, Class 1A again returns from Division I and Division II to one classification. “It’s definitely more difficult,” coach Ebert said. “I am not a believer in how they necessarily group 100 and some schools into one classification and some classifications only have 36, it seems ridiculously uneven.” Emily Ryan, Central Plains The roots for Central Plains junior Emily Ryan’s success comes from the family home, located in the country, six to seven miles outside of Claflin. The Ryans have a basketball court and room to put up a volleyball net. Emily has three older siblings, all outstanding athletes. Janae played on four state basketball championship teams, averaged 17 points a game as a senior, and won back-toback state doubles titles in tennis for Central Plains in 201516. She currently plays tennis at Sterling College. Janae and Emily are best friends. Michael was a three-sport standout and spent time on the Sterling basketball team. Senior Devin Ryan is an all-state defensive back and Oiler point guard who led CP to an undefeated state boys’ basketball title last winter. “Very competitive all the time,” Emily said. “We always liked to play basketball against each other and stuff like that, so that really instilled the competitive drive in me.” Their dad, Jim, is the Oiler girls’ assistant basketball coach. He taught Emily how to shoot correctly, form she has continually practiced. “I have just put in a lot of repetitions everyday,” Emily said. Emily, the reigning Sports in Kansas All-Classes Player of the Year, has enjoyed a remarkable career. This fall, she went 35-1 and was the state tennis runner-up. Last winter, Ryan was the only full-time returning starter. She averaged 22 points as a sophomore and 34.5 points a game as a junior. CP captured its fifth straight crown and fourth undefeated season in the last five years. Since the start of ’13-14, CP is 129-1 with a current 84-

Page 23 Photos by Bree McReynolds-Baetz Photography

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 game winning streak, the third-longest run in state history. The all-time record is 107 wins, set by Hoxie. CP drops down to Class 1A this season. “The results of the team matter most to me,” Ryan said. Coach Pat Stiles has spent more than 30 years at Claflin in various roles. Pat’s daughter is Jackie Stiles, who set multiple records at Claflin and is a current assistant at her alma mater, Missouri State. “He’s the best,” Ryan said. “There is no one in the state better than him, and we are very lucky we get to have him.” The Oilers have excellent team chemistry and play suffocating defense at a quick tempo that yields fast breaks. At 2A state last March, Ryan averaged 28 points a game and helped CP hold three opponents to a combined 26 percent shooting. “It’s awesome,” Ryan said. “We all get along really well, and we have been playing together since we have been in second and third grade, so that just really helps us play together well, and it’s been fun.” Check out league previews starting on page 29, and here’s a look at some of Kansas’ other top players from the class of 2019 profiled by Dylan W. Evans, owner/director of Wheat State Elite basketball: Chisum Ajekwu, Lawrence: A 6-3 post that has an extremely strong presence in the paint. The KU commit will get to play her college career right at home. Carly Bachelor, Washburn Rural: An extremely gifted athlete that can do many different things with the ball in her hands. The Creighton commit is a talented 3/4. Gina Ballesteros, Ulysses: A 2 or 3 guard that can shoot it all around the perimeter as well as distribute the ball efficiently. Has not yet decided on a college. Carissa Beck, Circle: A great shooting guard that also has great handles. A leading three-point shooter in Kansas. Undecided but has offers and plans to continue her basketball career after high school. Hannah Black, Shawnee Mission Northwest: A 6-foot athletic guard that can shoot the 3 and go inside and fight for the rebound and finish around the rim as well. Will continue her athletic career at Washburn playing volleyball. Sydney Burton, Abilene: A lefty point guard that has a great 3 point shot but also does a great job running the offense for the Cowgirls. A great track athlete as well that has committed to Kansas State to continue her athletic career in track and field. Alexis Cauthon, Maize: A long, lanky, very versatile player that can play guard as well as cause hazard with her length and athleticism. Will continue her basketball career after high school at Evangel University. Ryan Cobbins, KC-Piper: A 6-foot tall strong and smooth power forward that can handle contact in the paint but also has the capabilities to score from the outside as well. Extremely athletic player that has not yet decided on a college. Ayanna Corell, Parsons: A very quick and energetic point guard that can get to the rim and score through traffic. Great floor leader that also has a nice outside shot. Has not decided on a college at this time. Macy Doebele, Hanover: An extremely athletic, strong, and versatile 6-footer. A Washburn commit looking to help Hanover win their third state championship in a row. Johnni Gonzalez, Bishop Miege: One of the top point guards in Kansas for the class of 2019. A floor general that is a great distributor that can also get to the rim and score. Has had an impressive record at Bishop Miege and looks to make one more run for a state championship. Has committed to University of California Santa Barbara. Sarah Beth Gueldner, Olathe Northwest: This Drake commit is a very efficient combo guard that can pop the three. Team leader in all aspects of the game, very smooth and can finish on the drive. Shanti Henry, Andover: A very talented multi-purpose guard. A natural scorer that can control an offense and has

Earlier this fall we welcomed just a sampling of the state’s top athletes to a feature photo shoot at Rolling Hills Zoo west of Salina. The Zoo and Wildlife Museum made a stunning backdrop for the shoot. These athletes are fiercely competitive and display an almost “Animal Instinct” in the sport they love. Check out their profiles starting on page 19 and read to the very end for a list of other top players in Kansas. To learn more about Rolling Hills, one of the state’s top attractions, visit their website, www.rollinghillszoo.org. good handles. Has not committed to a school at this time. Riley Hett, McPherson: One of the lone returners to this McPherson team. A high level guard that is a solid competitor. Has received offers but has yet to decide on a college. Britney Ho, Bishop Carroll: A 6-foot, extremely strong power forward that brings great physicality to the paint. The Northeastern State commit does a great job getting boards and will be a factor for Bishop Carroll. Brooklyn Hunter, Hayden: A 6-foot, three sport great, that can score in the paint, shoot the three and handle the ball. Hunter has committed to the University of Nebraska-Kearney for tennis, but don’t miss her on the court. Taylor Johnson, Manhattan: A 5-10 guard that has great handles and brings length and size to the perimeter. Another Washburn commit that will team up with a great senior class to try to get back to the state tournament. Halie Jones, Maize: A very long athletic combo guard that has decided to follow Lane Lord to the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Will play an important role as Maize will battle in an extremely talented 5A. Claire Kaifes, Mill Valley: A great combo guard that can control a game as she is a great floor leader. The Marquette commit is a strong player that will hope to have a great year and try to lead her team back to the state tournament as it got cut short last year by Maize. DesiRay Kernal, Newton: A very versatile perimeter player that can also go inside and cause headaches. Extremely athletic and can run the floor. Has not decided on a college yet but has had DI offers as well as high level DII offers. Trinity Knapp, Mill Valley: Another Missouri State commit that is a 6-3 presence in the paint. Can score around the rim and is also a good rebounder. Looks to make a run at the state basketball tournament in her senior season. Lakya Leslie, KC-Piper: A 6-1 stretch 4 that can handle the ball and score on the inside and yet still has a nice jump shot. A very versatile player that has great length and athleticism. Has not decided on a college at this time. Madison Lueger, Centralia: Another 6-foot, three sport athlete that can do it all. Lueger is most comfortable in the paint but can spread the floor and cause trouble with her length on the defensive end. Has committed to University of Nebraska for Track and Field. Allison McFarren, Bishop Carroll: She may be small but she is mighty! A great floor leader and shooter that has committed to Fort Hays State University. Seleh Merkle, Salina Central: A 5-10 guard/power forward that is great off the dribble and physical in the paint. An extremely versatile player that has committed to play at home at Kansas Wesleyen University.

Aliyah Myers, Derby: A very quick and athletic guard that contributes to her very talented team in many different ways. Can shoot the 3 and distribute and handle the ball with ease. Has offers but has not yet made her decision. Abby Oliver, Alma-Wabaunsee: Another Washburn commit that is solid all-around player. At 6-foot Abby has the ability to finish around the rim and has great rebounding ability. Blythe Pearson, St. Thomas Aquinas: A 5-10 guard with great handles and a great shot. Is a great passer in transition and plays great in an uptempo game. Has committed to Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Alyson Potter, Circle: Potter is an extremely versatile player at 6-1. Can guard and play almost any position on the floor. Has committed to the Southern Illinois University. Bri Rutherford, Coldwater-South Central: A lefty point guard who is a great distributor but also a scorer. Can score through traffic but also has a really nice pull up jumper. Currently undecided. Alexis Snodgrass, Maize South: A 5-10 guard that is a strong player with a great shot but has the versatility and size to play in the inside as well. Will finish her high school career at Maize South and then continue her college basketball career at Bethel. Nena Taylor, Parsons: An extremely strong 2 or 3 guard that is very active off the dribble and can score in transition. Extremely athletic and plays with great execution. Undecided on a college but has received DI and II offers. Alayna Townsell, St. Thomas Aquinas: A 6-foot guard/strong forward that plays an extremely solid game. Is physical enough to go inside but has the finesse to score a jumper or stretch the defense for a three. Has DI and II offers but is undecided. Hannah Willey, Abilene: A very solid 2/ 3 guard that can score off the dribble and shoot the three. This guard duo, Burton and Willey, will be a force to reckon with in their senior season. Willey has committed to play at Washburn. Kia Wilson, Manhattan: An extremely strong and mobile post player. At 6-2 Wilson battles in the paint and can finish and is extremely active on the boards. The University of Nebraska-Omaha commit will look to get her team back to the 6A tournament after losing key players in Christianna Carr and Megan Worthington. Mckenna Winemiller, Olathe East: A top guard returner for Olathe East. A great distributor that will have to become more of a scoring threat her senior season with the graduation of Sydney Wilson playing at Missouri State. Has not decided on a college at this time. Kirsten Young, Burlington: A 5-10 shooting guard that may be the best 3 point shooter in the class of 2019 in Kansas. Has committed to Emporia State University. Hopes to lead the Lady Cats back to State for the first time since her freshman year. Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter from western Kansas who has covered teams across the state for over a decade.

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

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Every level of athlete. Every level of care. Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic—your home-field advantage starts here. Whether you’re an area athlete or a weekend warrior, Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic has everything you need to get you back in the game—and keep you in the game. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Hawkes and sports medicine physician Dr. Matthew Pyle lead an A-team of certified athletic trainers and physical therapists to work with athletes of every level—including five area high schools—to help prevent injuries, enhance performance, or heal through surgery and rehabilitation. At the school, on the field or in our clinic, Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic is ready whenever and wherever you need us.

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Wrestling

By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Earlier this fall we welcomed just a sampling of the state’s top athletes to a feature photo shoot at Rolling Hills Zoo west of Salina. The Zoo and Wildlife Museum made a stunning backdrop for the shoot. These athletes are fiercely competitive and display an almost “Animal Instinct” in the sport they love. Check out their profiles below and find wrestling preview coverage starting on page 68. To learn more about Rolling Hills, one of the state’s top attractions, visit their website, www.rollinghillszoo.org. Nick Davenport, Ell-Saline Brookville/Ell-Saline senior Nick Davenport has strong family support and is an excellent leader. “My family is awesome,” he said. It’s helped Davenport excel in all areas, including football, wrestling and scholastically. In school, Davenport has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is involved with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. “I do enjoy leading, just trying to help as many people as I can, especially the younger guys,” Davenport said. “I want to pass on as much information and knowledge as I can.” Davenport served as Ell-Saline’s standout quarterback/linebacker for two seasons. Helped by work with Salina-based Sharp Performance, he has earned collegiate offers at both positions and has interest from NAIA, DII and Kansas State. His parents, Steve and Nikki, have played a significant role in his career, along with grandparents Buddy and Dona Ludes, and uncles John and Jason Ludes. John is a football assistant and head wrestling coach at Ell-Saline, and Jason has helped with wrestling, too. “I can’t thank them enough,” Davenport said. In wrestling, Davenport is happy to see Ell-Saline have a team. In the past, the Cardinals have produced individual standouts, notably state champion Tate Omli, but had a co-op with Minneapolis. “I think it was the most cool thing from last year,” Davenport said of the squad. Davenport took third at 195 pounds with a 30-1 record last winter. He won his first two matches by fall in a combined 5 minutes, 5 seconds. Then, he lost by fall in 3:09 to Marion’s Kyle Palic in the championship semifinals. Davenport defeated Palic earlier in the season. Palic fell to Cimarron’s Josh Seabolt, 5-4, in the final. On

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Photos by Bree McReynolds-Baetz Photography

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Nick Davenport

the backside, Davenport had a victory by disqualification and then a win by fall against Norton’s Hayden Wiltfong, a multiyear state placer. “We make it work, and we have a lot of good support, and everybody who signs up for wrestling, they are in it for the right reasons, and they are trying to better themselves,” Davenport said. “So it is pretty cool to see what our program has done, and guys like Tate that have kind of started it with co-oping, it’s pretty cool to build off what they have done.” Wyatt Pedigo, Hoisington Hoisington has enjoyed a great run of tailbacks and outstanding wrestlers, especially since 2011. In the last eight years, Hoisington’s run-heavy offense has produced a rusher with more than 1,100 yards each fall. That has included four running backs with more than 1,350 yards. On the mat, the Cardinals have recently yielded the Ball brothers: Brandon, Jonathan, and Christopher, along with other standouts like Sean, Avery and Landen Urban and Justin Bradley. Brandon captured four state titles, Christopher

Wyatt Pedigo

three and Jonathan one. Wyatt Pedigo is the latest elite Cardinal. As a sophomore, he won the Class 3-2-1A state championship at 182 pounds. This fall, he rushed for more than 1,870 yards as the Cardinals advanced to the Class 2A sub-state title game and tied the best finish in school history. “Watching them wrestle and run the football growing up, just was very fun to watch them, and it means a lot following in their footsteps,” Pedigo said. Pedigo has wrestled since he was six years old and qualified for state as a freshman but did not place. Pedigo finished 33-9 and lost two state matches by a combined three points. He especially learned from Jonathan and Christopher Ball and Sean Urban. Last winter, Christopher Ball and Pedigo captured titles as Hoisington finished as team state runner-up for the second straight season and fourth occasion in the last seven winters for veteran coach Dan Schmidt. “Our coaches just drive it in our minds from day 1,” Pedigo said. “The guy before us did it, so we continued on page 26

Rolling Hills Zoo was the host sponsor for this year’s Winter Sports Preview cover shoot. Check out some of the events planned at the zoo: Run for the Hills – August 10, 2019: Come on out for an early morning 5K or FUN RUN through the zoo! There will be loads of FUN at every Fun Run challenge as you get wet, get color, bounce, slither, crawl, run and MORE through our approximate 1-Mile Run at Rolling Hills Zoo. Admission to Zoo & Museum is included in the entry fee. All non-participants receive 1/2 price admission.

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 from page 25 have no other choice but to do this.” Hoisington finished six points behind champion Scott City in a close race. This fall, Pedigo replaced Sean Urban as the feature back. “It was fun, because the seniors, I was very close to them, and they were just helping me,” Pedigo said. “Chris and Sean pushed me all year, they just helped me get to the best that I could be.” In wrestling, Pedigo labeled his reaction time one of his great strengths. He can squat 405 pounds, bench 280 and clean 315. Pedigo went 38-3 as a sophomore and considered himself the favorite entering state. “I am pretty strong, I like to believe, so just being able to stop people from doing what they want,” he said. He captured his first match by fall in 1 minute, 42 seconds, then earned 3-2 and 8-2 victories. In the championship, Pedi-

Page 26 go defeated Minneapolis junior Tyson Villalpando, 3-2. This year, Pedigo has set a goal for a second individual crown. Despite key graduation losses, he believes the Cardinals can have another big team showing. “It’s always in the conversation with us,” he said. “We don’t lower the bar any with people leaving and people coming in. The bar always stays up there.” Taylon Peters, Salina Central Salina Central senior Taylon Peters learned from his older brother, Dalton, a former Mustang standout running back and wrestler. Dalton is currently on the Nebraska wrestling team. “How to stay tough in situations,” Taylon said. “We have been wrestling our whole lives, and he has been beating me up since Day 1, so I kind of know what it’s like to get beat up on. He has installed that mental toughness in me that kind of keeps me going when that fight gets tough.” The brotherly work helped in the Class 5A 182-pound

bracket last winter. Peters captured first match by fall in 81 seconds. Then, he delivered an 11-5 victory against Kansas City Turner senior Ricardo Yanez to move into the championship semifinals. Peters faced Maize freshman Kyle Haas, who was undefeated. Peters pulled the upset and beat Haas, 4-3. Haas eventually took third at 48-1. “I always thought I could win,” Peters said. “But from a crowd perspective, he was 46-0, so everybody had expected him to win, so it’s just however you look at it, it’s all perspective.” Peters lost in the final, 4-1, to Goddard senior Austin Andres. He finished 40-5. Months later, the upset win versus Haas still resonated. “I think I just stayed calm the whole time,” Peters said. “I believed in myself the whole time. My dad told me anything can happen, so I believed that I could do it, and once I got that takedown, I knew that it was over, so it was fun.” Peters, nicknamed “King” since junior high with the Twitter

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handle @KingPeters33, has already enjoyed a strong start to his school year. He helped the Salina Central football team halt an 18-game losing streak in Week 1 this fall. SC went 7-3 and had the best single-season turnarounds in school history. Peters has an offer from Emporia State and was one of the state’s top rushers with 1,719 yards. This winter, Peters looks to bump a spot higher at the state tournament. “Made a few upsets that were pretty fun,” Peters said. “But I couldn’t pull through in the finals, so that was kind of (bad), so it’s kind of motivated me to really strive and really separate myself from the pack this year.” Dayton Porsch, Hoxie Senior Dayton Porsch comes from a tight-knit family that has been a part of Hoxie’s longtime wrestling tradition for decades. His dad, Mike, is the Indian head wrestling coach and has served on staff since 1995-96. “It’s always been nice to have kind of the coach and father figure all the time,” Dayton said. Dayton is the second-oldest of four children on a farm in Selden, near Hoxie. He has two younger sisters. His older brother, Tristan, captured a pair of Class 3-2-1A state titles and is currently on the roster at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo. Tristan, who graduated two years ago, has had a sizable impact on Dayton’s career. “Been nice to have a partner,” Dayton said. Like Tristan, Dayton only competes in wrestling and does no other sports. A commit to Division I University of Northern Iowa, he doesn’t check out rankings. “I don’t pay attention to any of that,” he said. “I just don’t go looking for it.” Porsch enjoys the work and grind associated with the sport. “That whoever puts in more work usually can beat people that have better talent,” he said. Porsch’s family and focus have formed one of the best careers in Kansas history. He is a three-time champion and has posted records of 36-1, 33-0 and 35-0. No 3-2-1A wrestler has ever completed a career with fewer than three losses. Fredonia’s Brogan Humphrey and Smith Center’s Colt Rogers, both four-time champions, went 168-3 and 149-3, respectively, according to Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association records. At state, Porsch is 12-0 with four wins by fall at 145 pounds last winter. In his first two state trips, Porsch captured three other victories by fall. “Try to keep my record where it is at with losses, get another state title, and just keep going,” Porsch said of his goals. For many years, the Porsch family has wrestled throughout the country. Dayton has wrestled since he was four years old and has competed in locales like Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Las Vegas, among other places. “Probably anywhere on my feet,” Porsch said of his top strength. In June, Porsch first received a call from a UNI assistant coach. The school and Porsch kept in contact. In the middle of October, he went north for a visit and enjoyed the school. “Real family-like atmosphere,” he said. For a look at more of the state’s top wrestlers and teams turn to page 68.

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Photos by Bree McReynolds-Baetz Photography

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Taylon Peters

BOYS BASKETBALL/FROM PG 17__________

scoring behind state leader Tate Busse, who is a freshman at Wichita State. King was a unanimous first team all-league player in the Three Rivers last season for an 18-4 squad. Jackie Johnson, Wichita Southeast, So. The 5-10, 145-pound Johnson, who transferred from Wichita North to Wichita Southeast, could be the next great City League scorer and follow in the recent footsteps of Perry Ellis, Conner Frankamp, Jerrick Harding and Israel Barnes. Frankamp, who mainly played at Wichita State and completed his collegiate career last winter, preceded Johnson at North and became the City League’s all-time scoring leader. Johnson tallied 36 points at the prestigious McPherson tournament and broke the previous freshman record of 24 set in ’97. It marked the seventh most in a single game in tournament annals for any class. North finished 10-12 as Johnson averaged 22.1 points and 4.2 assists a contest. The Redskins graduated their second through seventh-leading scorers. Johnson has transferred to Southeast – where Barnes played at last year – and has received interest from Wichita State, Kansas, Tulane and Stanford. Jude Warren, Towanda-Circle, Sr. Warren, a 6-1 shooting guard, delivered 20.2 points a game, along with 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals a contest. Circle finished 8-14 for the second straight season but returns 74 percent of its scoring and 73 percent of its rebounds. Cevin Clark, Arkansas City, Sr. The 5-foot-11 Clark tallied 21.4 points a contest as Ark City finished in third place in 4A-I with a 19-6 overall record. Coach C.J. Jennings and Clark helped turn around a long struggling program. Arkansas City won a combined 13 games in its previous four seasons before an 11-10 record in Jennings’ first season and the eight-win improvement last year. Clark also delivered 20.3 points per game as a sophomore and has scored 911 career points. He has 144 career treys and has shot 38 percent on 3s.

Dayton Porsch Levi Braun, Topeka Hayden, Sr. The 6-3 Braun helped Topeka Hayden defeat Holcomb in the championship game and win the 4A-II state title. Braun collected honorable mention all-state Class 4A-II last season. Joshua Early, Bishop Miege, Sr. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound senior power forward has signed with Northern Kentucky. He averaged 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds a game and will likely take on a much bigger scoring load. Miege standout Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (21.9 points per game) transferred and senior Ezekiel Lopes (14 points/game) graduated. Robinson-Earl transferred to the IMG Academy and committed to Villanova. Da’Quan Johnson, Parsons, Sr. The 6-foot Johnson and coach Anthony Houk helped Parsons experience a big turnaround. Parsons started three sophomores and two juniors and finished 17-8 with a fourth place finish in Class 4A, Division II. The state victory was the first for Parsons since 1996. Parsons had a seven-win improvement. Johnson averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Clifton Miller, Montezuma-Gray, Sr. Miller is one of the state’s top three-point shooters. He averaged 18 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists a contest for the 26-0 Rebels. South Gray won its fourth title under longtime coach Mark Applegate with its first undefeated season. Conner Havlas, Quinter, Sr. The 6-5, 200-pound Havlas averaged 25.5 points and 13.9 rebounds a contest. Quinter has a longtime tradition of basketball success, and Havlas holds the single game records for points (45) and rebounding (27), along with single season rebounds (305). Harper Williams, Salina Central, Sr. The 6-1, 180 pound guard averaged 12.4 point, 4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the state runner-up Mustangs and is one of three returning senior starters and eight total returning senior letterwinners who will try to get Salina Central back to the title game again this year for veteran coach Doug Finch.

Safari Breakfast – May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3, 2019: Enjoy the sunrise with breakfast in the zoo, before the zoo opens, and experience a glimpse of the animals beginning their day. A buffet will be served at each animals exhibit for their respective month. After breakfast, Zoo Keepers will give a presentation followed by Q&A. This event always sells out so get your reservations in early. Attend all four and receive a special Safari Breakfast t-shirt. Taste of Adventure – TBD: Join us for an evening of cocktails and dinner as a wildlife conservationist shares their work and their passion with the audience. Wild About Moms – May 12, 2019: Show Mom how much you care with a visit to the Zoo, AND, MOMS GET IN FREE!

Directory

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

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Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division I........ 29 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division II....... 30 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division III...... 30 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, Division IV...... 31 BIG 7 League....................................................... 32 Centennial League............................................... 33 Central Kansas League........................................ 34 Central Plains League.......................................... 35 Central Prairie League.......................................... 36 Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League.................... 38 Eastern Kansas League....................................... 39 Flint Hills League.................................................. 39 Frontier League.................................................... 40 Great West Activities Conference......................... 41 Greater Wichita Athletic League........................... 42 Heart of America League...................................... 43 Heart of the Plains League................................... 44 Hi-Plains League.................................................. 45 Kansas City-Atchison League.............................. 45 Lyon County League............................................ 46 Mid-Continent League.......................................... 47 Mid-East League.................................................. 48

North Central Activities Association...................... 49 North Central Kansas League.............................. 51 Northeast Kansas League.................................... 53 Northern Plains League........................................ 53 Northwest Kansas League................................... 56 Pioneer League.................................................... 58 South Central Border League............................... 58 Southeast Kansas League................................... 59 SPIAA-Iroquois Activities Association................... 60 Sunflower League................................................. 61 Three Rivers League............................................ 61 Tri-Valley League.................................................. 62 Twin Valley League............................................... 62 United Kansas Conference................................... 64 Western Athletic Conference................................ 65 Western Kansas Liberty League.......................... 66 Wheat State League............................................. 67 6A Wrestling......................................................... 68 5A Wrestling......................................................... 69 4A Wrestling......................................................... 70 3-2-1A Wrestling................................................... 71

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senior Damarius Peterson (11.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 6-3 senior Jamieson Jones (5.5 ppg) and 6-4 junior Alex Krogmeier (9.8 ppg). Isaiah Presley (senior), Kolyn Sauceda (junior) and Max Ruth (sophomore) are also back. SALINA CENTRAL has three starters returning from last year’s 18-7 team that narrowly missed winning the state title in 5A. Returning for the Mustangs are 6-1 senior Harper Williams (12.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-2 senior Mark Grammer (7.2, 4.5) and 6-2 senior Brogen Richardson (4.1 ppg). Five more lettermen also return, giving head coach Doug Finch plenty of experience to work with. “This is a very experienced, talented and athletic team,” Finch said. “We have a chance to be very good if we stay healthy.” Campus and Salina South will be looking to move up the league ladder this season. The CAMPUS Colts finished below .500 last year (9-12) but could be poised for a breakout season thanks to the return of second team all-league player Tyler Kahmann, a 6-3 senior and guards Steele Chapman (6-1 junior) and Sterling Chapman (6-4 sophomore), who both earned honorable mention from the AVCTL coaches last season. SALINA SOUTH was 4-18 a year ago and won three games in the AVCTL-I. The Cougars must improve their offense if they want to compete, after averaging just 45 points a game last season. They will look to build around seniors Isaac Mitchell and Elex Banks, sophomores A.J. Johnson and Josh Jordan, a sophomore transfer from Sacred Heart who cannot play until January due to KSHSAA transfer rules. GIRLS It was a season to remember last year for DERBY as the Panthers brought home the Class 6A state title with a 5035 romp over previously unbeaten Olathe East. In the state semifinals, the Panthers edged perennial power Wichita South by two points. This season is expected to be another big one for the Panthers, who return four starters from a 23-1 team, including 6-6 senior Kennedy Brown, who averaged a triple double last year - 14.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 11.0 blocks per game. But this team is more than just Brown. Senior guard Tor’e Alford averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game, while 5-6 senior Aliyah Myers and 5-10 junior Sydney Niles scored 8.5 and 7.4 points per game, respectively. “With most of our production back, the expectations are high to say the least,” said head coach Josie Karsak. HUTCHINSON coach Casey Stiggins returns four starters from a 12-9 team, including 5-8 junior Gabbie Posch (9.0 ppg), 5-11 senior Jayla Bynum (5.0), 6-0 senior Morgan Armbrust (3.0) and 5-8 junior Peyton Allen (4.0). MAIZE High has one of the top girls’ teams in the league annually. The Eagles feature two of the top returning players

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ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION I

By Kansas Pregame Staff A defending state champion, a near defending champion and three of the top players in Kansas highlight AVCTL Division I basketball this season. The Derby girls return as the Class 6A defending champions and feature possibly the state’s best player in 6-foot-6 senior Kennedy Brown, who recently signed with Oregon State. Salina Central’s boys just missed winning a state championship last year in Class 5A - falling to Bishop Carroll in overtime - but the Mustangs return plenty of firepower for another run at the title. Individually, there are very few leagues in Kansas that boast players like Caleb Grill of Maize and Ty Berry of Newton. Grill has signed to play at South Dakota State next year and Berry, just a junior, has offers from the likes of Creighton, Colorado, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Wichita State. BOYS The DERBY Panthers finished second in the league a year ago and reached the 6A state tournament, finishing with a record of 16-8 for coach Brett Flory. The Panthers return three starters, including 6-2 senior Clayton Hood (8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-9 junior Tre Washington (10.0 ppg) and 6-3 junior Grant Adler. Derby is also expected to get a big boost from 6-11 senior transfer Josh Osborne, as well as 6-3 junior Jacob Karsak. HUTCHINSON returns three starters for second-year coach Ted Webster as the Salthawks look to improve on last year’s 4-16 record. Davian Vigil, a 6-3 senior, scored over 10 points a game last season, while 6-7 senior Tate Webster will look to improve dramatically on his averages of 6.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. The MAIZE Eagles won the league title a year ago with an 11-1 record, but came up short in their bid for a berth in the 5A state tournament. The Eagles return five starters from last year’s 17-5 team and senior guard Caleb Grill leads the way after averaging 16.3 points and 3.2 assists. Brandle Studevon returns after scoring 11.1 points and pulling down 5.5 rebounds a game. Chase Schreiner (3.3), Tanner Ohnmeis (3.0) and Devon Koehn (7.3) also return as starters. “We have a lot of experience coming back,” said coach Chris Grill, “but depth is going to have to come from guys with less experience and that may be from upperclassmen who have not had much playing time.” NEWTON’s Berry is a big-time talent (4-star recruit). The 6-4 junior is one of the most coveted players in the state after averaging 21.7 points per game last year and one of four starters returning for the Railroaders. The Railers were 9-12 last year with a young team. Other returning starters are 6-7

Ty BERRY

Newton, Junior

in the league in 5-9 senior Halie Jones (11.0 ppg) and 5-10 senior Alexis Cauthon (10.0 ppg). The Eagles have five other players returning who started at one time or another last year - juniors Emily Latham (7.7), Cassandra Onwugbufor (5.0) and Joscelyne Espinoza (1.4), and sophomores Sydney Holmes (5.8) and Baylee Miller (4.0). NEWTON has a new coach in Justin Schneider, who replaces the highly-successful Randy Jordan. Schneider has one starter back - 6-1 senior DesiRay Kernal, who was firstteam all-league last year - and five other lettermen return from a 14-7 team that was third in the league. “The key this year is to get a lot of our players experience early on,” Schneider said. SALINA CENTRAL will be looking for a fourth consecutive trip to the 5A state tourney with four starters returning from a 15-8 team. The Mustangs lost their top scorer to graduation, but return 5-7 junior Kadyn Cobb (8.3 ppg), 5-11 senior Holly Sanderson (3.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 5-8 junior Peyton Griffin (2.0, 2.3) and 5-9 senior Selah Merkle (7.9, 3.9), who could be one of the top players in the league this season. SALINA SOUTH returns three starters from a 7-14 team and head coach Ryan Stuart’s team will be looking to pick up the pace offensively, an area they have struggled in recent years. Three starters return for the Cougars - 5-9 senior (6.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-10 senior Camdyn Schreiber (5.3, 4.8) and 5-7 senior Jadyn Zamecnik (6.1, 1.9). CAMPUS will look to improve on last year’s 2-21 season. The Colts had just two seniors on its varsity roster last year.

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Page 30

ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION II

Kade HACKEROTT Goddard, Junior

Cevin CLARK Ark City, Senior

By Kansas Pregame Staff The Battle of Andover is always an emotional affair on the basketball court. This season’s two regular-season games could be even more intense with all four programs at Andover High and Andover Central returning several talented players from teams that produced winning records last year. The AVCTL-II boys’ race should be a wild one. Some of the top players in the Wichita area reside in the league this season, including Arkansas City’s Cevin Cark, Andover’s Andrew Gagnon and Jack Johnson, Andover Central’s Easton Leedom and Xavier Bell, Eisenhower’s Jordan Vincent and Maize South’s Kael Kordonowy. The girls’ league race looks very balanced again this season, with Andover, Goddard and Andover Central challenging for the title. This could be one of Goddard’s best teams in recent memory, with all five starters returning. BOYS The ANDOVER Trojans return three starters from last year’s team that finished 11-9 overall - Gagnon, a 6--foot senior who averaged 16.3 points per game, 6-1 sophomore Jack Johnson (12.0 ppg.) and 6-3 junior Harper Jonas (4.5). Gagnon and Johnson both earned second-team all-league honors. ANDOVER CENTRAL is loaded this year with four starters returning from an 18-6 team that finished fourth in the 4A-I state tournament

Jake Alexander

tournament. The Tigers lost four-year starter Dylan Vincent and three-year starter Tanner King to graduation. Returning for Steve Blue’s club is 6-2 junior Jordan Vincent (10.0 ppg.), 6-1 junior Ethan Stewart (7.8 ppg.) and three additional lettermen. MAIZE SOUTH had three underclassmen earn postseason honors last year - Kordonowy, a 6-7 senior, who earned first-team all-league honors, as well a senior Nolan Veenis and junior Trey Reid, who were honorable mention. VALLEY CENTER will look to make a big jump from last year’s 5-15 season. Five players return with starting experience, including 6-6 senior Trenton Driskill, who averaged 12.7 points and 5.0 rebounds a game last season. Zach Williams (6-4), Jaythan Lutz (5-7), Parker Schrater (5-7) and Jeren Carter (6-1) - all seniors - also return. GIRLS ANDOVER brought home the league title a year ago and finished 13-8 overall. The Trojans return two starters and three additional lettermen. Shanti Henry, a 5-8 senior, averaged 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game and shared the league’s MVP honors with two other players. Kylee Gaddis, a 5-9 senior, averaged 10.3 a game and was honorable mention all-league. “I look for both of them to be leaders on and off the court,” said coach Clint Cornelsen. continued on page 31

ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION III

By Kansas Pregame Staff It seems like its McPherson’s year every year in Division III of the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League. And for good reason. Each and every year, the Bullpups are not only favored to win their league, but also expect to challenge for state championships. Despite both squads losing some big-time talent, much is expected once again. A year ago, McPherson was 1-1 in Class 4A-I state title games against Bishop Miege. The boys came up short for the third straight year in the title game, but Kurt Kinnamon has guided the Bullpups to six state titles and five runnerup finishes in 23 seasons and has averaged 20.4 wins annually. The McPherson girls won the 4A-I state title Circle, Senior over Miege last year with a remarkable fourthquarter comeback. It was the school’s ninth girls’ state championship and fourth for head coach Chris Strathman. The Bullpup girls have qualified for state 23 times in the last 26 years and won their league title 21 times in the last 24 seasons. The girls’ division is loaded in AVCTL-III after three of the six teams qualified for the state tournament a year ago. Seventeen players, who earned postseason honors, also return. BOYS The AUGUSTA Orioles put together quite a season last year, posting a 17-4 record and finishing second to McPherson in the league McPherson, Senior race. The Orioles return three players with

Alyson POTTER

last March and open the year ranked fourth in 5A by the KBCA. Bell, a 6-3 junior, and Leedom, a 6-3 senior, averaged 16.0 and 13.4 points a game, respectively, and were named first-team all-league. Braden Belt, a 6-1 senior, scored 14.1 points a game, and was a secondteam choice. Jerome Washington, a 6-4 junior, scored 4.8 a game. “This is probably the most experienced team I’ve had in 22 years of head coaching,” ACHS coach Jesse Herrman said. “Easton, Xavier and Braden have been our leading scorers the last two seasons.” ARKANSAS CITY, the team that beat Andover Central in the 4A-I state third-place game last year, features one of the top returning scorers in the state in 5-11 senior guard Cevin Clark, who averaged 21.4 points and 4.6 rebounds a game. A.J. Wilson, a 6-2 senior, also returns from last year’s 19-6 team. He averaged 5.3 points a contest. The GODDARD Lions will look to improve on last year’s 3-18 record for first-year coach Matt Lawson, who spent the three previous seasons at Kingman. One starter returns in 6-4 senior Derek Phillipe. Also back is 6-1 senior Jared Mocaby, who played last year at Derby. Four other lettermen return as well. GODDARD-EISENHOWER has been one of the more successful programs in Class 5A over the past three seasons, combining for a 63-7 record and three trips to the state

starting experience in 6-1 senior Zac Burton (9.0 ppg., 4.0 rpg.), who was named secondteam all-league, Jeren Jackson, a 6-1 junior, and Blake Altenhofer, a 6-0 senior. Zac Davidson, a 6-8 junior letterman, is also back. BUHLER was 14-7 last year and returns three starters for head coach Ryan Swanson. Juniors Isaac LeShore (6-4) and Drake Dick (6-1) are back, as is 5-11 sophomore Taiden Hawkinson. Five other lettermen also return. CIRCLE features one of the league’s top players in 6-foot senior Jude Warren, who averaged 20.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last year earning second-team allleague honors. Also back are three juniors 6-2 Matt Hromek (7.6 ppg.), 5-9 Eli Jacobson (4.5) and 6-1 Gunner Hutson (5.4). Four senior lettermen also return for a team that was 9-13 under sixth year coach Bo Hornya. EL DORADO has a chance to make a big jump in the Division III race with the return of three starters from last year’s 6-15 team. One of them is 6-5 senior Jarin Koehler, who averaged 19.3 points and 6.7 rebounds a game last year and earned first-team allleague. Also back are 6-4 senior Cameron Clausing (8.2 ppg.), 5-11 senior Adam Haines (4.3 ppg.) and five other lettermen. No team lost as much starting talent as the MCPHERSON Bullpups - Ben Pyle, Mr. Kansas Basketball; first-team all-state Mason Alexander as well as Drew Labertew and Thomas Diggs. One starter returns - 6-4 senior

Jake Alexander, who averaged 14.0 points per game - as well as three other senior lettermen and a pair of sophomores. “This team should be a very good outside shooting team, and we have the ability to pressure defensively,” said head coach Kurt Kinnamon. “There are several guys who are interchangeable and can play a variety of positions.” WINFIELD has a new head coach in Ben Pounce, who has six lettermen returning from an 8-12 team, including four who had starting experience - Jacob Weber (6-3 senior), Jordan Chism (6-1 senior), Brock Rolo (6-0 senior) and KC Crandall (5-7 junior). GIRLS AUGUSTA, who enters the season ranked fifth in 4A, reached the 4A-I state tournament last year with a 15-7 record and more success is expected this season with a pair of first-team all-league players returning in seniors Jayden Marlnee (5-9) and Abbee Rhodes (6-2). Also back is 5-8 senior Maddie Livingston, an honorable mention all-leaguer last season. BUHLER won’t be quite as young as the previous two seasons for head coach Brittany Warner, but of the nine returning players, seven are juniors and two are sophomores. Haley Miller, a 5-foot guard (6.7 ppg.), and Alyvia Owens, a 5-10 forward (11.3 ppg., 7.0 rpg.) were both second-team all-league. Maggie Epp, a 5-7 junior (8.2 ppg.), was honorab mention. continued on page 31

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Page 31

AVCTL, DIVISION II/FROM PG 30_______________________ AVCTL, DIVISION III/FROM PG 30______________________ ANDOVER CENTRAL veteran head coach Stana Jefferson will have a young team in 201819. Two starters return and both are sophomores - Bailey Wilborn, who averaged 12.8 points a game and was named second-team all-league, and Jaden Newfarmer, who averaged 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. Expectations are very high for the GODDARD Lions, who were 11-10 last year and return all five starters, including three who scored in double figures and four who earned postseason honors. Kade Hackerott, a 5-11 junior, was co-MVP of the league after averaging 15.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 4.1 steals and 3.8 blocked shots per game as a sophomore. Brooke Sullivan, a 5-4 sophomore (10.4 ppg.) was a second-team all-league pick, while 5-10 senior Tori Vang (10.1 ppg., 7.8 rpg.) and 5-9 senior Kelsey DiMattia (6.4 ppg.) were honorable mention. The fifth starter returning is 5-7 junior Anahi Nunez (3.5 ppg.). “Kade is a proven player and Brooke is fast and athletic,” coach Kevin Hackerott said. “Our success will depend on how consistent the rest of the players are. Tori Vang is ready to have a breakout senior season and her production could very well be the difference for us.” VALLEY CENTER finished 10-10 last year and return four players with starting experience. Kassie Kinniburgh, a 6-1 junior, averaged 9.0 points and 7.0 rebounds a game and was named second-team all-league. Also back are 5-2 senior Alyssa Turner (6.0 ppg.), 5-9 senior Aysia Arrowood 5.0 ppg.) and 5-5 junior Riley Ranzau (3.0 ppg.) MAIZE SOUTH had two underclassmen earn first-team all-league honors last year - 5-10 senior Lauren Johnson and 5-11 junior Katie Wagner. Kirsten Birdwell, a senior at ARKANSAS CITY, and Kennedy Nicholson, a sophomore at EISENHOWER, were honorable mention.

CIRCLE enters the year ranked third in 4A, after back-to-back trips to the 4A-I state tournament. Four starters are back from an 18-5 team that lost to Bishop Miege in the first round - 5-7 senior Carissa Beck (12.6 ppg.) and 6-2 forward Alyson Potter (10.7), who earned first-team all-league honors, and second-team all-leaguer Kelsie Kelley, a 5-6 senior, who averaged 7.6 per game. Also back is 5-11 senior Raegen Galloway. Veteran coach Brian Henry expects a boost from Remington transfer Kimalee Cook, a 5-5 sophomore who was all-Heart of America League. MCPHERSON must replace two talented highly-decorated seniors from its state championship team Taylor Robertson, Miss Kansas Basketball, now at Oklahoma, and center Mandi Cooks, who signed with Texas-San Antonio after missing half of the season with an achilles heel injury. Expectations remain high, however, as the Bullpups welcome back four starters and seven other lettermen from that 23-1 team and enter the season ranked third in 5A. Starters returning include 5-5 senior Riley Hett, who was first-team all-league; 5-8 junior Lakyn Schieferecke, who was second-team all-league, and honorable mention picks Hannah Hageman, a 5-9 senior, and Cassie Cooks, a 5-8 junior. “We have to replace one of the best senior duos we’ve ever had, but we’ll be a more balanced scoring team,” said head coach Chris Strathman. “We have several players who are capable of leading us in scoring on any given night.” WINFIELD returns two starters from a 7-13 team for coach Jason VenJohn - juniors Emily Randall (second-team all-league) and Aleigha Gale (HM all-league). Six other lettermen are also back. EL DORADO has a pair of honorable mention all-league players returning this season - senior Hailey Eaton and sophomore Madi Michaelis. Also back for the Indians are 5-9 junior Morgan Bruna, 5-8 senior Macie Eck, 5-9 senior Paiton Bruce, 5-5 senior Jacy Anderson ANDALE will once again get a late start and 5-4 sophomore Jillian Webber. Andale will be challenged in the league by the because of high school football playoffs. The Indians featured last year’s league MVP in likes of Rose Hill and Wellington. ROSE HILL 6-2 junior Easton Hunter. WELLINGTON’s returns three all-league players in Emily Adler De’Andre Washington, now a senior, was and Emma Cunningham, who were named honorable mention all-league a year ago, while first-team all-league last year, and Sydney MULVANE had two players earn postseason Adler, who was second team. WELLINGTON honors - Drew Ellis (second team) and Trey qualified for the 4A-I state tournament last year. Jacelyn Beck, a senior, and Rylee Rusk, Abasolo (honorable mention). a sophomore, return from that 14-9 team. Both GIRLS ANDALE came within two points of winning were honorable mention all-league. First-year coach Casey Carlson looks to turn a state championship last year, losing a 58-57 thriller to Baldwin in the Class 4A-II title game things around at CLEARWATER after back-toin Emporia. The Indians lost all five starters back three-win seasons. Kylee Harman, a 5-6 and 68 percent of their scoring to graduation, senior, is an aggressive and athletic player, but head coach Ted Anderson’s team will be who did not play last year. Senior Regan Berlin (6-0), juniors Hope Struthers (5-10), one to be reckoned with again. “We had a really strong bench last year,” Bella Willis (5-6), Christine Cleary (5-7) and Anderson said. “We return seven players who sophomore Parker Steven (5-6) are also back. COLLEGIATE’s Maddie Reed, a 5-7 senior played varsity minutes.” Maggie Knoblauch, a 5-4 junior, will be the (11.0 ppg.), was second-team all-league last point guard this season. She scored in double year and is one of two returning starters. Also figures in two of the three state tournament back is 6-1 senior Abby Waddel, who averaged games last March and averaged 6.2 points 8.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. Maddy per game. Katelyn Fairchild, a 5-9 sophomore, Mairs, a 6-1 sophomore, provides size inside. MULVANE’s Keera Parks was honorable came on strong at the end of the season and mention all-league last year as a junior. scored 11 points in the state final.

ARK VALLEY CHISHOLM TRAIL LEAGUE, DIVISION IV

By Kansas Pregame Staff Mitch Fiegel enters his 30th year as head boys’ coach at Wichita Collegiate and should top 500 career wins as Spartan coach this season. Fiegel, who is 493-192 as Collegiate’s coach, has built one of the top programs in the state, winning six state championships, finishing second twice and reaching the state tournament 14 times. The Spartans won 20 or more games seven times in the last 10 years. This season has the potential to be another big one for the Spartans in more ways than one. At least five players 6-foot-4 or taller are expected to be on the varsity roster, including possibly one of the state’s top freshman. BOYS The CLEARWATER Indians are expecting much better things this season with five starters returning from a 4-17 team and 11 of the top 12 players overall. Drake Beatty, a 6-1 junior, averaged 11.7 points a game last year and was honorable mention all-league. Chace Headley, a 6-3 senior, scored 11.4 points a game. Also back are 6-1 sophomore Tanner Cash (8.0), 6-3 sophomore Jack Rausch (3.3) and 6-3 junior Nolan Streit (2.2). COLLEGIATE will be young this season -

just two seniors - but there’s potential for a very good year by the Spartans. Gabe Fisher, a 6-5 senior, averaged 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds last year despite playing hurt for much of the season. Jarrett Baker, a 6-5 senior (2.0 ppg., 2.0 rpg.) and 6-8 junior Cole Thornton (3.0, 3.0) are also expected to produce inside. Jack Fox (6-4 junior) will also get plenty of minutes, and players like 6-0 junior Jonathan O’Hearn (5.0 ppg.), 6-0 sophomore Michael Fair, 5-10 sophomore Jacob Chugg and highly-touted 6-5 freshman Grady Dick are expected to handle the chores in the backcourt. “I think we will be well balanced as a team with a number of guys who can score in a variety of ways,” Fiegel said. The ROSE HILL Rockets have a chance for success this season with four starters returning from a 10-11 team. Koby Campbell, a 6-2 junior, averaged 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds last year earning second-team allleague. Dalton Rapp, a 6-3 senior (10.5 ppg., 7.5 rpg.) and Konner Barron, a 6-2 senior (6.1 ppg.), were honorable mention. Also back is 6-4 senior Ian Liechti. “We return a lot of players who have varsity experience, and a lot of seniors,” head coach Joshua Shirley said.

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

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BIG 7 LEAGUE

Jordon NEGONSOTT Jeff West, Senior

Aaliyah NEGONSOTT Jeff West, Senior

By Brent Maycock, Topeka Capital-Journal The 2017-18 Big Seven League regular season belonged to Nemaha Central. Both Thunder teams rolled through conference play with 15-1 marks with the girls winning the league by one game over Jefferson West the boys finishing with a two-game cushion over Perry-Lecompton. The postseason noise, however, came courtesy of a different league school. Royal Valley’s girls, making just the fourth trip to state in program history and the first since 2005, shocked the state when they upset Nemaha Central 51-48 in the quarterfinals. Royal Valley had lost to the Thunder twice during the regular season – once by 22 points, the second by 11 – and had only gone 9-6 in league play and took a 15-7 record into the state tourney. The Panthers rode the momentum of the

monumental upset and picked off TMPMarian 54-52 in overtime in the semifinals before seeing their fairy-tale run end with a 4939 loss to Garden Plain in the championship game. The finish was tops in program history. Perry-Lecompton was the lone Big Seven boys team to make the state tournament, falling in the first round of the 3A tournament to Cheney. The Kaws are one of four teams expected to challenge for the boys’ league title this year with defending champion Nemaha Central, Jefferson West and Sabetha also in the mix with many key returners. Nemaha Central’s girls look to be the favorite to defend their title with Jefferson West once again nipping at the Thunder’s heels. BOYS Coming off a three-win season last year, HIAWATHA has a new face in charge of the program. But it’s one that should be familiar to many in northeast Kansas. Garry Smith, who enjoyed a successful stint as head coach at Jackson Heights, inherits a Red Hawk team that will be young. Junior Tyler Brockhoff was honorable mention all-league last year. HOLTON also welcome a new coach as Connor Bechard takes over, replacing Ryan Noel who is now at Onaga after leading the Wildcats to an 11-10 overall mark and 9-7 league record. The Wildcats graduated leading scorers and first-team all-league selections Mason Strader and Mason Chanay, but will have good size in returning seniors Zane Moylan (6-foot-6) and Brett Brees (6-foot-8). As the Wildcats adjust to Bechard’s style, he said the team will hang its hat on its defense. After posting its first winning season since 2011, JEFFERSON WEST looks to take the next step and build on the defensive and toughness improvement fifth-year coach Ryan West saw a year ago. The Tigers finished in a tie for third in the league a year ago, sweeping rival Holton and beating Class 3A state qualifier Perry-Lecompton during the regular season. West only lost a handful of role players to graduation and returns a trio of players who earned all-league honors, including first-teamer Quinn Neuenswander, who led the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game. Senior Grant Thompson and

Page 32

sophomore Josh Broxterman each averaged just under 10 points per game with Thompson also leading the team with 7 rebounds a contest. All four returning starters are 6-foot-4 or taller and the return of Bryce Clements will be a big addition as West tries to bolster the team’s depth with a host of new varsity faces. League champions a year ago, NEMAHA CENTRAL fell short of returning to the Class 3A state tournament, dropping a heartbreaking 44-42 decision to Maur Hill in the sub-state finals. The Thunder still enjoyed a stellar year, going 19-4 overall, but the ending left an unfulfilled taste for the program entering this season. The Thunder will have to replace first-team All-Class 3A selection Mitchell Henry, who also was the team’s leading scorer, but senior Cole Kramer had a big junior season, averaging 11.6 points per contest. Matt Baumgartner (9.4 ppg) and Dalton Schmelzle (8 ppg) are coming off productive football seasons and give the Thunder a strong front-court presence. PERRY-LECOMPTON made its first statetournament appearance in 35 years last year, qualifying for the Class 3A state tournament with a 50-44 win over St. Marys in the substate finals. The state trip was short-lived with the Kaws bounced in the first round by Cheney, but the taste should serve as plenty of motivation for this year’s team. Perry returns three starters, including three-year starters in seniors Colton Mallonee (12 ppg,

8 rpg) and Conner Anderson (6 ppg, 5 rpg), but will have to replace first-team all-leaguers Toby Baker and Canaan Daniels. A healthy Cole Logan will help bolster the frontcourt and fifth-year coach Jared Swafford likes the potential of 6-6 junior forward Blake Farmer. RIVERSIDE returns four starters after making a slight win improvement in David Losey’s second year as coach. That’s the good news. The bad news is the lone starter lost to graduation was leading scorer and rebounder and first-team all-leaguer Andrew Miller. The Cyclones won’t have much size with only two players taller than 6-foot-1. There’s a new face in charge at ROYAL VALLEY with Trent Oliva taking over for Rick Pelton. The Panthers were 7-14 a year ago and lost all-leaguer Masen Spoonhunter to graduation, but expectations are a bit higher for this season with an influx of new talent to go with a solid core of returners. Pak Hale is the top returning scorer at 8.3 points per game and will form a solid 1-2 punch with 6-4 junior Komesh Spoonhunter (6.5 ppg). It was somewhat of a down year for SABETHA, which still ranked as a pretty solid season overall with the Bluejays going 13-8, tying for third in the league and reaching the sub-state semifinals. Brett Stallbaumer was the lone first-team all-leaguer and has graduated, but Joe Gruber was honorable mention and averaged 6.5 points a game last

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CENTENNIAL LEAGUE

By Brent Maycock, The Topeka Capital-Journal Returning virtually everyone from its squad that finished third in the Class 4A Division II state tournament in 2017 – an overtime semifinal loss to eventual champion Holcomb denying a title shot – Hayden’s boys entered last season with the highest expectations. For some time, however, there were questions whether the Wildcats would fulfill them. Injuries to stars Zach Harvey and Jett Canfield hampered Hayden throughout the regular season where the Wildcats were 13-7. But once the postseason hit, Hayden found its stride. The Wildcats cruised through their sub-state and then survived as tough of a state-tournament path as they could have asked for, outlasting 2017 Class 3A state champion Marysville 57-51 in the first round before knocking off Andale 5545 in the semifinals. That earned Hayden a rematch with Holcomb for the state title and this time, the Wildcats prevailed. Led by 34 points from All-Stater Zach Harvey, Hayden took a 65-57 win to earn the program’s first state title since 2008. The Centennial League’s postseason success wasn’t limited just to the Hayden boys. Topeka High’s boys captured the league title by a game over Hayden and Topeka West and went on to finish third at 6A state. Following an undefeated league championship, Manhattan’s girls returned to the 6A state tournament looking to defend the state title the Indians won in 2017. Instead, the Indians were

bounced in the quarterfinals by league rival Washburn Rural, which ended up taking third at the state tourney. BOYS After a disappointing 2016-17 season, EMPORIA bounced back to go 13-9 last year and finish runner-up to Wichita Heights in substate action. Graduation hit hard, however, as the Spartans must replace its top-three scorers off last year’s team, including first-team allleague selection Dylan Farr (16 ppg). No returning player averaged more than Jace Stewart’s 9 points per game, leaving coach Beau Welch looking for newcomers to step up and fill the scoring void. Kyler McCullough is the only other returning starter, but Emporia’s JV went 17-1 last year and Welch is high on 6-foot-4 sophomore Charles Snyder. Chocked with star power a year ago with the likes of Harvey, Canfield and DeShawn Hanika, HAYDEN had all the pieces in place to make its championship run in Torrey Head’s first year as head coach after he took over for Ted Schuler. This year, Head will lean heavily on returning starter Levi Braun, who averaged 14 points per game and is the lone returning starter after Canfield and Hanika graduated and Harvey moved to California. Braun can flat-out shoot it, but finding complements to go with him will be the challenge with no other returner posting significant minutes or stats. HIGHLAND PARK begins a new era as Jason Jones left to take the head coaching job at

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Lansing. Taking over the tradition-rich Scot program is Michael Williams, who played at Topeka West and Washburn and was an assistant at West. Williams inherits a team which saw close games a year ago the difference in yet another winning season and the 8-12 mark the Scots posted. Highland Park lost seven games by seven points or less. HP lost leading scorers Dasani Giardina and Kenny Stewart to graduation and four starters overall, leaving sophomore CJ Powell the lone returning starter to build around. Even though JUNCTION CITY graduated a big senior class, simply having Nick Perez back as head coach will be a plus. Last year, Perez became the Blue Jays’ third head coach in three years and his return will give the program some continuity heading into the season. Junction City went 7-14 in Perez’s first season, but finished just 3-10 and ninth in league play. Senior AJ Dickerson led the Blue Jays in scoring a year ago with 17.4 points per game and he’s also the leading returning rebounder at 5.2 per game. Getting senior Aaron Hamilton back after he missed last year with injury will help off-set graduation losses while senior Kody Westerhaus and junior Qua’vez Humphreys are returning starters. After winning three straight league titles, MANHATTAN slipped to the middle of the pack last year with a relatively young and inexperienced team, going just 6-7 in league play to tie for sixth and finishing 11-10 overall. The seven league losses were two more than the Indians had suffered in the previous three years combined, four of them coming by less than four points. Despite graduating four starters, Manhattan has high expectations this season, boosted by a strong junior class which contributed heavily last year as sophomores. Junior forward Raeshon Riddick was the league newcomer of the year last year as a sophomore, leading the Indians in scoring (10.9 ppg) and rebounding (4.8 rpg). SEAMAN returned to the Class 5A state tournament last year, falling 59-40 to Pittsburg in the quarterfinals to finish the season 15-8 overall. The Vikings gave veteran coach Craig Cox his 350th career victory last year and hope to add many more to the ledger this year. Senior Trey Duffey emerged as a bonafide star last year, av-

Photo by Mike Beckman

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Photo by by Doug Walker

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Brooklyn HUNTER Topeka Hayden, Senior

Jordan White

Washburn Rural, Senior

eraging 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He’ll miss fellow front-court presence Jackson Cobb and outside scoring threat Nathan Heinen, who have graduated, but point guard Kobe Bonner returns for his senior season after averaging 9.3 points and 2.3 assists per game last year. There was never any question about the talent on hand for TOPEKA HIGH a year ago. The question was how would the pieces fit together with the addition of several transfers to a strong group of returners. High answered those questions somewhat emphatically, capturing the program’s first league title in years and carrying continued on page 37

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume1

Andrew O’BRIEN Halstead, Senior

By Kansas Pregame Staff Year in and year out, the Central Kansas League produces some of the best basketball in the state. Last year was no exception. Halstead’s boys won the state title and Haven’s girls finished third in 3A, while Nickerson’s girls and Smoky Valley’s boys qualfied for the Class 4A-II state tournaments. Four girls’ teams in the CKL won 17 or more games last year, while the boys had five teams win 13 games or more. Two girls’ teams - Halstead and Hillsboro - had successful seasons despite starting at least three freshmen last year. They will rely on talented sophomore classes this season. League schools play an 11-team round-robin for the CKL title and schools range in size from Pratt and Nickerson in Class 4A to Hillsboro in 2A. BOYS Last season was an historic one for head coach Lonnie Lollar and the HALSTEAD Dragons, who claimed the Class 3A state championship and finished with a 23-2 record. The Dragons welcome back two starters and four additional lettermen from that team that also won the Central Kansas League title. Braden Gerber, a 6-1 senior, averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds a game, and was named first-team All-CKL. Andrew O’Brien, a 6-5 senior, also returns after scoring 10 ppg and pulling down 5.5 rebounds. Kaden Kraus, a 5-10 junior (4.0 ppg.) had some part-time starting experience last year. Lane Pitts, a 6-0 senior, and sophomores Lakin Farmer and Cameron Kohr are returning lettermen. The Dragons enter the season ranked

No. 2 in Class 3A behind Collegiate. HAVEN will have to work hard to match last year’s 13-8 record and third-place finish in the CKL. Just one starter returns for coach Lonnie Paramore - 6-foot senior guard Kaleb Dale, who averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. “We need to have guys step into new roles this season and adapt to the speed of the varsity game,” Paramore said. “Our success will depend on how quickly they adjust to playing at the varsity level. We should have 10 to 12 guys fighting for playing time.” HESSTON finished second in the league race a year ago (9-1) and returns four players who had some experience as starters. Cameron Cox, a 5-10 senior, averaged 10.1 points and 4.3 assists per game and was named secondteam all-league. The Swathers also have plenty of size returning, including 6-1 senior Grady Toews (4.8 ppg.), 6-4 sophomore Ben Bollinger (6.0 ppg., 5.5 rpg., HM all-league) and 6-7 senior Blake Martin (4.1 ppg., 4.2 rpg.). HILLSBORO enters the season ranked No. 9 in Class 2A and return three starters from a 16-6 team. Darian Ratzlaff, a 6-1 senior, is one of the best players in 2A. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last year, earning first-team all-league and second-team all-state honors. Two other returning starters - 6-2 senior Wes Shaw and 5-10 junior Caleb Potucek - were named honorable-mention allleague. Shaw averaged 12.1 points and 7.0 rebounds a game, while Potucek scored 6.8 points a game. Joe Knoll, a 6-1 senior, missed last year with an injury, but averaged 7.0 points a game as a sophomore. “We have a lot of experience this year with five players who will be playing their third or fourth year of varsity,” head coach Darrell Knoll said. NICKERSON will be looking to improve on last year 3-18 record. Two starters return - 6-3 senior Hunter Jones, who was HM all-league, and 6-9 junior Conner MacDonald - along with

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four additional lettermen. “I think we have some players who can score if we can execute and get them in position,” head coach Curt Field said. “We’ll need some guys to step up in order to have depth, but I think we’ll be improved from last year.” SMOKY VALLEY earned its third straight trip to state last year, finishing 14-8 after losing to Andale in the first round of the Class 4A-II state tourney. But the Vikings lost four starters who earned all-league. The lone starter returning is 6-1 senior Blake Heble, who averaged 2.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Three additional letterman are back. “Our guards are very quick and this team is capable of being the best defensive team in recent years,” head coach Doug Schneider said. “But, we must replace 85 percent of our scoring.” LARNED had a pair of sophomores who played key roles in a 10-13 season a year ago - Mason Perez and Brock Shelton, who were named HM all-league - and HOISINGTON had two freshmen who also earned HM all-league honors - Mason Haxton and 6-5 forward Drew Nicholson. PRATT boasts one of the state’s top athletes in Travis Theis, who was second-team all-league a year ago, and teammate Landen Studer was HM. Tanner Albright (second-team) and Logan Buehler (honorable mention) earned postseason honors for KINGMAN. GIRLS HALSTEAD had its best season in school history a year ago despite starting three freshmen. The Dragons were 18-3 overall and return three starters and two additional lettermen for head coach Derek Schutte. Five of the Dragons top returnees are sophomores, led by 6-0 forward Karenna Gerber, who averaged 11.0 points and 6.5 rebounds a game to earn second-team allleague honors. Also back are 5-8 sophomore Madison McClain (6.5 ppg., 4.0 rpg., HM allleague) and 5-7 sophomore Josie Engel (4.0 ppg., 4.0 rpg.). Sophomores Haley Lewis and

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Parker Schroeder will contribute in the backcourt and seniors Solle Werner and Erin Newman will add depth inside. HILLSBORO was 8-12 a year ago and will look to improve that record with four starters returning, but five of the Trojans’ top seven returnees are sophomores. Returning starters are 5-8 sophomore Teegan Werth (9.78 ppg., HM all-league), 5-4 sophomore Kinsey Kleiner (3.9 ppg.), 5-7 senior Eva Frantz and 5-10 sophomore Jessica Saunders. “We will need to play together and the girls will need to step up into bigger roles,” coach Nathan Hiebert said. LARNED will rely on senior experience to turn around last year’s injury-filled 3-17 season. Baylea Perez, a 5-5 senior, was honorable mention all-league, while Ivory Muldrow, a 5-7 senior, averaged 8.0 points a game. Three other seniors return - Katelynn Sanger (8.0 ppg.), Brooke Butler (4.0) and Katie Fischer (6.0). LYONS will feature one the tallest teams in the league with 6-1 juniors Kristina Head and Liberty Belote returning from a 7-14 team. Head averaged 11.5 points and 6.2 rebounds a game while earning HM all-league honors. Belote (5.7 ppg., 5.5 rpg.) is one of five players returning who started at one time or another. Also back are 5-6 senior Karime Vargas, 5-5 senior Ashley Fierro and 5-8 junior Daci Stover. NICKERSON qualified for 4A-II state and finished with a 12-11 record. Coach Jon McLean will look to improve on that with three full-time starters returning - 5-6 junior Madison Ontjes (9.5 points, 2.8 apg., 3 spg., second-team allleague), 5-6 senior Brylee Engelland (5.8 ppg., 4.1 rpg.) and 6-1 junior Morgan Stout (7.7 ppg., 4.8 rpg.). Also back is 5-9 senior Alex Altum. “We have the physical talent to be good,” McLean said. “Effort, team attitude and team chemistry will be the big factors on how successful the team will be.” PRATT will look to make a jump up the league continued on page 48 West Hwy 4

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Patterson (6-4, 230 lbs.) provides bulk to bang around inside. Junior Riley Petz will be counted on to raise his game another level to fill the production of the exodus of seniors. CONWAY SPRINGS and coach Paul Lange open their season navigating the waters without the reliable Christian Hedrick. Hedrick was a firstteam CPL selection as a senior. DOUGLASS will lean on the veteran scoring and creativity of senior Ryan Kiekel to kickstart the offense. Kiekel provided 10.4 points, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game on his way to Central Plains League honorable mention. His partner in the paint, 6-foot-3-inch Kaleb Hurd, who provided 7.9 points and 6.1 rebounds as a junior, will see plenty of feeds from Kiekel. Douglass comes off a four-win campaign. To improve, seniors Cody Niblack and Triston Gilpin will have to take another step toward becoming dependable secondary options. “We will need some senior leadership to step up, along with some less experienced players stepping up into important roles and contributors,” coach Laron Nordstedt said. GARDEN PLAIN resets as Goddard grad Antwan Seymore starts his first season leading the Owls who have starting experience in juniors Matt Pauly, Trey Smith and Marek Rex, and sophomore Tyler Dreiling. Garden Plain benefits from five experienced players that stretch the measuring tape to six feet, including the 6-foot5-inch Dreiling and Arden Rex. “Our primary focus will be improving our rebounding and defense,” Seymore said. “This group has a lot of potential, so it will be fun to see how they grow and come together.” New KINGMAN coach Kyle Kriegh likes to pick up the pace. He walked into the right situation for that. Senior Teagan Flanagan (9.8 ppg) has back-to-back top three finishes in state cross country. Senior Tanner Albright (14.1 ppg) and junior Hayden Albright were part of a 4x400-meter relay team that placed sixth at state. Dakota Hansard joined Hayden on a 4x100 qualifying team. Senior Owen Pearce is the defending 3,200 state champion. “Our team’s success will be determined on learning a new system and speeding up the tempo offensively and defensively,” Kriegh said. Logan Buehler (6.4 ppg) and Peyton Price (6-5, 170 lbs.) round out a veteran squad. MEDICINE LODGE (10-11) is in search of firepower to fill the heat-check source that was Drew Honas, a first-team CPL pick. Honas continued his career at Pratt Community College. CPL honorable mention Garrett Burden (12.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg) will carry more of the load. That will be aided by the floor vision and pickpocketing of Dakota Bayliff (7.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.1 spg). Cason Liebst will be asked to improve on his 5.2 rebounds per game for a team lacking height. “We are going to lack experience, but we have a group of kids that will work hard,” coach Josh Ybarra said. “Defensively, we need to be able to play bigger than we are and create havoc on the perimeter if we want to have a chance to be competitive in the CPL.” WICHITA INDEPENDENT struggled to piece

together four quality quarters this past season. The Panthers lose top scorer Hayden Chase, an all-league honoree. Coaching veteran Robert Fields takes over the Independent program and wants to “improve everyday.” WICHITA TRINITY went 19-2 last season but lost the steady hand of Jacob Baker to graduation. Baker was a 4A-Division II all-state honorable mention. Not all is lost – the Knights bring back second-team all-league performers Caden Vanlandingham and Mike Jones. “We lost three starters from a strong team last year, so we are going to be looking to some of our seniors to step up this year,” second year coach Chance Lindley said. GIRLS Taylor Bohannon will be the primary threat to opposing defenses for BELLE PLAINE. Bohannon earned honorable mention honors in the CPL as a sophomore. Three-sport star Maggie Mathes looks to lead a rebuild for CHAPARRAL. Mathes was a state placer in 3-2-1A state tennis this past October, and also is a standout in softball. Though a 15-win season is nothing to scoff at, it was a small step back after a 3A state runner-up finish in 2017 for CHENEY. Senior Destinee O’Shea (8.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) will keep the Cardinals in league contention as they figure out the starters around her. “Young group of players,” said coach Rod Scheer. “Athleticism and quickness will be strengths.” Sophomore Kylee Scheer (9 ppg, 2.5 rpg) proved she will be dependable for years to come for Cheney. Mollie Reno (1.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Lexi Cline (0.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg) had varsity minutes. As teams put together their roster puzzles, few have two pieces that fit together as seamlessly as CONWAY SPRINGS’ Kayla and Kara Koester. The pair combined for 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and nearly four steals per game this past season. The challenge is filling in the pieces around them as the Cardinals comes off a 16-5 campaign. Gone is the production of Sabrina Bellar, who departs as a 3A all-state honorable mention. Coach Pat Carl has two other senior veterans though. Makenzie Curry will stabilize the point. Glass half full, the Cards get a de facto midseason acquisition when Sammie Osner returns. Osner will miss the start of the year to injury. DOUGLASS took a few bumps in 2017-18, but that can be nurtured into mettle and experience this year. Senior Katelyn Moore and junior Shelby Little are back after league second team and honorable mention. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as one year away from the 3A state tournament proved for GARDEN PLAIN. The Owls came in as the No. 1 seed and made good on that distinction, knocking off Royal Valley 49-39 in the title game. It was Garden Plain’s fourth girls’ title, the first since ‘01. That was done with the dazzling Taylor Joplin pacing the offense. Joplin has since moved on to Western Nebraska Community College. Repeating a championship run is always an uphill climb, but the Owls still bring enough rapport back to stay in the conversation. That begins with a bonafide post presence in

Photo courtesy CHS Yearbook

CENTRAL PLAINS LEAGUE

By Kyle McCaskey, For Kansas Pregame Much of the Central Plains League squads are in a transition period on the boys’ side. Several new coaches enter the fold, while the hierarchy at the top could make room for new contenders. Cheney is a state tournament staple, but its core leadership group on the court departs to graduation. Belle Plaine should be a lock for double-digit wins, and intends to crash the 3A postseason party in Bo Gooch’s senior season. Trinity Academy is in fine hands under the direction of Chance Lindley, but the Knights lost key pieces. The talent, toughness and rivalries burn deep in Central Plains League girls’ basketball. That was a perfect recipe for Garden Plain, which used the schedule to its advantage in preparation for a postseason run capped with a state championship. The Owls remain the class of the league until someone can knock them off their perch. There are threats. Conway Springs and Cheney seem to have a knack for staying in the mix. Wichita Trinity is on the rise and will be heard from in the coming years, if not sooner. Kingman is the wild card as it makes its presence felt, a program accustomed to double-digit win totals. BOYS Bo Gooch headlines a BELLE PLAINE lineup that is looking to affirm it has staying power in the 3A race. Gooch enters his senior year coming off a second-team all-state selection where he averaged 17.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Senior Cole Osgood (12.5 ppg, 3.0 apg) and sophomore Eli Wiseman (8.4 ppg, 2.5 apg) offer balance in scoring options. The senior duo of 6-foot-3-inch Tristan Warren (7.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and 6-foot-1-inch Maverick Hall (3.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg) offer some length. Despite an 18-5 mark this past season, the Dragons fell short of a 3A state appearance. They were qualifiers in 2017, however, as they raced to the semifinals. Josh Corbett enters his first season as coach of Belle Plaine. CHAPARRAL returns one of the most dynamic scorers in the CPL in Quinton Pfaff, who led the team with 17.6 points per game while chipping in 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Jake Burke switches roles coming off a sensational season at QB on the gridiron for the Roadrunners. On the hardwood, his 6-foot-3-inch frame will be used to bump and bruise with big bodies inside. Burke dumped in 14 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a junior. Chaparral, which went 7-12 last season, brings back six other upperclassmen with various experience for Josh Inslee as he begins his 11th season as coach. While CHENEY comes off a state semifinal berth, the starting lineup needs rewritten after the departures of all-league recipients Trent Scheer, Lakin Petz, Hunter Adolph and David Peters. Replacing Scheer is an especially difficult ask, coming off a first-team all-state season that earned him a roster spot at Baker. That talented class also brought the Cardinals a state runner-up trophy in 2017 and a quarterfinal appearance in 2015. Senior Brendon Dewey (8 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 spg) is the top returning scorer off a 23-win squad. Trey

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Photo by BPHS Yearbook Staff

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Quinton Pfaff

Chaparral, Senior

Bo GOOCH

Belle Plaine, Senior

6-foot junior Abby Gordon (7.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.6 spg, 1.8 apg). Senior Lauren Danahy (5.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg) will be pivotal in keeping the offense in motion. Fellow senior Kara Heimerman (4.7 ppg, 1.7 apg) can shoot, and will do more of it this year. Several players were also part of Garden Plain’s 2A volleyball title this fall. “The challenge early could be meshing into new roles as the dynamic of our team has changed,” said Garden Plain coach Kody Kasselman. “We are excited to see how things shake out in the months to come.” KINGMAN will miss the speedy playmaking skills of the Bangert sisters, Sydney and Bailey, both continuing their careers at Sterling College. Talent remains from a roster that piled up victories over recent seasons, led by Macey Maloney and Brianne Garrison. The top-heavy nature of the CPL girls’ standings makes it difficult to break into the elite, but MEDICINE LODGE will not make life easy for the aristocrats. Medicine Lodge brings back two talented weapons in Kyla Alojacin and Aaliyah Flyingout Armstrong. WICHITA INDEPENDENT will remain a tough out each night, but coach Chris Porter will be needed early to help the squad find its footing after graduating its top two scorers and firstteam CPL selections Lea Coccetella and Janell Douvier. The Panthers were 16-game winners and 3A state quarterfinalists as recently as 2017. WICHITA TRINITY has been absent from the state tournament for three seasons, but the Knights may put a halt to that skid in 4A this year. “We are a young team, with a lot of potential for growth. Things were really coming together for us as the 2017-2018 season progressed,” said Trinity coach Lori Broadie. “We finished last year with a 12-9 record, losing to Andale by five in overtime at sub-state. That is a game we can build on as we start the new year.” Trinity will ride the emergence of sophomore Austin Broadie (10.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), hon. mention all-league in her first year. Junior Lauren Mathews added 6.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg, while soph. Ashlyn Bigelow added 6.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg.

Rylee Gleason

Kinsley, Senior

Photo by Everett Royer, KSportsimages.com

Photo courtesy Kinsley Sports Photos

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Alex Hickel

Central Plains, Senior By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Last winter, Central Plains’ boys and girls each posted 26-0 records and won Class 2A titles. CP joined 2011 Wichita Heights as the only schools in state annals to have undefeated boys’ and girls’ squads in the same year. Central Plains shifts down to 1A this winter and remains the favorite to win again. Led by junior Emily Ryan, the state’s player of the year, the Lady Oilers have captured five straight titles. Since the start of 2013-14, CP girls are 129-1 and carry a current 84-game winning streak, third-best in state history. The

league is historically one of the state’s best and deepest small-school conferences. BOYS CENTRAL PLAINS’ boys earned its first state title after runner-up and third-place showings under seventh-year coach Brett Rolfs (121-25). Rolfs said team keys are to “stay healthy, don’t overlook anyone, stay hungry,” for a group with four returning senior starters and excellent team chemistry. Brett Liebl led 2A in scoring at the state tournament and finished with 16.5 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Point guard Devin Ryan had nine points, five assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Alex Hickel averaged 12.5 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Myles Menges delivered 7.5 points and five rebounds. Juniors Lawson Oeser, Jerred Bieberle and Brett Thompson will contribute as well. Last fall ST. JOHN took third in Class 1A, Division I. Coach Clint Kinnamon is in his 18th year at his alma mater with nine state tourneys and a 20-6 record and second place league finish behind CP last winter. St. John returns two starters and has significant height. Junior Tanner Halling is 6-7 and enjoyed a breakout season with 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. Senior Mason Osborne had a solid year with 5.9 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Senior Eddy Calleros started about half the contests and produced 7.6 points and two rebounds. Sead Pepic, is a 6-6 junior foreign exchange from Montenegro, and 6-5 freshman Elijah Delp is expected to contribute. Kinnamon listed length, rebounding, unselfish play and strong post game as the team’s strengths. “We have a team full of guys that really like each other and will share the ball,” he said. MACKSVILLE defeated Ness City in substate semifinals and then lost to Central Plains in the sub-state title game. Coach Jeff Kuckelman, in his 16th year as head coach, is 293-96 with nine state appearances, two state titles and one runner-up. The 18-5 Mustangs return three starters and have five quality players back – all seniors with point guard Darien Miller, guard Grant Frink, forward Karson Waters, forward Kaleb

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CENTRAL PRAIRIE LEAGUE

Lickiss and forward Kody Mead. Waters and Lickiss averaged 12.1 points and 10 points, respectively. They combined for 9.2 rebounds, five assists and 3.4 steals a contest. Mead delivered 8.1 points and 6.7 rebounds. NESS CITY finished 17-5 in the first season with coach Brandt Rogers. Four senior starters return with Pfannenstiel, Andres Rios, Landon Reinhardt and Angel Guzman. Pfannenstiel averaged 20 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals a contest. Rios was at 12 points, 10 rebounds a game. The Eagles open the season ranked fifth in 2A. OTIS-BISON finished 13-11 and qualified for the Class 1A, Division II state tournament. Third-year coach Curtis Little returns senior forward Maitland Wiltse, who averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds a contest. Senior Anton Foust delivered 11 points and seven rebounds a game. “We hope to be competitive in a tough league,” Little said. “We need to take care of the ball and use our returning experience to be a sound defensive team.” VICTORIA went 5-16 last year and Colin Schmidtberger, a former Knight point guard and assistant coach, takes over. Four seniors, Cooper Windholz, Walker Braun, Caden Oberle and Tyler Knoles return, though Windholz (9.2 points a game) suffered a knee injury toward the end of football. Oberle delivered 12.1 points a game. KINSLEY went 3-17, 0-7 in league play. Six players return with starting experience: senior point guard Bryce Hermann, senior small forward Kellen Herrman, senior center Tyler Gerhardt, senior forward Andrew Fagan, junior shooting guard Levi Haynes and sophomore guard Cole Gleason. “Last season, there were a handful of games that came down to the final minute, and learning how to win those games can be the difference in a poor year, or a solid year,” coach Mark Kern said. LA CROSSE finished 10-10, and ELLINWOOD was 2-19. Junior Blake Herrman is expected to play a key role for La Crosse, a team featuring mostly non-seniors. For Ellinwood, junior Derek Hammeke delivered 9.6 points and 4.9 rebounds.

GIRLS Pat Stiles has coached at Claflin in various roles for more than 30 years. He is 257-72 as a head coach and stands 149-4 entering his seventh season as the girls’ basketball coach. CENTRAL PLAINS could break Hoxie’s 107game winning streak this winter. Last season, Emily Ryan was the only fulltime returning starter and averaged 34.5 points per game. This year, CP has plenty of experience back with three other starters, all guards: senior Avery Hurley, and juniors Rachel Lamatsch and Delaney Rugan. As well, junior center Addison Crites and senior center Rylee Cunningham played significant varsity minutes, along with junior Rebecca Stratmann, who went out with an ACL injury. CP has long played at a quick tempo, with excellent teamwork and passing. “We have a lot of varsity experience coming back,” Stiles said. “Losing only one starter and one reserve from last year’s team due to graduation and injury. Success will depend on us maintaining the awesome culture the girls have created by playing hard, playing together, making the extra pass and sharing the ball. They call it the Oiler way.” ST. JOHN finished 16-7 with veteran coach Danny Smith and fell to St. Paul in the first round of the 1A, Division I state tournament. SJ brings back senior Paige Doran. OTISBISON went 15-7 and returns 85 percent of its scoring, led by junior Maddie Wiltse (20 points, 7.4 rebounds). Four MACKSVILLE players have starting experience – Lexi Wright, BrayLunn Anschutz, Jenna Russell and Jennifer Ortiz. They all averaged between 4.4 and 7.1 points a contest for an 8-13 squad. “As a first year coach, I am going to try to keep it simple and focus on helping the girls improve everyday,” first-year coach continued atop page 37

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CENTRAL PRAIRIE LEAGUE

Brice Liebl

Central Plains, Senior

Devin Ryan

Central Plains, Senior

CENTENNIAL/FROM PG 33______________________

the success over to the postseason with a thirdplace finish in 6A, the bid for a state title ending with a 68-57 loss to Free State in the semifinals. Graduation claimed standout and leading scorer Larry White, but plenty of talent returns to make the Trojans a favorite to defend its league title and make another postseason run. Ky Thomas averaged 13 points per game while back-court mate Da’Vonshai Harden added 11 points a contest. Kee’Andre Smith also returns as a starter and the front court will be big with 6-foot-6 King Sutton and 6-foot-7 Grant Cooney. TOPEKA WEST finally enjoyed the breakthrough season sixth-year coach Rick Bloomquist had been building for last year. The Chargers made a nine-win improvement and finished 15-7 overall and 9-4 in league play – a share of the league title eluding the Chargers with a controversial loss to Hayden late in the season. West just missed out on capping the turnaround season with a state berth, falling 49-46 in the sub-state finals to eventual champion Carroll. Four starters are gone from that squad, including standout Koriyon Carr and second-leading scorer Elijah Griffin. Senior guard Korbin Kido is the lone returning starter, but West will have good size taking over in the frontcourt with 6-7 Hunter McDaniel, 6-6 Elijah Clanton and 6-4 Chris Hargreaves stepping into bigger roles. Bloomquist thinks his team can be “sneaky good” and confidence in the program is at its highest point in some time. Kevin Muff’s first season as head coach at WASHBURN RURAL nearly resulted in a Class 6A state berth. The Junior Blues jumped out to a 9-0 lead on Topeka High in the sub-state final and led going into the fourth quarter before the Trojans rallied for a 56-50 win. Rural finished the season 12-10 overall as the Junior Blues adapted to Muff’s style. Six seniors are gone off that squad, but the Junior Blues return leading scorer Jordan White, who averaged 18 points and 5 rebounds per game. He’s got solid scoring complements in fellow seniors Savion Edwards and

a contest to go along with 4 assists per game for a Coyote team that went 11-11 in ‘17-18. Fifth-year LA CROSSE coach Nicholl Weigel has one returning starter, senior Makenzie Braun, who averaged 13 points and 4.6 rebounds a contest. Juniors Bailey

Photo by Joey Bahr

players that scored in double figures led by 5-9 senior Rylee Gleason who dumped in 18 points a night last season. Madison McElwain, a 5-10 senior, returns after averaging 11 points and 8 boards a night and 5-7 junior Josena Frame chipped in 13 points

Photo by Joey Bahr

Megan Schroeder said. “A few major keys to our success will be to eliminate turnovers, improve our rebounding, and push the ball up the court.” New KINSLEY coach Nicole Schaller inherits an experienced team with three

Armahn Downing, who each averaged 8 points. GIRLS Post play was a strength for EMPORIA a year ago and will be the Spartans’ strong suit again this year. Senior Taylor Milleson and junior Mya Tovar formed a tough 1-2 combo with Milleson averaging 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds and Tovar adding 7.3 points and 2.4 rebounds a contest. Finding guard play to complement the duo will be a big priority for sixth-year coach Carolyn Dorsey. Emporia lacked an outside presence a year ago, but Dorsey thinks she’s got more shooters this year. Emporia posted a rare sub.500 record, going 9-12 overall. When standout guard Preston Reid and head coach Brit Reid moved to Florida before last year, some wondered how HAYDEN would fare. The Wildcats were up and down all season before coming alive in the postseason. Hayden knocked out 2017 Class 4A Division II runner-up Jefferson West in overtime in the sub-state finals to advance to the state tournament for the fourth straight year, losing to runner-up Andale 59-41 in the quarterfinals. Brooklyn Hunter, a four-time state tennis champion, carried the Wildcats a year ago, averaging 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on her way to first-team allleague honors and is closing in on 1,000 points in her career. Sophia Purcell (8.5 ppg) is the only other returning starter, but second-year coach Luke Noll went deep with his bench and has experience back. HIGHLAND PARK feasted on non-league foes a year ago, going 8-1 in those games with the lone loss coming 77-70 to KC Schlagle in the sub-state finals to deny the Scots a return to the Class 5A state tournament. In league play, Highland Park went 7-6, tying for fourth with Hayden, but the season saw the Scots make an 11-win improvement overall after winning just four games in 2016-17. Highland Park should be able to build upon that success, returning four starters. Junior Dariauna Carter led the Scots in scoring with 17 points per game, while

Myles Menges

Central Plains, Senior sophomore Jae’Mya Lyons had an outstanding freshman season, averaging 14 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Juniors Ariyanna Grassity and Cierra Sherman join Carter as three-year starters and add scoring punch in the backcourt as well. After posting just six wins in Derek Petty’s first two years, JUNCTION CITY recorded a 5-16 mark last year to make some strides. Keeping that footing this year might take some doing as graduation claimed 80 percent of the Blue Jays’ scoring from a year ago. Sophomore Mellana Davis is the lone returning starter and shot 46 percent from the field last year. Fellow sophomore Alyssa Grygier hit 46 percent of her 3-pointers, but the Blue Jays will lack experience and size overall. State champions in 2017, MANHATTAN seemed on the fast track to a second straight state championship, rolling through the league with a perfect 13-0 mark and losing just twice during the regular season – to eventual Class 5A champion Aquinas and to 4A Division I champion McPherson. But the title defense ended before it really began at the state tournament with the Indians falling to league rival Washburn Rural in the quarterfinals. Graduation claimed All-State guard Christianna Carr, now at K-State, and another starter, but the Indians return enough firepower to go after a third straight league crown. Kia Wilson (10.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Haleigh Harper (7.4 ppg, 2.5 spg) and Garrin Williams (5.3 ppg, 3.2 apg) are a strong trio to build around and coach Scott Mall went deep with his rotation a year ago, giving him plenty of experience back. An upset loss to St. James Academy in substate play put a bit of a damper on solid season for SEAMAN in coach Matt Tinsley’s first year. The Vikings finished 13-8 overall and took third in the league with a 9-4 mark, highlighted by a late-season six-game winning streak. Sophomore Camryn Turner was the league newcomer of the year last year and is one of four returning starters for the Vikings. She led the league in steals and assists last year. Senior guard Megan Skoch and juniors Chloe Carter and Katera Mayfield also return as starters with

Baalmann, McKylie Lari, Patricia Webster, and Brooke Herrman are expected to play. VICTORIA went 7-14. Sophomores Lydia Sander and Emily Sterling led the team with 8.9 and 6.9 points a game, respectively. ELLINWOOD girls finished 1-20, though had no seniors last season. Senior Madison Ward averaged 13.5 points and 8.4 rebounds. NESS CITY finished 0-21 in the first winter with coach Shelby Heim, formerly a terrific player at Hoxie and then at Kansas Wesleyan. Heim was the fourth coach in four years and returns multiple players from last year. Seniors Tianna Epperson and Jenna Werth and juniors Summer Pfannenstiel and Makenzie Flax are all returning starters. “This year we’ll have a couple girls that have handled the ropes last year on varsity and will now have a year under their belts this time around,” Heim said. “We’re looking forward to getting better every day.” Mayfield committing to UMKC earlier this year after averaging 9 ppg and 6 rpg. TOPEKA HIGH boasts one of the league’s most electric players in senior guard Jaryn Benning, who was a second-team all-league selection a year ago. Benning averaged 12 points, 7 boards and 2 steals last year and sets the pace for the Trojans’ up-tempo style. She’s got a strong running mate in sophomore Ja’Neysha Hendricks, who also is quick and can be a streaky shooter. High never really developed a post presence during last year’s 7-14 campaign, but Coach Hannah Alexander hopes freshman NiJaree Canady, a six-footer, can fill that void this year. TOPEKA WEST struggled in David Meseke’s first year, going just 4-17. But Meseke saw plenty of progress over the season and with pretty much everyone back, he hopes for better results this year. Junior Miyah Larson led the Chargers in scoring at 10.1 points per game while senior Gabby Rivera added 8 points and 8 rebounds a game. Losing Riley Zook to injury during the season hampered the Chargers last year, but she returns healthy this year after hitting 41 percent from 3-point range. West has an emerging post in 6-foot-2 junior Brendeja Hollomon. WASHBURN RURAL finished runner-up to Manhattan in league play a year ago, but got revenge at state by knocking off the defending state champions 53-40. The two powers will likely battle for league supremacy again this year with Rural boasting the top player in the league in senior Carly Bachelor. The Creighton signee was a double-double machine last year and wound up averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds per game. She’s one of the top players in the state and was a first-team All-Class 6A selection and second-team All-State pick last year. She’ll miss the outside scoring of departed all-leaguer Kendall Michalski, but senior Shelby Ebert and junior Kasey Hamilton have shown the ability to score from the perimeter and senior Sydney Houser will complement Bachelor inside. Veteran coach Kevin Bordewick has a team capable of challenging for the 6A state title this year after taking third a year ago.

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Page 38

Photo by Tony Dellesaga

CRAWFORD-NEOSHO-CHEROKEE LEAGUE

Aaron HIGGINBOTHAM St. Mary’s-Colgan, Senior

By Ryan Atkinson, For Kansas Pregame After tying for the league title with Girard and making a run to the 2A state title game, the ST. MARY’S-COLGAN Panthers welcome back a pair of senior starters. Aaron Higginbotham (66) is back after averaging 11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, as is Matthew Lomshek (6-0), who scored 7.9 points per game a year ago. Seniors Dalton VanBecelaere, Cal Marquardt and Whit Dungan, along with junior Andrew Lomshek, are back after playing substantial minutes last season. Senior Cade Simmons was set to return, but could miss the season after suffering a knee injury in football. “This year’s squad returns seven players from last year’s 2A runner-up team,” said head coach Wayne Cichon, beginning his 36th year at Colgan. “Keys will be the chemistry we have and replacing three starters. Strengths include size, quickness and depth.” The BAXTER SPRINGS Lions bring back some strong experience from last year’s 16-6 squad, including Trey White. The 6-foot senior averaged 24 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game a year ago. Joining White will be 6’7” senior Tucker Graves, who added 7.2 pounds and 4.2 rebounds per game last season, and senior

BIG 7/FROM PG 32_________ year. Jesse Burger is tops among returners with 7 points and 7 rebounds per game, shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. GIRLS Graduation and transfers hampered HIAWATHA from the start a year ago and the Red Hawks never found their footing, going just 2-18 last year. Hiawatha only had one senior last year so expect the Red Hawks to pick up a few more wins this year with an experienced roster. HOLTON had another productive year, but for a program used to contending for league titles and more, last season was somewhat disappointing. The Wildcats finished third in the league, but fell in the first round of sub-state play, finishing the season 15-6. Now the Wildcats must replace three-time all-leaguer Shay Tanking, who averaged 17.8 ppg, double anyone else on the team. Younger sister Saydee Tanking wound up ranking second on the team in scoring as a freshman with 8.2 points per game and senior post Lauryn Moore was right behind at 8 ppg.

Blake Thiessen, who averaged 6.8 points. “We have an opportunity to have a good year,” said second-year head coach Alan Hibler. “We must be better defensively and on the boards and we must stay injury-free.” Returning lettermen include seniors Billy Buck (6-3) and Landon Abbott (5-10) as well as two juniors new to Baxter Springs, Brant Morris and Andre Appleton, both of whom stand 6-3. Kyler Reece (6-2) will look to play a key role after being injured last season. The COLUMBUS Titans struggled to a 4-17 season — including an 0-6 CNC mark — last season under head coach Jerry Miley. The Titans dropped nine straight to end the year. The FRONTENAC Raiders bring back just one starter from last year’s 11-12 squad that finished 3-3 in the CNC. Hayden Pile, a 6-2 junior is back after averaging 14 points. Seniors Blayne Baldwin (6-2), Noah Brooks (6-6), Cooper Cleland (6-2) and Cale Franklin (6-1) will be key contributors, as will junior Jake Beckmann (5-11). “(If) we can improve one percent each day we think that would be a great success,” fifthyear coach Ryan Varsalona said. The GALENA Bulldogs will look to build on a 16-win season that included a 10-2 start. The GIRARD Trojans will drop down to Class 3A after a 16-6 campaign last year that ended in a loss in their 4A-II sub-state championship game. Caleb Muia and Evan Troike return after solid seasons. The RIVERTON Rams finished 10-12 last season, falling to Caney Valley in a 3A substate final. The Rams were 1-5 in the CNC under coach Bronson Schaake. GIRLS Long-time southeastern Kansas coach Cory White returns for his third year guiding the BAXTER SPRINGS Lions, who return five players that started at least half of the team’s games during last year’s 13-10 campaign.

Six-foot senior Delaney Barnes is back after averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds and garnering second-team all-state honors last season, as is Abbey Underhill (5-9 senior), who averaged 11 points and 5 boards. Senior Kassity Shafer (5-9) and sophomores Brylee Rice (5-8) and Allie Fry (5-6) also return. Senior Kalynn Tarvin, junior Madison Burton and sophomore Kenney Krokroskia also figure to log meaningful minutes for the Lions. “The maturity and overall experience should allow us to expand what we do,” White said. “The belief they have in one another and in the notion of succeeding can be unifying.” First-year head coach K.C. Youngblood returns four starters — three seniors and a junior — from last year’s 12-9 COLUMBUS Titan team team that finished tied for second in the CNC with a 4-2 record. The Titans will have some height to work with, returning 5-10 junior Karsyn Youngblood and 5-8 senior Macy Gray. Joining them are returning starters Nahil Fontenez (5-7 senior) and Riley Hauraughty (5-6 senior). “We have experience returning for us this year, not only from the starting spots but from several sophomores that saw some floor time last season,” Youngblood said. “It we get a good inside-out game going and eliminate turnovers, we should be competitive.” Four players with starting experience return for FRONTENAC and Scott Fields, who is in his first year leading the program. The Raiders finished the regular season just 7-12 (including a six-game losing streak), but knocked off Iola and Girard to reach the state tournament. Seniors Madi Davis and Lauren Harper return to their starting roles, along with juniors Karma Fields and Bria Ginavan. Seniors Katlyn Sellars and Riley Forrest, juniors Jadyn Meyer and Anna Hogard, as well as sophomores Reagen Hipfl, Gracen Hipfl,

Abby Butcher and Hannah Hill are returning lettermen. “We will be looking for girls to step into, and fill, roles to help our team work to reach its potential,” Fields said. “We have a very competitive schedule and we must be ready to play every night.” The GALENA Bulldogs started last season 15-3 before losing their final two regular season games and then falling to Baxter Springs — a team they had already twice beaten — in overtime in the sub-state tournament. The GIRARD Trojans, led by coach Brad Herlocker, finished 15-7 last year, losing to Frontenac in the sub-state final, a year after winning the 4A-II championship. To continue his winning ways, Herlocker will try to find a replacement for scoring machine Sydnee Crain, now playing at Pittsurg State. The RIVERTON Rams, under coach C.J. August, will look to rebound from a 3-18 season that saw them drop their final 10 games. The ST. MARY’S-COLGAN Panthers bring back three all-state players from last year’s 19-5 season. Cathy Farmer (13.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game), Kate Radell (9.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Aubri Piccini (7.8 ppg) all return for their senior seasons for head coach Abby Farabi. Seniors Annie Snow, Kenzie Venneman, Delany Cedeno and Kaleigh Ware will also play key roles, as will sophomore Kaitlin Crossland. “We return three starters, along with four girls that have varsity experience,” Farabi said. “Using our experience along with the work ethic and drive of this group will be key to our success.” The Panthers fell to Hill City in overtime in the first round of last year’s state tournament. Ryan Atkinson is a journalist in the Kansas City area with more than 10 years experience covering high school sports.

An overtime loss to Hayden kept JEFFERSON WEST from making a second straight trip to the Class 4A Division II state tournament. It was a heartbreaker of a loss, 57-51, after the Tigers had returned a bulk of the squad that finished runner-up in the 2017 state tournament, though two starters were lost for the season to injuries before the first game. In all, West lost five players to injuries at some point but still fashioned an 18-3 record and second-place league finish. Though 6-foot-3 standout and allleaguer Mariah Murdie has graduated, West has enough back to make another run. Jordon and Aaliyah Negonsott had big junior seasons with Aaliyah averaging 14.1 points per game and earning first-team all-league honors. Third place in Class 3A in 2017, NEMAHA CENTRAL had its sights set on capturing the state title last year and seemed well on its way, rolling into the state tourney with a 21-2 mark. But facing league rival Royal Valley for the third time, the Thunder were upset 51-48, prematurely ending their postseason hopes. The Thunder’s only other losses came to 4A power KC Piper and Jefferson West. Though four starters are

back, replacing two-time All-3A pick Laura Macke after she averaged 17.5 points per game. Senior Jacy Dalinghaus averaged 9 points per game and Ashley Larkin added 7 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest, both three-year starters. Injuries and a roster that featured just one senior were too much for PERRY-LECOMPTON to overcome. The Kaws finished 3-17 last year, with all three wins in league play. With nearly everyone back and a little health, Perry can expect better things this season. Junior Jenna Keller led the Kaws in scoring last year at 10.1 ppg, but no other returner was over 5.5. RIVERSIDE was incredibly young last year with no seniors on the roster and only one junior. The result was a 4-16 record and last-place league finish. Everyone is back this year, led by senior Kallie Hawkins, who led the Cyclones in scoring at 7.8 points per game. Following its remarkable run to the 3A state championship game, the question is can ROYAL VALLEY do it again? KBCA voters think so, penciling the Panthers in on the top of the 3A preseason rankings. The Panthers must replace leading scorer Tamo Thomas, but return

a strong combination in Mary Broxterman, a first-team all-leaguer who averaged 10.8 points and 8 rebounds per game, and Kiikto Thomas, Tamo’s younger sister who averaged 6.1 points a game and runs the point. Royal Valley coach Kyle Porter hopes a trio of newcomers – sisters Menon, Mahpiya and Wakiyan Irving – who transferred in from Colorado, will have an impact and help ease the loss of five seniors overall. There haven’t been many years when SABETHA wasn’t a factor in the league race, but last year the Bluejays never could position themselves to challenge the league’s best teams and went 0-fer against the top four. Sabetha finished 11-10 overall with its best win 54-45 over 4A Paola after nearly knocking off 4A Labette County at the Burlington Invite. Veteran coach Alex McAfee sees plenty of motivation in this year’s group with three starters and numerous letterwinners back. Senior guard Hillary Krebs was all-league and averaged 7 ppg and three others return who averaged at least 5.5 ppg.

Brent Maycock is a sportswriter for the Topeka Capital-Journal who has covered high schools in Topeka, and across Kansas, for over 25 years.

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

EASTERN KANSAS LEAGUE

By Ryan Atkinson, For Kansas Pregame If the BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST Huskies are going to win their third consecutive 6A title, they’ll have to reload. Four starters from last year’s 21-4 team are gone. The good news is that one of the returning starters is Christian Braun, a 6-7 senior KU commit. Matthew Chapman, a 6-6 senior, also returns with some starting experience. Returning lettermen include senior Michael Peake (6-8), junior Markell Hood (6-6) and Jack Chapman (6-6). “The key to this season will be how well we can work together as a team and how we can develop and accept roles on the team,” said veteran coach Ed Fritz, now in his 16th year. The BISHOP MIEGE Stags – another defending state champion – find themselves in a similar situation. The Stags return just two starters from last year’s 4A-I title team that went 22-3 overall and finished second in the EKL, behind BV Northwest. Those two starters bring size and experience, however. Senior Spencer Jones (6-8) averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last year, while classmate Josh Earley (6-7) scored 9.1 points per game and added 7.1 rebounds. “Integrating our returning veteran players with our new arrivals will be key,” said Rick Zych, who enters his 22nd season at Miege. Some of those the Stags will be looking to step up include senior Stone Jeffries (6-2), sophomores Harrison Braudis (6-0) and Tayt Harbour (7-1) and freshmen Mark Mitchell (6-6) and Xavier Hall (5-11). Miege did lose the state’s best player in the offseason when Jeremiah Robinson-Earl transferred to IMG Academy where he is one of the top prospects in the country. He averaged 21.5 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Stags who won their third straight state title last year. The BLUE VALLEY NORTH Mustangs will have

some experience to rely on in their attempt to build off last year’s 15-7 season that included a thirdplace league finish. Five players with starting experience are back, including senior Amauri Pesek-Hickson (6-2), who averaged 14 ppg and 4.4 rpg last year. Also back are seniors Gus Freeman (6-0) and Ben Hirschi (61), junior Shawn Hendershot (6-3) and sophomore Luke Adams (5-11). “We have a few kids back that started a handful of games, but we are still pretty inexperienced,” said 13th year coach Ryan Phifer. “After losing a lot of size from last year’s team, we will be much more perimeter oriented.” Ethan Vlasic (6-8 senior) and Wyatt Turner (6-3 senior) will provide depth for the Mustangs. The BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST Timberwolves suffered through a winless league schedule and finished 5-16 a year ago, but four returning starters are back looking to take another step up. Senior Will Eldridge (6-foot) is back after averaging 11 ppg last year, as is junior Christopher Miller (6-5) and his 11 ppg. Juniors Austin Murrow (6-5) and Max Defever (6-4) are also back after averaging 9 and 7 points, respectively. Senior Nik Tanner (5-7), juniors Maclain Petri (5-10), Tommy Zimmerman (6-3) and Christian Ryckman (6-5) and sophomore Tanner Curry (5-8) will add depth. “Our goal is to continue building the foundation of a new culture at Southwest based upon personal accountability, competition and attention to detail,” said second year SW coach Dustin Loechner. Second-year coach Ryan Hintz and the BLUE VALLEY WEST Jaguars will look to build on last year’s 7-14 (4-4 EKL) season. Three junior starters return, including O’Mar Stanley (6-8), who averaged 7 ppg a year ago. Spencer Bain (6-2) and David

FLINT HILLS LEAGUE

By Brent Maycock, The Topeka Capital-Journal Maybe the role of spoiler suits Council Grove’s boys best. When the Braves reached the 2009 Class 3A state tournament, they had lost eight of their last nine games to enter sub-state play with a 9-11 record. No matter, Council Grove pulled one upset after another to end a 29-year state tournament drought. The following year, Council Grove was just

SMOKE in the

.500 going into sub-state play. Again, the Braves found postseason magic and reached the state tournament for the second straight year. After seeing years as a high seed end in postseason disappointment, Council Grove took an 8-11 mark into last year’s sub-state. Wouldn’t you know it, the underdog role fit again as the Braves knocked off Eureka, Humboldt and Osage City, nipping the Indians 54-53 in the sub-state title

Spring

www.smokeinthespring.com For more information contact:

April 12, 2019

Corey Linton – 785-528-4610 or rec@osagecity.com

Brown (6-2) are also back. Seniors Wyatt Stull (61), Ben Coates (6-foot) and Matt Cairns (6-3) will compete for starting positions, as will juniors Greg Riddle (5-10) and Jake Cummings (5-10). “We return three starters and are excited to build upon the winning culture we established last season,” Hintz said. The ST. JAMES ACADEMY Thunder look to build on a season full of close losses. The Thunder return a pair of starters from last year’s 5-16 squad, including 6-2 junior Jack Muellers, who hit 81 3-pointers on the year and averaged 14.4 ppg. David Hornung (6-2 senior) is back after averaging 6 ppg. Seniors Ryan Holton (5-9), Zach Flax (6-4) and Sean Ziesman (6-5) and sophomore Michael Cahill (5-11) will compete for starting spots. “After losing a bunch of close games with a brandnew team last year, we will be looking to use the experience gained to take some steps forward this year,” said seventh year coach Stan Dahm. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, under first-year head coach Jake Kupersmith, has a load of experience back from last year’s 10-12 campaign. Six players with starting experience are back, including Joe Rost (6-4 senior), who averaged 11.1 ppg last year, Zac Genilo (6-5 senior, 7.3 ppg), Matt Connor (5-10 senior), T.J. Williams-Bey (6-2 senior), Zarian Navy (6-3 junior) and Tank Young (5-10 sophomore). “We have some strong returners this year that got a lot of valuable experience,” said Kupersmith. “We’ll lean on their leadership and poise a lot.” MILL VALLEY and BLUE VALLEY will look to build on solid seasons a year ago. Mill Valley went 13-10 and took fourth in 5A after a two-point loss to Pittsburg in the third-place game of the state tournament. Blue Valley finished 10-11. GIRLS The ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Saints bring back three starters from last year’s dominant state championship squad. The Saints went 23-2 on the season, winning the 5A state title with a 14-point win over Bishop Carroll. Senior Alayna Townsell (6-0) is back after averag-

Page 39 ing 11.6 points and 4 rebounds per game, as is senior Blythe Pearson (5-10) and her 6.8 ppg. Junior Molly Hartnett (5-7) also returns to her starting role. Senior Kyli Jackson (5-10), sophomore Madison Skelton (5-6) and freshmen Beatrice Culliton (6-3) and Charlotte O’Keefe (6-0) will compete for starting roles and add depth. Perennial power BISHOP MIEGE will look to make a another trek to the state tournament, where the Stags dropped a heartbreaking 62-58 overtime loss to McPherson in last season’s 4A-I championship. Veteran coach Terry English welcomes back a boat load of talented players perhaps most notably 6-2 sophomore Payton Verhulst who averaged 14 points, 6 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals a year ago. Seniors Johnni and Jordynn Gonzalez and Fallon Russell, junior Ashton Verhulst and sophomore Faith Hawthorne all return with starting experience. BLUE VALLEY will look for leadership after an 8-13 season. Just one starter returns in Abby Wolff, a 5-6 senior, and Bruce Erickson takes over. “With this being my first year at Blue Valley, we have a lot of questions,” Erickson said. “We will have to take care of the ball and limit our turnovers. We have good height so we need to use that to our advantage and hopefully we can rebound the ball.” Seniors Ashley Clark (6-0) and Dymon Pryer (57), juniors Jane Ryan (6-1) and Taylor Tschirhart 6-1) and freshman Jordan Jackson (6-0) will play key roles. The BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST Huskies need some new faces to step up after last year’s 7-14 campaign. First-year head coach Matt Schulman welcomes back just one returning starter – 5-5 senior Haley Shin, who averaged 4 ppg last year. Senior Madison Gerard (5-11) and juniors Grave Coble (5-8) and Veronica Spillman (5-6) are returning letter winners while junior Emily Farthing (5-8) and sophomore Megan Edwards (5-6) add depth. “We are looking to play fast and move the ball as much as possible,” Schulman said. BLUE VALLEY WEST brings back three players with starting experience, but will look to replace continued on page 50

game. Council Grove almost continued its upset ways in the first round, pushing top-seeded Maur Hill to the limit in a 59-56 loss. The Braves were the only league team to qualify for the state tournament a year ago. Lyndon appeared on its way to joining them by reaching the 2A state tournament after posting an undefeated regular season and sweep of the league crowns. But the Tigers were upset by Burlingame 52-42 in the sub-state title game, finishing the year 21-1. Mission Valley’s girls were undefeated league regular-season champions – the Vikings’ first league crown ever. Council Grove girls, who saw a five-year reign as league champions, did win their fourth straight league tournament title. BOYS A three-win season might not seem like much, but after going winless in 2016-17, CENTRAL HEIGHTS showed improvement in Tyler Oestreicher’s second year as head coach. The Vikings are hoping to take more steps this year and with four starters and two other lettermen back, the chances of that happening appear to be good. Senior guard Bryce Sommer was an honorable mention all-league selection last year, averaging 6.5 points and 4.3 assists per game. The Vikings return leading scorer Bralen Bowker, who came

off the bench for 7.7 points per game. Heights only averaged 42.1 points per game a year ago but Oestreicher thinks this year’s team will be hardnosed defensively. CHASE COUNTY went 0-19 last year, but eight of the losses were by 10 points or less. Senior Hunter Groh was honorable mention all-league and led the Bulldogs in scoring. It might be good that the underdog role fits COUNCIL GROVE well because the Braves likely will experience a few growing pains as the 2018-19 season begins. Graduation claimed six seniors off last year’s state squad, including the team’s top-four leading scorers led by all-leaguers Sam Kirk (13.1 ppg) and Carter Finch (11.6 ppg). Junior Brodey King is the leading returning scorer, averaging 5.6 points per game last year. No other returner averaged more than 4 ppg or 3 rpg and senior Brett Birzer is the only returner with starting experience. Having nipped Burlingame by one point early in the season, LYNDON knew a potential rematch with the Bearcats in the sub-state championship would be a big challenge. It was and Burlingame got revenge, ending the Tigers’ bid for a perfect season with a 52-42 victory. The Tigers could be in for a rebuilding season this year, however. Graduation claimed unanimous all- continued on page 40

Photo by KC Piper Journalism

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Ryan COBBINS KC Piper, Senior

By John Baetz, Publisher The Frontier League features some of the best basketball in the mid-sized classes. The Baldwin girls won the 4A-II state title last season while the KC-Piper girls finished 3rd in 4A-I. Paola snuck into the 4A-I state tournament with an 11-11 record but were bounced early by Piper. On the boys side, KC Piper and Spring Hill qualified for the 4A-I tournament serving as the 6th and 8th seeds respectively. Both took a first round exit from the tourney. The Frontier League features two girls’ teams and four boys’ teams ranked in the preseason by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. KC Piper is ranked 2nd in the 4A girls rankings and Baldwin is ranked 6th as both teams now play in the revamped 4A. The Ottawa boys, ranked 4th, headline the Frontier League teams in the rankings followed by a pack of three teams - Paola, KC Piper, Louisburg - at 7th through 9th in the 4A poll. BOYS BONNER SPRINGS returns two key pieces from a team than went 19-3 last season, senior guards Keyon Thomas and A.J. Watson. Thomas averaged 19.3 points, 4.5 boards, 5.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game last year and has signed with Emporia State to play basketball after high school. Watson, who averaged 13.7 ppg and 5 assists, signed with Concordia University in Nebraska, giving the Braves’ backcourt two future college players. Nasjon Porter rounds out the returners. The 6-foot

FLINT HILLS/FROM PG 39_____________

leaguers Dexton Swinehart and Jamie Reed, each of whom averaged better than 17 points per game. Only one letterman returns, senior guard Lake Croucher. He and junior Shawn Hinck are the lone upperclassmen projected in the rotation, leaving coach Michael Massey to rely on youth. Looking for a team to make a jump and challenge for the league crown this year? It could be MISSION VALLEY, which finished fifth in the league standings and posted a 9-12 overall record. The Vikings return three starters with Chase Parks a second-team allleague selection last year after averaging 6 points a game. Mission Valley was balanced a year ago with no player averaging more than 8.1 points per game and five players averaging at least 6 points a contest, including returners Brandon Hittle (7 ppg) and PJ Myers (6 ppg). Hittle also led the team in rebounding at 4.7 per game. NORTHERN HEIGHTS was just 4-16 a year ago with half of those wins against winless Chase County. The Wildcats graduated honorable mention all-leaguer Michael DeWeese, but return honorable

senior averaged 2.5 points and 2.6 boards last season. The Braves won the Kaw Valley League title in their last year in the league and now make the move to Frontier League play. While guard play is a strength, coach Dan Streit says a lack of height could be a challenge, but adds “athleticism and playing stifiling defense” should keep the Braves “very competitive.” Touré Grimes’ KC PIPER Pirates qualified for the 4A-I state tournament last year but took an early exit at the hands of Andover Central to finish the season 15-7. Expectations of a return trip to state are no surprise. The Pirates welcome back five players with starting experience including four that are 6-4 or taller. Seniors Braijion Barnes (6-4, 10 ppg, 7 rbg), Brandan Jackson (6-5, 8.5 ppg, 6 rpg), and Trey Bates (6-0, 11 ppg, 4.5 apg) will join forces with junior Ty Shelly (6-4, 4 ppg) and sophomore Tamar Bates (6-4, 2.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) to make a formidable first five. The Pirates start the season ranked 8th in the KBCA rankings. LOUISBURG picked up a surprise preseason top-10 ranking from the KBCA after winning just two games last year for now 2nd year coach Ty Pfannenstiel. The Wildcats will still be relatively young after graduating several seniors. OTTAWA went 11-9 under veteran coach Clif McCullough with a relatively young team. Now, the Cyclones welcome back four juniors and one senior with starting experience. Senior Aidan Michel (6-5, 3 ppg, 4 rpg) and juniors Kobe Johnson (6-5, 14 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, 3 bpg), Jayson Brown (6-0, 4 ppg), Cade Gollier (6-1, 2 ppg, 3 apg) and Alex Quillen (6-2, 2 ppg) make up the bulk of the returning experience. “This group of guys have been very committed in the offseason so the expectation is there for them to do well,” McCullough said. “The key will be for our players to understand roles and how they respond to an extremely tough schedule.” The bad news for SPRING HILL coach Wes Book? He only has two returning starters from last

year’s 14-9 state qualifier. The good news? He has six players 6-4 or taller. Book says that size should be an advantage, but adds “we have to find a 2nd ball handler.” Brennen Feeback is the top returner after earning all-league and honorable mention all-state honors last year. The 6-4 senior averaged 11 points and seven boards a game. GIRLS Long-time BALDWIN girls coach Bob Martin begins his title defense with the return of three seniors with starting experience including Kayla Kurtz (5-6, 13.3 ppg, 4 rpg), Carley Lindenmeyer (5-8, 6.5 ppg, 3 rpg) and Kate Ogle (5-11, 6.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg). Martin will have to find a replacement for all-stater Abby Ogle but Kurtz returns after earning 2nd team all-state honors last year from SportsinKansas. “Our success will depend on how well our veteran players are able to step into new roles and how our younger players fill their roles on the varsity level,” said Martin, who was named 4A-II coach of the year by SportsinKansas. The BONNER SPRINGS girls return four starters from a team that went 7-14 last year including a 5-7 league record. Junior Kim Whetstone will lead the way for the Braves after using her 5-foot-11 frame to average a double-double last season, 11 points and 10 boards. Senior Hallie Hoffine was not far behind Whetstone averaging 10 points and 6.3 boards. Junior Avery Hill is back after averaging 3.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, and 5-foot-4 senior Shelby Cox rounds out the returning starters. “We return four out of five starters from a year go,” 3rd year coach Nick Schuster said adding he needs to find a 3rd scorer. “We have an experienced group of juniors and seniors.” KC PIPER nearly completed an undefeated season but a semifinal loss to Bishop Miege in the 4A-I state tournament delivered the Pirates’ only blemish on an otherwise perfect record. Piper rebounded in the 3rd place game beating Labette County to improve to 23-1 overall.

mention pick Tee Preisner who averaged a doubledouble with 15 points and 12 boards a game. Marcus Waters is the only other experienced returner, averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds, but fourth-year coach Jacob Lang still feels his team will be deeper this year. Missing leading returning scorer Tyson Wilkins for the early part of the season, OSAGE CITY survived reasonably well, pushing unbeaten Lyndon in a 4544 loss which denied the Indians the league title. The Indians never hit a real rhythm last year, but came one win away from returning to the Class 3A state tournament. Four starters who accounted for 70 percent of the team’s scoring last year have graduated, including all-leaguers Wilkins, Tucker Kimball and Carter Swindale, but the Indians return first-team all-leaguer Trenton Plinsky, who averaged 8 points and 3.2 assists per game last year. Shane Orender is a sharp-shooter who averaged 7.5 points per game. Former Centralia football All-Stater Michael Glatczak takes over as head coach at WEST FRANKLIN, and takes over a team which went 10-10 last year with a season ending one-point

loss to Humboldt in sub-state. Glatczak will seek a replacement for Hunter Lewis, who graduated after he led the team in scoring the past three seasons. But Glatczak should have a strong nucleus in returners Clayton Noyons, Ryan Schmidt and Tanner Sink, all three-year starters. GIRLS Scoring was a challenge for CENTRAL HEIGHTS a year ago with the Vikings scoring at least 40 just twice all year. Heights graduated a trio of seniors, including leading scorer Shelbi Hettinger, but return plenty of experience. Senior-heavy in 2016-17 when the Bulldogs reached the Class 2A state tournament, CHASE COUNTY avoided a big dropoff last year and finished the season with a solid 13-8 mark. The Bulldogs came one win away from reaching the Class 1A-I state tourney, falling 41-36 to Rural Vista in the sub-state title game. Chase County suffered little graduation losses and returns all-league firstteamer Maya Eidman, who averaged 8 points and 9 rebounds per game last year. COUNCIL GROVE saw its run of four straight league regular season titles come to an end last

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FRONTIER LEAGUE Expectations at Piper will be just as high this season as 8th year Pirate coach Shane Stout welcoms back all five starters including first team allstater Ryan Cobbins - a 6-foot senior who averaged 14 ppg last year - and junior guards Ali Vigil - a 2nd team all-state pick - and Grace Banes who both averaged at least 10 ppg last season. Sophomore point guard Evelyn Vazquez is back after earning honorable mention all-state as a freshman. Stout said team athleticism and length are strengths, but called a lack of depth a weakness. LOUISBURG coach Shawn Lowry welcomes back several experienced players led by mult-time all-league honoree Carson Buffington, a senior who has led the league in rebounding for the last three seasons. The OTTAWA girls won just two games last season and return just two players with starting experience - Juliet Lane and Summer Spigle who are 5-4 and 5-5 respectively. First year Lady Cyclone coach Duane Cowell welcomes two first year Ottawa assistants in Tim Sipe and Leslie Speer and Cowell says the staff is ready for the season. “We are excited to get the season started and teach the game to our players as we build a strong competitive program,” Cowell said. SPRING HILL welcomes back four girls with starting experience from a team that went 14-8 last year, including a 9-3 league record. Seniors Lauren Delker, Meghan Goff and Alayney Steging will spearhead the offensive attack after averaging 10.8, 9.6 and 5.8 points per game last season. Coach Drew Williams welcomes five girls with starting experience back to help TONGANOXIE improve on a 6-15 record including the team’s top scorer (Morgan Brusven), top rebounder (Lauren Gray) and top passer (Anna Soetaert.) “Our girls showed an improved comfort level running our system and the chemistry has been tremendous in the summer and fall,” coach Williams said. “We are going to have a tough task in front of us as we transition to the stacked Frontier League.”

year, a 31-29 loss to Mission Valley denying the Braves a fifth consecutive crown. Council Grove did clam the league tournament title for the fourth straight year and finished the season 15-6, falling in the sub-state semifinals. The Braves graduated their top-two scorers from a year ago, including unanimous all-leaguer Beau Peterson, but the next four scorers return led by junior Abbi Good and senior Hailey Hower, who each averaged 6.1 points. Good also led the team in rebounding with 5.1 per game. Coach Jason Shelangouski is 90-27 in his five years with CG. LYNDON has posted back-to-back six-win seasons, but looks to hit double digits as four starters return. Lost to graduation, however, was Claira Spurgeon, a first-team all-league pick who averaged 15.7 points and 6.1 boards per game. With her departure, the Tigers will lean heavily on junior center Brooke Addleman after she averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds. Sophomore Abby Criqui emerged late last season, averaging double figures over the final five games. For the first time in program history, MISSION VALLEY captured the league title, going 7-0 in

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

GREAT WEST ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE

By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Perhaps no conference in Kansas took advantage of the short-lived split of Class 4A to Division I and Division II. The split lasted from 2014-2018. In that stretch, the Holcomb boys and Hugoton girls captured multiple state titles as well as top-three finishes. The majority of the success came in 4AII. The Hugoton boys broke through with a 4A-II runner-up showing in 2016. The Scott City girls ended a long state drought with a fourth place finish in 4A-II two years ago. This year, 4A-II is no more. Ulysses is 4A, while Scott City, Holcomb, Hugoton, Colby and Goodland are all in Class 3A. BOYS HOLCOMB enjoyed a great run in 4A-II with state showings four of the last five seasons, including state titles in ’15 and ’17 and runner-up to Hayden in ‘18. Coach Chad Novack, in his 15th year overall and 8th with the Longhorns, is 143-24 with Holcomb and 223-88 in his career. Holcomb went 23-2 and 10-0 in league. Holcomb lost its top-10 players and returns no starters graduating 61 points, 36 rebounds, 15 assists, 5 steals and 4 blocks a contest. Novack said strengths are great numbers, kids that want to be successful and a willingness to work hard. Novack said the weaknesses are “the unknown.” Novack plans to play multiple seniors, including 6-6 forward Damon Kepley, 5-10 guard Zion Mason, 6-3 forward River Amos, 6-2 forward Peyton Ortner, 6-0 guard Caleb Clumsky and 5-10 guard Jayson Lambert. Junior 5-9 guard Jackson Stoppel will likely be a key player, too. “Who will fill those big roles that we lost from last year’s graduation? Who is going to step up?” Novack said of questions facing the program. “We have no varsity experience returning so need many kids to rise to the occasion.” HUGOTON coach C.J. Korf is 50-20 with the Eagles, though 10-11 last season with just one senior. Korf said the biggest key will be playing a “complete 32 minutes every night.” Eight of the 11 losses came by 11 points or fewer.

Six seniors return: Carlos Montiel, Damian Lewis, Jagger Hertel, Carlos Tinoco, Michael Mirabal and Aaron Camacho. Montiel averaged 12.5 points, 9.2 boards and 3.3 assists. Lewis averaged 10.7 points and two rebounds. The other four combined for 11.8 points a contest. GOODLAND coach Mike Doll went 14-9 in his first year with the Cowboys, though returns zero starters. Seniors Mark Rodriguez and Chase Johnson, and junior Henry Cole combined for seven points and four rebounds a game. “The biggest key to our success will be to adapt quickly to the speed and physicality of the game,” Doll said. SCOTT CITY, in the first two years after successful coach Glenn O’Neil left, went 13-9 and 11-11 the last two winters with Brian Gentry. Senior Marshall Faurot averaged 12.8 points with 3.1 rebounds a contest. COLBY went 7-14 last winter for coach Brad Wildeman, but key players, seniors Jordan Schippers and Xavier Slaven and junior Calvin Stapp, return. ULYSSES finished 8-14 last year and returns plenty of height with 6-8 senior Devin Walker and 6-5 junior Sloan Hayden. GIRLS HUGOTON is a state power and finished third at state in 4A-II last year. The Eagles won 4A-II in ‘15, and 3A in ‘17. Emmanuel Adigun, in his first season as coach, went 17-8, 7-3 in league. Last winter’s senior class was 88-12 with two titles and two third-place finishes. Adigun came from Pratt, making two trips to state as an assistant and one as head coach. Hugoton overcame injury to PG Dallie Hoskinson, who signed with Johnson Co. Community College. Hoskinson scored 910 points in her first three years and then tore her ACL four minutes into the first game of the season. In three years, Hoskinson set the school record with 587 rebounds and recorded 333 assists and 347 steals, just short of school marks. Her twin, Laney, was a key starter last year. Senior Rebecca Johnson averaged 4.5 points and

league play with a big 31-29 win over Council Grove ending the Braves’ four-year reign. Defending the title will come down to how well the Vikings can: a) replace standout Faith Martin and b) adjust to firstyear coach Andrew Gower, who replaces Casey Konda. Martin was a second-team All-Class 3A pick last year who averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game and departed as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Three other starters are gone, leaving senior Kylee Rilinger as the lone returning starter. Hope Martin is the leading returning scorer at 4.7 ppg and will look to fill her older sister’s shoes. NORTHERN HEIGHTS could be the favorite in the league this year, even though the Wildcats were just 8-12 a year ago. Heights returns all 5 starters and only graduated 2 seniors off last year’s team. Junior Khylee Massey was first-team all-league and averaged 13.4 points and 7 rebounds a game. Seniors Lexi Davis and Destiny Dody averaged just over 7 points per game and soph. Caliegh Smart was just under 7 a game. Coach Lanny Massey feels there’s plenty of depth. Without any seniors on the roster, OSAGE CITY still managed to finish fifth in the league thanks

to the quick coming of age of a pair of freshmen. Taylin Kirkpatrick led the Indians with 10.5 points per game as a freshman last year, while fellow frosh Hayden Serna was honorable mention all-league and averaged 8.9 points a contest. Overall, just five letterwinners are back. WEST FRANKLIN has a new head coach in Mike Einspahr, who has served as the Falcons’ head football coach the past couple of seasons. Einspahr takes over for Trisha Rogers, who led the team to an 8-12 mark a year ago. The Falcons graduated a pair of second-team all-league picks in Megan Rogers and Emilee Sheldon, who led the team in scoring and rebounding last year. Juniors Madison Shotton and Brooke Flory will look to fill their voids after serving as complementary players a year ago.

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2.7 rebounds, along with one assist and one steal. Johnson was first off the bench last winter. “She’ll take on a much bigger role as a scorer, rebounder and leader,” Adigun said. A trio of sophomores – Jordyn Beard, McKenna Hamlin, and Molly McClure – are key returners. Beard averaged 4.6 points, 9.2 boards, 2.6 blocks and 1.5 steals. Hamlin and McClure combined for 6.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Senior Etni Guzman, along with juniors Toby McClure and Jenna Beesley, will also contribute. Beard and Hamlin started. McClure was one of the first off the bench. “We’ll lean on our senior and three sophomores as they continue to mature and grow into really good players,” Adigun said. “The remainder of the roster is very young and has no varsity experience but these girls understand what is expected of them in the Lady Eagle tradition of ‘next player up.’” ULYSSES finished 14-8 under Tim Hofferber. Ulysses was ranked seventh in Class 4A-I and lost to eventual champion McPherson in the sub-state title game. Six seniors are back. Gina Ballesteros averaged 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds with three steals, Alyssa Castilleja averaged five points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and two steals, Madison Haney averaged 6.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals, and 6-2 Riley Oglevie averaged 6 points and 8.8 boards. Coach Tom Stephens (440-340 in his career) went 11-11 in his first year with the COLBY girls after a good run with Stockton’s boys. Three junior starters return: Hallie Vaughn (14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.7 spg), Jill Stephens (10.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.1 apg) and Brittany Foos (3.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2 spg). “Our team is challenged with height, and we will have to stay healthy to be able to compete against the teams on our schedule,” Stephens said. “Our team’s ability to communicate, defend versus our opponents, being efficient in our offensive execution will be challenges, with an expectation to get better on all fronts.”

Coach Sarah McCormick is 140-51 in her career, including 40-31 at SCOTT CITY. She has enjoyed a big turnaround with the Beavers, including a 19-5 record and a conference title. Senior Emily Weathers is the only starter back at 8 points, 1.5 assists and 3 blocks a game. Two years ago, Scott City was fourth in 4A-II. Last year, Scott City qualified for 3A but lost in the first round. “We will be young and inexperienced, but I am excited about our younger players,” McCormick said. HOLCOMB went 10-11 after 9-13 and 9-14 marks the last two seasons. GOODLAND finished 1-20 and graduated top player, Elle McDaniel, who led with 11.2 ppg and 6.2 rpg.

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Jaylen Randle

Wichita East, Senior

Photo by Everett Royer, KSportsimages.com

Photo by courtesy The East High Messenger

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Jaden Okon

Wichita Heights, Senior By Kyle McCaskey, For Kansas Pregame City League boys’ basketball oozes prestige. Recent history has been no exception. Seven teams of the nine-member league have reached a boys’ state basketball tournament in the past five years – Northwest and West the exceptions – and six have made the trek in the past three years. Bishop Carroll is riding the green and gold wave of the program’s first 5A state hoops title, but there is little time to celebrate as the City League gauntlet looms. Heights, coming off its own state berth, is the favorite to defend its City League title until someone knocks it off its perch. This past season’s senior class of girls left an indelible mark on the City League. While not easily replicated, no wait time will be needed as the next crop of stars prepare to leave their legacy. That begins at 5A state runner-up Bishop Carroll, where Allison McFarren and Britney Ho look to push the Golden Eagles back to the title game. Wichita Northwest’s Alexis Snodgrass has the talent to carry the Grizzlies deep into the postseason, but a developing roster may ease the burden. Heights and South know success perhaps better than anyone in the league. Their voices will be heard in the league race before season’s end. BOYS BISHOP CARROLL, coming off its 5A state title run, again checks all the boxes one would want in gauging potential state contenders. Veteran coach? Check. State experience returning? Check. Size, leadership, multiple scoring options, brutal league schedule. Check, check, check and check. Losing Luke Evans (Friends University) at least causes some pause to reconfigure the rotation, but the talent pool is deep enough for players to do so naturally.

“Coming off a state championship, we have everyone back but one senior,” said Carroll coach Mike Domnick. “Expectations are high, and the young men have had a good offseason on the court and in the weight room. We have 10 players back who have started at least one varsity game, so experience is another advantage that we have with this team.” Tanner Mans, an honorable mention 5A state selection as a sophomore, is the top returning scorer (13.2 ppg) and rebounder (4.1 rpg). Close behind is senior Carsen Pracht, who chipped in 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Cade Becker provided 7.9 ppg as a sophomore, but missed his junior year due to injury. His addition will especially help fill any lingering gaps left after Evans’ graduation. Gunnar Lynch, Carson Lee, Enrique Lankford and Alex Littlejohn also will mix into the rotation. Behind 6-foot senior Jaylen Randle, WICHITA EAST (8-13) hopes to jump back into double-digit wins after averaging nearly 19 wins per season the previous four years. “He shot the three very well last year, and also has a great mid-range game,” said East coach Joe Jackson. “Jaylen is always going to be one of the strongest kids on the court. He has a great work ethic and leads by example.” Randle is not alone. Daylan Jones churned out 10.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a freshman. Seniors D’Ron Jacobs and Aaron Hill return, tasked with continuing their progressions as stingy defenders. East has made 53 state tournament appearances in its illustrious history. “We should be really active defensively with a good ability to pressure and take other teams out of their offense,” Jackson said. The league title still goes through WICHITA HEIGHTS (19-4) as the Falcons come off a 14-2 performance in the league slate, tops in the GWAL. Heights qualified for the state, but was bounced early by Salina Central. Heights has height to spare, with eight returning players touching at least six feet. Sixfoot-seven-inch sophomore Danair Dempsey opened his high school career with 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. At 8.2 ppg, senior Izaiah Hale is the top returning scorer and a primary facilitator for the offense. Jaden Okon and Sam Kiguru are two more key cogs in the rotation. Heights also adds West transfer Cory Anderson-Hayes, who averaged 13 points for the Pioneers as a junior. KAPAUN was a 5A runner-up as recently as 2016, but the Crusaders have missed out on a state berth the past two seasons. Kapaun comes off an 11-10 season. “Overall, we will be better defensively with our on-ball defense,” said Kapaun coach John Cherne III. “Our league is athletic, and we will have to contain the ball handler, while looking to take high percentage shots. Our team chemistry will be much improved overall, and assist in how we perform nightly.” The Crusaders have a trio of seniors with starting experience in Jack Barrier, Scott Valentas and Jacob Schmitz. Schmitz measures in at 6 feet, 5 inches. Valentas was GWAL honorable mention a year ago and plans to play football

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GREATER WICHITA ATHLETIC LEAGUE

at Columbia. Junior Jarius Kennedy and sophomore Grant Johnson are also in the mix. Eric Hammond begins his first season as coach of WICHITA NORTH, replacing Gary Squires. Hammond comes to North after spending eight seasons as an assistant at Southeast. The immediate concern is replacing the production of Peyton Hatter, now at Kansas Wesleyan. WICHITA NORTHWEST passes the torch to Andy Hill, a Grizzly alum. Hill spent the past two seasons as head coach of Newton. “We don’t have a lot of returning experience, so we will be counting on a lot of young guys to step up for us,” Hill said. “Our goal will be to get better every day and hopefully find our identity by mid-January and play our best basketball down the stretch of the season in February.” Senior Jamir Cupps is the top returning scorer, coming off 9 points per game. Fellow senior Lincoln Phillips (4.2 ppg) and junior Zion Jones (4.0 ppg) also provide experience. WICHITA SOUTH, the No. 7 seed in the 6A state tournament last season, nearly played spoiler. The Titans (13-10) put a scare into eventual 6A runner-up Lawrence Free State, but fell 42-41 in the quarterfinals. The Titans are coming off four consecutive state trips, but they have been unable to cash in a victory once there. Much of that crew departs, but South will battle to stay near the top of the GWAL. “Team chemistry and getting all the players to buy in on the defensive end as a team will be a big factor on how well our season goes this year,” said South coach Chuck Gunter. Senior Keenan Miller has the size to keep South stable against powerful opposing lineups. Miller provided 17 points, six rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as a junior. Isaiah Collins also returns to the starting rotation, but with more responsibilities pressed upon him. South also benefits from the addition of Karon Sears, who transferred in from East. Israel Barnes was routinely worth the price of admission to WICHITA SOUTHEAST contests, but the Golden Buffaloes have to learn life without the thrill-a-minute scorer. Barnes is now at Weber State, joining former Buffalo Jerrick Harding. Southeast does return first-team City League pick Micah Jacques. Jacques proved he can handle a heavy workload, contributing 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game. Johnny Murdock (8 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg) partners with Jacques to generate a puzzling twosome for opposing defenses. Sophomore Wesley Adkins earned league honorable mention status as a freshman. Southeast (16-6) came up short in its chase for a state bid. The Buffaloes most recently qualified in 2016, when they were 6A runner-up. WICHITA WEST struggled in its 2017-18 campaign. New coach Tommy Brumbelow, who played at Derby and Newman University, hopes to rejuvenate the program. GIRLS Coming off a fourth-straight 5A state tournament berth that concluded in a runner-up finish, BISHOP CARROLL will immediately thrust itself back into the title picture. The Golden Eagles lost Ashton McCorry to Pittsburg State but bring

back four other City League honorees – Allison McFarren (first team), Britney Ho (second team), Hannah Landwehr (honorable mention) and Ella Larkin (honorable mention). McFarren and Ho have made college commitments to Fort Hays State and Northeastern State, respectively. WICHITA EAST coach Brian Johnson will have to reload after losing much of his established, top-tier talent. First-team City Leaguer Dymond McElrath is gone to Pratt Community College. Mariah McKinney, Kyeisha Ross and Aniya Keeling are also gone to graduation. Plenty of firepower returns for WICHITA HEIGHTS as it chases its first state bid since 2013. Sophomore Laniah Randle surged onto the local scene as a freshman, garnering second-team City League respect. She will be surrounded by honorable mention performers Ashton Conley, Taylor Jameson and Micah Slater. Heights has seven titles in program history, the most recent coming in 2012. KAPAUN (8-13) has hit a short-term lull, but for a program with 18 state tournament appearances in its history, it is certain to be temporary. The Crusaders were back-to-back third-place finishers at state as recently as 2014 and 2015. “We’re replacing 70 percent of our scoring and rebounding from last year, so we are going to need our relatively inexperienced girls to step up both offensively and defensively,” said Kapaun coach Billy Graf. “If they understand and accept their roles, we hope for a bounce-back season.” The 6-foot-1-inch senior Mary Short plays above her name, coming off a season averaging 4.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. Senior Jada Mayberry (4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg) also returns to the starting unit, and will be central to helping solidify Kapaun’s offensive identity. Sophomore Ella Anciaux debuted to 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a freshman. She offers a second skyscraper at 6 feet, 3 inches. This season is likely about baby steps for WICHITA NORTH as the programs tries to reroute itself. North will look for consistent production from senior Ty’Liezzea Agnew. North is coached by alumnus Michael Bailey. WICHITA NORTHWEST could make a case to shuffle up the status quo in the City League. The Grizzlies have a dynamic duo in Alexis Snodgrass (first-team all-City League) and Jayda Garrett (second-team). Snodgrass has committed to Bethel College. Arguably the most jaw-dropping shakeup on the coaching carousel was Antwain Scales stepping down at WICHITA SOUTH to take the head women’s basketball coaching position at Colby Community College. South was resurrected under Scales, the mastermind behind four consecutive 6A state titles from 2013 to 2016, which shipped several players off to the next level. Though the past two seasons concluded without titles, South still won 20-plus games and made the state tournament both years. South, 20-3 and undefeated City League champions a year ago, turns to David Clark to start a rebuild. The Titans do not have a returning starter – among the departures were stars Loananh Johnson and Tre’Zure Jobe to Nicholls State continued on page 50

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

HEART OF AMERICA LEAGUE By Kansas Pregame Staff It doesn’t matter whether it’s played in early December or late February, every game counts. Just ask the Inman Teutons. The Teutons were the only school from the Heart of America League to qualify for the state tournament last season, as both the boys and girls were 2A state qualifiers. But, because of regular-season losses in the tough HOA, both Inman squads entered the state tournaments as No. 8 seeds and, consequently, were matched against No. 1-seeded and unbeaten Central Plains, which went on to win both state titles. The Teutons will look to make it back to the 2A state tournament - this year in Hays - but once again will be part of a balanced and highly-competitive HOA league race. Both teams are listed in the Class 2A preseason rankings by the KBCA. BOYS BENNINGTON returns one starter from last year’s 17-5 team was runner-up to Sacred Heart in sub-state. Will Oldham, a senior forward, averaged 6.1 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. Seniors Kyle Shipley, J.T. Ohlson and junior Tyler Stanley also return. “We have the players to attack the different areas of the game,” said coach Curtis Pickering, “but, we lost a lot of talent to graduation. We have a lack of experience, size and depth.” ELL-SALINE has a new coach in Michael Lockhart. Four lettermen return from last year’s team. Sawyer Kramer, a 5-5 junior, and Treyton Peterson, a 6-1 sophomore, averaged 6.0 points a game last year. Also returning is 6-4 senior Patrick Giersh and 5-8 sophomore T.J. Morrical. “We should be able to spread the floor with some perimeter shooting and get to the rim with speed and quickness,” Lockhart said. “But, we need to find a couple young guys to fit in the with returnees.” SEDGWICK was 14-9 a year ago and return five players who had starting experience, including 6-0 senior Hooper Schroeder (5.6 ppg.), 6-0 senior Colton Smith (4.3) and 6-2 junior Mason Lacey (5.1). Also back from the sub-state runner-up team are 6-1 senior Trey

Bright (3.8) and 5-8 junior Kale Schroeder (4.2). The Cardinals are ranked No. 10 in the 2A preseason rankings. “We must make a better commitment on the defensive end,” head coach Darren Crumwine said. “I hope our sub-state performance last year helps us understand the importance of defending and offensive execution.” This could be a big year for HUTCHTRINITY CATHOLIC, who enters the season ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A rankings. The Celtics were 13-7 last year and return secondteam all-league player Kaleb Hammeke, a 6-0 senior who averaged 14.9 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. Alex Hammersmith, a 6-2 senior, scored 8.8 points a game last season and 5-11 sophomore Lucas Hammeke averaged 8.5 a game. Jack Neal, a 6-3 senior, also returns and 6-9 senior Joshua Bridgewater will look to contribute. “We will lean heavily on a really solid senior class,” said coach Joe Hammersmith, who needs seven wins to reach 300 at Trinity. “Our lettermen have logged a lot of varsity minutes and have experienced about every situation there is on the court.” INMAN returns two players from last year’s state tournament team that earned all-league honors - 6-1 senior Payton Froese (first-team) and 6-7 senior Mason Thiessen (secondteam) - and is ranked No. 2 in the Class 2A preseason rankings. MOUNDRIDGE, meanwhile, had 6-0 senior Dillon Vogts earn second-team honors and 6-3 junior Brady Helms make the honorable mention list. REMINGTON’s Brayden Marciano, a 6-3 senior, was second-team all-league and MARION’s Chase Stringer, a 6-3 senior, and BEREAN ACADEMY’s Devan Rust, were honorable mention picks. GIRLS BENNINGTON will look to move up the HOA league ladder this season. The Bulldogs return three starters from a team that was 12-9 overall, but finished ninth in the league with a 2-7 mark. Returning starters for BHS are secondteam all-league selection Chloe Stanley, as well as Claudia Trout and Jordan Murphy. Six addition lettermen are back as well. The

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Bulldogs will be looking to push the ball to create scoring opportunities off the drive. BEREAN ACADEMY just missed going to the state tournament last year, finishing second in the sub-state tournament with a 17-6 record. Two returners - 5-7 junior Brooke Wiebe (second-team) and 5-10 senior

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Mallory Wiebe (honorable mention) - earned all-league honors. Also returning are senior Clara Eldridge and junior Courtney Slabauch. “This will be a year where our team will grow as the season progresses,” head coach Kristin Wiebe said. “Players will have to take on new and bigger roles to compete against tough HOA competition.” There’s only one place to go for new ELLSALINE coach Cary Wilson and the Cardinal players. They were 2-19 a year ago, but return eight players who started at one time or another. Two are seniors - 5-2 guard Rylee Schrock and 5-4 guard Kamdyn Johnson. Three are juniors - 5-6 forward Sydney Hynes, 5-2 guard Erin Lange, 5-9 forward Paige Vogt - and three are sophomores - 5-6 forward Lakyn Short, 5-2 guard Reece Ditto and 5-4 forward Hannah Backhus. “Well over half our team is underclassmen who will provide new energy, but it’ll also mean growing pains,” said Wilson. The MOUNDRIDGE Wildcats were 12-12 overall last year, but 8-1 in the HOA and finished second. Seniors Keira Sebrant (5-8), Ellen Durst (5-5), Kaela Helms (5-2), junior Kailey Unruh (5-5) and sophomore Kourtney Kaufman (5-10) are expected to lead the way. Fourth year coach Brian Holloway says the Wildcats should have good guard play, good team speed and perimeter shooting. “(Our) weakness will be rebounding,” Holloway added.

SEDGWICK returns one starter from last year’s 10-11 team - 5-5 junior guard Grace Thompson, who averaged 12.1 points a game and was named second-team allleague. Patsy Zerger (5-10 junior), Kami Matson (5-5 sophomore) and Taylinn Lacey (5-8 sophomore) are returning lettermen. STERLING won the Heart of America league championship last year and return two starters from that 17-3 team that lost to Hesston in the sub-state semifinals. Grace Rowland, a 5-4 senior, and Kinzie Comley, a 5-7 junior, both averaged 6.0 points a game and are returning starters. Seniors Deb Schmidt (5-9), McKiah San Miquel (5-4), juniors Kidist Wilson (5-5), Elizabeth Horsch (5-7), Kiah Zambo (5-11) and sophomore Kayla Morris (5-10) are expected to vie for the three remaining starting spots. “We have a strong tradition at Sterling, but had a strong graduating class leave some open spots for this year,” said head coach Jill Rowland, whose team is ranked No. 5 in the KBCA’s Class 2A preseason rankings. Two players in the HOA were all-league firstteam picks as freshmen last year - Kimalee Cook of REMINGTON (who transferred to Circle) and 5-9 forward Hayley Hughes of TRINITY CATHOLIC. Hughes’ teammate 5-5 senior Olivia Shank - was second-team all-league after averaging 11.2 points per game, while Hughes scored 11.3 a game. The Celtics also return Jordan Galliher, a 5-9 senior, and Meg Friday, a 5-7 junior, from a 9-11 team. INMAN had two players make the honorable mention all-league list - Olivia Clark and Macy DeWitt - and enters the season ranked No. 7 in Class 2A.

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

By Kyle McCaskey, For Kansas Pregame The Heart of the Plains League could create an impressive all-star team. South Barber’s Cole Coggins remains one of the area’s best. Norwich’s Blake Allender could average a double-double this year. Pratt-Skyline and Attica have dangerous duos in Sam Fisher and Steve Fisher and Blake Harnden and Mason Miller, respectively. That is only a sample – the HOPL is bottomless with talent. The league race will be wild as Hutchinson-Central Christian vies to protect its crown. Meanwhile, expect numerous HOPL teams to play deep into sub-state. Not to be outdone, the girls in the HOPL have an opportunity to score multiple state bids again if the chips fall into place. Reigning league champ Cunningham was just there, and despite losing a star, has another crop of talent ready to ascend. South Barber’s Morgan Polson and Pretty Prairie’s Morgan Schrag have the skills to shoot their squads into state, but each have partners in crime to help steal a bid. Attica routinely is a tough out, and gets to essentially run its 2018 team back with one more year of experience to build upon. Balanced HutchinsonCentral Christian will look for a third straight bid. BOYS About the only thing ATTICA (18-5) failed to get done a year ago was make the state tournament. Expect a concerted effort to reconcile that. The Bulldogs were state champions in 2016. “We won 18 games last year and look to im-

prove on that total this year,” said Attica coach Danton Hilton. “We really need to buy in defensively and take other teams out of what they are trying to do.” Blake Harnden (16.2 ppg) was one of the top players in 1A-II a season ago, an honorable mention all-state recipient as well as a state champion triple jumper. Junior Mason Miller (12.4 ppg) is not far behind. Masen McDaniel (10.8 ppg) and Ezra Goodman (6.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg) are essential complementary pieces that would likely star at a lesser program. Attica’s height will frustrate foes – the Bulldogs can throw seven players in its rotation that are at least six foot. “We have a bunch of good shooters and athletes, but defense and rebounding effort will be the reason we make a run in the postseason – or go home early,” Hilton said. BURRTON has a premiere talent in senior Cooper Zehr, a first-team all-league selection. The Chargers are led by coach Roger O’Neal. Burrton won a state title in 2013. In another league, CUNNINGHAM may fare better, but with little room to breathe in the HOPL, the Wildcats (0-21) will face tough sledding as they strive to snap a pesky losing streak. “We are very young and inexperienced,” said coach Bob Stackhouse. “We don’t have much depth and will have to rely on freshmen and sophomores to compete in a tough league.” Daylen Schnittker shined as a feisty freshman, averaging 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1

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HEART OF THE PLAINS LEAGUE

steals. Nathan Lohrke will be encouraged to take a more commanding presence in the offense. There will be a transition period as LANGDONFAIRFIELD finds ways to replace the acrossthe-board production of recently graduated Lane Pike. Kyle Canady is the top returning scorer, but others will need to raise their game to keep the burden off him. A five-year run of state berths came to a conclusion this past year for HUTCHINSONCENTRAL CHRISTIAN (16-6). With it came the end of the prolific, otherworldly career of Nate Heneha. The program’s career leading scorer, Heneha leaves a legacy that arguably makes him the best boys player ever to step on the court at Central Christian. Losing Heneha hurts, but the Cougars have the arsenal to try to defend their league title. First-team HOPL honoree Adam Hall averaged 10.7 points, but will have to become more prolific in his junior season. Seniors Richie Oswalt and Deven Finlay offer stability to two more slots in the starting lineup. Enough depth returns that the Cougars will simply reload, not rebuild. “We will be quick and athletic. We have several guys that can shoot the ball well,” said coach Adam Clark, who is 240-152 as he enters his 18th season at Central Christian. “The key to the season will be if we can rebound.” NORWICH (6-14) was a shade too young to knock off many heavyweights, but with a sterling junior class led by Blake Allender, the Eagles

could flirt with double-digit victories. Allender’s 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game filled much of the production needs. Fellow juniors Carson Denning, Ethan Poe and Luke Hilger combined to chip in 15 more points, 12 more rebounds and four more assists per game. Sophomore Bradey McIntire averaged six points and five boards. Hunter Fitch provides the senior leadership for coach Seth Roe, now in his seventh year as head man. Few teams will be excited to see PRATTSKYLINE come sub-state. The Thunderbirds hummed to a 17-5 record a year ago, and could match or better that number behind the spectacular trio of Sam Fisher (11 ppg, 6 rpg, 6 apg, 3 spg), Steve Fisher (12 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, 1.5 spg) and Cade Swonger (9 ppg, 5 rpg). Additionally, the T-birds have several experienced reserves – some who will start, but all will be integral. “We are bringing back a ton of experienced players,” said second-year coach Kenny Eddy. “If we continue to work hard and work together, then we should have a fun season. These guys love to play ball with each other.” PRETTY PRAIRIE has a strong contingent in its senior class to help the Bulldogs hold steady after a couple graduations. Lane Detter was named to the HOPL honorable mention list as a junior. Timber Allen is a forceful presence on the boards. Pretty Prairie made back-to-back state appearances as recently as 2015 and 2016. continued on page 57

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BUFFALOES

HI-PLAINS LEAGUE By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame The Stanton County boys headlined the HiPlains League last year with a trip to the Class 2A state tournament. SC, the No. 7 seed, lost to West Elk in the first round and finished 16-7. Lakin, though, captured the league with an 8-0 mark. Stanton County was 6-3 in league play. Meade was 14-8, and Syracuse was 11-10 for the only other boys’ squads over .500. Cimarron has historically led the conference on the girls’ side and won the league last winter. The Hi-Plains girls’ side had four teams finish with winning records, though had no squad reach the state tournament. Meade and Sublette enjoyed solid years with 17-5 and 15-7 marks and should be at the top of the conference. Both squads return a bevy of top players. Meade returns 92 percent of its scoring, and Sublette received all of its scoring from non-seniors last year. Stanton County also returns all five starters. BOYS Coach Shane Traughber has helped STANTON COUNTY to a four-win improvement in his first year. SC finished 9-12, 13-9 and 16-7 the last three years. SC beat favored Spearville, 46-42, in the sub-state title game and moved into the state tournament for the first time since 2000. The Trojans should be very strong with its top three players back, all seniors. Creed Puyear - who is 6-6 - averaged 15.9 points and 9.8 rebounds a contest. Francisco Corrales averaged 10.1 points and 2.6 assists and Michael Aleman had 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds for a team that returns 81 percent of its scoring. LAKIN graduated seven of the top-eight scorers, including Diego Davila, who averaged 21.6 ppg. MEADE, with successful former Hoxie coach Aaron Dardis, return seniors Ethan Thompson, who averaged 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds, and Garrett Gillum (9.8 ppg). Southwestern Heights finished 9-11, 6-2 in league, while Cimarron was 9-12, 6-3. Wichita County was 8-13, 5-6 but will play as an independent this season. ELKHART went 5-17, and SUBLETTE finished 2-19. For SOUTHWESTERN HEIGHTS, seniors

Juan Garcia (11.3 points/game) and Jesse Olvera (10.3 points/game) pace the Mustangs. CIMARRON senior Matt Mowry delivered 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and a team-high 4.4 assists. For Wichita County, now an independent, junior Sonnie Altman is one of the top returning players with 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds. GIRLS Last season, MEADE had to replace standout point guard Jaylin Stapleton and veteran coach Craig Batchman left for Sylvan-Lucas. Meade posted 86 wins in Stapleton’s career. In 201617, Stapleton averaged 21.5 points, more than 13 points better than any teammate, and tacked on 3.8 steals and 2.2 assists. Meade graduated its top-four players but had six sophomores who played significant minutes. Last winter, those sophomores, as juniors, helped Meade replace Stapleton, now a standout at Barton County Community College, and maintain success. In the first year with coach Tyler Flavin, formerly a longtime coach at Wheatland-Grinnell, Meade finished 17-5 and took a narrow loss to Syracuse in sub-state. As well, Meade lost Jenna Papay, last year’s top senior, for the season after just one game. She had seven points, six rebounds and four steals against Elkhart on Dec. 1 in her contest. This year, Meade returns 92 percent of its scoring as the juniors are seniors. Senior Katey Wilhelm averaged 12.3 points per contest, while senior Shiane Wondra averaged 12 points and seven rebounds. A huge change came in 3-point shooting. In Stapleton’s senior year, Meade sunk 44 of 181 treys. Last year, Meade made 81 of 311 treys. Seniors Cali Keith, Liberty Luetters, Brooke Keith, Hayden Bachman, Bristol Lewis and Ali Unruh are also back. “This year the Lady Buffaloes will have a strong nucleus of kids that will provide them with experience and depth as they move through the 2018-2019 season,” Flavin said. “This team should be the pre-season favorites to win the HPL and make a strong run in the post-season.” Meade enters the season as the eighth ranked team in 2A in the KBCA preseason rankings.

KANSAS CITY-ATCHISON LEAGUE

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LAKIN finished 4-17 under second-year coach Vanessa Esquibel. Senior Jennifer Crum averaged 6.5 points, two rebounds and one assist. Sophomore Jaya Esquibel delivered 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds. Sophomore Tiana Gonzalez averaged 3.4 points and 5.5 rebounds. “Although we lost three seniors last year, we return a young core that makes me excited for this season,” coach Esquibel said. “Jennifer Crum will be our lone senior this year who will provide us with three years of experience. Sophomores Jaya Esquibel, Tiana Gonzalez, and Talyn Beltran will all play big roles in our success this year.” Eli Applegate, son of longtime MontezumaSouth Gray boys’ coach Mark Applegate, is in his first year as the CIMARRON girls’ coach. Cimarron went 13-9 last winter. The Bluejays return six letterwinners and three returning starters with seniors Taylor Jantz and Cameron Bartlett and junior Clara Bartlett. Cimarron won the league with a 9-2 mark, while Sublette finished 15-7, 7-2. “We return quite a bit of experience from last year’s team,” Applegate said. “Experience and leadership will be key for this team’s success throughout the season. This is a good group of girls that have worked extremely hard in the offseason to get ready for the upcoming season. The coaching staff and I are excited to work with these ladies and get the season started.” SUBLETTE finished 7-0 at home. Senior Mia Kells delivered 14.2 points and 11 rebounds a game. Junior Bekah Unruh recorded 11.9 points and 5.1 rebounds a contest. Senior Mercedes Martinez averaged nine points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game. Sublette went 16-7, 16-7 and 15-7 the last three years. SOUTHWESTERN HEIGHTS went 0-9 in non-league contests, but 8-4 in league. Senior Merileisy Sigala averaged 7.8 ppg and 5.1 rpg. Returning players include seniors Katelyn Dyke, Olivia McFadden and Sydney Moler, along with juniors Jaira Osborn and Kacee Coast, and sophomore Macy Fugitt. Under first-year coach Kendra Fyler,

team All-State a season ago and junior point guard Camille Evans and sophomore center Tylieea Wallace both earned honorable mention. Both the FL-SCHLAGLE boys and girls teams Sophomore Tyana Evans adds a fourth returning By John Baetz, Publisher The ATCHISON girls return plenty of qualfied for the 5A state tournament last season starter to the line-up. Senior Tynica Gilmore experience to help third year coach Andrew Lillie and both lost first round to Bishop Carroll. and freshman Armanaie Blacksure will also be The boys finished the season 17-6 but that counted on by fifth year coach Mark Western improve on last season’s 8-13 record. Lillie will look to Kadejah Ross to increase record was almost much better as all five of the who said the goal for Schlagle is to “compete for production after the 5-6 senior averaged 5.6 regular season losses were by five points or a state title.” points and 7.2 rebounds a game last year. less. The Stallions lost a five-point game with The Schlagle boys should get a boost from Senior Mattie Dougherty returns with some Shawnee Mission North, four-point decisions to Tuner transfer Jaylin Richardson, also a starting experience after scoring 1.5 ppg last Center (Mo.) and Wyandotte (twice) and a one- standout football player. year. Junior Winny Harris (6-0, 2 ppg, 3.1 rpg) point decision to Winnetonka (Mo.). Eventual 5A The WYANDOTTE boys went undfeated and sophomore Ayden Saunders (5-4, 1.2 ppg) champion Carroll beat the Stallions 68-57. in KC-AL play and feature one of the state’s The Schlagle girls finished with a 16-6 record a top returning players in junior guard Torry round out the list of returning starters. Three other juniors and two more sophomores are year ago and earned second place in the KC-AL Moore. The Bulldogs’ roster was replete with with an 8-2 record in league play. expected to make the varsity line-up. underclassmen which could mean a breakout Schlagle enters the season ranked 7th in the season is in the works. To improve on a third place finish in the KC-AL Lillie says the girls will need to “play hard and KBCA rankings thanks in large part to the return The HARMON boys return all five starters and of three players that earned some level of All- will use athleticism and defensive pressure to play for each other.” The Atchison boys mustered just two wins a State recognition a year ago. spur improvement on an 8-13 record under ninth Junior guard Ishante Suttington was second year coach David Gonzales. season ago and went 0-fer in league play.

Photo by Sheri Rixon

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Creed Puyear

Stanton County, Senior SYRACUSE finished 13-10, and, after the 5452 win versus Meade in sub-state, the Bulldogs fell to Spearville, 59-49. The Bulldogs have won 13 games in each of the last two years after six years of sub-.500 marks. The top-two scorers/ rebounders graduated, though several Bulldogs who had solid years return. Sophomore Kate Riley averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds, and senior Riley Baker delivered 3.3 points and 3.9 points. STANTON COUNTY finished 8-12, 2-8 in league under sixth-year coach Trevor Siebert (41-61 career). The Trojans return all five starters, all non-seniors. Junior Rylie Cook averaged 11 points a contest, sophomore Jordyn Tucker delivered seven points a game. Juniors Caelyn Cook and Chloe Chenonweth and sophomore Peyton Peterson combined to tally 11 points a game. Sophomores Kenin Caro and Jordyn Snook combined for eight ppg. “We return a lot of players from last year’s team,” Siebert said. “They gained a lot of experience as freshmen and sophomores. It will be important for our team to play at an uptempo pace with high intensity.” ELKHART was 10-12 and Wichita County finished 5-16. Elkhart brings back its toptwo players with senior Chantry Hoskinson and sophomore Chevelle Ralstin. Hoskinson averaged 12.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and three steals. Ralstin delivered 7.6 points with 7.2 rebounds. “We return 90 percent of our scoring from last year,” Gonzales said. “We are going to be very atheltic and plan to play an uptempo style. We plan to press the majority of the game.” Harmon’s senior guards Marcus Wilbert and Marlon Bowens will join a trio of super-sophs in 6-3 foward Mike Carson (8 ppg, 7 rpg), 6-3 forward Chauncey Keys (10 ppg, 8 rpg, 2nd team all-league) and hon. mention all-state guard Lonell Lane (6-foot, 17.6 ppg, 5 apg) to provide a nice mix of youth and experience. Outside of Wyandotte and Schlagle no KCAL boys’ team posted a record better than 5-3 in league play. SUMNER finished in third place at 5-3 followed by WASHINGTON and Harmon who both went 3-7 and Atchison went 0-8. The Sumner girls went 10-0 in league play but just 13-6 overall. Schlagle finished in second with an 8-2 finish in league play followed by Atchison (6-4) and Wyandotte (1-6) with Washington and Harmon bringing up the rear with zero league victories for either squad.

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

By Brent Maycock, The Topeka-Capital Journal Death. Taxes. Olpe, Lyon County League girls’ basketball champions. Some things just seemingly are a given. Last year, Olpe captured its 29th league championship under legendary coach Jesse Nelson, the winningest coach – boys or girls – in Kansas high school history. The Eagles also won their 28th league tournament title and posted yet another 20-plus win season. Olpe finished the year 24-1, the lone loss coming 63-59 in overtime to Valley Heights in the 2A state semis. The Eagles finished third at state after a runner-up finish in 1A-I in 2017, recording their 15th top-three finish in Nelson’s tenure. While Olpe’s dominance grabs the spotlight, league rivals have flourished as well. Waverly’s girls won the 2017 1A-II title and last year, Hartford’s girls nearly duplicated the feat. The Jaguars posted a school-best 21-5 record and fell two points shy of their first state title, falling 46-44 to Quinter in the championship game. Olpe swept the league titles with the boys also taking the regular-season crown with a 7-0 mark. The Eagle boys couldn’t add the tournament title, falling in double overtime of the title game to Burlingame, which also denied the Eagles a trip to state, beating them in the 2A sub-state semis. Burlingame went on to beat undefeated Lyndon in the sub-state championship to qualify for state for the second straight year. After taking third in 1A-I in ‘17, the Bearcats fell in the first round of last year’s 2A state tournament to Sacred Heart. Waverly’s boys also made the 1A-II state tournament and Southern Coffey made its first state appearance since its consolidation, reaching the Division I tourney. Both fell in the first round with Southern Coffey losing to perennial power St. John and Waverly routed by eventual champion Northern Valley. BOYS Working on a string of two straight statetournament appearances, BURLINGAME will have to reload in a big way to make it three straight. The Bearcats only return two players with significant varsity experience, senior guards Seth Greenwood and Montana Giffin. Giffin averaged 11 ppg last year, but has battled injuries the past two years. Greenwood came in with 6 points a game and is a two-year starter who is a tenacious defender. Eric West, who has spent the past four years as asst. coach after previously coaching the Bearcat girls for nine years, takes over for Creighton Winters. He hopes the Bearcats can follow the football team’s lead and keep the winning tradition going despite the major changes to the roster. HARTFORD fell just short of returning to the 1A-II state tournament for the third straight year. The Jaguars were state runner-up in 2016 and 2017 but were upset in the sub-state finals last year by Waverly, finishing the season with an 11-12 mark after having to replace the bulk of the key contributors from the runner-up squads. Though the Jaguars lost post presence Justice Kemmerer to graduation, they have the firepower to challenge again for league and postseason titles. Senior point guard Dalen Kistner averaged 18 points and 8 assists per game while junior

guard Cody Thomas added 15 ppg. LEBO was extremely young a year ago, but still put together a solid year after graduating 10 seniors off the 2016-17 team that shared the league title. Graduation only claimed two players off last year’s roster, but one of them was second-team all-leaguer Peyton Baldwin. The Wolves will have a new coach in Dwayne Paul, who replaces Matthew Wolff. He’ll inherit a team that has a solid inside-outside punch in Kaden Ott and Devan McEwen. The rebuilding process at MADISON that has gone on for Brett Dannels’ first three years as coach took another step last year with the Bulldogs finishing with a 10-10 record. They finished in the upper half of the league, taking fourth, and the 10 wins were double the total the program recorded in Dannels’ first two years combined. Whether the Bulldogs can post their first winning season since 2012 depends on how well they replace departed Jarett Rayburn, a second-team all-league pick. A strong sophomore class contributed heavily last year as freshmen with Chase Harrison ranking second on the team in scoring with 14 points per game. Senior Austin Watts added 8 points a game and sophomore Ryan Wolgram chipped in 7 points a game. If success breeds success, Madison could be in store for a big year with most of the roster helping the football team to a 9-1 season. It was another tough season for MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY, which went 2-19 after going just 3-19 in 2016-17. All five Trojan wins the past two years have come against Altoona-Midway. Second-year coach Lewis Whitson would love to get things turned around, but graduated the bulk of last year’s squad. Junior Koby Vanderpool is the top returning player. It will be almost a whole new look for OLPE, which won’t get a lot of preseason practice time with the football team making a deep run in the 1A playoffs. Senior guard Camden Hoelting is not only the lone returning starter, but also the lone returner with significant varsity experience as graduation hit hard. The biggest losses were first-team all-leaguers Damon Schmidt and Wyatt Schulz with Schmidt also a first-team All-2A pick who averaged a double double for two straight years. Hoelting averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds per game and was honorable mention all-league, but likely will be flanked by two sophomores in the starting lineup. SOUTHERN COFFEY hadn’t tasted a state tournament experience since LeRoy made it in 1963 and Gridley went in 1957. But with their most experienced team in quite some time, the Titans put together a breakthrough season that culminated in a 19-5 record and third-place finish in the league. The potential to build off last year’s success is there even though the Titans lost first-team all-leaguer Chonnor Ludolph and one other starter to graduation. Senior Kolgan Ohl was a second-team all-league pick who averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds per game and makes a nice size tandem with fellow 6-4 senior Dawson Leimkuhler, who averaged 11 points and 8 rebounds. Jett Harvey added 8 ppg and if second-year coach Jay Applegate can fill the holes, Southern Coffey could challenge for a

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LYON COUNTY LEAGUE

league title and more. The end of an era at WAVERLY is near as long-time coach Mike Hevel plans to retire after the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. Hevel is entering his 43rd year as coach of the Bulldogs and could have a team capable of sending him out on a high note. Waverly was somewhat of a surprise state qualifier last year, reaching the 1AII tourney with just an 8-14 record. Six of those losses came to 2A teams which won at least 17 games. The Bulldogs only lost one starter to graduation and return the bulk of the production from a year ago, including leading scorer Rawlin Hively, who averaged 11 ppg as a sophomore. Four other returners averaged at least six ppg. Hevel is just eight wins from 650 in his career. GIRLS Tammy Baird takes over as head coach at BURLINGAME, replacing Patrick Cook who was at the helm for three years. She inherits a team which graduated five seniors off a squad that went 5-15. The lone returning starter is Megan Giffin, who averaged 9.2 ppg and was hon. mention all-league last year as a freshman. A trio of freshmen will play key roles for the Bearcats this year with Daelyn Winters occupying the starting PG role. Burlingame will also start two sophomores and have just two seniors and one junior. The best season in HARTFORD history came oh so close to ending with a state title. But Quinter’s Peyton Havlas made two free throws with 22 seconds left to give the Bulldogs a 4644 victory and deny the Jaguars the crown. Still, it was a tremendous season for Hartford, which finished 21-5. The challenge for head coach Ryan Thomas is to try and follow it up with graduation hitting hard. The Jaguars lost leading scorer and first-team all-1A-II selection Morgan Bolen (18.5 ppg) and third-team all-1A II pick Maisie Schroeder (12 ppg) to graduation. Bailey Darbyshire averaged 10 ppg and 6.5 rpg and was honorable mention all-league. After going 14-8 in 2016-17, LEBO slipped to 6-13 last year with a young team that featured just one senior. That one was a good one, however, as Haley Crupper led the Wolves with 15.2 ppg and 7 rpg and was second-team allleague. She’s gone now, but with everyone else back, the Wolves will shoot for a winning season. MADISON went 11-9 in Vanessa Kresin’s first

year as head coach, finishing third in the league. That was with standout guard Callie Dannels, who is now gone after leading the Bulldogs in scoring a year ago. Madison may become more defensive minded this year as they figure out where the scoring will come from. Emily Farrow is the leading returning scorer at 8 ppg. MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY was just 3-18 last year, posting its second straight threewin season. The Trojans only graduated two seniors off the team, though one of them was honorable mention all-leaguer Josie Weimer. Scoring was troublesome for the Trojans, who scored 30 or more points just five times. The model of consistency, it’s hard to imagine any kind of drop for OLPE, which has finished top three at state the past three seasons. Last year’s run came with just one senior starter, though Brianna Vogts was arguably the Eagles’ top player during that run. She averaged 16 ppg on her way to first-team all-2A and third-team All-State honors. Her absence in the post will be noticeable, but the Eagles are stocked with enough returning talent to offset the loss. Senior Emma Miller averaged 13 ppg and junior Neleh Davis added 10 ppg and Olpe had 10 players average at least 5 ppg a year ago. Nelson has 878 career victories, the most in state history. SOUTHERN COFFEY reached the 1A-I substate championship, falling to St. Paul to finish the season 11-12. The Titans will have to replace their top-two scorers from a year ago with Danielle Kasprzak and Erikah Lyons earning all-league. Just about everyone else is back, however, with Crystal Alumbaugh averaging 5.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last year. No other returner averaged more than 3.2 ppg. After graduating the bulk of the roster that claimed the 1A-II state title in 2017, WAVERLY turned in a respectable 14-9 mark a year ago, reaching the sub-state finals before losing to eventual state runner-up Hartford by just four points. Waverly returns its top eight players from a year ago and should challenge Olpe for the league title this season. Junior Megan Foster is the lone holdover starter from the title team and averaged 14 points per game last year on her way to first-team all-league honors. Four other Bulldogs averaged at least 7 points per game with senior Haley Fischer checking in at 8 ppg. Waverly is 62-13 over the past three seasons.

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Hill City, Coach By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame The Mid-Continent League is historically known for little turnover among its head coaches. In boys’ basketball, Hill City coach Keith Riley enters his 50th year with the Ringnecks and is the state’s all-time winningest boys’ basketball coach. Doug Reusink is in his 27th season at Norton after he won three state titles at AlmenaNorthern Valley before he came to the Bluejays. Phillipsburg, the defending 3A runner-up, has 17th year coach Keith Sides. On the girls’ side, Nick Linn enters his 30th winter with Smith Center. Norton coach George Rossi is in his 31st year as girls’ basketball assistant or head coach. TMP girls coach Rose McFarland has more than 25 years head coaching experience, including two stints with the Monarchs. However, two schools no longer have a longtime coach. In a surprising move, Joe Hertel, after 33 seasons with Thomas More Prep-Marian, did not have his contract renewed. Hertel, also

MID-CONTINENT LEAGUE

an English teacher, led TMP to the 3A state tournament last winter. Ellis girls’ coach Perry Mick stepped aside after 20 years. Phillipsburg and Plainville are expected to lead the boys’ side after TMP returns no starters. TMP, Hill City and Stockton have paced the girls the past several seasons, but all three graduated a scorer who had at least 1,200 career points. Smith Center and much-improved WaKeeney could lead the pack. BOYS Sides is in his 17th year at PHILLIPSBURG with a career mark of 203-144. Last season, the Panthers went 23-2, 9-0 in league play. Phillipsburg lost to Halstead, 44-43, in the Class 3A state championship game. The Panthers reached state for the first time since 1973. Sides two sons will again play key roles. Senior Trey Sides averaged 12 points, five rebounds, four steals, and three assists en route to 3A Player of the Year honors. Senior Nathan Moon delivered five points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals a contest. Sophomore Ty Sides, Trey’s brother, averaged six points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists a game. Several upperclassmen will step into key roles led by seniors Cha’ron Ellis, Jonathan Hunnacutt and Kasen Keeten and juniors Austin Miller, Tyler Martin and Parker Dibble. “We lost six good seniors from last year’s team, but have a good group returning,” coach Sides said. “We will have to develop post play, but our guards should be as good as any team in our class.” TMP-MARIAN is under new coach Bill Meagher, the former assistant. Meagher served as the head coach at Kennedy Middle School from 2007-10, the Hays High assistant coach in 2011 and then came to TMP as the assistant in 2012. He is just the third TMP coach in the last 68 years. The Monarchs went 17-6, 8-1 in league play. Ryan Karlin, Jared Mayers, Grant Ginther and

NO ONE

Jack Johnson are expected to be key players, though none started. “We are very young and inexperienced at the varsity level, but we have some great kids who will work hard,” Meagher said. “We will see how far that hard work will take them.” Riley is in his 50th year with the Ringnecks and is the state’s all-time winningest boys’ coach. Riley is 693-410 with HILL CITY. Last year, HC went 10-12, 4-5 for fifth in league. Hill City returns six players with starting experience: seniors Aaron McDowell, Asa Brandyberry and Connor Born, juniors Dalen Journigan and Michael Blanks and sophomore Brody McDowell. Brandyberry led with 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds. Journigan tallied six points, four rebounds and 2.6 assists. Brody McDowell deliverd 5.7 points and two rebounds, and Aaron McDowell collected 2.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. PLAINVILLE, under Chris Drees, the head coach since 2013, went 17-7 and lost in the first

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round of the 2A state tournament to St. Mary’sColgan. The Cardinals return their top-two players in junior Jared Casey and senior Tanner Copeland. Casey averaged 16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.5 steals and is one of the state’s top juniors. Copeland delivered 14.3 points, four rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.4 steals a game. The Cardinals graduated six seniors. NORTON, under 27th-year coach Doug Reusink, slipped to 6-15, but returns 84 percent of its scoring, led by juniors Carter Jones (8.3 ppg), and Kade Melvin (8 ppg, 5.4 rpg). OAKLEY sixth-year coach Craig Wamsley went 8-13 last winter, 4-5 in the MCL and returns four starters. Senior Kade Hemmert averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists a contest. Senior Grant Kuhlman had four points, five rebounds and one assist. Senior Corbin Bales delivered one point, two rebounds and one assist a game. Junior Jantz Engel averaged continued on page 52 611 S. Washington

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

By Brent Maycock, The Topeka-Journal The battle for the girls Mid-East League title was a doozy last year as Wabaunsee, Riley County and St. Marys all took turns knocking each other off to keep the title up in the air until the final day of the season. Wabaunsee and Riley County went into their season finales tied atop the league standing with two losses each while St. Marys was one game back with three losses. Wabaunsee assured itself of no worse than a share of the league crown by whipping Silver Lake 73-37. The Chargers were able to celebrate an outright title, however, as St. Marys nipped Riley County 48-47 to create a two-way tie for the runner-up spot behind Wabaunsee. There was no such drama in the boys’ race. Defending champion Rock Creek ran the table in 2017-18, going 10-0 in league play. The Mustangs’ closest league game was a 17-point win over Silver Lake, which finished second in the league at 8-2. As well as the league fared during the regular season, the postseason was pretty anticlimactic. No league team qualified for the state tournament as tough sub-states turned into big-time road blocks. Wabaunsee’s girls, who finished with an 18-4 mark, were upset by Jeff County North in the 2A sub-state semifinals. Rock Creek, which finished 19-3, was bounced 59-53 by Marysville in the Class 4A-II sub-state finals – the Mustangs’ second loss of the year to the 2017 3A champs after losing 75-73 in OT in the regular season. St. Marys’ boys, who took third in the league standings, also came one win away from a state berth, falling 50-44 to Perry-Lecompton in the finals of their Class 3A sub-state. BOYS Despite losing its leading scorer from 2016-17 to a transfer, RILEY COUNTY more than doubled its win total, improving to 7-14 in Dustin Webber’s first year as head coach. The Falcons could take another step forward this year as they return the bulk of last year’s production, graduating only two players from last year’s top 12. Senior Garren Jackson (first-team all-league) and Wyatt Earhart each averaged 12 ppg and four other returners came in with at least four ppg. Earhart also averaged 8 rebounds a contest and Webber said several underclassmen will challenge for playing time. The sub-state championship game loss to Marysville certainly was a disappointment for ROCK CREEK with the Mustangs looking for a fourth straight trip to state. The league title was the Mustangs’ sixth straight and they delivered veteran coach Jim Johnston his 300th career victory and 225th at Rock Creek. Going after a seventh straight league crown will take some serious reloading after the Mustangs graduated four starters, including first-team All-4A-II and third-team All-State pick Martin Vogts as well as all-leaguers Carson Zenger and Austin DeWeese, and saw the other, Taybor Vetter, transfer to Wamego. Sophomore Dawson Zenger saw more and more time as the season progressed last year and led the league in 3-point shooting percentage.

Starting two freshmen and a sophomore last year, ROSSVILLE lost 10 of its first 11 games before finally settling into a rhythm. The Bulldawgs won five of their last nine and finished the season 6-15 in Eammon Bradley’s first year as head coach. Rossville graduated first-team all-leaguer Sheldon Hulbert, but return the other four starters, including honorable mention all-leaguer Taegan Sumner, who averaged 10 points and 3 assists per game last year. Sophomore Tyree Sowers added 5 points and 5 rebounds a contest and fellow soph Bo Reeves chipped in 4 points and 5 rebounds a game. As the No. 1 seed in its 3A sub-state last year, SILVER LAKE seemed in great position to make a second straight trip to the state tournament. Instead, the season ended in heartbreaking fashion as the Eagles dropped a 58-57 4-OT semifinal to league rival St. Marys to finish the season 16-6. Though three starters graduated, the Eagles have enough firepower to make a deeper run this year. Senior guard Mason Griffin eclipsed the 1,000-point scoring mark in his career last year, averaging 18 points per game on his way to first-team All-3A and all-league honors. Fellow senior Dillon Byrne added 10 points a game and was all-league as well. A lack of overall size could allow Silver Lake to play a more up-tempo style this season. ST. MARYS couldn’t quite ride the momentum of the 4-overtime upset of Silver Lake in the sub-state semifinals to a 3A state tournament berth, falling to Perry-Lecompton 60-54 in the sub-state finals. Still, Will Spradling’s first year as head coach went extremely well as the Bears finished with a 16-7 record overall and took third in the league. The Bears will have to replace a large bulk of last year’s offensive production with the graduation of all-leaguers Nick Rabe, Austin Rieschick and Mitchell Flanagan, but do return four players who started at some points and averaged between 4.9 and 5.7 points per game. Senior Jory Schindler (5.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg) is a force inside and Caden Hurla (5.3 ppg) can be deadly from long range. WABAUNSEE has a new head coach in Christopher Smart, who takes over for the departed Skyler Suther. Smart played high school ball at Burlingame and helped the Bearcats to a state-tournament berth during his senior year and hopes to get the Chargers back on track after Wabaunsee dipped to just five wins a year ago after posting 17 in 2016-17. Wabaunsee graduated its lone all-leaguer from a year ago, leading scorer Chase Nelson, but three starters return led by senior Conner Brown. GIRLS Seeing the league title slip away on the final night of the season was a tough pill for RILEY COUNTY to swallow. Stuck in an ultra-tough sub-state, the Falcons fell short of the state tournament for the second straight year, losing to TMP-Marian in the semifinals. Still, the 15-7 record marked the program’s 25th straight winning season and with 17 wins this year, veteran coach Harold Oliver will hit 600 in his career. There’s certainly the potential to hit that milestone even though first-team all-leaguers Emily Earhart and Tory Thomson have graduated.

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MID-EAST LEAGUE

The Falcons return three starters with Sarah Thomson averaging 12 ppg and Addy Oliver adding 7 ppg, each hon. mention all-league. A strong sophomore class led by Jessi Brummett (8 ppg, 4 rpg) and Ames Burton will back the returners providing strong inside-outside balance. Though ROCK CREEK only went 3-18 a year ago, the Mustangs weren’t that far off from a much better record. Eight of the losses were by 16 points or less and the Mustangs showed their potential when they knocked off Riley County in overtime, a loss that cost the Falcons a share of the league title. Adam Plummer, in his fourth year with the program and 14th overall, said his excitement level is “at an all-time high for this group.” Three starters return led by hon. mention all-leaguer Laney Scott, who averaged 7 points and 5.5 boards per game. She’s one of four seniors and will be backed by a trio of sophomores and a junior transfer, Miranda Tegtmeier, whom Plummer has high expectations for. Unlike their boys counterparts, ROSSVILLE’s girls got off to a fast start a year ago, winning nine of their first 13 games including a victory over Riley County. But the finish also was nearly the opposite of the Bulldawg boys as the girls dropped five of their last seven games of the regular season and lost in the 3A sub-state semifinals to finish the season 12-10. Sixth-year coach Michael Bell will have the challenge of replacing five seniors, including first-team all-leaguer Jalyn Porter and honorable mention pick Maura Buhler, but returns leading scorer and rebounder Caila Hill (12.4 ppg, 7 rpg), who also was a first-team all-leaguer. Developing a consistent complement or two to go with Hill will dictate how much success the Bulldawgs experience. It’s not very often SILVER LAKE goes through the kind of year the Eagles endured last year. Especially during Loren Ziegler’s tenure, which has produced a 532-194 record. That made last year’s 6-15 mark a tough one to take with the Eagles going just 2-8 in league play. Scoring was problematic at times for the Eagles, which failed to reach 40 points in eight contests, and losing leading scorer and first-team all-leaguer Marissa Bates won’t help those matters. But

with eight letterwinners back, Ziegler has high hopes the Eagles can get back on track. Several of his returners helped the Eagles to the 3A state volleyball title in October and were part of the state-championship softball team last spring. Junior Lyndsey VandeVelde is the leading returning scorer at 5.4 points per game and Daryn Lamprecht averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Though ST. MARYS fell a game short of sharing the league title a year ago, there’s every reason to believe the Bears will be right in the hunt for the crown this year. Despite graduating three seniors, the Bears return three starters and have as much depth as anyone in the league. Senior Josie Harrison was a first-team all-league selection after averaging 9.9 points and 6 rebounds per game and Reagan Hurla was honorable mention with 7 points, 3 rebounds and 3.5 steals a contest. Sophomore six-footers Jacie Schindler and Jordan Harrison give the Bears size they’ve lacked for a number of years and strong junior and freshman classes will allow ninth-year coach Randy Wild to stay fresh and try to improve on last year’s 15-7 overall record. Coming off a runner-up finish in Class 2A in 2016-17, expectations were extremely high for WABAUNSEE last year. Despite capturing the league title for the second straight year and posting an 18-4 overall mark, the Chargers fell far short of their goals, getting upset by Jeff North in the sub-state semifinals. Standout Karsyn Schultz battled injuries for much of the season, but still earned first-team All-2A and all-league honors after averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds per game. She’s now at Emporia State, but just about everyone else is back, including firstteam all-leaguers Abby Oliver (13 ppg, 7 rpg) and Madelyn Hutler (11 ppg, 3 apg). Oliver is a Washburn signee and like Hutley has started every game of her career. The program will get a boost with the addition of Alyssa Lohmeyer and Alexis Hafenstine, who didn’t play last year, and incoming six-foot freshman Lauren Schutter. Expectations will be high again for Wabaunsee and sixth-year coach Shanna Perine will have her team fired up to hit them this time around.

CKL /FROM PG 34_______

points and 4.4 rebounds a game off the bench. HAVEN finished one of its best seasons in school history with a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament and a 21-4 record. Two returning starters earned all-league honors - Faith Paramore, a 5-10 junior (first team), and Arie Roper, a 5-6 senior (second team). HESSTON and KINGMAN produced outstanding seasons but fell short in bids for a state berth. Three starters who earned allleague recognition return for Hesston - 5-7 junior Elisa Kaiseer (first team), 5-9 junior Celbi Richardson (HM) and 6-1 senior Rylie Schilling (HM). Kingman has two starters who earned HM all-league honors - 5-10 senior Brianne Garrison and 5-8 senior Macey Maloney. HOISINGTON should improve on last year’s 7-15 record. The Cardinals had two players slated to return who were starters last year and earned honorable mention all-league honors senior Maleigha Schmidt and junior Irisa Suarez.

standings with eight of its top nine players back from a 10-12 team. Allisan McGowan, a 5-6 senior, averaged 10.1 ppg and was second-team all-league. Kaitlyn Rasmussen, a 5-9 senior (6.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and 5-4 junior Dani Staats (7.7 ppg) also return as HM all-league selections. Kierson Maydew, a 6-0 senior (4.2, 5.5) is also back. “The team improved from four wins to 10 wins last year, so we’re looking for another increase this season,” coach Dustin Hildebrand said. “The key is going to be if we can build off last year’s strong finish.” SMOKY VALLEY struggled to a 2-18 record and the Vikings return two starters for first-year coach Larry Van Der Wege - 5-6 senior Kira Haxton and 5-5 sophomore Kerington Haxton, who averaged 4.9 and 3.4 ppg, respectively. Bri Franklin, a 6-foot sophomore, will be counted on for a boost in production after averaging 5.4

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

NORTH CENTRAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

By Kansas Pregame Staff New head coach Brian Gormley will be looking to keep the Sacred Heart boys’ program at the same high level of consistency it’s attained over the last decade. Gormley replaces Pat Martin, whose contract was not renewed last April after 11 seasons as the head coach of the Knights. Sacred Heart averaged 18.4 wins per season under Martin - including a 92-8 record over the last four seasons - qualified for the state tournament eight times and won the Class 2A state championship in 2017. The Knights also finished second in 2016 and third in 2010 and 2018. Martin’s teams won their last 40 league games in a row in the North Central Activities Association. Gormley is familiar with Sacred Heart basketball. He was the head coach at the school from 1997-2004 and guided the team to a state tournament appearance in 2003. He has been coaching at the middle school level at Sacred Heart for much of the last 14 years. BOYS The BELOIT Trojans return five players with starting experience from last year’s 12-10 team, including first-team all-league player Vincent Palen, a 5-10 junior, who av-

eraged 15.1 ppg. Carson Cox, a 6-0 junior (10.9 ppg) and Hudson Smith, a 5-8 senior (5.1) are also back, along with 6-foot senior Ryan Broeckelman (4.8) and 6-7 senior Tate Thompson (5.2). The Trojans also return key reserves Hayden Budke (6-1, 3.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg, sr.), Colin Chandler (6-0, 3.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, sr.) and Hudson Gray (6-2, 1.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, jr.). “We have a lot of guys returning from a year ago,” head coach Ryan Eilert said. “Finding consistent scoring and consistency on defense will determine how our year goes.” MINNEAPOLIS was 9-12 a year ago with a young team and hopes to improve on that record with four players returning - 6-2 senior Kaden McCullick, a first-team all-league player who averaged 8.5 points and 4.4 rebounds a game; 6-1 junior Jonah Ausherman (3.9 ppg); 5-7 sophomore Trent Moeckel (4.9 ppg) and 6-2 sophomore Spencer Davidson (6.0 ppg). Another sophomore, Nolan White, averaged 6.0 points a game off the bench last year. REPUBLIC COUNTY returns two starters from a 7-14 team - 6-1 senior Ethan Nutsch, who scored 11.7 points a game, and 5-9 junior Tate Lapo, who averaged 4.8. Four other lettermen are back as well.

RUSSELL will look to move up the ladder in the NCAA with three returning starters from a 4-17 team, including first-team all-league player Austin Price, a 5-9 senior. Also back are 5-10 senior Glenn Law and 6-3 senior Travis Tammen. Five additional lettermen return. SACRED HEART returns a pair of first-team all-league players from last year’s 22-4 team that took third in the 2A state tournament and went 12-0 in the league. Charlie Skidmore, a 6-2 senior, averaged 13.5 points a game, while 6-1 senior Trace Leners averaged 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds. Four additional letterman are back as well. “These players have been part of a successful program, but they will have to define their own success as we lost a number of key players,” said head coach Brian Gormley. “The key for us under a new coaching staff is to find our defensive idenity and our best pace of play.” SOUTHEAST OF SALINE also has a new coach in Bryson Flax, who was a former head coach at Brown Mackie College in Salina. Flax returns four players with starting experience from an 11-10 team - 6-3 senior Nick Montgomery (10.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-0 sophomore Bryant Banks (7.0 ppg), 5-10 junior Seth

Page 49

Eklund (4.7 ppg) and 6-1 sophomore Eli Harris (1.5 ppg). ELLSWORTH has one player returning from last year’s 16-7 league runner-up team who earned postseason honors - senior Grant Gwinner, an honorable mention all-league selection. GIRLS BELOIT is expected to have another banner season with three starters and three additional lettermen returning from an 18-4 team that lost just once in 12 league games to win the NCAA title. Sydney Barrett, a 5-8 senior, was a first-team all-league selection last year after averaging 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds a game. Also back are 6-0 junior Shea Larson (8.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and 5-5 junior Jessica Meier (6.9 ppg, 5.0 apg). Both Larson and Meier was honorable mention all-league. Breezy Schroeder, a 5-6 senior, also returns. “We’ll be a quicker and more experienced team this season,” said head coach Shauna Remus. “We’ll continue to try and shut down our opponents with our defensive intensity.” ELLSWORTH lost four starters on last year’s continued on page 50

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15-6 team that finished third in the league. Jaide Talbott, a 5-6 junior, was honorable mention all-league after averaging 8.4 ppg. The Bearcats return five additional lettermen, including 6-foot junior Lakyn Tenbrink (5.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg). “This team will have to develop early in the season with the departure of four starters last year,” veteran Lady Bearcat coach Ken Cravens said. “We will have to identify roles and develop players as the season gets started.” MINNEAPOLIS has four players returning who started at one time or another for last year’s 6-15 team - honorable mention allleague player Karisma Vignery, a 5-4 senior who averaged 9.4 points a game. Also back are 5-3 senior Caroline Giles (2.5 ppg), 5-4 junior Kersti Nelson (7.1 ppg) and 5-6 junior Zoie Shupe (3.8 ppg). REPUBLIC COUNTY expects to improve on last year’s 4-15 record with four starters returning - honorable mention all-league selection Alexis Hansen, a 5-6 junior; along with 5-4 junior Emma Morris, 5-7 senior Taylor Gardner and 5-5 junior Sadee Graves. SACRED HEART welcomes back three starters from a 4-17 team, including first-team all-league player Ally Cochran, a 5-6 junior, who averaged 8.0 points a game. All of the Knights’ returnees are either juniors or soph-

omores. Also back are 5-6 junior Amber Palen and 5-7 junior Hannah Goetz. RUSSELL finished second in the league last year and was 19-4 overall, losing in the substate finals. Tiffany Dortland was first-team allleague as a junior. SOUTHEAST OF SALINE was 5-15 overall and featured first-team all-leaguer Molly Chitty, a senior this season.

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and Emporia State, respectively – but have experience with Brittanie Brickhouse, Aerihna Afoa, Amethyst Thomas and Ayanna Corell-Renfro. “Most of the returning varsity players have had big-game experience,” Clark said. “Two players won a 6A Kansas state championship when they were freshmen.” The graduation of first-team City League selection Sandra Pollard will necessitate a growing period for WICHITA SOUTHEAST, but the Golden Buffaloes may have identified its next two stars this past season in the progression of Chariah Daniels and Jaila Harding. That bodes well for Donald Dixon as he

takes the helm for his first season. WICHITA WEST (3-16) looks to rebound after a difficult 2017-18. Four starters are back in the fold, led by senior Brandijia Johnson (12 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 3 spg). The Pioneers have a little height in the 5-foot-8-inch pair of Sierra Campos (6 ppg, 8 rpg) and Lajayda Owens (6 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 spg). The aforementioned three will benefit from the vision of junior Kirah Stepps (8 ppg, 5 apg, 2 spg). The Pioneers will mix in several transfers. Micah Slater and Lashanani Cooper join the squad from Heights, Nijah Moose comes from North and Alexia Mushi is new to the Wichita area from Alabama.

EASTERN KANSAS LEAGUE/FROM PG 39__________________________________

some talent from last year’s 9-12 squad. Seniors Shaun Holmes (5-9), Alexa Pittman (5-9) and Hannah Strombom (5-8) all return after averaging 6, 5 and 4 points, respectively. Senior Lauren DeWitt (5-11), juniors Kate Bandre (5-11), Neva Longhofer (5-9) and CiCi Forcellini (55) and sophomore Olivia Ensley (5-9) will also look to play key roles. “We graduated several players who had been with the varsity program for all four years of their high school experience,” said Rick Strecker, who enters his third year at Blue Valley West. “I am excited to learn who will step up and provide leadership, scoring punch and toughness.” The MILL VALLEY Jaguars bring back three starters from last year’s Class 5A state tournament team that finished 18-5.

Seniors Claire Kaifes (5-11, 9 ppg), Trinity Knapp (6-2, 8 ppg) and Presley Barton (5-3, 9 ppg) are all back for their fourth year of varsity experience. “We have some of the best teams in Kansas in the EKL and will be challenged with a very tough and competitive schedule,” said Drew Walters, who enters his third year of leading the Jaguars. “This team has some very talented players and the key will be to play together with new players that will be seeing varsity action this season.” Other key players will be seniors Lexi Ballard (5-8), Lexi Crocker (5-4) and Sydney Stuke (5-4), along with junior Ella Shurley (5-8) and sophomore Sameera Elmasri (5-8). BLUE VALLEY NORTH is coming off a 17-6 season that ended with a first-round state tournament loss to eventual champion Derby.

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NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS LEAGUE

By Brent Maycock, The Topeka Capital-Journal It was a good year, a very good year, to be a Marysville Bulldog, even though neither team won league titles. Those honors went to Abilene’s boys and Clay Center’s girls, each of whom finished league play with 8-1 records. But when it came to the postseason, Marysville took center stage. The Bulldog boys followed up their 2017 Class 3A state championship by qualifying for the Class 4A-II state tournament, ending Rock Creek’s run of three straight state-tournament appearances with a 59-53 sub-state championship win. Marysville ran into eventual state champion Hayden in the opening round of the state tournament, but pushed the Wildcats better than anyone else in the state tourney before falling 57-51. Marysville’s girls, meanwhile, upset league champion Clay Center 44-41 in the championship game of their 4A-II sub-state, returning to the state tournament for the first time since Kendra Wecker led the Bulldogs to the 2001 Class 4A state title. The Bulldog girls were able to ride the momentum to a fourth-place finish at the state tournament, beating Nickerson 58-45 in the first round before falling 48-38 to Andale in the semifinals. Wamego’s boys also returned to the 4A Division I state tournament, falling in the first round to Arkansas City 45-29. Four other league teams reached the finals of their respective sub-states – Clay Center’s

girls, Concordia’s girls, Chapman’s boys and Abilene’s girls. BOYS In league play, ABILENE was outstanding, going 8-1 with the lone loss coming to Marysville. Outside of league play, the Cowboys met with middling success, going just 5-6. The Cowboys graduated two first-team all-leaguers in Tucker Robinson and Noah Wildman, but return more than enough to make another run at a league title and possibly more. Senior post Preston Boyd averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and was honorable mention all-league while fellow returning starters Travis Beetch (7.5 ppg) and James Mayden (6.9 ppg) were solid complements. Veteran coach Terry Taylor will have to tap into a successful JV team to fill the holes, but has four senior newcomers who are ready to step in. Taylor is just five wins from 650 in his career. The question going into the 2017-18 season for CHAPMAN was how the Irish would compensate for the graduation of standout Brennan Harris, who set numerous school scoring records. The Irish answered it with a solid 12-9 campaign that saw them come up one win shy of the program’s first state tournament berth in quite some time. Izek Jackson led the Irish with 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, earning first-team all-league honors, and is one of three returning starters. Graduation claimed a pair of all-league picks in Zack Loy and Talor Warner,

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but Jackson has some solid complements to go with him in fellow seniors Anthony Wasylk (8.8 ppg) and Brandon Colston (7.7 ppg). No school in the league was hit harder by graduation than CLAY CENTER, which returns just one player who saw significant varsity minutes last year, senior Dylan Swihart, who averaged 3.6 ppg. Everybody else that contributed a year ago is gone, including first-team all-leaguer Anthony Atkinson-Enneking, who was a double-double machine a year ago. The Tigers only managed a 4-16 record with that big senior class, so third-year coach Drew Gruver will have some work to do to try and get the Tigers going toward its first winning season in nearly a decade. The best 1-2 punch in the league very well could belong to CONCORDIA, which went just 7-13 a year ago. Senior swingman Dyelan Reed was a first-team all-league pick last year after averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds per game. Fellow senior Corben Monzon wasn’t far behind at 9 ppg and was honorable mention all-league. That gives seventh-year coach Michael Roe a

pretty good nucleus to build around after graduation claimed four seniors. The Panther newcomers will be young with sophomores Chas Carlgren and Wyatt Trost expected to move into the starting lineup. Improving a defense which gave up 60 ppg will be a big key for the Panthers to return to their winning ways. Roe is three wins from 100 in his career and 75 at Concordia. Had MARYSVILLE remained in Class 3A a year ago, it would have been hard not to picture the Bulldogs capturing a second straight state title. Marysville had one of the top players in the state in Gabe Pieschl, who was a first-team All4A-II pick and second-team All-State selection. The Bulldogs move back down to 3A this year but will do so with almost an entirely new look to their roster with Pieschl and every other starter from a year ago having graduated. In all, eight lettermen were lost to graduation leaving senior Jacob Backus as the lone returning player. The Bulldogs showed the ability to reload during the football season, reaching the 3A quarterfinals with a new-look squad and fifth-year coach Scott continued on page 52

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Brown hopes basketball will follow suit. WAMEGO had two huge holes to fill a year ago when graduation claimed leading scorers Dillon Blain and Sean Nordberg off the 201617 squad. The Red Raider returners accepted the challenge in a big way and posted a 16-6 record, returning to the state tournament for the second time in three years. Transfer T.J. Fritz was a huge addition coming over from Riley County, leading Wamego in scoring with 15.2 ppg on his way to first-team all-league honors. Wamego gets another impact transfer this year in Taybor Vetter, who moved in from Rock Creek right before the football season. His addition will help ease the loss of all-leaguer Chase Dillon. GIRLS A 46-31 loss to Circle denied ABILENE a spot in the Class 4A Division I state tournament. But the Cowgirls enjoyed a solid season for first-year coach Molly Burton, going 13-8. Abilene figures to be square in the mix for the league title this year after going just 5-4 in league play a year ago. The Cowgirls have a strong combination

MCL /FROM PG 47____________

five points, three rebounds and two assists. STOCKTON went 7-14 in the first year under coach Kyle Fox. Senior Brady Beougher averaged 17 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals a game. Sophomore Ethan Means delivered 8.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Sophomores Kameron Hamel and Troy Rogers combined for 6.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. Four juniors – Gage Conyac, Ben Rogers, Trevor Miller and Quinn Coffey – are expected to see consistent playing time. “Hoping to build off what we started last year,” Fox said. “We have most of our varsity returners back this year.” Third-year coach Sean Dreiling went 5-15 and is 13-28 in his WAKEENEY-TREGO career. Four starters return: senior Keagan Shubert, juniors Hunter Price and Carter Minson and sophomore Kobi Shubert. Keagan delivered 9.8 points a contest, Minson had 9.5 points, Price six a game, and Kobi Shubert averaged six points a game. Price led with six rebounds a game. “We return a lot of experience from the previous year as well as some young additions,” Dreiling said. “We are a good defensive team but at times struggle to shoot the ball and create easy baskets. We will be led by senior Keagan Shubert, who is a lanky inside/outside match up problem, and Carter Minson, who has developed

into one of the league’s top 3-point shooters. If we can continue to defend and find a way to play more aggressively getting to the rim, we will be much improved from last year.” SMITH CENTER was 10-13 with coach Rob Buckmaster, and ELLIS went 11-10. New Ellis coach Mark Eck, a former Fort Hays player and longtime Ellis businessman, takes over the Railroaders. His son, Zach, a junior, averaged a team-high 15 points a game. Sophomore Brady Frickey delivered 10.2 points a contest. GIRLS SMITH CENTER’s Linn is his 30th year with the Lady Red and carries a 403-182 record with SC, 451-199 in his career. Smith Center finished 14-9, 5-4 in league play. Four players with starting experience return: seniors Gracen Hutchinson and Holly Timmons, and juniors Bree Freiling and Kendra Maydew. Freiling averaged 8.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.8 assists. Hutchinson tallied 8.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.4 assists. Timmons tacked on 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals. Maydew delivered 5.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 assists. Smith Center has four players expected to play a key role: senior Katelin Shellito, juniors Lizzy Pfortmiller and Jessalyn Kirchhoff and 6-foot freshman Tallon Rentschler. Pfortmiller played in 22 games as a freshman and averaged 3.4 continued on page 57

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in seniors Sydney Burton and Hannah Willey. Burton led Abilene with 14.6 ppg while Willey was right behind with 13.5 points per contest and is the top returning rebounder with 4.6 boards per game, just ahead of Burton’s 4.2 per contest. Junior Beth Holmes (4.1 ppg, 2.8 apg) is the only other returning player, so getting some production from a slew of new faces will hold the key to how far Abilene goes this year. CHAPMAN went just 2-7 in league play and 8-13 overall, but that doesn’t show how close the Irish were to having those records reversed. Chapman’s first four league losses were by seven points or less and six of the 11 losses overall were by less than 10 points. One more bucket or defensive stop and last season looks a whole lot different. Chapman could very well make those plays this year, returning three starters and a few key reserves, though the Irish will still be relatively young with just one senior among the returning players. Juniors Ashlynn Bledsoe and McKenna Kirkpatrick each averaged 15 ppg as sophomores last year and both were over 6.5 rebounds a contest as well. Bledsoe was a firstteam all-league pick, while junior Peyton Suther

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(6.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) was honorable mention. If a 20-2 season can qualify as a bit of a disappointment, then that’s what the 2017-18 season was for CLAY CENTER. Hungry after getting bounced in the first-round of the Class 4A Division II state tournament in 2017 after capturing the state championship in 2016, Clay Center seemed on the fast track to making amends. The Tigers went 18-1 in the regular season with the lone loss coming to Marysville in the third game of the season. Even though the Tigers avenged the loss with an overtime win in February, that loss proved to be an omen as the Bulldogs knocked off Clay Center again, this time 44-41 in the sub-state finals. Now in 3A, Clay Center is hungrier than ever and again is capable of finishing business. Sure, graduation claimed all-leaguers Hannah Ferguson and Sydney Callaway. But fifth-year coach Jeff Edwards has a strong nucleus back led by firstteam all-leaguers Addy Mullin (9 ppg, 3 spg) and Clara Edwards (13 ppg, 7 rpg) and senior Erin Hammel (10 ppg, 35% 3-pointers). The Tigers have one of his quickest and most athletic teams as well as best shooting teams, all good signs for the Tigers this season. CONCORDIA isn’t completely starting over, but the Panthers will have a very different look to them this year. Gone is standout Cydney Bergmann, a four-year starter and all-league selection who ranks near the top of nearly every stat category in Concordia history. She was a two-time first-team All-4A-II pick and averaged 18.5 points and 8 rebounds per game last year. She’s far from the only graduation loss with two-year starters Jessica Williams and Peyton

Reynolds and two others also gone. Just 10-12 in 2016-17, MARYSVILLE made significant strides last year to return to the state tournament for the first time since the days of Wecker. The turnaround season should provide some momentum and the Bulldogs will need some carryover with eight players graduating off last year’s squad. The most notable loss was second-team All-4A-II pick and first-team all-leaguer Sydney Pacha, who led the Bulldogs in scoring last year with 16 ppg. She was the outside presence and finding perimeter scoring this year will be a big key with Marysville’s strength lying in the paint. Junior Sami Bartels had a huge sophomore season, averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds per game on her way to firstteam all-league and third-team All-4A-II honors. She’s joined in the frontcourt by Nicole Franco, an honorable mention all-leaguer who averaged 8 points and 7 boards a game. Last season was an adjustment for WAMEGO, which got its third coach in three years when Brian McIntosh took over for Kevin Kinderknecht. McIntosh feels like he got his culture established and expects the Red Raiders to improve on last year’s 6-14 mark. Wamego returns a pair of allleague picks in senior guard Kenzie Underwood and senior forward Victoria Pettay. McIntosh played a lot of young players a year ago and should go eight deep with returners who saw significant time a year ago. Brent Maycock is a sportswriter for the Topeka Capital-Journal who has covered high schools in Topeka, and across Kansas, for over 25 years.

NORTHEAST KANSAS LEAGUE

By Brent Maycock, The Topeka Capital-Journal As Maur Hill rolled through the regular season with just one loss, some wondered if the Ravens’ glossy record was a by-product of a relatively soft schedule (three wins over teams with winning records) or if they were truly a contender for the 3A title. A 44-42 victory over Nemaha Central in the substate finals proved Maur Hill was indeed as good as its record suggested and the Ravens went on to take fourth at the 3A state tournament, falling in the semifinals to eventual champion Halstead. The 23-3 season was one of the best in program history and marked the Ravens’ best finish since capturing the 2006 Class 3A state title. Maur Hill carried the league banner at the state tournaments with no other league school qualifying. Jefferson North’s girls, coming off a runner-up finish in the league to Valley Falls, nearly made a spectacular run to the 2A tournament, upsetting Wabaunsee in the semis before pushing Olpe and succumbing in the sub-state final. Valley Falls girls were agonizingly close to another state tournament berth, dropping a 31-29 decision to Frankfort in a Class 1A-I sub-state title game. Pleasant Ridge’s girls also reached a substate final, falling to Nemaha Central in 3A. BOYS ATCHISON COUNTY moves over to the Northeast Kansas League from the Big Seven League. The Tigers were formerly members of the Delaware Valley League before returning to the Big Seven. The Tigers struggled against the bigger schools of the league, going just 1-14 in league play last year and 2-17 overall. David Martin takes over as head coach this year. There’s also a new head coach at HORTON where Josh Lutz becomes the Chargers’ third coach in three years replacing Travis Torkelson.

The Chargers were just 2-19 last year and graduated all-league HM Cole Bottom and their top-four scorers. But Lutz inherits a team with six seniors and a solid junior class as well. Gunnar Madere is the leading returning scorer at 4.5 ppg and junior Quinn Gamino averaged 4 ppg. JACKSON HEIGHTS finished runner-up to Maur Hill in league play and was a one-point loss to the Ravens away from hoisting the league title trophy itself. Stuck in a brutally tough sub-state, the Cobras pushed undefeated Lyndon in a 39-32 semifinal loss, finishing the season 14-6 overall. The Cobras will miss the inside presence of firstteam all-leaguer Braden Dohl, who led the team in scoring (12.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg). But the senior trio of Lane Thomas, Levi Olberding and Kolby Rethman give fifth-year coach Chris Brown a strong nucleus to work with. Thomas averaged 10.5 ppg, while Rethman (9.4 ppg) and Olberding (8.2 ppg) ranked second and third in scoring. JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH handed Maur Hill its only regular-season loss, beating the Ravens 56-53 in early January. At that point, the Chargers were 6-0 and had the look of a 2A title contender. Instead, they went 8-5 during the rest of the regular season and bowed out in the first round of sub-state play to finish the season 14-6. Jim Brickell retired after the season and the new coach is Tonya Kramer, who has served as an assistant coach for the girls program for years. She inherits a team which returns just two starters and lost much of its offensive production. Senior guard Bryce Fowler averaged 9 ppg and fellow senior Caden McAfee added 5 ppg. Beyond them, the Chargers are relatively inexperienced, but Kramer likes the potential of her team. The trip to state was the first for MAUR HILL since its title season in 2006 and the only loss the Ravens suffered in the regular season was a

NORTHERN PLAINS LEAGUE

By John Baetz, Publisher After plowing through the Northern Plains League with precision last season the OSBORNE Bulldogs return a long, athletic squad with goals that include repeating as NPL champs and making a third consecutive trip to the state tournament, but with a longer stay this time. The Bulldogs, under eighth year coach Jamie Wolters, have all five starters back from a team that went 19-2 last season with a double overtime loss to St. John’s Beloit/Tipton in league play and a first round loss to Centralia in the state tournament the only blemishes on an otherwise spotless record. The Bulldogs will feature size in 6-foot-5 senior Jordan Wherry (12 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and 6-4 senior Darnell Holloway (13 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and athletic guard play in 6-1 senior Kade Miller (10 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.3 spg, 3 apg), 5-9 junior Steele Wolters (14 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.2 spg, 3 apg) and 6-foot junior Darrien

Holloway (7 ppg, 5 rpg). Wolters expects to also get a boost from 5-8 sophomore Brandon Befort and 5-9 junior Natoma transfer Vaughn Stull. The LAKESIDE Knights were 14-9 last season and 8-4 in league play, good for a fifth place finish in the NPL. The Knights return three key pieces from that squad in seniors Devin Crawford (6-3, 205 lbs., 9.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.4 bpg, 1.5 spg), Mason Duskie (6-3, 240, 6.8 ppg, 4 rpg) and Caleb Hake (6-1, 185, 8.3 ppg, 4 rpg). Fourth year coach Drew Duskie, also Lakeside’s football coach, expects to get quality minutes from senior Josh Moore (6-1, 150), junior Carter Brown (5-6, 132) and sophomore Wyatt Eberle (5-11, 160). “We have a strong senior core and returning lettermen that will need to fill in spots vacated from last year,” coach Duskie said. “We will have length across our frontcourt but an inexperienced backcourt.”

The LINCOLN Leopards finished just 4-16 last season and even though they return two seniors with starting experience will still be relatively young for third year coach Joe Biggs. “We will really need our young guys to develop confidence and team chemistry with everyone,” Biggs said. “We took a big step this summer, now we need to continue.” Senior Drew Biggs (6-1, 180) returns to the lineup after averaging 10 points and seven rebounds a game and fellow senior Sam Huehl (5-9, 130) gives the Leopards a solid outside shooting threat. Junior Zach Obermueller (5-11, 160) returns to the starting lineup at one guard spot after averaging four points and four boards last season and sophomore BRUSH ART • DONLEVY GRAPHICS Landon O’Hare (6-4, LITHO 155,• SUN 4 ppg, 5 rpg) gives the Leopards much needed height. Sophomore Tyler Good (6-1, 180) and senior Conner O’Hare (6-2, 200) will also be expected to

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Page 53 three-point defeat to Jefferson North, a game they avenged later in the season with a 15-point win to clinch the league crown. Leading scorer and first-team all-leaguer Colton Kocour has graduated as has double-digit scorer Jared Thibault. But the Ravens return enough pieces to stay atop the league and return to the 3A state tourney. Zach Schwinn was a huge addition a year ago, coming over after Immaculata closed its doors. A prolific scorer at Immac, Schwinn instead set a school record for assists with 126 last year, but could be called upon to provide more offense with the loss of Kocour and Thibault. Junior Jack Caudle also averaged 10 ppg. MCLOUTH finished in the top half of the league for the first time since 2005, posting an 11-11 season overall and reaching the sub-state semifinals for the first time since 2007. It was a bit of a breakthrough season for the Bulldogs and third-year coach Steve Lilly hopes the momentum carries over to the upcoming season. With all five starters back the Bulldogs could challenge for the league crown this year. Senior guard Garrison Pope was one of the top players in the league a year ago, averaging 15.8 ppg to earn second-team all-league. Senior Jeremy Carlton is a three-year starter who averaged 8.6 ppg and Jonah Willits chipped in 9 ppg and 5.6 rpg. After posting six wins in Jeremy Rockhold’s first year, OSKALOOSA slipped to a 2-19 record last year. Rockhold hopes the step backward leads to two steps forward this year and his team learned plenty from last year’s setback. Injuries hampered the Bears a year ago with leading scorer Hunter Reed (12.8 ppg) limited to just eight games. When healthy, Reed is one of the top players in the league. Three other returning starters averaged at least 6 ppg with Parker Wells getting 6.9 per contest and Kyle Sharp 6.6 and a team-high 5 rpg. The Bears will be heavy on seniors this year. Pat Battle’s return to PLEASANT RIDGE as head coach resulted in a four-win improvement

Josie Weishaar

Jefferson Co. North, Junior as the Rams went 9-12 and finished fourth in the league. The 7-7 league mark was the best for the program since the 2011-12 season. Four of last year’s five starters graduated, including leading scorer and second-team all-leaguer Noah Trader. The fifth, senior Clayton Richter will miss the season with an injury suffered during football. That leaves Battle with a young and inexperienced team with only five players back who saw varsity time a year ago. No returning player averaged more than 2.5 ppg. Though VALLEY FALLS went just 6-16 last season, expectations for this season are high for the Dragons to return to their customary place among the league’s top teams. All five starters are back and the Dragons return 99 percent of last year’s scoring and have a couple solid additions that could have an impact. Hunter Aspinwall (6-5) emerged as one of the top big men in the league, averaging 18 points and 7.2 rpg to earn second-team all-league honors. He’ll form a solid front line with junior Tyler Lockhart (8 ppg, 7 rpg) and senior Nathan Pickerell (12 ppg, 6 rpg). If guards Grayson Haag (8 ppg) and Seth Delong (6 ppg) can provide enough offense on the perimeter, the Dragons very well may return to contender status continued on page 64

Photo by Everett Royer, KSportsimages.com

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Darnell Holloway Osborne, Senior

play key roles this season. “I am excited to watch this group grow and compete night in and night out,” Biggs said. NATOMA went 5-14 and the Tigers return five continued on page 54

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 three 5-9 sophomores in Jerrod Gillett, Mason Higer and Davion McDonald. Together the new faces will players with starting experience and have 14 total work to carry-on last year’s winning ways. SOUTHERN CLOUD welcomes new coach players out for a school that has struggled with numbers. In spite of all the returning experience the Cody Flinn after playing at a .500 clip last season Tigers are still very young with just one senior and and finishing 11-11. Flinn, who previously served as head coach of the Sylvan-Lucas Mustangs, three sophomores among the returners. Senior Ethan Dickerson returns after averaging 5 welcomes back four seniors with starting points and 3.8 rebounds a night. At 6-1, Dickerson experience in Blake Gumm, Carson Bellows, Kaury Stout and Ryan Paillet. Together with senior Avery is the only Natoma player over 6-foot. He’ll join forces with junior Shayne Engling (5-9, Wyatt, juniors Jackson Burch and Nevyn Gold 1.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg) and sophomores Jayson Engling and sophomore Morgan Coleman, Flinn will try to (5-9, 5.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Preston Ostmeyer (6-0, improve on the 5-6 league record from 2017-18. “We have the potential to be a good basketball 3.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Jayce Dickerson (5-8, 5.2 team with the amount of returning starters we ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.9 apg) to try and help coach Steve Custenborder improve on last year’s 12th place have,” Flinn said. “If they buy-in and compete on the defensive side of the ball we will be in most games finish in the NPL, ahead of only Tescott. PIKE VALLEY went 15-7 last season including this year. Relentless effort and being able to finish a near spotless 10-1 mark in non-tournament close games will be key.” After a decade of leading the ST. JOHN’S league play but the graduation of seven seniors including top players Anton Reeves, Heath White, BELOIT/TIPTON Blujays coach Lance Bergmann Cole Strickler and Davante Hammer may leave the always has high expectations for his team. The Panthers searching for answers early in the season. Blujays were 17-6 overall and 9-3 in league play a Coach Gary Loring will rely on 6-5 senior Michael year ago, losing to Northern Valley in the sub-state Flavin to ease the transition to a less experienced title game. The Blujays have won at least 17 games line-up. Flavin averaged 10.4 points and 7.2 rpg in each of the last six seasons including finishes of a year ago and in a 10 game stretch to close out 22-1, 25-1, 24-2, 25-1 and 19-3 in the five seasons the season Flavin averaged 14.1 points per contest prior to 2017-18. Bergman will look to 5-10 senior Kail Dubbert to including games of 30, 25 and 20 points in wins over provide leadership after he averaged 8 ppg to go Thunder Ridge, St. John’s Beloit-Tipton and Wilson. Senior Brody Carlgren is the only other returner with along with 3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.2 steals significant varsity experience averaging 2.8 point last year. Junior Brandon Bates will be the go-to scorer after he averaged 12.6 ppg as a sophomore and 3.6 rpg last season. A year after going 17-4 with just one loss in league to go along with 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 play second year ROCK HILLS coach Nick Mizner steals per game. The Blujays won’t have a ton of height - Dubbert may have a rebuilding project on his hands. But then again, a talented group of youngsters may is 5-10 and Bates is 6-foot - but a pair of 6-3 juniors in Brady Palen and Braden Dameron will look to make strides in replacing a solid senior class. “We will look to lone senior Dereck Gillett to improve upon their 3.9 and 6.7 ppg respectively lead the team to another solid year,” Mizner said. from last season. Senior Ben Towner and junior Eric “We lack experience as we lost five to six varsity Koenigsman are expected to play key roles. “We have a very athletic group of kids and players from last season. We will look to a group of sophomores to step up and fill the shoes of last have the potential to score from a lot of different

NPL /FROM PG 53_______

year’s seniors as well.” Gillett, a 6-foot-3, 195 pounder averaged nearly a double double last season with 12 ppg and 9.5 rebounds a contest. He also dished out 2.5 assists per game and nabbed an average of three steals per contest. He’ll be joined by juniors Cheyenne Mohler (6-0, 185) and Noah Williams (6-1, 180) and

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Page 54 bpg), Layne Pettijohn (5-3, 8 ppg, 4 apg, 2 spg) and Mariah Stauffer (5-8, 7 ppg, 6 rbg, 2 apg, 3 spg) will join forces with juniors Brennan Kirchoff (5-2, 10 ppg, 4 rbg, 6 apg, 3 spg) and Jaden Boden (5-10, 5 ppg, 4 rpg) creating one of 1A basketball’s most talented and experienced group of returners. Coach Darren Grauerholz has a decade of coaching the Longhorns under his belt and expects his team to again challenge for a league title. LAKESIDE returns five different players with starting experience from a team that went 16-6 last season including seniors Megan LaRocque (5-5, 7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg), Adrianna Bergmann (5-5, 6.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Janica Pearce (5-7, 4.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg) and juniors Grace Grady (5-9, 7.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and Avery Berkley (5-8, 2.5 ppg, 2.4 rbg). Fifth year coach Travis Eberle will also look for the emergence of a talented sophomore class that features five players that saw some varsity action last season as freshman. “(We) should be contenders for one of the top spots in the NPL,” Eberle said. “We will have to be aggressive on the boards and defensively sound to be successful.” LINCOLN returns just two starters from a team that went 6-15 last season and veteran coach Steve Crist says his squad will rely on “speed and quickness” and will need young players to “step up and contribute quickly.” Senior PG Mikayla Breneman returns to bring the ball up the court after averaging 5 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.2 apg and 2.4 spg a season ago. She’ll be joined by junior post Carson Walter who used her 5-9 frame to rip down 6 rpg last season to go along with 5.1 ppg. Senior guard Macy Squires returns as well.

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areas, which helps with our lack of physical play,” Bergmann said. “We should be able to compete for a top spot in our league and be a threat in the postseason if we play to our potential.” First year SYLVAN-LUCAS head coach Jeff Starkey has just two starters back off last year’s squad that finished 11-11 on the season. Senior Tyler Barrientes (5-8, 6.6 ppg) and junior Beau Batchman will lead the way for the Mustangs and seniors JC Huehl (5-11, 3.5 ppg) and Wyatt Hiitter (5-9, 1.6 ppg) will be counted on for more production this season. TESCOTT went 0-21 last season and top player Logan Srna is now at Concordia University in Neb. as a member of the football team. The Trojans featured just six total players last year and a week two eight-point loss to Southern Cloud was the closest of the season. THUNDER RIDGE went just 3-18 last year but luckily for second year coach Jerry Webb the squad featured just two seniors. Webb has four returning players with starting experience in Brandon Grauerholz, Landon Gering, Kyler Seemann and Riggs Reneberg. The WILSON Dragons showed fight last year in going 12-11, including a 7-5 record in league play. The team will miss the departure of talented scorer Jayden Bess, one of three seniors on last year’s squad, but Brady Mermis returns to lead a group of five seniors in the class of 2019. GIRLS THUNDER RIDGE graduated just one senior off last year’s fourth place 1A-I state team that went 15-0 in NPL play and won the league tournament for the fifth consecutive season. Seniors Libby Hardacre (6-1, 12 ppg, 11 rbg, 4

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Second year coach Kayla Corbett says the OSBORNE will miss the graduation of their top scorer and rebounder and a summer injury will sideline returning senior forward Loryn Sprick for the season, but the return of three players with starting experience - senior Afftin Conway and juniors Rhyann Brown and Tierra Conway - has Corbett optimistic for improvement on last year’s 9-12 finish. Afftin Conway tallied 8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals per game a season ago followed closely by Brown’s 7 points, 3 boards, 6 assists and 2 steals per contest in ‘17-’18. Juniors Zoe Girard and Felicity Conway are expected to play important varsity minutes and Corbett says 5-10 freshman Ava Stull “will make an immediate impact.” “We’ll continue to use our team speed and depth to our advantage on both offense and defense,” Corbett said. “ All in all, we look to continue to build on our strengths.” A season after having just six players on a team that went 2-18 overall and 0-11 in NPL play, NATOMA will not field a team. First year ROCK HILLS coach Jamie Harvey say a lack of numbers could be a challenge, but believes the Grizzlies will play “tough, competitive basketball.” Harvey welcomes four players with starting experience - Jauclyn Lempke, Katie Reinert, Karrigan Dunstan and Evie Meyers - but not one averaged more than 4.8 ppg last season. The good news for the future of the program is not one of the

Page 55

returners is a senior. Lempke is a junior and the other three are just sophomores. While the girls make take their lumps again this season, it could prepare them for a breakout season when they become upperclassmen. The SOUTHERN CLOUD Warriors dipped to 11-11 after going 19-4, 16-6 and 14-8 the previous three seasons. Coach Tyler Williams said the decline can be attributed to his team losing the “chip on our shoulder that carried us in the past” leading to the loss of some close games “we wouldn’t normally have lost.” But Williams is optimistic for the season. “This year, judging from the summer, the focus seems better,” Williams said. Williams will count on the return of five players with starting experience including third team allleague guard Kaitlyn Morris, a senior who averaged 10.8 ppg last season, and 5-8 senior post Logan Cool who averaged 5.2 rebounds a night a season ago. Williams said 5-9 senior post Emily Stein, who was unable to play last season, will return after starting several games as a sophomore. “Adds post depth to a short team,” Williams added. ST. JOHN’S BELOIT-TIPTON’s girls also expect to be among the top teams in the league year in and year out, and this season should be no different. Veteran coach Keith Kresin welcomes back four starters from a year ago including 6-foot senior Kara Eilert who averaged a double double last season (11.8 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and sharp-shooting 5-7

’s y o B y l F t i s i V

sophomore Lauryn Dubbert who averaged 14.4 ppg from her point guard spot. Senior Elle Eilert used her 6-foot frame to pull down 11.5 rpg last season while junior guard Erica Brummer averaged 3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Blujays. The Blujays were 18-5 overall, 11-1 in league, and qualified for 1A-II state where they lost to Axtell in a first round heartbreaker 66-64. Kresin said getting the ball into the post and playing good defense will be important, along with the development of guard play. “If we can get another guard or two to step up and be a threat to score we should be pretty solid,” Kresin said. SYLVAN-LUCAS coach Craig Batchman enters his second season with the program after coaching the girls to a 10-11 overall record and 6-6 finish in league play last year. Batchman has plenty of experience back with five seniors returning with at least some starting experience. The trio of Aundrea Haberer, Taegan Walter and Hannah Wolting averaged right around 4 ppg apiece last year while fellow seniors Dharma Couse and Kyle Rahmeier added a little over 1 point per game. Batchman also hopes to get quality minutes from seniors Delaney Herold and Lexi Neel and juniors Sasha Alberts and Kelsey Decker. Batchman said keys to improvement are ball handling and shooting along with rebounding and “help side defense.” “This is a great group of hardworking girls that I look forward to coaching,” Batchman added. The TESCOTT Trojans mustered just two wins last season, but coach Terry King welcomes back five experienced girls to his roster and is looking

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Libby Hardacre

Thunder Ridge, Senior

forward to build on what he called a “tremendously successful summer.” Seniors Kelssey Jorgensen and Karsyn Lee will be looked to for leadership and will be joined by experienced juniors Dani Ehlers and Montana Peterson and sophomore Kylie Flax. “We will have more depth and speed than we have ever had before,” King said. “We will look to attack and pressure in every game this year.”

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By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame The Northwest Kansas League has a bevy of individual talent returning on both the boys’ and girls’ sides. Quinter’s Conner Havlas has set multiple school records and averaged 25.5 points and 13.9 rebounds. Wallace County’s Trevor Medina delivered 22.4 points and 11.3 rebounds. Dighton’s Ella Roberts had 14.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, and Rawlins County’s Kristen Beckman tallied 14.3 points and nine rebounds. Hoxie’s Addi Campbell is an outstanding point guard. The conference could be impacted by the return of 1A to one class. Wallace County’s boys, Dighton’s girls and Quinter’s girls all won at least one title at Division II, while both Hoxie teams had great runs in 1A-I. BOYS SHARON SPRINGS-WALLACE COUNTY went just 13-13 but took fourth in 1A-II behind longtime coach Larry O’Connor. WC captured Division II titles in ’15 and ’17 and was runner-up in ’14. The Wildcats return six players with starting experience, all seniors. Trevor Medina averaged 22.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 3.3

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

steals a contest. Champ King delivered 15.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals. Andrew Noone had 7.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. Luke Johnson tallied 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.3 steals. Esteban Rodriguez averaged 6.2 points, and Trevor Fischer had 6.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 steals. O’Connor is 184-105 at Sharon Springs, and 310114 overall with a highly successful run at Brewster with state titles in 2000 and ’01. “Keys to success: playing together and avoiding injuries,” O’Connor said. “We will have a very competitive team, and by the end of the season will be a tough out in 1A class. Had a very good and productive summer.” ATWOOD-RAWLINS COUNTY finished 17-6 and lost in the first round of the 1A-I state tournament. The Buffs have first-year coach Levi Poindexter and return three senior starters in Jorge Chacon, Brenan Dixson and Arie Olson. Chacon averaged 8.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and two steals. Dixson delivered 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Olson produced 5.7 points, 3.8 rebounds “We have a lot of experience coming back from a team that made it to state last year,” Poindexter said. “With this being my first year here, the boys need to pick up the system quickly, but I have no doubt they will. Also we need to rebound and have good shot selection.” HOXIE went 20-2, lost 65-62 to Plainville in substate and graduated Easton Slipke, a guard who scored more than 1,000 career points. The Indians have winning seasons every year except one since 2008-09. The Indians are 39-8 the last two seasons under fifth-year coach Jake Moss.

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NORTHWEST KANSAS LEAGUE

Moss will count on a trio of seniors - Jarrod Dible, Sean Robben, Logan Weimer - to lead the way after they averaged 10.7, 10.9 and 6.7 ppg respectively, to go with 7.4, 6.2 and 3.1 boards per outing. “We are losing a good senior class from... but have a lot of good athletes to fill their shoes,” Moss said. QUINTER finished 7-16 with coach John Crist, a Bulldog graduate in his 26th year at the school. Crist has a career mark of 388-189 at Quinter and 407-212 overall. Three starters are back, led by Havlas, one of the state’s top statistical players. He averaged 25.5 points and 13.9 rebounds. Senior Gordon Wolf delivered 5.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg and 1.7 apg. Junior Kasen Ostmeyer had 9.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1.6 apg. Havlas holds school records for points in a game (45), rebounds in a game (27) and single season rebounding (305). He was a first team all-state Division II selection last fall. “We need to stay healthy and get more consistent play from our guards,” Crist said. “We will need some perimeter scoring to take some pressure off of Havlas inside. We also need to take care of the ball.” TRIBUNE-GREELEY COUNTY coach Josh Gooch enters his third year with the program and doubled the Jackrabbits’ win total from last season. In his first year, Greeley County went 6-16 after a 4-18 mark in ’15-16. Last year, the Jackrabbits finished 12-10. He is 88-61 overall as head coach. GC’s top scorer, senior Thatcher Lackey, transferred to Jetmore. He averaged 16.8 points and 10.7 rebounds game. But Greeley County has plenty of experience, and it marks Gooch’s first season with more than one senior. Senior Jose Chavez averaged 13.2 points, 3.5

rebounds, 2.3 assists and two steals a contest. Senior Jaly Yanez delivered 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and three assists. Senior Sebastian Torres collected 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 blocks a contest. Seniors Darien Ibarra and Aaron Vazquez, along with junior Fabel Yanez and sophomores Manual Chavez and Seth Williams, return. ST. FRANCIS graduated Tate Busse, the state’s leading scorer at 28.2 ppg, who is now on the Wichita State basketball roster. DIGHTON was 9-13, and OBERLIN-DECATUR COMMUNITY finished 3-18. For Dighton, junior Kaden Bradstreet (12 ppg) and senior David Cramer (10.8 ppg) are back. GIRLS QUINTER won the 1A-II championship after an 0-21 season just five years ago. The Bulldogs graduated Division II co-Players of the Year Kylie Crist and Peyton Havlas, and Matt Havlas earned coach of the year honors. The Bulldogs captured the first athletic girls’ crown in Quinter annals. The top-four scorers graduated. HOXIE defeated Quinter three times last season, including a close matchup in the championship of the Castle Rock Classic. The Indians fell 57-37 to Hill City in the sub-state title game and graduated three seniors key seniors. Junior PG Addi Campbell is the top returner. continued on page 65

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

HOPL /FROM PG 44_____

SOUTH BARBER lost its 1A-II semifinal to eventual champion Northern Valley, but recovered to bring home a third-place state trophy. With back-to-back 19-win and state-qualifying seasons, South Barber will be a favorite to challenge for the league title and another extended stay in the postseason. Cole Coggins will be appointment viewing in the HOPL, coming off second-team all-state praise. Coggins also medaled three times in state track. He partners with fellow senior Neal Gugelmeyer, a standout on the gridiron. A talented scorer, creator and thief on defense, Marshall Woolf has several ways to impact the game for STAFFORD. The Trojans return most all of their roster. Justice Manning and Ethan Hildebrand will keep defenses honest for coach Kim Ellis. GIRLS ATTICA – perennially reaching at least 10 wins – was 11-10 a season ago. With almost the entirety of that team back, the Bulldogs are easy money to improve upon that mark. “(We) will have four seniors leading the way and will be returning our top seven players from last year,” said Attica coach Bret Ricke. Ashlynn Rogers earned first-team all-league honors as a junior. She will be the engine at the point. She is joined by fellow seniors Juel Loreg, Kaitlin Newberry and Maci Howell, as well as sophomore Emily Lozoya. The 5-foot-7-inch Loreg will shift inside more often this season to give Attica a couple inches in the paint, but that could be an unexpected blessing, as her ability to stroke from the outside will turn her into a stretch big. Hindered by injuries, BURRTON stumbled to

MCL /FROM PG 52______

points and 3.5 rebounds. She suffered a torn ACL just before her sophomore year started. TMP girls have dominated the MCL the last several years and earned three straight topfour finishes at the state tournament. Last year, the Monarchs went 21-4 after 24-2 two years ago under coach McFarland. However, the Monarchs graduated multi-sport standout Kayla Vitztum, the Kansas Female Athlete of the Year, who scored 1,293 career points. She averaged 17 points a game in her career. WAKEENEY-TREGO finished 15-7. Lili Shubert delivered 12.8 points and 6.2 rebounds a game as a freshman last winter. Junior Libby Frost delivered 8.9 points and 5.7 rebounds a game. Sophomores Tillie Malinowsky (6.7 ppg) and Emma Day return for coach Donnie Shubert. PHILLIPSBURG went 5-14 last winter and is 42-60 overall in sixth-year coach Rachel Miller’s tenure. Five players return with starting experience: seniors Ashley Babcock and Alexi Beach, and juniors Emily Schneider, Kylie Solida and Kristen Wells. All five averaged between three and 5.3 ppg with Babcock leading the way. Beach and Solida delivered two steals a contest, and Beach added three steals a game. Junior Jenna Hoover also returns after lettering. “Staying healthy is key for this team,” Miller said. “We have battled significant injuries the last

Page 57

a 2-18 mark. While a complete turnaround may not be projected, the Chargers are more than ready to bump up their win total. Hannah Watson and Kassandra Salgado should slot right back in to the starting lineup. Junior Alexis Zehr, a starter as a freshman, will be expected to plug back into the top five after sitting out the past year from a shoulder surgery. At 5-foot-9, she provides needed size. “Last season, we lost two key players and had a rough season. This year, we are hoping to build that season with girls healthy and our numbers up,” said Burrton coach Kelli Zehr. “We need strong play of our upperclassmen and new ones coming up. Aggressive defense and being a well-rounded team with multiple scoring options will be key to our success.” The rest of the HOPL coaches breathed a sign of relief and wiped the sweat from their brow when the past basketball season concluded, marking the graduation of CUNNINGHAM’s Kylee Ricke. Uber-talented, Ricke – now playing volleyball at Pratt Community College – was the north star that led the Wildcats (24-2) to a third-place trophy in 1A-II. Cunningham lost the semifinal to eventual champion Quinter. Despite Ricke’s departure, Cunningham is not leaving the top rungs of the league standings. Morgan Meyers looks to be the next sensational provider for Cunningham’s rotation, and junior Holly DeWeese could reach new heights in her potential each year. LANGDON-FAIRFIELD will have a tougher time rebounding with the graduation of board-monster Ellie Schwertferger. The Falcons still have a sweet scoring pair in Jaeytn Conrad and Bailey Basye, who both averaged double digits. Chris Hewitt is back as the squad’s coach. Typically balanced, HUTCHINSON-CENTRAL

CHRISTIAN (13-10) will again be fully capable of spreading the floor. “This year’s squad brings back plenty of experience and talent to compete at a high level,” said coach Jason Hett. Lindsey Kaufman (9.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg) was a first-team all-league selection as a sophomore. Josie Ibarra should join her on that list this season as she improves upon her averages of 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals. Ziya Simms impressed as a freshman by averaging six points and six rebounds. Krysten Bartlett offers some power inside. She is a state placer in shot put and discus. The Cougars have reached double-digit victories and the state tournament each of the past two seasons. Brayln Schroeder is back for her senior campaign at NORWICH, coming off league honorable mention attention. Tori Poe will burn defenses with her athleticism – she is the defending 1A champion in the 200-meter dash, a runner-up in the 100 and eighth in the 400. The Eagles were the No. 1 seed in 1A-II back in 2016, a 22-2 year. They were third in 2015. PRATT-SKYLINE (2-18) is carrying an optimistic viewpoint into the season. The Thunderbirds should, as they return three talented senior starters in Gracie Bricker, Kayley Cook and Kayla Flora. Bricker was a HOPL honorable mention as a junior. “We have an opportunity to do a 180 this season. We played with so little experience last year, and went through our growing pains,” said Pratt-Skyline coach Morgan Ballard. “If we will commit to each other and stay focused on the elements of the game we can control, we will be a tough team to beat.” Scott Goering starts his first season at the helm

of PRETTY PRAIRIE. As luck would have it, he benefits from having one of the best players in the league to start his tenure in senior Morgan Schrag. Schrag is capable of a double-double nearly every night while keeping that same intensity on the defensive end, ruining multiple plays for the opponent nightly. The Bulldogs have plenty of help around Schrag. Claire Krehbiel, Haley Keeler, Blair Holenbeck and Aly Beaman all have a wealth of experience. Keeler is a talented passer. Hollenbeck and Beaman are 3-point threats. “Lots of potential to be good with a mix of upperclassmen returning and talent in the underclassmen,” Goering said. “Being able to score has been a problem, so for us to be good, our defense has to be really solid and aggressive.” SOUTH BARBER will go as far as senior Morgan Polson can guide them. Polson was an honorable mention all-state nominee in 1A-II and a first-team all-league pick. South Barber has plenty of recent success, including state appearances in 2015 and 2016. STAFFORD is low on returning starters, but has a gem in the one the Trojans do have, Emily Green. The 5-foot-4-inch sophomore hung 12 ppg a year ago, good for first-team HOPL accolades. Meanwhile, more opportunities will be bestowed on junior Angel Burgey. “Last year we continued to improve throughout the season and were playing our best basketball in sub-state,” said Stafford coach Taylor Bauman. “We lost some key players to graduation, but hope to continue the success we had last year. This year, we hope to be a defensive-minded team that makes our opponents work for every point they get.” Stafford comes off a 6-13 season. Bauman begins his second year.

two seasons. Consistency is necessary for us to compete in a very difficult league.” Fourth-year coach Kate Bremerman (Lehman), a former NCAA Division II Player of the Year at Fort Hays, is 25-40 with Plainville, 11-12 last season. In 2014-15, Fort Hays went 30-4, won the MIAA and advanced to the Sweet 16. That season, Lehman was a senior and Elle Stein was a key post reserve who played in all 34 games. The next year, Stein, from Spearville, again played in all 31 contests as FHSU finished 25-6 and again reached the NCAA Tournament. This winter, Bremerman and Stein will face each other as coaches. Stein is the first-year coach at ELLIS after Perry Mick stepped away from coaching and retained his math teaching position at EHS. Ellis went 8-13 and returns sophomore guard Grace Eck. PLAINVILLE features one of the state’s top players in junior Aubree Dewey (22.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists), along with three other players with starting experience: Kate McClellan, Jersey Kaiser and Halli Friend. They combined for 11.1 points a contest. Plainville has just 10 players out. “We should be a very quick team that defends well,” Bremerman said. “On offense, we will look for a couple of younger girls to really step up as dominant offensive players. We will look to run a very quick offense and play a primarily man-toman defense.”

STOCKTON enjoyed back-to-back state appearances and then took significant graduation losses, most notably four-year starter Haven Hamilton, who started for Cloud County volleyball this fall as a freshman after she scored 1,410 points in basketball for Stockton, fifth in MCL history. The Tigers went 17-7 and welcome first-year coach Jana Griffin. Junior Shae Griffin started the last two seasons and averaged 15 points and four rebounds, four assists and four steals a contest. Stockton graduated five of its 10 players. “With back-to-back state appearances in the last two years we will have quite a bit of work to get there again this year,” coach Griffin said. “Although we will not have much experience we have a group of girls who work hard and who have put in some time in the offseason to get better.” Rossi is in his 31st year with NORTON and was the longtime assistant for Kevin Jilka before he took over as head coach. Rossi went 13-10, 4-5 in league and is 68-63 as a head coach. Norton returns three starters, all seniors: Taryn Kuhn, Hadley Hauser and Allison Engelbert. Kuhn averaged 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Hauser had seven points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Engelbert averaged 4.5 points, three rebounds and two steals.

Four other returning lettermen are back: junior Tayli Hartwell, and sophomores Tessa Hauser, Hannah Bailey and Addison Brooks. “We need to stay healthy,” Rossi said. “We have a good group of seniors to lead this team this year. If we play together, we will be able to compete.” HILL CITY coach Linda Nighswonger is in 13th year at the school with a career record of 18496. HC graduated standout point guard Conner Keith, now at Barton County. She poured in 1,333 career points. The Ringnecks went 21-5, 7-1 in the MidContinent League, earned a top-four finish in Class 2A and lost to eventual champion Central Plains in the semifinals. Sophomore Breckan Born averaged 1.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists a contest. Junior Allissa Pimlott delivered 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists. Other key players are senior Taylor Russell, sophomore Alissa Keith and junior Amber Desbien. “We are very young this season, graduating five seniors from last year’s squad,” Nighswonger said. “We will need to establish a defensive identity and offensively be able to capitalize on any scoring options that are available.” OAKLEY was 6-14 a season ago. Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter from western Kansas who has covered teams across the state for more than a decade.

Demi Aamold Wellsville, Junior

Photo by Mike Beckman

Photo courtesy WHS Yearbook

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

John Long

Santa Fe Trail, Senior By Gallagher Martin, McPherson Sentinel BOYS There is no doubt SANTA FE TRAIL’S John Long can score. As a junior, Long averaged an absurd 26.3 ppg as he led Santa Fe Trail to a 14-8 record. Although the Chargers missed out on qualifying for the state tournament, the sky’s the limit for a squad that returns four starters and nine lettermen. “We are a senior led team,” coach Thatcher Decker said. “With an infusion of young talent to add to our core of veterans, we could be deeper

and more offensively potent once everyone learns and accepts their roles.” Long owns the school records for 3-pointers in a game, season, and career. For his career, Long has 116 made 3-pointers. He drilled 63 triples last season and nailed eight 3s against Prairie View for the individual game record. However, Long will not have to carry the Chargers. Decker calls 6-5 center Gabe Dunnaway “one of the best rim protectors.” The senior averaged 8.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and three blocks per game last season. Senior Will Herren is also a major contributor. The 6-3 forward averaged 12 ppg and seven rebounds, but perhaps most importantly he tied for the team lead in assists with six a game. Junior Andrew Berckefeldt tied with Herren for the team’s lead in assists, and also averaged seven points a game and three rebounds. WELLSVILLE is also expected to compete for the league title. The Eagles went 11-9 last year and are led by senior Jackson Dwyer, who averaged 17 points a game. Outside of Dwyer, nearly all of last year’s team returns. ANDERSON COUNTY won the league championship last year followed by BURLINGTON, Trail and Wellsville. IOLA played to a middling 10-11 record last year to finish just behind Wellsville in the league standings. The Mustangs return two players with starting experience and coach Luke Bycroft says a lack of height could be an obstacle.

SOUTH CENTRAL BORDER LEAGUE By Kyle McCaskey, For Kansas Pregame Hit any gym in the South Central Border League this winter, and you are bound to find star-studded talent. Defending league champion Caldwell has one of the best players in the small-school ranks in Jalen Risley. Cedar Vale/Dexter will make a run at the top ranks behind the scoring prowess of Devin Catlin. Defenses have two more years to figure out a solution for Udall’s Brayden Sadler. The girls’ top half of the SCBL is as strong as ever. West Elk, Argonia, Caldwell and Sedan all chipped off a piece of the league title this past year, and all four have exceptional talent back. West Elk’s Macy McClendon, Argonia’s Cora Vineyard and Caldwell’s Tylyn Ward are three budding stars to watch, but that impressive trio only scratches the surface when analyzing the quality of the league. BOYS Junior Zach Haxton (7 ppg, 2 rpg) leads a green but capable collection of underclassmen looking to build upon the high points of a 5-16 season for ARGONIA, who is short on returning starters beyond Haxton, but brings back five other lettermen. “We will take pride in our defense and effort, hopefully outworking some opponents,” said coach Bob Almanza. “We won’t have a big team, so we will need to control the pace of the games.” Almanza is three wins from triple digits at Argonia. The Red Raiders on the hardwood could get a boost from another successful season on the gridiron, where Attica-Argonia made the

quarterfinals. CENTRAL-BURDEN hands the reins to Andrew Whittaker as he hopes to orchestrate an improvement on the Chargers’ 5-16 mark. He inherits several upperclassmen, including seniors Clark Loewer and Bowdy Williams and juniors Chance Cook and Lane Toon. Along with senior post Clayton Cook, Loewer and Toon give the Chargers three players at least six feet tall. “We really need our top four returners to stay healthy and produce. We need at least two from the next group of four to step up and take responsibility,” Whittaker said. The road to SCBL championship hardware still runs through CALDWELL (17-5), but the Bluejays have work to do to repave that path. “Losing five seniors from last year will be extremely hard to replace,” said Caldwell coach Jason Marlin. Still, Jalen Risley is a starting point many programs would be envious of in a reload. The 6-foot senior was a 1A-Division I all-state honorable mention. Corbin Rice also earned postseason honors, making the SCBL second team. Dylan Schmidt gives Marlin a third senior returning starter. The Bluejays are 53-17 through Marlin’s first three seasons, including a third-place finish in 1A-Division II in 2017. CEDAR VALE/DEXTER has a stabilizing presence in junior Devin Catlin, a double-digit scorer who received second-team SCBL honors. Cedar Vale/Dexter has a more-than-capable junior class, with Clayton Henderson and Arik

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PIONEER LEAGUE

Derek Bycroft and Kane Rogers are senior returners for the Mustangs and both players averaged 4.3 ppg last year. “We are going from a very big team last year to a much smaller team this year,” coach Bycroft said. “I expect our strengths to be speed, defensive intensity, and an attacking attitude.” OSAWATOMIE and PRAIRIE VIEW were at the bottom of the league standings last year. GIRLS The Burlington and Wellsville girls appear to be the class of the league. WELLSVILLE is fresh off an 18-5 season with a 3A state bid. While Wellsville was bounced in the first round, the Eagles return four starters and the majority of their bench. Junior Demi Aamold will lead the team in many areas. On offense, Aamold averaged a team-high 14.4 points and 2.5 assists per game last season. The 5-6 guard can also get it done on defense, where she nabbed 2.4 steals per game. Senior 6-footer Paige McDaniel will take pressure off Aamold offensively, while providing a muchneeded defensive presence. McDaniel averaged over 10 points a game last season and led the team with almost six rebounds a game. Madie McCoy also stands near six feet tall; the junior averaged eight points a game and nearly five rebounds last season. Senior Grace Showalter is an all-around solid player, as she can score, rebound, assist, and block shots. Additionally, Wellsville will have five

upperclassmen coming off the bench including four seniors. “We are looking forward to building off the success we had last year,” head coach Brock Campbell said. Standing in Wellsville’s way of a league championship is BURLINGTON, who is led by one of the best players in the state. All-State guard Kristen Young averaged 21.5 ppg and also led her team in steals. The senior is often the best player on the court and will be looking to send the Wildcats to state for the sixth time in eight years. Burlington returns four starters, but loses its tallest defender in Camrie Wagner. The Wildcats have plenty of talented ball handlers, but is in need of a post presence. “We can compete for the league title, but we’ll have to battle hard against bigger teams,” coach David Gilman said. SANTA FE TRAIL finished third in league last year but return just one starter for third year coach Denver Ramsey, 5-10 senior Mackenzie Guyle who averaged 8.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg. Ramsey listed three juniors and a sophomore as other key players. “The growing process will be difficult early, but I feel these girls are up to that challenge,” Ramsey said. IOLA lost four starters from last year’s squad but a pair of experienced seniors are back to lead the way. Ellie Carson averaged 13 ppg and earned postseaon honors and Madisyn Holloway dumped in 10 a night. ANDERSON COUNTY, PRAIRIE VIEW, and OSAWATOMIE finished in the bottom half of the league.

Artherton joining Catlin in the mix. Cedar Vale/ Dexter was a state qualifier as recently as 2015. Big man Peyten Girty is back for his senior season as FLINTHILLS’ top returning scorer. He also led the Mustangs in rebounding and blocks. Issac Bugner will be asked to step up as a secondary option and to continue to grow as the facilitator. The only year-over-year constant in OXFORD’s pregame introductions will be its coach, Kyle Green. Green is back for his 13th season, but the Wildcats (10-11) are rebuilding a starting five. “Lost five starters, including three three-year starters. Team will be very young,” Green said. Senior Ty Adkins (2.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg) is the veteran of the group. Juniors Ty Carter and Andrew Hills were contributors, but will be tasked to maximize their output. Burly 6-foot-4-inch, 255-pound junior Colton Jordan is a bit of a wildcard, coming off a lost season due to injury. Kiefer Brewer and Kylar Walker will go down as two of the most accomplished players in SEDAN program history, integral producers to state qualifying runs in 2016 and 2017. Sedan (17-6) fell just shy in the sub-state final of making it three consecutive berths. The Blue Devils have the firepower to start a new streak – if they can patch the holes left by Brewer and Walker. “Our strength will be our speed and athletic ability. I like our team’s toughness,” said Sedan coach Lance Jeffers. “We don’t have a big guy in the middle for the first time in five years, so we will look to play more of a position-less offensive game.” Senior guard Layton Sears (6.6 ppg) is the top returning scorer. At 6-foot-1, Cody Joslin (4.6 ppg,

4.4 rpg) is Sedan’s best prospect to fill a post void. Junior guard Tayte Halderman (3.5 ppg, 2.7 apg) is an imaginative passer. “I think we have a chance of being a very good team by the end of the year,” Jeffers said. “It will take a while for everyone to get settled into their roles.” SOUTH HAVEN will lean heavily on point guard Cooper Wolf. He picked up honorable mention consideration in the SCBL this past year. The Cardinals will be coached by Cody Wolf. UDALL (6-15) should rise up the ranks after an eighth-place league finish. Aiding the Eagles’ ascension into the top of the field is Brayden Sadler, one of the top scorers in the area. Sadler comes off 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a super sophomore. He will partner with senior Josh Fielder (8.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg) to spearhead a dynamic one-two duo. Fielder was a 2A state medalist in the 400-meter dash and triple jump. There are several other veterans in the lineup, including Trevor Whiteman (4.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Tristen Scurlock (3.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg). The Eagles begin their eighth year under John Mayes. The next-man-up mentality turns the keys of the offensive ignition at West Elk over to senior William Silvey. The Patriots (22-3) shined this past year, surging into the 2A state semifinals before wrapping up a fourth-place showing. That squad, however, was senior heavy. Silvey has the all-around pedigree to deliver the Patriots back into the league race. He created 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Stepping into critical minutes is sophomore Devin Loudermilk (4.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg). continued on the next page

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

SCBL/FROM PG 58___________

Loudermilk is a multi-sport talent, coming off a seventh-place state finish in 2A high jump. “We graduated a strong senior class that had been a large part of our recent success,” said coach Dave Miller. “William is a three-year starter and brings a lot of experience. Devin was our sixth man and played starter’s minutes as a freshman.” GIRLS If health allows, ARGONIA (14-8) will be in the chase for a return to the state tournament. It would be the Raiders’ first since 2014. “Baylee Booker and Cora Vineyard will lead with experience and provide talent at the point guard and post position,” said coach Dixie Brewster. “Hope Casner and Aubreigh Haxton will add a great deal to our team in addition to last year’s players, as both were out with knee injuries.” The 5-foot-10-inch Vineyard is a near impossible matchup for opposing posts. She comes off a junior campaign averaging 18 points and nine boards. That performance netted her secondteam 1A-I all-state consideration from the KBCA and first-team league honors. Booker is instrumental in creating those opportunities, herself a second-team all-league recipient. The rotation has plenty of other developing talent, too, with senior Kaylee Lacey (3 ppg, 3 rpg) and sophomores Alexis Vineyard (5 ppg, 3 rpg) and Karrlea Hessman (4 ppg, 3 rpg). Brewster begins her 13th season at Argonia. She has a shot to chase down 400 career wins this season, 15 shy of the mark. CENTRAL-BURDEN will feel the loss of Shaylie Hamilton, a second-team SCBL selection in her senior year, but has a few returning pieces. The Chargers will build off the returns of Breanna Williams, Alyssa Veale and Whitley Liebau. With several seniors in tow and every starter back, CALDWELL has the ammunition to improve on its 14-8 record and share of the SCBL title. “We return everyone and our expectations are

high,” said Caldwell coach Jason McVeigh. Senior Tylyn Ward will be the focal point of the offensive sets, coming off 13 ppg and 3.5 rpg. It is far from a solo effort, though. Teammates Megg Lebeda, Katie Jo Schmidt and Abi Schmidt all average at least six points, while senior Kassidy Bruey has a knack for cleaning up the boards, averaging 4.7 rebounds. Caldwell fell short of a state bid, but was a 1A-Division II qualifier as recently as 2017. CEDAR VALE/DEXTER has a challenging ladder to climb, especially so after losing allleague honorable mention Marissa Bratcher to graduation. Still, there were flashes of growth among the youth that will be taking more responsibility, led by Alleigh Mathis, Mandi Ford and Kyndel Randall. Senior Jacinda Call is a powerful force near the rim, capable of pulling down double-digit rebounds. Jared Bratcher will coach the squad. With 1A-Division I honorable mention recipient Ashley Melugin gone to graduation, FLINTHILLS will be in search of a new No. 1 option in the offense. Coach Monty Melugin is tasked with identifying that solution. Senior Harley Ratcliff and junior Nyah Brown are both in line to see increased opportunities, while Ratcliff will be doubly depended upon to lead the team in assists once more. OXFORD will be led by coach Rick Totten, who will try to guide the Wildcats to a few more notches in the win column after a bumpy 2017-18. The SEDAN girls are a staple near the top of the SCBL standings. Sedan (15-7) is pursuing a state bid that has proven elusive since 2013. “With our team finishing with 15 wins, that made it six straight seasons finishing with at least 15 wins. That’s a great run and something that our program is proud of,” said Sedan coach Lance Jeffers. “It shows that is wasn’t just a class or two going through, but a program with dedicated athletes who have bought in.” To continue that stretch of success, Sedan

SOUTHEAST KANSAS LEAGUE

By Ryan Atkinson, For Kansas Pregame BOYS PITTSBURG will have to replace some key players, but will look to carry some momentum over from last year’s 21-4 season that was highlighted by a buzzer-beating win in the substate championship and ended with a thirdplace Class 5A finish. Junior Gavyn Elkamil (6-3) returns after averaging 11.8 ppg and 5.1 rpg. Fellow returning starter Jerek Butcher (a 6-0 senior) added 4.1 ppg last year. Those two will get most of the work in replacing Drew Roelfs, Chase Curtis and Marque English. Seniors Trenton Austin also returns after averaging 8.9 ppg off the bench. Joining him will be classmates Brett Wiemers, Payton Cantrell and Ty Roark, as well as juniors Deonte Duncan, Andrew Narges and Caden Bressler. Javon Grant is back after scoring 3.3 ppg as a frosh. The CHANUTE Blue Comets struggled to a 5-16 season (2-10 SEK), but will bring back six players with starting experience this year. Corbett Kimberlin (5-10 senior) is back after averaging 18.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg a year ago, as is

Nathon Audiss (6-3 senior), who added 8.6 ppg. Fellow seniors Mason Manbeck (5-10), Brycen Ellis (5-11) and Michael Aylward (5-11) are also back with starting experience, along with Ty Bowman (6-5 junior), who scored 9.5 ppg. Junior Briley Peavy (5-9) and Garrett Almond (6-0) are expected to play key roles. The COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY Golden Tornado will look to improve on last year’s .500 campaign that ended in a close loss to eventual 4A-I third-place finisher Arkansas City. The FORT SCOTT Tigers finished 8-13 a under coach Jeff DeLaTorre. The Tigers dropped five of the final six regular season games. INDEPENDENCE brings back four starters from a 6-16 season (4-8 in the SEK). Senior Zeadriv Daniels (5-10) and juniors Davion Lewis (6-5), Jaden McGrath (5-10) and Amauryon Farley (5-10) all saw starting action. Junior Brayden Collar (6-0) is a returning letterman. Ninth-year Independence coach Marcus Lanning lists size, experience and competition in practice as strengths for the season. He says the team is looking for a leader on and off the court.

Page 59 will need explosive progress from a youth movement. The Blue Devils will rely heavily on senior Mackenzie Thorne (4.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg) as underclassmen settle into a rotation around her. Caitlin Williams had a fantastic debut as a freshman, averaging 8.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 2.5 spg. Fellow sophomore Maddie Meyer will help lock down the guard rotation. “Our girls have once again worked hard during the summer offseason,” Jeffers said. “We play as much basketball as anyone around. As a young team, we will need to learn our system and try to find a way to score on a consistent basis.” SOUTH HAVEN has two talented pieces to build around in junior Rachel Turek and senior Cynae Wiley. Both were second-team SCBL honorees this past year. Junior Brittney Byers adds a sharpshooting element that will test an opponent’s focus on the perimeter. Mike Heater leads the Cardinals as they seek another double-digit win total. South Haven won a state title in ‘07. UDALL will lean on top returning scorer Lily Adams, a talented guard that provided 9.1 ppg as a junior. Fellow seniors Whitney Leiblie and Michaela Mosqueda provide additional veteran

leadership. That trio will be tested early as the Eagles search to fill the production of graduate Breckyn Rowley, a first-team SCBL selection. The Eagles are coached by Elise Gerlach. Udall (10-12) finished fifth in the SCBL. On paper, no team has the blend of talent and experience of WEST ELK, making the Patriots the odds-on favorites for a league title. The Patriots are coming off a 20-win season, a share of the SCBL championship and a 2A state berth. “Our league and schedule will be competitive, so even though we return a lot, we will need to work hard to duplicate or improve on last year’s success,” West Elk coach Dave Miller said. West Elk can trot out its entire starting lineup from a year ago, led by senior Macy McClendon, a 2A all-state honorable mention. McClendon, standing 6‘1”, is a stat stuffer, averaging 14.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.9 spg and 1.3 apg. Junior Megan McClendon (9.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.5 spg) scored well-deserved first-team all-league praise. Senior guard Alyssa Gillespie has scoring expertise, as well, scoring 6.7 ppg to go along with 2.7 spg. Senior Mandy Olsman and junior Ashley Cookson round out an impressive starting five.

Bulldog Supply HARDWARE • LUMBER • OILFIED SUPPLIES

210 N Main. • Attica, KS 620-254-7540 The LABETTE COUNTY Grizzlies and head coach Brad Smith, will look to reload after last year’s 15-8 campaign ended with a loss to eventual state champion Bishop Miege in the first round of the 4A-I state tournament. All-state hooper Easton Dean (6-7) will graduate at semester to begin his college football career early at Iowa State. In all, the Grizzlies lost 55 ppg from a year ago. Clayton Moore (6-2 senior) is the lone returner with starting experience. He averaged 1.8 ppg. Seniors Anthony Lee and Riley Sorrell will look to fill some of the voids, as will juniors Nathan Smith, Ethan Jameson and Luke Falkenstein. The PARSONS Vikings bring back a load of experience from a 17-8 team that finished fourth in the 4A-II tournament. The Vikings bring back 65 ppg from six players with starting experience. A trio of 5-11 juniors lead the way. Daquan Johnson scored 15 ppg last year, while Dariq Williams and Ezekial Lyons each scored 12 ppg. Senior Davonte’ Yates (6-2) is back after averaging 11 ppg, as is fellow senior Joel Schibi (5-11) and his 10 ppg. Senior Luke Walgamott (6-4) is alo back after averaging five ppg. Senior Patrick Loadholtz and juniors Pierce Thomas and Trevor Strathe will provide depth. GIRLS

A trio of senior returning starters lead the way for LABETTE COUNTY, who finished last season 22-3 with a fourth-place finish in 4A-1. Labette County’s lone regular season loss was 49-46 in OT against Fort Scott. The Grizzlies didn’t lose again until falling to McPherson in the state semis and Piper in the third-place game. Justice Brackney (5-11) is back after scoring 10.1 ppg, as are classmates Halle Bevans (6-0, 6 ppg) and Payton Smith (5-4, 5.3 ppg). Senior Lacy Strickland and juniors MacKayla Forbes, Abby Ryan and Sydnie Stice will bring back some experience for the Grizzlies. CHANUTE looks to rebound after last year’s 4-17 season that began with six straight losses. Three returning starters are back, including seniors Shayla Bogle (5-0) and Molly Rollins (56), both three-year starters. Kory Babcock (5-6 sophomore) is also back after starting last year. Seniors Rachel Jackett, Kiley Smoot, Taylor Thompson and Britany Angleton bring back experience off the bench, while junior Thea Alschner (6-1) joins the team from Germany. The COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY Golden Tornado hope to build on last season’s 1-21 campaign under coach Nick Hart. The team’s lone win came against Life Way Christian. continued on page 64

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Photo by Dad Rich Photography

By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame The SPIAA enjoyed a strong year with multiple teams having 20-win/state qualifying seasons. South Gray earned its fourth title but first perfect season with a 26-0 mark and Class 1A-Division I crown. Coldwater-South Central’s girls went 25-1 and took third in Division I. Kiowa County’s girls had there best season in school history at 20-3 and lost to five-time state champion Central Plains in the sub-state final in easily the Oilers’ closest game of the year.

Ehlaina Hartman

Photo by Dana Rich Photography

Spearville, Junior

Kolby Stein

Photo by Everett Royer, KSportsimages.com

Spearville, Senior

Brecken VandenHoek

Kiowa County, Senior

Bri Rutherford

South Central, Senior

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SPIAA-IROQUOIS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

Spearville girls reached the state tournament for the first time since 2014. The league could have an even stronger season with multiple decorated individuals returning, especially on the girls’ side. Four all-league first team boy selections return: Spearville senior Kolby Stein, South Gray senior Clifton Miller, Pawnee Heights senior Kade Scott and South Central junior Owen Alexander. On the girls’ side, six of the eight first team selections were non-seniors. The quintet features Spearville junior Ehlania Hartman, Bucklin senior Tricia Hokanson, South Gray senior Hannah Askew, Ingalls enior Ashlyn Cure, Kiowa County senior Brecken VandenHoek and South Central senior Bri Rutherford. BOYS Regardless of class, MONTEZUMA-SOUTH GRAY is one of the standard-bearers for boys’ basketball in Kansas. Coach Mark Applegate, in his 37th year at the school, is 654-214. Last season, SG went 26-0, 11-0 in league and won the Class 1A-I state title. It marked Applegate’s fourth title and first undefeated crown. SG beat Hanover in ’18 after the Rebels lost to them in the ’17 final. South Gray graduate double-double forward Gilbert Peters, a top-five all-classes selection and Fort Hays signee, but return many key players. Miller, one of the state’s top 3-point shooters, averaged 18 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 asp and 2.8 spg. Senior Austin Jantz, a second team all-league pick, delivered 12 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 apg and 2.4 spg a game. Sophomore Aaron Skidmore delivered 5.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 1.8 apg. Senior Eli Bullinger averaged two points and two rebounds. Four other lettermen return: seniors Alfredo Teichroch and Benny Thiessen, junior Adam Thiessen and sophomore Ethan Salmans. “We have a lot of holes to fill,” Applegate said. “We lost a lot of size. We have to adjust to a lot of new faces. Our quickness will be a factor.” Ninth-year coach Chris Sohm (105-74 career) led SPEARVILLE to a 16-7 record, 8-2 in league and second place in the conference. Stein tallied 16.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg and two apg. Senior Cole Stephenson and junior Carson Rich are returning starters. Senior Jaedon Pedigo and junior Isaac Mettling are returning lettermen. “We will need our experienced upperclassmen to compete and play at a very high level as well as provide leadership to the inexperienced youth on the team that will play at the Varsity level,” Sohm said. “Our goal is to get better each and every day as individuals and as a team in practice…If we are able to do that, I believe we will be able to reach our full potential as a team.” ASHLAND went 13-9, 6-6 league. The Bluejays have a strong 1-2 punch with senior Cody Lohrding and junior Greysen Gardiner. Lohrding averaged 14 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.4 apg and 1.8 spg. Gardiner (6-2, 190) delivered 14 ppg, 6.2 rpg and two apg. Gardiner’s dad, Garth, is in his 11th year at the school and third as head coach. Senior Konnor Maule (6-3, 220) averaged five points and five rebounds a game. Senior Chris White (6-4, 180), junior Cade Brown (5-11, 215) and sophomores

Gage Branson (6-0, 210) and Kash McPhail (511, 180) have excellent size. Ashland has enjoyed recent success, including a state title, in the 1A classification split to Division I and Division II. Now, like the past, more than 100 teams form one Class 1A. “With the change in KSHSAA’s classifications, that goal will be more difficult than the past several years, but we are looking forward to the challenge,” coach Gardiner said. PAWNEE HEIGHTS finished 11-9, 6-7 last winter. Under fifth-year coach Gustavo Flores, the Tigers return six players with starting experience. “We are a much deeper and bigger team than we have been in the past,” Flores said. “We have three seniors returning that have started since their freshman year. We will be able to spread the floor more along with speed the game up due to our depth.” Scott averaged 18.9 ppg, 14.2 rpg, 3.1 spg, 1.7 bpg and 1.7 apg. Senior Kale McCoy delivered 7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2.4 apg. Senior Dalton Hamby collected 6.7 ppg, two rebounds and two steals a contest. Junior Shawn Peterson, senior Trace Baker, and junior Harrison Vanmeter also return. Vanmeter was injured as a sophomore. Five other players are expected to contribute: senior Logan Williams, junior Preston Stonebarger, sophomores Fabian Flores and Cody Amspacker and freshman Adam Hands. In preseason, Pawnee Heights has already had to battle through injuries, including a broken clavicle, broken leg, broken hand and a knee injury. “Once healthy we will be a good ball club ready to compete,” coach Flores said. FOWLER boys finished 5-14 in the first season under coach Craig Maynard. Three starters return: seniors Saul Medina and Jurney Bird and sophomore Daniel Garcia. Medina averaged 11 ppg, five apg and three rpg. Bird delivered 10 ppg, four rpg and four apg. Garcia collected nine ppg, 4.5 rpg and three apg. Juniors Darien DeLaTorre and Caleb Heinz are returning lettermen. They combined for 7.4 rpg. “We need to create off the dribble, have solid defense every game, make our free throws, and I feel like we will be fine,” Maynard said. BUCKLIN went 5-16 and welcomes first-year coach Derek Bevan. Five players have starting experience: senior Peter Neufeld, juniors Talon Estes and Gabe Ellis and sophomores Alex Meskin and Josh Stout. “Main focus of the team this year is to get better every single day,” Bevan said. “A lot of focus will be put on defense and rebounding.” The rest of the league features HODGEMAN COUNTY (12-8), SOUTH CENTRAL (13-9), KIOWA COUNTY (10-10), SATANTA (1012), INGALLS (9-11), FOWLER (3-15) and MINNEOLA (1-19). GIRLS COLDWATER-SOUTH CENTRAL was the No. 1 seed in the Class 1A-Division I state tournament but lost to two-time defending champion Hanover in the semifinals. Bri Rutherford is one of the state’s top guards for coach Tim Rietzke, who

has coached at Coldwater since 1982, and often times coached both the boys’ and girls’ program. He has coached just the girls for the last several seasons and has back-to-back final four teams. KIOWA COUNTY went 20-3 and pushed fivetime state champion Central Plains in the Class 2A sub-state title game. KC lost 53-44 to the Oilers, CP’s only game closer than 16 points and just its second under 24. Brecken VandenHoek was an all-state player and led with 13.3 ppg. SPEARVILLE finished 17-6, 8-2 in league and reached the Class 2A state tournament before losing to Olpe in the first round. With fifth-year coach Andrew Kempke, the Lancers have three returning starters. Hartman delivered 16.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.2 bpg. Sophomore Alissa Heskamp averaged 11.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.8 apg. Senior Sarae Ricke delivered 4.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 1.6 apg. Senior Shawnda Kolbeck and juniors Mackenzie Foos and Brianna Ede combined for 8.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg. Spearville graduated three role players off last year’s team, and Kempke said he needs some players to fill depth. “Must be committed to defense,” Kempke said. “We could be a great defensive team, but we must be willing to guard, not just try to outscore opponents. We must find some on court leadership. Ehlaina Hartman and Alissa Heskamp are both very talented basketball players. Now, we need them to be the leaders and the most vocal members of the team.” Ashlyn Cure has started since she was a freshman. She averaged 16.1 ppg, 4.9 rbg, 3.4 apg and 2.5 spg for the 14-8 INGALLS Bulldogs. Cure has 769 points in her career. BUCKLIN had its first winning season in three years with a 15-9 mark under coach Craig Bowman. Hokanson averaged 15.7 ppg and 7.8 rpg, and sophomore Catherine Bowman delivered 8.3 ppg, 2.4 pg and 2.1 rpg. SATANTA coach Janie Lutz is in her 27th year at the school and 11th as head girls’ basketball coach. She has posted a career high school mark of 80-130. Satanta finished 5-15, 2-9 in league play. Four starters return, three seniors – Brooke Abernathy, Tanna Anderson and Lizete Olivas – and junior Ava Howie. “We will be quick with some size inside,” Lutz said. “We should be competitive with several players having experience at the varsity level. Looking forward to an exciting season!” SOUTH GRAY was 13-8 and returns 75 percent of its scoring. Senior Hannah Askew led with 12.6 ppg and 8.3 rpg, and junior Christy Wiebe delivered 11.1 ppg and three rpg. HODGEMAN COUNTY finished 12-7, MINNEOLA 9-11 and PAWNEE HEIGHTS 9-12. ASHLAND was 5-16. FOWLER went 4-17 and has third-year coach Jeff Bollinger. Senior Savannah Bollinger is the only returning starter and delivered 9.5 ppg, four rpg and four apg. “We will go out and compete while putting our best effort out on the court,” coach Bollinger said. “(I) feel we can be in a lot of games we weren’t in last year.”

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

SUNFLOWER LEAGUE

By Ryan Atkinson, For Kansas Pregame BOYS Three of last year’s Class 6A state tournament teams came from the Sunflower League. LAWRENCE FREE STATE dropped a 51-40 decision to Blue Valley Northwest in the state championship game to wrap up a 19-6 season, while OLATHE NORTH (14-9) and OLATHE EAST (13-10) each fell in the tournament’s opening round. Free State won the Sunflower last year, followed closely by Olathe Northwest and Olathe North. SHAWNEE MISSION WEST finished 12-10 and bring back four players with starting experience, including seniors Eric Rhymes (5-10) and Logan Wieneke (6-2) and juniors Wes Clark (6-0) and Emillio Elliot Jr. (6-3). Senior Jacob Kaiser (6-2), junior Darion Wesson (6-0) and sophomore Mitch Loe (6-3) will also play key roles. “We lost a lot of scoring and size, but have some good athletes that are going to step into their shoes,” said Ryan Darst, who is entering his sixth year with the Vikings. “We are looking forward to some guys stepping into those roles and having some success.” GIRLS The LAWRENCE Chesty Lions lost some key pieces to last year’s second-place Sunflower League squad, but fifth-year head coach Jeff Dickson said the goals remain the same. A group of four seniors with starting experience

will help the Lions in the competitive league, led by 6-3 Chisom Ajekwu, a KU commit who averaged 10.7 ppg and 9.7 rpg last year. Sammy Williams (511) averaged 4.4 ppg and 7 rpg, while Lesli Ostronic (5-6) and Hannah Stewart (5-0) also averaged just over 4 ppg. “We lost some talented seniors, but our goals remain the same,” Dickson said. “We want a topthree finish in the league, a sub-state championship and to make some noise at the state tournament.” Senior Evann Seratte (6-0), juniors Sophie Dewitt (5-3), Ella Steward (5-9) and Paiden Bell (5-8) return some experience, along with sophomore Ozi Ajekwu (6-2). The GARDNER-EDGERTON Trailblazers bring back experience, but will have to replace their top three scorers from last year’s 14-8 campaign. Seniors Kelby Wilson (5-6), Madyson Beasley (5-10) and Jaden Sprague (5-6) bring back starting experience, as do junior Mia Vallery (5-10) and sophomore Sofia Semon (5-10). Semon averaged 8 ppg as a freshman last year. “We have a good mix of upperclassmen with some experience coming back and younger players ready to break through to the varsity level,” said Joe Leiker, in his first year with the Trailblazers. “Replacing three of last year’s top scorers will be a challenge. How quickly players step up to fill their shoes and how quickly we are able to adapt to a new coach and style will be keys to our season.” The OLATHE NORTHWEST Ravens bring back

THREE RIVERS LEAGUE

By Gallagher Martin, McPherson Sentinel BOYS The defending Three Rivers League Champions are primed for a repeat. Although YATES CENTER loses three starters from last year’s 18-4 team, the Wildcats do return senior Aaron King who is one of the most dynamic guards in the league. King averaged over 22 points and seven rebounds per game last season as he led the Wildcats to a league championship. Coach Jason Graf is certainly not walking into an empty cupboard in his first season at the helms of the Yates Center program, but he knows the league will not be a cakewalk. “The league is very competitive,” Graf said, “and you can always count on a bunch of very competitive league contests.” If the Wildcats are to repeat as league champions, they will need to find a replacement for 25 points left behind by three senior starters. Guard is a position of depth thanks to Nolan Jones and Hadley Splechter. The senior duo combined for 10 ppg and five rpg last season, but will likely need to increase offensive productivity for the Wildcats to succeed. Yates Center will have to fend off JAYHAWKLINN, among other teams, to keep its league crown. Jayhawk-Linn finished with the same league record as Yates Center last year, but lost the headto-head matchup. Like Yates Center, Jayhawk-Linn will be missing some key players from last year. Unlike Yates Center, Jayhawk-Linn does not have a player of

King’s caliber to lead the team. The Jayhawks return starters Mason Barrett, Brance Ware, and Hayden Broyles. Together, the three combined for 19 ppg. Ware is the returning leading rebounder, while Broyles dished out an average of three apg last year. Returning lettermen Tyler Spencer, Hayden Lowe, and Caden Kellstadt will all fight for starting time. As a team, the Jayhawks lack height and are inexperienced. Regardless, sixth-year head coach Barry Spitzenberger has an optimistic tone when discussing his team. “We will look much different than we have the past few years,” Spitzenberger said, “but I look forward to working with this group of young men to see who we are and what we can be.” An additional team to keep an eye out for is COLONY-CREST. Despite finishing fifth in the league last year, the Lancers return 6-4 forward Hayden Hermreck who averaged over 18 ppg and six rpg. Despite only returning two starters, the Lancers return seven lettermen total. “Offensively, we need to develop multiple scoring options to take some of the pressure off of Hayden,” head coach Travis Hermreck said. “We have some other options that I think will emerge, and that will be a key for us.” GIRLS PLEASANTON has all the ingredients to win the Three Rivers League after taking second last year.

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three starters, including standout Sarah Beth Gueldner, from last year’s 16-6 team that lost to SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST in overtime in the sub-state title game. Gueldner, a senior, averaged 19.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg and has committed to play at Drake University. Also returning are senior Erika Boeh and junior Mary Reiber, both of whom averaged six ppg a year ago. Senior Ashley Cass and juniors Liz Thomas, Riley Wade and Joan Reiber are returning letterwinners while senior Haley McCormick and sophomore Holly McCormick are expected to provide depth. The SHAWNEE MISSION EAST Lancers return a load of experience to a squad hoping to bounce back from a 2-19 season. Five players with starting experience are back, led by senior Jordan Yowell (5-7), who averaged 12.3 ppg last year. Also back are junior Kathleen Stanley (5-6) and sophomore Reese Althouse (5-5), both of whom averaged just over seven ppg. Senior Emma Eberhart (5-10) and sophomore Sarah Bingham (6-2) also return starting experience. Bingham is being recruited by volleyball powers like Stanford and Duke. Camryn Gossick, a 5-9 junior, will add experience off the bench. “Last year we started a young group, and were in virtually every game we played,” said Lauren Lawrence, who is in her third year at the school. “We lost several close games, so our record is not

necessarily telling of how competitive we are.” The SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH Indians will look to begin anew, having unexpectedly lost all starters from last season’s 4-18 campaign. Senior Danielle Scaduto (5-9), junior Madison Kollyer (5-10) and junior Allison Dowd (5-2) are back from last year’s team, while senior Ariana Quijas (5-1) and junior Jada Johnson (5-10) are new additions. The SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH Raiders bring back substantial starting experience to a team looking to make its mark in the Sunflower League. Seniors Meredith Bueller (5-7) and Abby Gerber (5-5) are back after averaging 6.8 and 3.8 ppg, respectively. Juniors Lacy Whitcomb (5-3) and Liz Crawford (5-7) are also back, as is sophomore Natalie Payne (5-9). OLATHE EAST will look to bounce back from a heartbreaking finish to last season. The Hawks entered the 6A title game with a 24-0 record, but dropped a 50-35 decision to Derby. Shawnee Mission Northwest finished fourth in the league a year ago and has a 20-win season. OLATHE SOUTH looks to build on its 13-9 overall and 8-4 league record from last season. SHAWNEE MISSION WEST looks to do the same after finishing 13-8 and 9-6. LAWRENCE FREE STATE finished 7-15 overall a year ago. OLATHE NORTH was 5-16, with a 3-11 league mark, while OLATHE WEST was 6-15 and 3-12.

After all, the Blu-Jays return all five starters and three key role players. In total, Pleasanton will start four seniors so experience should not be an issue. Head coach Ethan Sabine will rely on his team’s maturity, but stresses there is still effort that needs to be given. “We have four senior starters, who if they play like they are capable of, will be fun and exciting to watch,” Sabine said. “Getting them to leave it all on the floor at the same time will be a big factor in our success.” Senior forward Ella Sabine is nearly a doubledouble waiting to happen. Last season, Sabine averaged almost eight ppg and over 10 rpg. Ella’s younger sister, Emma, is the team’s other main offensive weapon. The sophomore averaged 7.5 ppg to go along with 4.8 rpg. Senior guard Raygen Spencer is also an important part of the offense, as her 4.2 apg led the team last year. Pleasanton is undoubtedly one of the more experienced teams in the conference. But a team like NORTHEAST-ARMA could be sneaky solid after a rough 2017-2018 season. The Vikings were 5-16 overall and 3-8 in league. Injuries plagued Northeast, but if the Vikings stay healthy this year they could surprise some teams. Rachel Fox averaged 9.2 ppg as a freshman and now returns as the team’s leading scorer in her sophomore campaign. Haley Claffey is perhaps the Vikings most complete player. The junior is coming off a season where she led the team in assists (five per game)

and steals (2.5 per game). The Vikings also return five role players and have eight total lettermen coming back. Additionally, the Vikings only have one senior on the roster, which bodes well for the next couple of seasons. “Very optimistic about our upcoming season and the girls are excited about it,” head coach Scott Post said. “Good youth on this team; should keep same group together for a couple years straight.” COLONY-CREST should also be able to compete for a league title. The Lancers return all five starters including senior Regan Godderz; her 12 ppg led the team a season ago. Returning the entire starting lineup gives second-year head coach Megan Mason good reason to believe her team will be improved from last year’s 6-8 league record. “I am excited that our starting five is back and that we have a freshmen class coming up with a lot of talent,” Mason said. “I believe our team will be just as good, or even better, than last year.” SOUTHEAST-CHEROKEE could be poised for a breakout season thanks to the return of five players with starting experience including three that earned at least all-league honorable mention on a team that finished 11-11 overall and 8-3 in league play. Senior Sailor Jackson headlines that group after scoring 12.3 ppg and earning first team all-league and honorable mention all-state. Sophomore Railey Robertson earned honorable mention after averaging 10.2 ppg as did senior MaKayla Buffington who scored 6.5 ppg. Nine total letterwinners are back for a team that coach Derek Sanders says has “raised their expectations,” and calls “depth and athleticism” strengths.

Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Photo by Savannah Blake

By Gallagher Martin, McPherson Sentinel GIRLS EUREKA head coach Shelly Hoyt, one of the state’s most successful coaches including an amazing career at Hoxie, had an incredibly successful first season last year. Hoyt led the Tornadoes to an 18-4 record and a 7-0 league record to capture the TriValley League Championship. Returning four starters and 10 total lettermen make for a potential championship repeat. “We have a solid core returning and a little depth,” Hoyt said. “Considering everyone stays healthy and we play together, it should be a very successful year.” The Eureka offense is balanced and loves to spread it around. Madelyne Koop had a breakout freshman

Hunter Clift

Bluestem, Senior

By Brent Maycock, The Topeka Capital-Journal For two straight years, Twin Valley League teams swept the Class 1A-Division I state titles. Centralia pulled the feat in 2016 and Hanover followed suit in 2017. Trying to make it a TVL three-peat and Wildcat repeat last year, Hanover fell just short. The Wildcat girls held up their half of the task, dominating St. Paul 48-26 in the championship game to capture the program’s second consecutive crown. Hanover’s boys, meanwhile, were denied their repeat by South Gray. Hanover fell 68-54 in the championship game. Both Doniphan West and Clifton-Clyde came up short in their state-tournament bids losing in their respective sub-state finals. Centralia rode the momentum of its upset of Doniphan West in sub-state to a fourth-place finish to cap an up-and-down season with a promising ending. The toughest game the Hanover girls had in its run to a second straight state title came from league rival Frankfort in the quarterfinals with Hanover edging the Wildcats 50-47. Hanover then knocked off top-seeded and undefeated South Central 54-46 in the semifinals before rolling St. Paul to finish the season 21-3. Valley Heights’ girls also made an impressive state-tournament run in Class 2A. Heights’

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TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

season last year and will be heavily relied on both offensively and defensively. The 5-9 sophomore averaged 12 ppg and eight rpg last season — both team highs. Another talented sophomore, Chazni Ptacek, averaged nine ppg and 2.5 spg last season. Between Koop and Ptacek, Eureka has a skillful sophomore duo to build around for this season and beyond. Upperclassmen Emilee Escareno and Brooklyn Hilton will also provide experience and leadership to Eureka. Escareno, a junior, led the team with three steals a game, while Hilton, a senior, is an all-around player who will fill up the stat sheet in different ways. Perhaps Eureka’s biggest obstacle to repeating as league champions is BLUESTEM. Tony Babcock is also entering his second season as head coach, and returns perhaps the best player in the league, senior Addyson Emmons. Emmons averaged 21 ppg and an insane five steals a game. The 5-7 senior is all over the court, but she will not have to carry the Lions by herself. Bluestem returns all five of its starters from last year, plus its entire bench. Fellow senior Natalie Bevan averaged 14 ppg and five rpg. Senior forward Paige Fisher also averaged five rpg, while a talented duo of sophomores in Kyndall Clevenger and Torrance Lovesee should be even more improved after successful freshmen seasons. Clevenger averaged eights ppg, while Lovesee averaged a team-high seven rpg.

The bench features five upperclassmen including two seniors. With the talent and experience Bluestem has, it is clear the time to win is now. “We are excited to return our entire team from last year,” Babcock said. “We have a lot of experience this year and look forward to a tough league schedule.” BOYS Another year, another new head coach for CANEY VALLEY. The Bullpups are on their fifth head coach in five years. First-year head coach Jim Deaton is taking over a Caney Valley squad which went 21-3 and won the Tri-Valley League with a 7-0 record. The Bullpups return three starters and eight total lettermen, but will have to overcome a lack of height and learning a new system once again. “Learning to earn their trust will be a high priority for our coaching staff,” Deaton said. “Another key will be taking our lack of size and turning it into a team strength. We have good overall team quickness and will try to play up tempo.” ERIE, who took second in the league behind Caney Valley, returns four starters and six lettermen. The Red Devils are led by All-League selection Jaden Gard who is a handful for any defender. Gard, a 6-4, 205 pound forward, averaged 12 ppg and eight rpg last season. Gard is Erie’s tallest returner, but all four returning starters are 6-foot or taller. Senior guard Garrett McGuire averaged

quest for a state title was blocked by Central Plains, which handled the Mustangs 48-32 in the championship game to win its fifth straight crown. Axtell sent their boys and girls teams to the Class 1A-Division II state tournament with the girls finishing fourth and the Eagle boys bowed out in the quarterfinals after reaching state with an 11-11 record. BOYS The depth of the league showed when a young AXTELL only managed a 4-7 mark in TVL play yet had little trouble returning to the 1A-Division II state tournament for the second straight year. The Eagles got hot late in the season, winning nine of 12 games after the mid-season league tourney. Axtell didn’t have a senior on last year’s roster so everyone is back, led by a trio of double-digit scorers – Quinn Buessing (15 ppg), Hunter Koch (12 ppg) and Jonah Porting (11 ppg). Buessing and Koch are coming off a record-setting football season that saw the Eagles reach the Eight-Man Division II state semifinals. Experience will also be a major plus for BLUE VALLEY-RANDOLPH, which graduated only one player off last year’s 9-13 squad. The Rams also came on late in the season, winning seven of their last 12. Seniors Cole Montgomery (14.7 ppg) and Lane Peter (14.6 ppg) give the Rams a solid 1-2 punch with Brody Barr (10.8 ppg) providing a

strong presence inside as well to keep opposing defenses from selling out on the perimeter. Barr also averaged 6.7 rebounds a contest and Peter had 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Expectations within the program are for the Rams to challenge for the league title this year. An extremely difficult non-league slate paired with the usual tough league schedule hardened CENTRALIA and played a key role in the Panthers’ postseason run to the state semifinals. Every loss came to a team ranked higher than the Panthers, who finished the season 16-11. Centralia will have its biggest team in several years, led by first-team all-leaguer Daegan Steinlage, a 6-6 senior who averaged 13.4 ppg last year to lead the Panthers. With Derek VanDorn (6-6), Nathan Haufler (6-4) and Colby Arnold (6-4) joining him in the frontcourt, the key will be what production the Panthers get from the backcourt where Kamble Haverkamp is the lone returning starter and contributor from a year ago. CLIFTON-CLYDE enjoyed its best season in years, going 17-4 and reaching the sub-state finals before falling to Hanover. The Eagles will be in a bit of a rebuilding mode this year after graduation claimed standout scorers Bradley Koch and Zach Sorrell. Just two starters return for the Eagles, Nathan Ohlde (6.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Aiden Rudolph (5 ppg). No other returner

eight ppg, while junior Matthew Vail averaged six points, three assists, and nearly two steals a game. Both McGuire and Vail stand at 6-2. Sophomore Tyler Pasquarelli will also be a key component after averaging 4.5 ppg and 4.4 rpg last season as a freshman. “We have a number of guys with lots of playing experience as well as guys that have put in a large amount of commitment over the last couple of years,” head coach Nick Pfeifer said. “Overall I think keys for us this year will be keeping the ball in front on defense and scoring the ball consistently on offense. In order for us to compete in our league, as well as what we expect will be a very difficult substate, we will need to hang our hats on the defensive end while preventing teams from getting second chance opportunities on the offensive glass.” While Caney Valley and Erie will compete for a league title, neither can boast what Humboldt can. The Cubs have two All-State Honorable Mention players returning in senior Tucker Hurst and junior Connor Haviland. Additionally, Humboldt returns starter Teryn Johnson along with five role players. “We always want to contend for a league title,” head coach David Taylor said, “but everyone’s ultimate goal is to earn a trip to the state tournament. We need to all be on the same page and not allow individual goals to outweigh team goals and success.” The Cubs are coming off one of the best football season’s in school history.

TWIN VALLEY LEAGUE averaged more than 2 ppg. Pretty much everything will be new for DONIPHAN WEST this year after a great run the past couple seasons. The Mustangs captured the league tournament title and posted a 17-5 record, but the season ended with a bit of a sour taste when they were upset by Centralia in the substate finals. Jeff Savage replaces David Johnson as head coach and takes over a team which returns no starters and graduated all-leaguers Devin Taylor, Newt Smith and Levi Watts. Only two seniors are on this year’s roster and there are no juniors, leaving Savage with the youngest team in the league. FRANKFORT was young last year with just one senior, but also came along as the season progressed and finished with wins in six of its last nine games. The Wildcats were 6-6 and sixth in the league standings and the only player lost was Austin Hardwick (5.6 ppg). Brandon Anderson was an honorable mention all-league pick last year, leading the Wildcats with 12.6 ppg, while Mitchell Olson and Garret Dalinghaus each averaged just over 9 ppg. Carson Schreiner returns after missing last season with an injury and will help solidify the guard spot, but Frankfort lacks size overall with no player taller than 6-1. Unable to capture its second straight state title, continued on next page

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Photo by Everett Royer, KSportsimages.com

HANOVER should find itself in position to finish the job this year and claim the program’s seventh state title overall. Four of five starters return for the Wildcats and Hanover returns 80 percent of last year’s scoring and 90 percent of the rebounding overall. Super-athletic Thomas Atkins led the Wildcats at 12.2 ppg while Carter Bruna added 11.1 ppg and Peter Peters chipped in 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds a contest. Dalton Haist takes over as head coach at LINN replacing Jeremy Miller, who is now at Pike Valley. Haist inherits a program that went 7-13 last year and returns just two starters. Neither returner handled much of the scoring for the Bulldogs a year ago with Daniel York and Jace Schaefer each coming in just under 3 ppg. Both are defensively tough though and Haist will ask the juniors to transfer some of that energy to the offensive end as the newcomers settle into their roles. Eder Martinez is the lone senior and the Bulldogs will rely on a handful of sophomores. ONAGA also has a new coach, but he’s a familiar face in the league as Ryan Noel takes over for Luke Baxter. Noel spent the past several years as Holton’s boys coach but previously coached in the TVL with the Valley Heights girls, going 61-49. Onaga lost standout and double-double machine Tanner Marten, who was a first-team all-league and third-team All-1A I selection, but returns three starters. Quinton Norris averaged 8.5 ppg and Aaron Schwartz added 7.9 ppg. A strong freshman class will be asked to contribute immediately. After being among the top teams in the league for several years, TROY endured a rough fall last year, slipping to a 2-18 mark after graduation wiped out the bulk of the roster from the 2016-17 team that was undefeated league champion. The Trojans have a new coach in Londy Londerholm, but return all five starters off last year’s team which had just one senior. Reid Jasper led the Trojans last year with 14.7 ppg and younger brother Kipp added 9.1 ppg. Tate Smith (8.1 ppg) and Jacob Mott (7.5 ppg) also showed scoring ability last year. Welcoming back a couple familiar faces will help VALLEY HEIGHTS ease the loss of two starters and all-leaguer Bryan Yungeberg. Cole Coggins played in only four games last year because of a shoulder injury and Trey Martin returns after spending last year at Rock Creek. They’ll solidify the Mustangs’ backcourt and complement frontcourt standout Jeremy Reed, who was honorable mention all-league after averaging 12.6 ppg and 7.5 rpg.

the only graduation hit and the Eagles are still relatively young with just two seniors. After getting out to a 5-4 start, DONIPHAN WEST couldn’t put together a good finish and wound up 8-14. Third-year coach Perry Smith hopes for a little more consistency this year and having Makinley Smith healthy for a full season will help. The junior missed six games with a broken foot last year, but still earned all-league honors and averaged 10 ppg and 8 rpg. The Mustangs have no seniors and just two juniors, but return three starters and six letterwinners overall. FRANKFORT made its first appearance at the state tournament since 2010. The Wildcats pushed eventual champion and league rival Hanover in the first round and will be hungry to get back and make another run. Senior Emilee Ebert is one of the top players in the state and the Missouri State signee averaged 18 ppg, 9 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg and 2 bpg a year ago. She’s a threetime all-league and All-1A selection. She’s got a strong complement in junior Kennan Brandt, who averaged 10 ppg and 7 rpg. HANOVER pulled some thrilling upsets off to capture the state title in 2017, but needed no such drama to take the crown a year ago. The Wildcats are 45-5 over the past two seasons and have the pieces in place to make a run at a third straight crown. Macy Doebele is a four-year starter who was the 1A player of the year last year, averaging 19.4 ppg, 7 rpg, 3.1 apg and 2.5 spg. She’s flanked by shooting star Tianna Lohse, who averaged 12.3 ppg. Replacing standout Shelby Ohlde is priority No. 1 for LINN after the she did the bulk of the heavy lifting for Linn a year ago. The good news is she was the lone senior on the 5-15 team. Six players who started at some point a year ago return and all six averaged between 4 and 6 ppg. Linn will still be young with Kamryn Smith the lone senior on this year’s team and a promising freshman class. ONAGA struggled to a 2-18 record and has a new coach in Keith Figge, who previously coached the team from 2009-11. He was an assistant last year, so there will be familiarity with a young roster. Katelyn VanDonge is the lone senior. With only seven players out a year ago, TROY was challenged from the get-go and went just 1-19. The program enjoyed a winning season three years ago and the roster has doubled to 14 players this year for Derek Jasper. Macy Norris averaged 6.3 ppg to lead the Trojans last year. VALLEY HEIGHTS got off to a slow start, going 3-3 in its first six games. Once the Mustangs found their stride, however, they took off and didn’t slow down until running into Central Plains in the state championship game. The finish matched the highest in program history. Replacing a trio of senior starters will be a challenge, in particular Kayla Smith, who was a four-time all-league selection and first-team all-2A pick last year, averaging 19 ppg and 5 rpg. Samantha Vermetten was a strong complement last year with 13.4 ppg and 12.5 rpg and Emma Toerber added 8.9 ppg.

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TVL /FROM PG 62____________

WASHINGTON COUNTY was young a year ago and slipped to 7-13. The good news is almost everyone is back this season. The Tigers should be solid at the guard position with five players back who saw plenty of time there a year ago, including sophomores Drew Buhrman and Kobe Hoover. The inside game should be solid as well with three returning letterwinners in Wyatt Bentz, Tyler Nelson and Garrett Otott. An assistant the past two seasons, Mark Martin takes over as head coach at WETMORE this year. The Cardinals were just 5-16 last year, but that was a two-win improvement and Martin hopes his team can take another step this year. The Cardinals will be young with Joel Hutfles the lone senior. He had a great junior season, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Kael McQueen was a solid complement with 8 ppg. Wetmore will rely heavily on an incoming freshman for depth. GIRLS AXTELL finished fourth at the 1A-II state tournament two years after taking second to Dighton at the 2016 tourney. The Eagles made a seven-win improvement after a rebuilding year in 2016-17 and the upset of Beloit-St. John’s in the quarterfinal was the highlight of the season. With three starters back, the Eagles should have a good season if they can adequately replace allleaguer Trisha Mathewson, who led the team in scoring and rebounds. Senior Hanna Schmitz and junior Olivia Kuckelman are two-year starters. A run to the sub-state finals a year ago created plenty of offseason momentum for BLUE VALLEY-RANDOLPH and fourth-year coach Matt Schreiber hopes it carries over and translates into a breakthrough year for his Rams. Only two starters return, but both enjoyed solid seasons a year ago with junior Brooklyn Zoeller averaging 13.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3 apg and 3 spg, earning second-team all-league. Allie Cassel added 9.2 ppg and 9.3 rpg and if the Rams can fill the holes around them, a winning season could be in order. A fourth-straight league tournament title and tie for first in the regular-season standings made for a good overall season for CENTRALIA. But a sub-state semifinal upset loss to Frankfort soured the ending as injuries and a late-season shooting slump denied the Panthers a shot at following up their third-place finish at the 2017 state tournament. Centralia lost four-year starter Katie Glatczak, the heart and soul of the team, but return enough firepower to once again contend. Madison Lueger is one of the top players in 1A and averaged 18 ppg and 9 rpg last year. Morgan Kramer chipped in 10 ppg and Maegan Koch adds another inside presence to go with Lueger. Even with a young team, CLIFTON-CLYDE took a big step forward with last year’s 15-8 record and fifth-place league finish. The Eagles reached the sub-state finals before falling to eventual state champion Hanover. Four starters return, including all-leagueer Jaysie Bowser, who averaged 10.8 ppg and 3.1 spg. Three other starters averaged at least 5.2 ppg. All-leaguer Emily Coffman was

Thomas Atkins Hanover, Senior

Daegan Steinlage

Centralia, Senior

Macy Doebele

Hanover, Senior

Scott Romeiser returns as head coach at WASHINGTON COUNTY after previously coaching the program for nine years before stepping aside to focus on administrative duties. Romeiser inherits a team which returns just one starter, junior Grace Otott, and lost all-leaguers Tess Cecrle and Holly Delay. The Tigers have no seniors on this year’s team, but have a strong junior class to lean on. WETMORE may have a new coach in Jason Claycamp, but he’s not new to the Cardinal programs. Claycamp previously coached the Wetmore boys for four years and also has coached the middle school boys and girls programs for four years. Wetmore was 8-12 a year ago and will be in a rebuilding mode this year with just two starters back in sophomore Reagan Osterhaus and Alyssa Bloom. Only seven players are out and all are freshmen or sophomores.

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Gerenda Smith Lansing, Senior

By John Baetz, Publisher The new United Kansas Conference consists of six teams including Basehor-Linwood, De Soto, Lansing, Leavenworth, Shawnee Heights and KCTurner. The formation of the new league occurred in conjunction with the former Kaw Valley League dissolving. BOYS The LANSING boys could find the new conference tough sledding as the Lions return just two starters from a team that went 5-16 a year ago. The good news is both of those starters stand at least 6-3 and both are seniors. Jaden Remington stands 6-5 and averaged almost 14 ppg last season, while Logan Barnard is 6-3 and scored 7 ppg. The conference is not all that’s new for the Lions, Lansing welcomes first year coach Jason Jones who has a 159-170 overall record in his coaching career. BASEHOR-LINWOOD features plenty of height

NEKL /FROM PG 53__________

in the league race. GIRLS ATCHISON COUNTY enjoyed a solid season in its final year in the Big Seven League, going 8-12 overall and 5-11 in a league loaded with quality programs. Making the move to the NEK, the Tigers could find themselves in the hunt for the league crown with five returning starters from a year ago. Senior guard Jaycee Ernzen averaged 11.4 points and 5 rpg and was an all-league pick. Fellow seniors Katie Beien and Georgia Appel each averaged over 6 ppg and at least 4 rpg. The Tigers don’t have much size, but fifth-year coach Mike Eckert is excited about the new landscape for his team. HORTON has a new head coach with Kertis Keehn taking over for Ken Shippy. The Chargers were just 8-12 last year and finished sixth in the league standings. Graduation claimed five seniors off last year’s team, including all-leaguers Kaitlyn McAfee and Daspin Bruning. Coming off a third-place finish in league play and 14-6 record overall, JACKSON HEIGHTS has its sights set on challenging Valley Falls and Jefferson County North for the league crown this year. All five starters return for the Cobras – three of them three-year starters -- and seven of the top eight are back overall. They’re led by junior standout Kylie Dohl, who averaged 16 points and 9.6 rpg as a sophomore in a first-team all-league season. Amaya Marlatt averaged 8.8 ppg as a freshman last year and the Cobras’ three other returning starters were all at 4 ppg or better. Heights is still relatively young with just two seniors in the

for a team trying to secure its 13th consecutive winning season under veteran coach Mike McBride. The Bobcats were 16-6 last season and 12-2 in the final KVL race. Four of five projected starters will stand at least 6-1 including senior Jacob Coleman (6-5) who averaged 17.7 points, 8.1 boards, 2.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, good for third team all-state honors. Seniors Nolan Ford (6-1) and Kobe Sifford (6-2) return after combining to average 16.6 ppg. McBride has high expectations for 6-7 junior Cory Davilla, calling him the “most improved player I have ever coached.” Junior guard Connor Younger (5-11) rounds out the projected starters after averaging almost 10 ppg game and shooting 36% from beyond the three-point line. McBride calls Younger “one of the best pure shooters I have ever coached.” With two other returning letterwinners and five other players battling for varsity minutes, and in spite of the shift to 5A, McBride believes this could be a special year. DE SOTO returns just two players with starting experience and five total letterwinners from a 13-9 squad. Three of those players are at least 6-2 though, including seniors Tyler Barkemeyer (62) and Grant Noll (6-4) and 6-9 sophomore Nate Barnhart. “We will be very young and inexperienced on the perimeter,” ninth year coach Matt Rice said. “We will have to be great defensively and very efficient offensively to win games this season.” KC TURNER will miss the loss of junior Jaylin Richardson, one of the state’s top players, who transferred to Schlagle.

rotation. Even though the season as a whole was a good one for JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH, veteran coach Steve Noll felt his team peaked over the final two and a half weeks. Never was that more evident than in sub-state play when the Chargers knocked off No. 2 Wabaunsee by a point and then pushed undefeated Olpe in the sub-state title game. The Chargers finished 18-4 overall and 14-2 in league play, one game behind Valley Falls for the title. Though a pair of all-league performers graduated, North returns its best player from a year ago in junior Josie Weishaar, who averaged 16.6 points and 5.9 rpg a year ago and was a first-team all-league and second-team All-2A pick. Led by standout Heather Ronnebaum, MAUR HILL went 7-7 in league play and 13-8 overall. Ronnebaum has graduated after a first-team all-league season, leaving veteran coach Brad Kunecke with a big hole to fill. The Ravens’ winning season was their fifth straight and they return a solid post presence in junior Zanea Cordres. MCLOUTH was winless in league play last year and finished just 4-17 overall. Only three seniors graduated, giving second-year coach Troy Hoffman a bunch of familiar faces to try and start building towards a winning campaign. Senior Haylee Weissenbach was an HM all-leaguer last year and led the Bulldogs in scoring. OSKALOOSA has gone 6-15 in each of Drew Kraxner’s two seasons as coach, but look to make a big improvement this year. Only two seniors graduated off last year’s team, leaving Kraxner with his most experienced team. That should help the team cut down on the turnover woes which plagued the Bears a year ago. In the team’s nine

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UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE

GIRLS BASEHOR-LINWOOD returns three starters and six letterwinners from a team that went 11-11. McKenzie Jones, Riley Tinder, Sami Fisher, Lucy Lally, Adell Gore and Isabel Sibert are all returning letterwinners with Jones the only senior. Seventh year coach Jason Tatkenhorst calls his team “versatile” with players that can play several positions. LANSING returns three players with starting experience including 5-7 senior Taylor Lang (11.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.8 apg, 3 spg), 5-8 senior Gerenda Smith (15 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and 5-8 senior Kennedy Farris (4 ppg, 4.8 rpg). Lang and Smith earned

postseason honors. “Coming off one of the best year’s in school history, we look to build off last year’s success as we start play in a new league,” said coach K.C. Simmons. LEAVENWORTH welcomes back three starters from a 13-9 team with two seniors and a sophomore. Seniors McKenzie and Alyche Brown averaged 9.2 and 7.8 ppg respectively, while sophomore Alesha Jones also produced 7.8 ppg. McKenzie added 10 boards a game, Alyche dished out 2.1 assists and Jones grabbed 6.2 rebounds per contest. Coach Derek Bissitt said “great defense,” limiting turnovers, and rebounding are keys to success.

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losses it suffered by 12 points or less, the Bears turned it over at least 24 times. Junior Jenna Pfau led the team with 9 points and 6.2 rpg, but the Bears need more production across the board with no other player averaging more than 5 ppg. The argument could be made that PLEASANT RIDGE was the surprise team of the postseason in the NEK. After a decent 12-8 regular season, the Rams made a sub-state run, picking off Atchison County and Maur Hill before falling to highly ranked Nemaha Central 56-44 in the sub-state title game. The Rams only return two starters, but senior guard Lindsey Heim is a four-year starter who was a first-team all-league selection a year ago and led the Rams in scoring. Fellow senior Julie Miller also earned all-league HM and is the inside force to go with Heim’s perimeter production. After placing fourth in the 2A state tournament in 2017, VALLEY FALLS dropped to 1A-I last year and found itself in a loaded sub-state. The Dragons came up one win short of returning to state, falling 31-29 to Frankfort in the sub-state title game. That ended a 20-3 season for the Dragons, who captured the league title with a 13-1 mark, the lone loss coming to Jackson Heights. The only other loss came to Centralia in the season opener and all three losses were by a combined seven points. Jordan Hale takes over as coach and has one of the top players in the league at her disposal in senior Reagan Kirkwood, a four-year starter who averaged 13 ppg last year and was a second-team All-1A-I pick and first-team all-leaguer. Valley Falls will have to replace all-leaguers Rachel Frakes, Allison Kearney and Drew Delong from a senior class which went 66-4 in league play in their career.

SEK /FROM PG 59___________

The FORT SCOTT Tigers will hope to retain the momentum gained from a scorching hot second half of last season. The Tigers began the season 4-7, but then reeled off nine consecutive wins before falling to Independence 36-35 in the sub-state tournament. It was the fourth consecutive year of increased win totals under coach Pechone Stepps. The Tigers will lean on four returnees with no starting experience. Seniors Ciara Stumfoll (510), Jocie Allen (5-5) and Abby Humble (5-10) are back with sophomore Ella Beth (5-6). None of those players averaged more than 4 ppg. The INDEPENDENCE Bulldogs bring back a pair of returning starters and three letterwinners from last year’s 12-10 season. Seniors Taylor Howland (5-7) and Morgan Mavers (5-6) are back, along with classmates Raygen Cunningham (5-7) and Kylie Wilson (56) and junior Kenna Eytcheson (5-7). The PARSONS Vikings return five starters — all seniors — from a team that went 12-10 and lost in the sub-state finals last year. Nena Taylor (5-8 senior) is back and brings along her 21.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Classmates Sydney Krull (5-8), Bre Bedore (5-9), Briann McGlory (5-9) and Ally Hicks (5-1) also return starting experience. The PITTSBURG Purple Dragons finished 9-12 last year, ending their season with a 39-27 loss to Leavenworth in the sub-state tournament.

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WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame The Liberal girls headline the WAC after a thirdplace showing in 5A and the program’s first state victories in 31 years. Liberal returns 81 percent of its scoring, led by its pair of outstanding juniors Katie Horyna and Machia Mullens. Horyna was all-state, and Mullens was HM. Liberal won the WAC at 23-2 overall, 7-1 in league. Veteran Hays High coach Kirk Maska retired and Alex Hutchins, a Scott City graduate, takes over HHS, which returns a bevy of experience from a 13-8 squad. Hays High defeated Liberal at home in early season and went 6-2 in league. Rick Keltner is entering his 34th year with the Hays High boys and 42nd overall as a head coach. He was WAC Coach of the Year. WAC POY Ethan Nunnery and first-teamer Cole Murphy graduated. Great Bend returns the majority of its key players and could improve. BOYS HAYS HIGH finished 14-7, 8-0 in WAC play and graduated five seniors. Indian senior Tradgon “Trae” McCrae was second team allWAC, and senior Braiden Meyers also returns. Sophomore T.J. Nunnery, and 6-9 junior Dylan Ruder are expected to be key contributors. Veteran assistant Tim Nunnery is back on the staff, and former HHS graduate Brandon Maska is on the staff this year. Maska was previously the Ellis head boys’ coach the last three winters and posted a winning record each year. GREAT BEND junior Alex Schremmer, after he transferred from Hoisington, collected second team all-league and averaged 13.7 ppg. GB went 3-18 for coach Tim Brooks but returns many of its key players, including Schremmer, junior Dalton Miller and junior PG Sam Ryan. GB has not had double-digit victories since 2010-11 and the last winning season was ’09-10. LIBERAL finished 8-13 in the first season under new coach Ryan Petty. The Redskins had a 10-win dropoff after an 18-3 year. The top-three, and four of the top-five scorers were seniors. Juniors Lee Hatcher (6.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg), Syris Dunlap (3.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Braxton Hyde (3.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg) are returning. Petty is a 2009 Liberal grad and served as an assistant at several places, including Lansing, Gardner-Edgerton and Liberal. He was the assistant to Scott Hinkle the prior three years. DODGE CITY returns senior Noah Sowers, the only first team all-league player back in the

conference. The Red Demons scored 71 points a game but also permitted 71 a contest in a 1011 season. DC permitted 83, 81, 88, 98, 83 and 92 points in losses, several that were close. GARDEN CITY junior Carlos Acosta was a second team all-league player for a 13-9 season under coach Jacy Holloway, the GC coach since 2010-11. The Buffs are 7-15, 11-12 and 13-9 in the last three years. No player averaged double figures last winter. Acosta averaged 7.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.4 apg and 1.2 spg. GIRLS LIBERAL, with coach Carter Kruger, went 23-2 and finished third in 5A. The top-seeded Redskins earned a 62-29 victory against St. James Academy in the first round of the 5A tournament. The Redskins led 12-0 early and 27-9 at halftime en route to a state win for the first time since 1987, and counting the boys’ program, it marked the first win for the Redskins at state since 1993. In the semifinals, Liberal lost, 52-38, to Bishop Carroll. For third place, Liberal beat Maize, 43-37. Horyna was a first team all-state pick. Mullens is back after she earned honorable mention. Prior to coming to Liberal, Kruger served as the Barton County Community College head women’s coach and had a 52-41 record in three seasons, his last in 2014-15. Kruger took over a program that was 4-16 and has posted 11-9, 17-5 and 23-2 seasons. It marked the school’s first 20-win season since a 21-2 mark in 2008-09. Horyna averaged 13 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.1 apg and 2.4 spg. Mullens delivered 11.4 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Liberal was an excellent free throw shooting team (73 percent) for Kruger, league COY. HAYS HIGH senior Savannah Schneider was a first team all-WAC player. HHS also brings back senior Kallie Leiker and junior Brooke Denning, each second team all-league picks. Schneider average 10.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 1.9 apg. Denning averaged 8.1 ppg, two rpg and two apg. Junior Isabel Robben delivered eight ppg and 5.3 rpg. Junior Tasiah Nunnery had 7.7 ppg and 3.6 rpg. Leiker averaged 4.2 ppg, along with 4.7 rpg, 3.6 apg and 1.8 spg. Senior Mattie Hutchison had 5.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 apg and 2.1 spg. Senior Jaycee Dale had 4.6 ppg and three rpg. Senior Madyson Flax and sophomore Brooklyn Schaffer were returning letterwinners. Prior to coming to Hays, Hutchins was the head

coach at Elizabeth (Colo.) High School for one year, an assistant in his hometown of Scott City for two years and head coach at Minneapolis. He graduated from Kansas State in 2014. While Hutchins is new to the program, lead assistant Haley Wolf, the interim head coach for part of last year, remains on staff. “Our 2018-19 season will be successful if we compete every day and focus on being the best teammates, students, and role models we can,” Hutchins said. DODGE CITY (11-10) had just one senior last year and returns multiple seniors, including guards Caroline Williams, Madison Armstrong and Payton Magouirk. Junior Chidera Okoro was a first team all-leaguer. GARDEN CITY went 6-14 with the win against Hays High. GC had been a consistent winner

NWKL /FROM PG 56_____ ST. FRANCIS continues to make strides with fourth-year coach ShayLinn Zweygardt, a former all-stater at Hoxie. She led the Indians to a 14-7 mark and third place league finish. SF returns senior twins Lauren and Lindsey Johnson and junior Karley Bandel. All three averaged between 3.7 and eight points and 2.7 to 4.3 rebounds. In ‘17, SF went 12-11 for its first winning season since ’03 and first sub-state final berth since ’89. ATWOOD-RAWLINS COUNTY went 10-12 with coach Brad Pfortmiller, in his fourth year at the school. Rawlins County returns six players with starting experience, three seniors – Amy Crouse, Angie Singhateh and Kaity Livas – and a pair of juniors: Kristen Beckman and Libby Mosley. The 5-5 Beckman delivered 14.3 ppg and nine boards. Crouse had 10.5 ppg and 6.7 rebounds, along with 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals, the latter two leading the team. Singhateh finished with six points and 7.4 rebounds. “This is the most returning experience we have had, so I expect us to have a really good season,” Pfortmiller said. “We need to cut down on our turnovers, defend a little better and find some consistency. Our younger girls need to step up and provide some depth.” SHARON SPRINGS-WALLACE COUNTY went 10-12, as did TRIBUNE-GREELEY

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Tradgon McCrae

Hays, Senior

under previous coach David Upton, including 56 combined wins from 2011-15. However, the Buffs have three straight losing seasons. GREAT BEND graduated first team all-leaguer Carley Brack from a 3-18 squad.

COUNTY in the first season with coach Justin Sherer. The Jackrabbits return three starters, all juniors: Lauren Crotinger, Kamryn Youmans and Mattie Brandl. As expected, DIGHTON girls took a step back after multiple sport all-state standouts Sara Cramer and Jordan Speer graduated. The duo led Dighton to a state title in ‘16 and each tallied more than 1,000 career points. However, Dighton should be much improved after a 7-15 season for 17th year coach Amy Felker (228-123 career). Five-foot-11 junior Ella Roberts averaged 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Seniors Gentry Shapland and Emily Sheppard and Kenadee O’Brien return. Shapland had 4.5 ppg, Sheppard 2.4 ppg, and O’Brien finished with 5.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg. “We started figuring it all out at the end, so hoping to pick up where we left off,” Felker said. “The girls are excited. We will have some younger players step in and help us out. Defense and rebounding will be a key, since we will lack in height most of our games. Playing together and improving everyday will be a goal for the team.” OBERLIN-DECATUR COMMUNITY finished 4-17 with sixth-year coach Brandon Gehring and have experience back. The Red Devils return all five starters – all juniors. Six-footer Anna Carter had 10.1 points and 8.4 rebounds. Junior Alyssa Van Vleet delivered 10 points and four rebounds. NO ONE

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Northern Valley headlines the Western Kansas Liberty League and features two of the state’s most accomplished basketball players in seniors Riley Sides and Paige Baird. Both come from longtime Northern Valley families and had fathers who won multiple state titles for the Huskies in the ‘80s and ‘90s in various sports. Sides averaged 17.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 2.2 spg en route to Class 1A-Division II Player of the Year honors. He paced Northern Valley to the first boys’ basketball crown since 1991 for coach Chuck Fessenden. Baird, a three-sport standout who led NV to a volleyball title as a junior, has delivered an exceptional basketball career with 21.3 ppg last winter. She has averaged 17.7 ppg in her career. Golden Plains and Wheatland-Grinnell girls have traditionally been state teams in Division II and return multiple key players. BOYS Sides has averaged 16.1 ppg, 4.6 apg and 4.1 rpg in his career. He has 1,114 career points, including 208 treys. NORTHERN VALLEY had just one senior last winter. The top-three scorers return. Senior Ross Cole averaged 12.2 ppg, while senior Caden Bach delivered nine ppg. Senior Jesus Saenz and Nick Stutsman combined to average 13 ppg. Bach was the team’s leading rebounder at 5.7 a game. As a team, Northern Valley shot 39 percent from long range and averaged 8.6 treys a contest. Two years ago, NV went 18-4 but was upset in the sub-state title game in double overtime against Wheatland-Grinnell, a team it had defeated twice earlier in the year. Sides said the W-G loss gave the team “a lot of motivation.” “It’s something we talked about growing up our whole lives,” Sides said. “We started young, had a good group, and when we got to high school, we are going to make the most of it, and bring another title back to the Valley.” In addition, sophomore Ivan Varela transferred from nearby Southern Valley, Neb. and has displayed good speed. The Huskies finished 25-1 and defeated Elyria Christian, 63-52. Class 1A returns to one class after the split to Division I and Division II. NV is going to be one of the smaller 1A squads in a classification with more than 100 teams. WESKAN went 9-9 and is 58-53 under coach Val Reiss. Senior Tracer Vincent averaged five ppg and five rpg, and junior Jace Mackley had eight ppg, two rpg and four apg. Sophomore Mac Purvis, seniors Zach Box and Caleb Schemm are key contributors. PALCO went 5-14 last winter with third-year coach Robert Weber. Senior Trevor Funk and sophomore Micah Thompson are the returning starters. Funk averaged 3.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Thompson delivered 4.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg with

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2.2 bpg. The rest of the team are freshmen. “In a very talented league, these young kids are going to learn how to overcome adversity as they adjust to the speed and physicality of high school basketball,” Weber said. “This young group has a lot athletic ability, and if they work hard, we’ll surprise a lot of teams this year.” Logan finished 14-6. Wheatland-Grinnell was 14-8 and Triplains-Brewster posted an 11-9 record. LOGAN, Northern Valley’s longtime rival, was the only team to beat the Huskies with a 68-64 overtime victory on Dec. 15. Three of the four top-scorers graduated for second-year coach Mike Jenner, also Logan-Palco’s football coach. Senior Michael Daniels averaged 11.5 ppg and 8.9 rpg, and junior Trey Kats delivered 6.5 ppg and 2.4 rpg. WHEATLAND-GRINNELL graduated Chandler Ostmeyer, who delivered 22.2 ppg and 8.9 rpg. However, the Thunderhawks return every other player, except one reserve. Junior Kyler Haffner averaged 10.1 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.6 rpg and 2.7 apg. TRIPLAINS-BREWSTER has posted five straight winning seasons. Second-year coach Edgar Valenzuela returns three key seniors with Brett Roulier, Aaron Platt and Hunter House. GOLDEN PLAINS (7-14), BIRD CITYCHEYLIN (5-14) and WESTERN PLAINS/ HEALY (1-18) round out the league. Western Plains coach Charles Packard will look to improve on last season’s one win with four returning starters - seniors Luis Gomez and Logan Mauch, junior Moises Gomez and sophomore Jan Nava, who averaged 13.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg as a freshman. GIRLS GOLDEN PLAINS, under coach Parker Christiansen, finished 17-4, 8-0 in league play. Christiansen, with veteran assistant Steve Shaw, has won 315 games and has four state appearances in the last six years. Senior guard KayCee Miller is one of 1A’s top returning players with 15.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.7 spg and 3.1 apg. Coach Cheryl Martin has built WHEATLANDGRINNELL into a consistent winner. The Thunderhawks were a final four squad in Division II in 2015. In 2017, W-G earned Division II runner-up to Waverly. The Thunderhawks took significant graduation losses entering 2017-18 but still posted a solid season with a 12-10 mark , 6-2 in league. Martin is 70-24 in her fifth year. W-G is traditionally known for its depth, pressing defense and ranking among the state’s leaders in steals. W-G has plenty of experience back this winter. Senior Angel Mong averaged 10 ppg, 4.7 rpg, two apg and 1.8 spg. Junior Jordyn Vincent had 4.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 apg and 1.3 spg. Junior Jessi Bernbeck recorded 5.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.6 apg and 2.2 spg. Junior Morgan Zimmerman had 4.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 1.3 apg. Senior Nicole Holaday and sophomore Kirsten Schroeder will be in the rotation. “Keys to our success will be if our young girls can step up and contribute,” Martin said. “We have some good shooters that need to gain

confidence, but when they do, watch out. Our girls are quick and scrappy.” The 5-8 Baird, with 1,116 career points, significantly improved her efficiency last season. NORTHERN VALLEY, with coach Jason Stephens, posted its third straight winning season and went 14-8, its best season since 2009-10. LOGAN went 4-16 and 2-7 in league play. Fourth-year coach Logan Waters is 29-34 in his career. The Trojans have no seniors. Logan returns three junior starters with Kelcee Braun, Harlee Voss and Camryn Greving.

Page 66 Braun averaged 3.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.7 apg and 2.1 spg. Voss had 8.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 apg and 1.4 spg a contest. Greving delivered 4.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 spg. Junior Maddy Gottstine and sophomore Khloee Braun are expected to be key contributors. CHEYLIN finished 11-9, TRIPLAINSBREWSTER was 8-11. WESKAN went 5-12, PALCO was 4-14 and WESTERN PLAINS/ HEALY finished 2-16. Cheylin, with veteran coach Max Keltz, had a five-win improvement and its third winning season in the last five years. Cheylin graduated standout Rachel Keltz (15 ppg, 4.1 bpg) but returns everyone else, including senior Jesie Frisbie (11.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg). Master Mech. Licensed Bonded - Insured

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By Kansas Pregame Staff Three teams from the Wheat State League qualified for state tournaments last year, but ironically, none of them were the regular-season league champions. The Centre and Solomon boys tied for the league title, but it was third-place Elyria Christian which advanced all the way to the Class 1A-II state finals before losing to Northern Valley and fifth-place Rural Vista which qualified for the 1A-I tournament. On the girls side, the Goessel Bluebirds won the league championship, but it was third-place Rural Vista which qualified for the 1A-I state tournament. This season, several teams - both boys and girls - have legitimate shots at reaching the state tournament. However, Class 1A is a single class again for basketball and teams will have to advance through regional and sub-state rounds before reaching the state tournament. BOYS After a strong football season, which saw them advance to the semifinal round, the CANTONGALVA EAGLES are looking for a much better basketball season as well in 2018-19. The Eagles return four starters and three additional lettermen from last year’s 3-18 team. All of them are juniors and sophomores. The starters returning are juniors Nick Pearson (5-11), Landon Everett (59), Kinset Colgin (6-1) and sophomore Brayden Collins (6-1). The Eagles also return three additional sophomore letterwinners in Conner Koehn (6-2), Brandon Huff (5-10) and Brayden Minson (5-11). Freshman Tyson Struber (6-2), coming off an excellent season in football, should contribute at the varsity level in basketball as well. “Although we do not have a senior on the roster, it will be nice to have some experience returning,” said coach Shane Duncan. “Last year, these players were thrown to the wolves, but I believe it will pay dividends over the next few years.” CENTRE lost five of their top six players from last year’s league title winners, but do return talented three sport athlete Xavier Espinoza. Last season was historic for ELYRIA CHRISTIAN. The Eagles placed second in the Class 1A-II state tournament and finished with a 22-3 record. Three starters return, including firstteam all-league player Aiden Fields, a 6-2 senior. Fields averaged 10.8 ppg last year. Also returning are 6-5 senior Caleb Froese (10.3 ppg), who was honorable mention all-league, and 6-1 senior Tyler

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Huxman (7.5 ppg). “We have a great core of returnees that have a lot of varsity experience,” said head coach Zach Goodrich. “We will be looking for leadership from the seniors of that group.” GOESSEL returns four lettermen from a 3-18 team and will be led by 6-3 junior Dylan Lindeman, who averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg while being named honorable mention all-league. Also returning are 5-8 senior Zach Zoglman (1.1 ppg), 5-6 junior Jerah Schmidt (3.2 ppg) and 5-10 junior Jacob Hagewood (2.2 ppg). Head coach Curtis Guhr said defense will be a key focus this season. The LITTLE RIVER Redskins are looking for another big season with three returning starters from a team that finished 17-6 and just missed qualifying for the state tournament. Two of those returnees - Jace and Jayden Garrison were firstteam all-league selections. Jace, a 6-1 senior, averaged 10.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg, while Jayden, a 6-foot guard, scored 18.7 ppg last year as a freshman. Also back is 5-10 sophomore Graham Stephens, who averaged 7.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg. “We have a few sophomores who gained a lot of experience last year as freshmen and hopefully that experience will help them to continue to get better this year,” head coach Chad Lafferty said. “And the seniors we have will have to step up and be leaders.” RURAL VISTA is another team looking for a big year. The Heat qualified for the Class 1A-I state tournament last year, finishing with a 12-10 record, and return three starters. Cameron Campuzano, a 6-3 sophomore, averaged 12.3 ppg and 7.0 rpg last year and was honorable mention all-league. Chace Jocobson, a 6-1 senior (3.9 ppg) and Josh Sandow, a 6-5 senior (6.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg) also return, along with letterman Dylan Worrell, a 5-11 sophomore. The addition of 6-6 exchange student Tomas Berko will also be a huge plus for the Heat. SOLOMON got a late practice start this fall because of its football team advancing to the Eight-Man I state championship game, but the Gorillas expect to have one of the top teams in the league after tying for first place last year. Two starters return from that 14-7 team. Braden Nielson, a 6-3 senior, averaged 14.0 ppg and 7.8 rpg last year and was first-team all-league, while 6-2 senior Jobe Fowles (3.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg) also returns, along with six other lettermen. “Senior leadership will be our greatest strength, but youth and lack of depth in the backcourt will be a big challenge,” said coach Andrew Johnson.

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WAKEFIELD returns three starters from a 6-15 team - 5-11 senior Skylur Merritt (6.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg), 5-10 junior Jack Krueger (3.2 ppg) and 6-2 sophomore Konner Murphy (2.6 ppg). The Bombers have a new coach, Jarren Zimmerman. GIRLS CANTON-GALVA has a new coach in Shelby Hoppes - who led the football team to their best season in years - and three starters returning from last year’s 9-12 team that finished fifth in the league. One of those returnees is junior Tia Moddelmog, a first-team all-leaguer. Also back are senior Kaysha Unruh and junior Jayci Mastre, along with three additional lettermen. “We do have a lot of returning experience at multiple positions on the floor,” Hoppes said. “It should be a fun and exciting year.” The CENTRE Cougars also return three starters from a 9-12 team for head coach Alan Stahlecker, including first-team all-league player Kelsey Hett, a 5-6 junior, who averaged 10.3 ppg and 7.7 rpg and 3.5 apg. Also back are 5-5 sophomores Alyssa Espinzoa (3.8 ppg) and Samantha Espinoza (4.5 ppg). Hett, the team’s point guard, is also one of the Cougars’ tallest players. ELYRIA CHRISTIAN was 12-9 last year and finished fourth in the league, but lost 80 percent of its scoring to graduation. Makenzie Archer, a 5-1 senior (2.3 ppg) and Anna Shultz, a 5-7 senior (1.7 ppg) are returning starters. Three other lettermen return as well. “This season will definitely be one of transition,” coach Greg Fields said. “I’m looking forward to see who will step up to not only fill the scoring gap, but also provide leadership.” The GOESSEL Bluebirds were unbeaten league champions last year and were 16-5 overall, but lost all five starters to graduation. Two lettermen return - 6-foot senior Stephany Meyer and 5-6 senior Madison Smith. “We will be in rebuilding mode early,” head coach Ryan Hoopes said. “If we can find ways to put points on the board consistently, this could be a fun team to watch.” HERINGTON returns five players with starting experience and eight total letterwinners for a team that went 5-15 under now third year coach Troy Heitfield. Guard McKenzie Shippy, a 5-10 senior, earned all-league honors last year. LITTLE RIVER is expected to challenge for the league title again after finishing second last year. The Redskins return 11 lettermen from a 15-8 team that reached the sub-state finals, including

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5-7 junior Emma McBribe, who averaged 9.3 ppg and was honorable mention all-league. Four seniors also return for head coach Trey Look, including twin sisters Madison and Michelle Loder. “Coming into the season we will have high expectations,” Look said. “After getting second in league and sub-state runner up, I think we realize what it will take to make that next step. I look for this team to come into the season prepared and ready to compete.” RURAL VISTA enters the season ranked No. 10 in Class 1A - which is one class again for basketball with 116 schools - and returns five players with starting experience from a 17-5 team that qualified for the 1A-I state tournament. One of those returning for the Heat is 5-8 senior Lauren Campuzano, one of the top players in 1A who averaged 19.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg a game last year. Campuzano was first-team all-league, along with 5-9 junior Hannah Riedy, who averaged 8.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg. Also returning is 5-8 junior Holly Brockmeier (6.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), who was honorable mention all-league. “We’re returning all 12 girls who suited up on the varsity last year,” head coach Kane Hensley said. “We want to compete for a league championship and also get back to the state tournament for the third straight year.” Zach Douglas is the new head coach at SOLOMON and welcomes five seniors returning from last year’s 6-16 team - Kayla Webb, Haley Tiernan, Madelyn Stuart, Olivia Holt and Dara Robertson. Webb was first-team all-league. “We have a really strong returning senior class,” Douglas said. “I’m also excited for a mixture of underclassmen who will be able to help the program grow as well. In order to be successful, we will need to work hard day in and day out, be great teammates and accept roles.” WAKEFIELD’s Gabi Nelms, now a senior, was an honorable mention selection. PEABODYBURNS will look to escape the WSL basement after an 0-9 league record last season.

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By Gallagher Martin, McPherson Sentinel Olathe North may be the defending 6A state champions, but all eyes are on Derby and Garden City heading into the 2018-2019 season. DERBY, preseason ranked No. 1, is seeking its first state championship since 1986. From top to bottom last year, the Panthers were as good as any team in the state, as evident by their 12-1 dual record. This season, Derby returns nine state qualifiers including defending state champion Triston Wills. Wills, who committed to Oklahoma State in early September, won state at 160 last year and currently is ranked second at 182 behind Washburn Rural’s Gavin Carter in the KWCA preseason wrestling rankings. Fellow Oklahoma State commit Cade Lindsey will be seeking much more than his fourth state medal. After winning state at 120 as a freshman, Lindsey, the top-ranked wrestler in 170, is hoping his high school career comes full circle with a state championship. Along with Wills and Lindsey, Bryce Westmoreland (170), Casem Lindsey (132), and Xavier Sisco (138), were all state semifinalists a year ago for the Panthers. With the talent Derby returns, plus a plethora of newcomers awaiting their chance, the Panthers have their sights set higher than last year’s fourth-place finish at state. Head coach Bill Ross, who is entering his 17th year at Derby, knows his team must stay focused in order to reach the team’s goals. “We have to concentrate on getting better everyday,” Ross said. “We must have good senior leadership and make good decisions on

and off the mat.” Second-ranked GARDEN CITY, who won four straight state championships from 2013-2016, is not shying away from high expectations. In fact, the Buffaloes return eight state qualifiers and should be able to compete with any team on their schedule. “I think we are a top-three team and expectations are high for us,” seventh-year head coach Carlos Prieto said. “We just need to get a few more kids plugged into our lineup and come February we will be ready to once again contend for a title.” Garden City is led by Jacob Holt, who won the 113 pound championship as a freshman and took second at 126 last year. Holt is currently ranked second in his weight class behind Olathe North junior Keegan Slyter. The Buffaloes have the potential to make a run at a state title, but Prieto knows Holt will have to lead the way. “Other than Jacob Holt, we really don’t have any kids who are superstars,” Prieto said. “We just have some really tough kids that love to compete and wrestle hard for us.” Junior Refugio Chairez, one of the state’s top offensive linemen, opens the season ranked second at 285 as does freshman Eric Dominguez (138) and junior Silas Pineda (120),. Senior Alex Herrera opens the year ranked third at 113 along with sophomore Trey Medina (152) while senior Elijah Hernandez (145) and sophomore Isaiah Urias (160) open the year ranked fourth. Junior Alex Rodriguez is ranked fifth at 195 and sophomore Josh Janas is sixth at 132. Third-ranked MANHATTAN has as much firepower and experience as anyone, and the Indians are only one year removed from a state championship. Last season, Manhattan finished third in 6A. University of Nebraska commit and defending state champion Bubba Wilson will lead a team returning nine starters and five state medalists. In total, Manhattan has seven wrestlers preseason ranked in the top six. Tate Sauder at 120 will also play a vital role in Manhattan’s success; he was fifth in state his freshman year at 106 and second last year at 113. WASHBURN RURAL returns two state champions in sophomore Bishop Murray and junior Gavin Carter and opens the season ranked fourth. Murray is coming off a 35-9 record and is the top-ranked wrestler at 106. Carter was a dominant 30-2 last year and is the top-ranked wrestler at 182. Along with senior Preston Williams, who is ranked third at 170, Washburn Rural returns nine starters from last year’s team that finished second at state. “There’s a thin line between anger and hunger, and we ride a unicycle down the middle,” head coach Damon Parker said. “This team will be as good as they decide to be; this is as loaded as we have ever been. If they continue to prepare with that anger and hunger that they’ve had in the past, the sky is the limit.” MILL VALLEY opens at fifth and has four

wrestlers preseason ranked, led by the topranked wrestler in 120, Zach Keal. The junior will have his eyes set on a state championship after taking second last year. The Jaguars are looking solid this year, but could be just as dangerous next year. Austin Keal, ranked second in 132, is a junior, while Brodie Scott, ranked second at 145, and Ethan Kremer, ranked second in 220, are sophomores. Senior Ethan Darville leads a deep DODGE CITY team that returns seven state qualifiers and is preseason ranked sixth. Darville is the top-ranked wrestler in 285 after taking second last year. Freshman Damian Mendez is ranked third at 106, which is where senior Garrett Edwards is ranked at 138. Senior Couy Weil, who placed fourth at 120 at state a year ago, will help lead the team alongside Darville. “Couy Weil and Evan Darville are our leaders and top returning wrestlers,” head coach Lars Lueders said. “They are extremely hungry and that hunger will drive the rest of the team.” BLUE VALLEY’s Alex Totta took third at 160 at last year’s state tournament and is a two-time state qualifier. This year, he’s the top-ranked wrestler at 160. As a team, Blue Valley returns eight state qualifiers, including: 113 pound sophomore Caleb Burleigh (23-17 in ‘17-18), 126 pound sophomore Luke Hyland (15-19), 132 pound senior Ethan Meuret (20-17), 152 pound senior Michael Stark (19-23), 170 pound senior Wes Damron (25-22), 182 pound senior Mitchell Bartsch (23-16) and 220 pound junior Trevor Lister (23-21). “We have a chance to be a very solid team from top to bottom,” head coach Kale Mann said. “If we continue to progress and stay healthy this season, we should be a very tough team by the time regionals and state roll around.” GARDNER-EDGERTON returns seven state qualifiers, but no state medalists. GardnerEdgerton is also without a ranked wrestler to start the season. Yet, head coach Tyler Cordts is optimistic about his depth. “This year’s team will be a mixed bag,” Cordts said. “We graduated a ton of talent last year, but bring back a lot of experience mixed with good, young talent.” State qualifiers include: Kadyn Humphrey (120), Kye Humphrey (126), Brayden Ratcliffe (138), Taven Ewbank (145), AJ Rodriguez (152), Brendan Oshel (170) and Gerald Picado (220). JUNCTION CITY senior Terrence Adeleye and sophomore Sadiki Smith lead four state qualifiers into this year. Adeleye is ranked fourth at 195, while Smith is ranked fifth at 182. Head coach Robert Laster also expects senior Matt Whitton to be competitive. “We will be young but competitive,” Laster said. J.C. HARMON won the Kansas City-Atchison League Championship last year and returns five state qualifiers. “We will be looking to win our league again and win at least two tournaments like we did last year,” head coach Zach Davies said. “The guys have been working hard in the offseason to get

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6A WRESTLING

ready. They are excited and ready to work hard.” Returning state qualifiers and this year’s anticipated weight include: seniors Isaac French (145) and Marco Gomez (182); and juniors Salvador Aleman (195), Mark Hernandez (113) and Kevin Rosales (120). LAWRENCE FREE STATE went 8-0 in dual matches last year, and the Firebirds return five wrestlers who are beginning the season ranked. Elijah Jacobs has high expectations for his senior year. Last season, he took fifth at state, but enters this season as the top-ranked wrestler at 145. Devin Beers is a returning state qualifier. Garrett Bradley, Caleb Streeter, and Joey Eddis also qualified for state and were one match from placing. “We have an excellent group coming back,” head coach Mike Gillman said. “Hope to have six or seven state medalists.” OLATHE SOUTH has never placed at the state tournament, but this could be the year that changes. Olathe South returns 10 state qualifiers and two state medalists. Junior Dallas Koelzer, who has a fourth-place and sixth-place state medal, enters this season as the No. 1 wrestler at 132. Gavin Brown will also be in the hunt for an individual state championship at 160, a year after taking third. “We’re very excited about our team and their potential this season,” head coach Conor Fitzgerald said. Olathe South is preseason ranked eighth in 6A. First-year OLATHE WEST head coach Tyler Rodden is taking over the helm of a youthful squad this season. West returns four state qualifiers and will heavily rely on their six upperclassmen to lead the way. “Our seniors and juniors will again be our most experienced wrestlers and will again look to be our team leaders,” Rodden said. “With four returning state qualifiers in that group, we hope to get some kids on the podium at the end of the year.” WICHITA NORTH head coach Quinton Burgess is looking to see progress in his second season with the Redskins. Wichita North returns a solid group of seniors and five varsity wrestlers in Angel Martinez (152, Sr., 12-11), Tayton Jenkins (170, Sr., 14-11), Carl Zachare (132, Sr., 11-18), Adam Powell (120, Sr., 5-9) and Salvador Ornelas (195, 5-14). “We are looking to raise our expectations going into this season,” Burgess said. “Our goal as a program is to be better every day and not be outworked by our opponents.” The cupboard isn’t bare for WICHITA SOUTHEAST, but the Golden Buffaloes will be lacking experience. Coach Aaron Johnson sees potential in his team, but knows it won’t be easy to compete in 6A. “We are fighting an uphill battle with losing and gaining wrestlers,” Johnson said. “For us to be successful, we need to come together and buy in. We have lots of talent, but some things need to be cleaned up.” Gallagher Martin is a sportswriter for the McPherson Sentinel in McPherson, Kan.

By Gallagher Martin, McPherson Sentinel Last year, GODDARD barely faced a challenge en route to their fourth straight state championship. Led by two state champions and seven state semifinalists, the Lions were head and shoulders above the competition in Class 5A. With 10 state qualifiers returning, the Lions are a heavy favorite to win another state title. But with Ark City moving up from 4A this year, Goddard will not breeze through 5A like they have in the past. Still, the Lions are top dogs in 5A until a team can dethrone them. Goddard head coach Brett Means simply wants his team to stay focused. “The key is to avoid injuries and distractions,” Means said. “Returning nine state placers is a luxury, along with many talented sophomores and juniors from last year and some superstar freshmen will make this year exciting.” At 113, junior Jason Henschel is looking to defend his state championship. Senior Troy Fisher is also seeking back-to-back state championships at 170. Fisher will wrestle at Northwestern University next year. Both Lions will begin the season as the topranked wrestler in their respective weight classes. Lucas Glover made the finals last year as a junior, but is hoping for a state championship at 120 to conclude his high school career. Along with Henschel, Fisher, and Glover, sophomore Jace Fisher (138), sophomore Cayleb Atkins (145), sophomore Nolan Craine (152), junior Trevor Dopps (160), senior Cayden Atkins (182), and senior Trenton Willert (220) are all ranked to start the season. Goddard will be loaded as usual, but Ark City is not a program that will shy away from challenges. In dual matches, ARK CITY will roll out a dominant back-to-back-to-back lineup at 126, 132, and 138. Starting with state runner up Kael Pappan at 126, followed by state champion Gabe Buckbee at 132, and concluding with state runner up Trig Tennant, the Bulldogs will have three top-ranked wrestlers in consecutive order. Throw state champion Montez Robinson at 160 into the mix along with six other state qualifiers, and Ark City should have the firepower to compete with the likes of Goddard. “The team has plenty of experience this year,” head coach Greg Buckbee said. “The challenges will be to get everyone separated into the correct weight classes to help the team. Another challenge will be to get everyone healthy and stay healthy.” In total, Ark City returns 11 of 14 varsity wrestlers from last year’s 4A state championship team. Third-ranked MAIZE has a strong mixture of underclassmen and upperclassmen this season after winning the AVCTL and taking third at state last year. The Eagles are led by a pair of state finalists: senior Aidan Campbell at 138 and junior Devin Gomez at 145. Campbell is a three-time state semifinalist, while Gomez is a two-time semifinalist. Junior Camacho (106), Cael Moses (120), Carson Wheeler (160), Kyle Haas (182), and Jake Quiggle (220) are all ranked to start the season. “Good core group returning and a good freshmen class,” head coach Mike Schauer said. “Filling all the weight classes could be an issue, but if we can

get everyone spread out we’ll be pretty competitive.” ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, led by two-time state semifinalist Bret Minor at 132, has the potential to live up to its fourth-place ranking in 6A and possibly steal some hardware at state. “This year should be a very exciting season,” head coach Eric Akin said. “We have five returning state placers who all have state finalist potential. In addition, seven others are former state qualifiers that have the ability to score points at state.” Minor won a state championship as a sophomore and took third place last season. Teammates Jared Simma (145) and Joey Hancock (152) joined Minor in the semifinals last year. Minor and Simma enter the season ranked second in their respective weight classes while Hancock enters the season as the top-ranked wrestler at 152. After back-to-back seasons finishing in the top three at state, BONNER SPRINGS finds itself ranked fifth to start the season in 5A. But with two returning state champions and 10 state qualifiers on the roster, there’s no reason the Braves won’t be competing for state hardware once more. “We have a senior heavy team this season with quite a bit of state tournament experience,” head coach Brandon Jobe said. “[We] have high expectations for this season as well.” Sophomore Cruz Lara is coming off a state championship and is currently ranked second at 113. Senior Caleb Willis won a state championship his sophomore year and was the state runner up last season. Now, Willis will look to win his second state championship in three years as he enters the season as the top-ranked wrestler in 220. The three-time defending Eastern Kansas League Champions must find a way to replace 12 seniors from last year’s team, but BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST still has high expectations. The Timberwolves have a mixture of youth and experience; finding leadership will be a major key for Blue Valley Southwest this season. “We feel like we are deep with young talent,” head coach Cody Parks said. “Filling the leadership void will be the thing that pushes us from a top-five team to a top-three team.” The Timberwolves will rely heavily on all of their ranked wrestlers: freshman Brett Umentum (113), junior Daniel McMullen (120), senior Joseph Dennison (126), junior Brandon Madden (138), and junior Seth Nitzel (170). While Blue Valley Southwest has solid potential for this season, the Timberwolves could be even more dangerous next year with all the talent that will return. BISHOP CARROLL returns eight state qualifiers including a pair of four-year starters in Brady Brockover and Ryan Murphy. Brockover finished second at state last year and is the second-ranked wrestler in 195 to start the season. Murphy compiled a 32-8 record last year and will begin the season ranked third at 170. Kyler McGlachlin (152) and Gabe Arredondo (285) are also names to keep an eye on for Bishop Carroll. “The team will be focusing on more consistent performances during the 2018-2019 season,” head coach J.D. Johnson said. GREAT BEND has plenty of returning experience

and high expectations for the 2018-2019 season. The Panthers only graduated one senior from last year’s varsity lineup and have five wrestlers ranked in the preseason. Despite being preseason ranked ninth in 5A, Great Bend head coach Nathan Broeckelman knows his team has a higher ceiling. “We are looking for a Western Athletic Conference Championship and a top-five finish at state,” Broeckelman said. Drew Liles is the highest returning medalist after taking third at 120 last year. Carsyn Schooler (126) and George Weber (132) are coming off fifth-place finishes at state, while Gage Fritz placed sixth at 145. With two state semifinalists and three state medalists returning, LANSING has the potential to improve on last year’s 12th-place finish at state a year ago. Sophomore Camden Maestas at 106, senior Joseph Irwin at 145, and Braiden McKee at 285 all won over 40 matches last season. The trio will all be in the discussion for a state championship. “Very excited for the upcoming year,” head coach Nick Flynn said. “We return every state point that was scored and add depth to our lineup. We need to focus on continued growth throughout the year and set clear goals to give purpose to our training.” Moving from 4A to 5A shouldn’t have too much of an impact on MCPHERSON’s Rhett Edmonson and Scott Radke. Edmonson, a two-time state finalist and last year’s 120 state champion in 4A, is ranked third in 132 to start the season. Radke, who made the state finals last year, is ranked third in 160. The Bullpups will be young, but have the leadership to compete in 5A. “We have a deep, veteran team,” head coach Doug Kretzer. “We are looking forward to the upcoming season.” Second-year head coach Jason Puderbaugh is looking forward to developing a young BASEHORLINWOOD squad. Outside of Kaden Jacobson, the Bobcats lack state success. Jacobson was fifth at 145 in 4A last season, while Drake Parkinson qualified but did not place. The Bobcats return five starters, but the room is there for younger wrestlers to make an impact. “Keys to success will be developing a championship mindset, mastering the fundamentals of the sport, having a consistent commitment, enjoyment, and appreciation for the process,” Puderbaugh said. GODDARD-EISENHOWER returns five state qualifiers, including Seth Doud, who went 37-5 last year and took sixth at 120. The Tigers have a solid lineup of state qualifiers, but there are some question marks throughout the roster. “We look forward to a great start to the season with returning lettermen and state qualifiers that we return,” head coach Enrique Espinoza said. After six years as an assistant, Paul Hansen is getting his shot as head coach of the KC-TURNER wrestling program. He takes over a team that features four state qualifiers and a sixth-place state finisher at 195 in Cameron Bates. Last season, KC-SUMNER featured a team that consisted of almost zero varsity experience. While the Sabres are still young, head coach Adam Beatty is expecting improvement in his second year as

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5A WRESTLING

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Bonner Springs, Senior

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Goddard, Senior

Caleb Willis

Troy Fisher

head coach. “Our success this year will rely on the commitment of our returning wrestlers,” Beatty said. “I think that if our kids can grow from last year’s campaign, we will be able to better compete within our league and regional.” Although KC Sumner did not have any state qualifiers last year, the Sabres return nine varsity wrestlers. A senior, two juniors, and a sophomore will make up KC-WASHINGTON’s varsity lineup this season. Seventh-year head coach Aaron McGhee will take this season match by match. “We are going to continue to build the program piece by piece,” McGhee said. “We will be successful if we have a team-first mentality and finish matches.” Three-time state qualifier Reece Watson will lead an inexperienced PITTSBURG wrestling team into the 2018-2019 season. State-qualifier Aaron Smith will also have a major impact. “Learning year for us,” first-year head coach LC Davis said. “Focus will be on effort — win, lose, or draw.” SALINA CENTRAL coach Shannon Peters says to expect big things from seniors Taylon Peters and Drew Burgoon. Peters, the top-ranked wrestler at 182, is coming off a second-place finish at the state tournament last year. Burgoon made the semifinals at 138 and is currently ranked sixth. “Both have been pillars in our program and are tremendous leaders in and out of the wrestling room,” Peters said. In total, the Mustangs return six starters from last year and five state qualifiers. “Excited about this group of young men,” Peters said. “Loads of potential and some newcomers that will bring the fight to our established wrestlers.” SALINA SOUTH has quality wrestlers but lacks quantity. The Cougars will struggle to fill out their lineup, but three returning state qualifiers is nothing to sneeze at. continued on page 72

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Gavin Cullor

Prairie View, Senior

By Kansas Pregame Staff The race to the state title in Class 4A this season is wide open. Last year’s top three teams at the state tournament - Arkansas City, Andover Central and Bonner Springs - are now in Class 5A. The same goes for McPherson and BasehorLinwood, who also finished in the Top 10 last year in Salina. A couple programs ready to take advantage of the new-look Class 4A division for wrestling are the MARYSVILLE Bulldogs and Pratt Greenbacks, who were ranked Nos. 1-2 in the preseason by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. Marysville returns five wrestlers who finished in the top six of its weight classes last year in 4A. All of them were sophomores - Isaac Novotny, sixth at 106; Jonny Crome, fifth at 132; Storm Slupianek, third at 160; Atreyau Hornbeak, sixth at 170 and Garron Champoux, sixth at 182. Those five Bulldogs, plus four more are ranked in the top six of their respective weight classes by the KWCA. Crome and Slupianek were state qualifiers as freshmen when Marysville finished third in Class 3-2-1A. Novotny is No. 2 at 120, senior Ethan Crownover No. 4 at 126, senior Jakob Snellings No. 6 at 132, Crome No. 2 at 138, senior Derek Roever No. 6 at 152, junior Noah Ackerman No. 3 at 160, Slupianek No. 2 at 170, Champoux No. 3 at 182 and Hornbeak No. 2 at 195. No other team in 4A has that type of quality depth, but PRATT is next in line. The Greenbacks return two wrestlers who finished in the top six last year senior Kadence Riner (second at 145) and senior Jaden Koehler (fifth at 160) - but have four others this season ranked in the top six in the preseason rankings. Riner is ranked No. 1 at 152 pounds, while Koehler is No. 5 at 170. Joining them are sophomore Devon Weber, No. 3 at 106; sophomore Kaiser Pelland, No. 5 at 113; junior Hunter Huber, No. 5 at 195 and senior Sevren Hance, No. 4 at 220. Dylan Cox, a state qualifier last year, will wrestle at 126, but is not listed in the preseason rankings. “We return two placers plus five qualifiers,” said head coach Tate Thompson. We look forward to returning to the top 10 in 4A.” WINFIELD is ranked No. 3 in the preseason

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4A WRESTLING poll and has two individuals ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes - senior Chris Ray at 120 pounds and senior Owen Braungardt at 182. Braungardt finished second at 182 last year, while Ray was fifth at 113 pounds. BURLINGTON is ranked fourth in the preseason poll and has three wrestlers ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll - seniors Evan Totty (126), Cael Johnson (152) and Brett Bober (182). Totty finished fourth at the state meet a year ago at 120, Johnson was third at 145 and Bober runner-up at 160. Totty’s twin brother, Ethan, is a three-time state qualifier, as is Bober. “We are excited about the journey this team has been on the past nine months in the weight room, on the mat and competing in other sports,” head coach Doug Vander Linden said. “They saw postseason success this fall in football and cross country at the state level. It’s going to be a fun ride.” TONGANOXIE is ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll and features a pair of wrestlers ranked No. 1 in their weight class - senior Korbin Riedel at 145 pounds and junior Conner Searcy at 195 - plus sophomore Dawson Lamberd ranked No. 2 at 106. Riedel was the runner-up at 138 last year, while Searcy was fourth at 195. PAOLA and PRAIRIE VIEW, ranked 6th and 7th, respectively, each return a state champion from last year. Paola’s Preston Martin won the 113-pound title as a sophomore with a 42-2 record, while Prairie View’s Gavin Cullor claimed the 160-pound title as a junior with a 45-4 record. Prairie View also returns junior Chance Gerleman, who was fifth at 195 pounds a year ago as a sophomore. Hunter Boone, a senior, is ranked sixth at 182 and Wyatt Cox-Halliburton, a senior, is No. 4 at 285. “We hope to bridge the gap of some high-level talent with the influx of youth in our program,” head coach Walter Vandeventor said. “If our young kids can become battle tested, our dual results will drastically increase.” Eighth-ranked ROSE HILL features junior David Leck, who is ranked No. 1 at 160 pounds, senior Kyle Sacket No. 2 at 113 and senior Grant Scheer, No. 4 at 170. HOLTON, ranked No. 9, has junior Kolby Roush ranked No. 1 at 132 pounds, sophomore Jake Barnes No. 4 at 106, junior Taygen Fletcher No. 5 at 126 and sophomore Konnor Tannahill No. 6 at 195. CHANUTE, ranked No. 10, has four wrestlers ranked by the KWCA - sophomore Trent Clements, fifth at 106 pounds, junior Parker Winder third at 138, junior Brady McDonald third at 145 and Dalton Misener second at 160. SANTA FE TRAIL looks ready to have a strong season. The Chargers return four state qualifiers - Carter Greenfield (138), Caleb Jeanneret (152), Will Rhoades (182) and junior Evan Dean (placed sixth at 285) - as well as sophomore Christian Rowe, who was 32-10 last year at 126. Head coach Regan Erickson said the Chargers could potentially return varsity experience at 13 of the 14 weights. ABILENE and CLAY CENTER from the NCKL each have a wrestler listed No. 1 by the KWCA. Rhett Koppes, a junior, tops the 106-pound class after finishing third a year ago with a 35-4 record. Abilene’s Will Stroda, a junior, is No. 1 at 113

pounds after placing third at 113 last year with a 43-3 mark. Abilene also welcomes back nine other wrestlers from last year’s varsity, including senior Dakotah Whiteley, who was fifth at 170 pounds and senior state qualifier Dakota Laun. “We will be looking to them for extra leadership and support for those who are yet to qualify or place at the state tournament,” head coach James Stout said. Clay Center also returns two-time state qualifier Reed Knitter at 138 pounds and state qualifier Parker Tholstrup at 132. “We have a quality group of juniors and seniors to lead a nice group of underclassmen,” head coach Brandon Pigorsch said. “If we can stay healthy throughout the season, we should have a competitive group in February.” ANDALE senior Ethan Shackelford is ranked No. 1 at 285 pounds after finishing fourth in that weight class a year ago. Hector Serratos, a sophomore and ranked No. 3 at 120 pounds, along with junior Caleb Pavlacka (113), junior Eli Clouse (138), junior Dawson Chavez (145) and sophomore Cayden Winter (220) were all state qualifiers last year. EL DORADO features returning state champion Braden Morgan, a senior, who won the state title at 195 pounds last year with a 40-1 record. Morgan, a three-time state qualifier, has a 99-23 record for his career, including a 75-4 mark over the last two years. Jackson Schnell (ranked No. 4 at 152) and

Kai Wernli (No. 5 at 160) are both juniors for the Wildcats. FRONTENAC’s Riley McDaniel placed fourth at 132 pounds last year and is ranked No. 1 at 138 this fall. Two of his teammates - Brendan Ishimura (2018) and Mason Jameson (2017) - have also been state qualifiers. CLEARWATER’s Darryl Rylant is starting the final season of a remarkable high school career. Rylant, who is ranked No. 2 at 145 pounds, is a three-time state qualifier with a career record of 113-7. He won the 106-pound state title as a freshman, finished second at 113 pounds as a sophomore and was fourth last year at 138 pounds. BISHOP MIEGE has a pair of wrestlers ranked by the KWCA - sophomore Jared Neel and senior Sean Ryan at 220 and 285 pounds, respectively. CHAPMAN returns six lettermen from last year’s squad, including 195 senior Dalton Harvey (2010) and 220 junior Zachery Ferris (22-6), while CONCORDIA welcomes back seven lettermen, led by state qualifier Hunter Schroeder, who won 30 matches as a freshman. “We are a young team with no seniors and only one returning state qualifier,” Concordia coach Josh Brown said. “We are going to be asking our underclassmen to step up and lead Panther Wrestling to success.” AUGUSTA is led by senior Gabe Fox, who placed fifth at 106 pounds last year and won 37 matches. BUHLER returns a pair of state qualifiers - Adam continued on page 72

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top,” Dirks said. EUREKA, with ninth-year coach Mike Davison, was eighth at state last season. The Tornadoes return two state champions: Kendall and Kolby Beitz at 113 and 120 pounds, respectively. The seniors are ranked preseason first in their respective weight classes. Sophomore 138-pounder Brennan Lowe is a returning state qualifier, along with sophomore 145-pounder Brent Escareno, and senior Jonathan Turner at 285. “We have a great balance of experienced kids, and young kids,” Davison said. “We are very excited to see how everything plays out this season. Expectations are very high. We return five state qualifiers off last year’s team and all of them won at least a match at state last year. Two of them are returning state champions and both seniors. It would be nice to send them off their senior year at the top of the podium.” Since 2011, HOXIE has six top-seven finishes with two seconds and a pair of thirds. Coach Mike Porsch is in his 24th year with the Indians. Senior Dayton Porsch (35-0) is looking for his fourth straight title and will wrestle at 152 or 160. Sophomore 138-pounder Aidan Baalman was a state qualifier. Junior Dylan Weimer (36-14) was fifth at 132. “We need our veterans to pick up were they left off at the end of the season and continue to make improvements,” coach Porsch said. “And we will need to develop our freshman into varsity wrestlers and get them all to compete and turn every match into a battle to be back in contention for a state title”. RILEY COUNTY senior Luke Richard is No. 1-ranked at 145 pounds, and RC senior Mikey Waggoner is second at 170. Sophomore Grayden Jackson is fifth at 113. SABETHA could have one of the best finishes in school history with fourth-year coach Ricky Creek. The Bluejays were 23rd at state and 13-6 in duals. Senior Elliott Strahm is one of the state’s top wrestlers and is the defending 285-pound champ. Senior 220-pounder Cauy Rokey was sixth place in ’16 but was hurt last year. Sophomore 120-pounder Kaden Dillon was a state qualifier with a 37-4 record. Senior Kamden Brownlee (145) was 27-9 last fall. Rokey and Strahm are both preseason No. 1, and Brownlee is sixth at 145. NORTON coach Bill Johnson is in his 30th year with the Bluejays with a 243-64 dual record, second in last season’s regional and sixth at state. Senior 195-pounder Hayden Wiltfong went 31-8 and was fifth in 2017 and fourth last year. Junior 160-pounder Cole Amlong earned fifth with a 39-

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10 mark. Junior Camdyn Unterseher is a two-time state qualifier with a 27-11 mark. The sextant of other returning starters are senior Dylan Goss (126), junior Nick Mandl (132), sophomore Mason Urban (145), junior Brandon Vacura (152), junior Judson Wiltfong (170) and junior Alex Auker (220). “Even though Norton is in a major rebuilding year by their standards, their strength is returning nine varsity starters off last year’s sixth place state team,” Johnson said. “Weakness in 2018-19 will again be unusually low numbers, below 20 athletes this season.” SMITH CENTER coach Brock Hutchinson is in 21st season at his alma mater, 19th as head coach. Junior Colton Shoemaker (113/120) was 38-9 and fifth at state. Junior Jaden Atwood (138/145) finished 29-24 and fifth. Three other state qualifiers return: senior Joe Stocker (120/126), junior Jacob Conrad (152/160), and junior Brell Spiess (170/182). Obviously, it is going to be very tough to replace the likes of Colton Hutchinson, Mitch Topel, Dalton Kuhn, and Avery Hawkins,” Hutchinson said. “Those athletes put their hearts and souls into everything they did and accomplished a great deal for the Redmen wrestling team. However, we have some very quality athletes returning making it an interesting upcoming season. If the kids mentioned above have grown up a full year and will start where they left off last season the Redmen have an opportunity to be okay (just an opportunity). “We also have a few incoming freshmen that have wrestled through kids club and pretty much their entire lives that could step in and help,” he added. BELOIT has 33rd-year head coach Andy Niemczyk and added Hall of Fame coach Wyatt Frohling as an assistant. Beloit went 7-1 in duals and captured the NCAA title, though was just 24th at state. Sophomore 113-pounder Mason Fuller was a state qualifier and finished 13-9. Sophomore Hunter Prochaska, at 138 pounds, was 21-16 and qualified for state. Senior Zane Colson, who co-ops from nearby Rock Hills, went 39-7 and was fourth at state. He is expected to wrestle at 152 pounds. Senior 195-pounder River Paul (25-15) was also a returning state qualifier. Colson is ranked preseason No. 1 at 152. “We will be a young team,” Niemczyk said. “We have good talent with our young kids, and we will improve as the season progresses.” HOISINGTON had significant graduation losses, including three-time state champion Christopher Ball, along with Sean Urban and Tanner Cassity, a trio who finished 123-8 and earned first, third and

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By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame From 2002-18, the balance of power in Class 3-21A wrestling has resided with a few select schools. Only five teams, and four since 2003, have captured a state crown. Hoxie last won crowns in ’02-03. Norton has captured 10 titles, including five straight from ’13-17. Scott City, which has occasionally jumped up to 4A, has won two, in ’12 and ’18. Smith Center captured three in a row from ’07-09, though did tie Beloit for the title in ’07. Several squads, most notably Hoisington, has consistently placed in the top-three for a team plaque. Hoisington has four runner-up finishes in the last seven seasons, including the last two, and to Scott City last year. Smith Center has three consecutive fourth-place showings. Silver Lake has five straight top-10 finishes, though has finished no better than fourth. Rossville has a second, third, and second since ’11, and Marysville has been third twice, both in the last three seasons. Eureka has four top-10s in the last nine seasons, including the last two. In the offseason, Kansas went through significant classification changes and the final threshold between 4A and 3-2-1A will not be established until the first weekend of December. In the preseason KWCA rankings Scott City was No. 1 followed by Eureka, Smith Center, Riley County and Sabetha. Teams 6 through 10 went Hoxie, Colby, Silver Lake, Phillipsburg and Fredonia. Defending champion SCOTT CITY has new coach Aaron Dirks, in his sixth year at the school. Dirks replaced Jon Kappelman, who retired after the state title. Kappelman spent 38 years with Scott City, the last 33 as head coach. SC earned 14 topfive finishes with five titles. Scott City won Class 4A in ’90, ’94 and ’04 and the latter two in 3-2-1A. He finished 325-151-4 in duals. Dirks has plenty of talent with junior 120-pounder Brandon Roberts, a returning state qualifier, junior 132-pounder Justus McDaniel, a returning state champion and two-time medalist, and junior 138-pounder Kaden Wren, a returning state runnerup. Senior 145-pounder Theron Tucker was sixth at state in 106 pounds as a freshman. Senior Wyatt Hayes (170) is a returning state champion and two-time medalist. Sophomore Gabe Bowers (285) is a returning state qualifier, and junior 182-pounder Cale Goodman and senior Kyle Sherwood (220) both return. McDaniel and Wren are top-ranked at 132 and 138, and Hayes is first at 170. “Scott City is looking to compete as a team at the

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3-2-1 A WRESTLING

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1

Kendall Beitz

Eureka, Senior

Jordan Finnesy

Plainville, Junior

fifth, respectively. They combined for 10 state trips and had nine state medals. Christopher Ball tied the school record for single season victories. Hoisington brings back junior Wyatt Pedigo, the 182-pound state champion who finished 38-3 and is preseason top ranked this year. Sophomore Joshua Ball finished 38-7, 3-3 at state and sixth at 160 pounds. Sophomore Cole Steinert (18-13) was 0-2 at 120 pounds at state. Hoisington was 6-0 in duals and has captured 64 straight. Ball and Steinert became the 10th and 11th Hoisington freshmen to reach state. Joshua Ball became the sixth freshman to place at state. COLBY, a longtime 4A school, dropped to 3-2-1A last winter and took seventh. Coach Matt Sims, in his 13th season, returns a bevy of state qualifiers. Junior 113-pounder Rathe Aschenbrenner is a two-time qualifier, who went 21-7 and took third last winter. Senior Kory Finley will compete at 170 and was a two-time qualifier who went 33-11 and was fourth. Senior Kurt Schroeder (132) is a three-time qualifier and was 30-20 last winter. Senior Tucker Branum, at 195, has qualified for state twice, and went 16-10. Sophomore Hagan Booi qualified for state. FREDONIA, with sixth-year coach Aaron Haselwood, finished 24th at state. Senior Hunter Reddick took second at 120 pounds at 34-2. Senior Isaac Jennings continued on page 72

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Minneapolis, Senior

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Kansas Pregame Winter Sports Preview, Volume 1 Also in the Mid-Continent League, WAKEENEY/FROM PG 71_ TREGO could significantly improve its 51st place finish at state for coach Jeremy Samson, in his 11th (23-13) is a two-time state qualifier at 132. Junior season at the school and eighth as head coach. 138-pounder Matt Weilert (34-14) took sixth. Four returners, all at the higher weights, are back Sophomore 152-pounder Buddy Claibourn (29with junior Colby Burkhart (170), senior T.J. Hafliger 13), sophomore Bo Tindle (17-13, 160), senior (182), junior Dillon Dunn (220), and junior Parker Lorenzo Celani (10-14, 220) were quality wrestlers Opat (285). Dunn (33-11) was sixth at state last year last season but did not qualify for state. Senior Bryar and is preseason ranked third. Opat was 27-10. Hebb is a two-time state qualifier at 17-11. Burkhart finished one match from state. Hafliger Reddick and Weilert are preseason second at 120 was a freshman qualifier. He was injured as a and 138 pounds, respectively. sophomore and had a 13-9 record before the injury. “I am excited to see this team compete this year,” BENNINGTON finished 8-1 in league with ninthHaselwood said. “We are led by a strong group of year coach Chas Hauck and could also have a seniors that I have had the pleasure of coaching big improvement. Bennington has co-oped with since their seventh grade year.” Minneapolis. Junior 145-pounder Chase Anderson PHILLIPSBURG coach Andy Kenney is in his (16-14) and senior 170-pounder Layne Wilton (2812th year at the school, third as head coach. The 10) were state qualifiers last year. Panthers were ninth at state last season. Junior BLUESTEM returns six wrestlers, including Jacob Sisson was the state champion at 120 senior 145-pounder Hazen Benton. He went 21-17 pounds. Junior Aaron Lenker took fourth at 106. last year and was a state qualifier in 2016. Six other returning starters are back. Lenker and CHAPARRAL returns junior Brian Escobar (120, Sisson are ranked No. 1. 22-11) who was a state qualifier as a frosh. and “We will have returners with lots of varsity senior Jaden Eslinger (285, 22-6) who was fourth at experience,” Kenney said. “The state placers from state. Senior Isaac Helms is back at 220 after injury. last year have high expectations for themselves and CHERRYVALE returns three wrestlers: junior are setting their goals and team goals high.” 130-pounder Dylon Morrill, junior 182-pounder Wyatt Gillman and senior 195-pounder Cade /FROM PG 69______ Addis. Gillman and Addis are both returning state “We will need our guys with little varsity qualifiers, and Addis has qualified twice. experience to step up and compete,” head coach COUNCIL GROVE returns 11 starters, paced by Kanean Wendell said. “As coaches, we will need to sophomore 113-pounder Tom VanValkenburg (who do a good job of developing our younger wrestlers.” co-ops from White City) and 220-pound senior For those searching for a sleeper in Class 5A Preston Gilbert, both returning state qualifiers. wrestling, look no further than the SHAWNEE DOUGLASS coach Dusty Rhodes, in his 42nd HEIGHTS Thunderbirds. season at the school, has six returning starters Shawnee Heights returns nine starters from and four returning state qualifiers with senior last year’s team that took 10th at state. The 113-pounder Gauge Small, senior 182-pounder Thunderbirds will have no trouble filling out their Kaden Pichler, senior 195-pounder Zach Dressler lineup and should have competitive practices for the and junior 285-pounder Isaiah Wasson. Pichler was remaining varsity spots. first at regionals and finished 29-17, while Dressler Shawnee Heights will be led by senior Freddy was second and was 29-11. Maisberger, the fifth-ranked wrestler at 120. “Last year’s team exceeded all expectations and “This year’s senior class has experienced previous with a great group of freshmen, hard work and success, understands the program’s culture, and great senior leadership, I predict a winning season,” will lead well,” head coach Chad Parks said. “The coach Rhodes said. underclassman also bring with them mat time and Junior 126-pounder Colton Scholz is the only will continue the Thunderbird tradition of ‘Taking returning state qualifier with seven returning starters Care of Business’ both on and off the mat.” for EFFINGHAM-ATCHISON COUNTY. Two-time state qualifier Anthonie White will lead ELL-SALINE senior Nick Davenport headlines the WICHITA HEIGHTS wrestling team this season. the Cardinals. His uncle, John Ludes, is in his fourth The Falcons return four additional starters from year as head coach. Davenport will likely compete last year, but will be otherwise inexperienced. at 220 and carried a 31-1 record and third-place “This summer, our team put in a tremendous finish at 195 last year. Seniors Seth Schneider (106, amount of work,” head coach Todd Sacquitne said. SQ) and Reis Jennings (182), junior Noah Hopkins “The keys to our success this year will be having our (285) and sophomore Eli Hopkins return. top junior varsity wrestlers step up this year on the ERIE returns two starters with 145-pound junior varsity level.” Katy Rounds and 170-pound sophomore John Four returning upperclassmen, including three Gage. Erie’s numbers went from two last year seniors, will guilde an otherwise youthful TOPEKA to more than 15 this season, and coach William -HIGHLAND PARK squad into this season. Keegan Weber said he is “very excited for the season.” Miller (145) and Kenny Hartzell (170) are looking for GOODLAND returns five starters, though none back-to-back state tournament appearances and posted a winning season last year and only one, are hoping to bring home a medal this year. Blayn Waters at 182, was a senior. Coach Joseph “I am hopeful that with this small group of seniors, Sramek expects improvement from juniors Manten they will give enough leadership that will guide the Crow (132) and Dawson Holub (195). younger wrestlers in to developing good practice HESSTON junior 132-pounder Jason Hecht was habits, which will pour over to the competition side 27-15 and a state qualifier. Senior Carter Wingfield and that will eventually led to much success,” head (152) qualified as a soph. “(Class) 3A will be tougher coach Freddy Maisberger said. “The hope is with with the addition of a number of former 4A schools hard work and dedication, these wrestlers could due to reclassification,” coach Doug Broadfoot said. surprise others by end of the this season.” HALSTEAD returns five starters, led by senior

4A WRESTLING/FROM PG 70______

Whitson (30-13) and Nick Elliott (25-19) - while MULVANE has two wrestlers ranked by the KWCA - sophomore Chadwick Stahl at 113 and Kyle Smith at 285 - as well as six other lettermen returning. INDEPENDENCE has junior Ian Lawson returning after qualifying for state last year and LABETTE COUNTY features state qualifier Evan Flatt at 106 pounds and junior Abbie Jones at 138. Jones has two top four finishes in the girls’ state tournament. NICKERSON and SMOKY VALLEY are both eyeing successful seasons. Nickerson welcomes back four qualifiers - junior Gage Cooper (113), soph. Dylan Schneider (145), senior Dylan Stewart (160) and senior Chandler Eaton (182) - while Smoky Valley has two state qualifiers returning junior Dax Hopp (160) and senior Cort Elliott (182). “The team will primarily be upperclassmen this season,” Smoky Valley coach Ben Elliott said. “It will be challenge to fill several weight classes, but it is a great group of young men to work with.” WAMEGO returns two state qualifiers in juniors Dacotah Lee and Adler Pierson, while TRINITY ACADEMY is hoping to see Tucker Trevett become the school’s first two-time state qualifier. ANDERSON COUNTY and LOUISBURG each have two wrestlers listed in the KWCA rankings - senior Dominic Sutton (fifth at 182) and junior Dallas Higginbotham (third at 220) for Anderson County and sophomore Cade Holtzen (third at 113) and senior Blue Caplinger (fourth at 182) for Louisburg. Holtzen was sixth at state last year and Caplinger was a qualifier. Seniors Hunter Bindi (120) and Austin Moore (220) are also previous state qualifiers with Bindi placing fifth in 2017.

5A WRESTLING

Page 72 Cayden Brandt at 145. Carter Hiebert (138, Soph.) had a solid freshman year going 2-3 at regionals. HILLSBORO sophomore Jordan Bachman (132) is a returning state qualifier and captured the CKL tournament. Junior Raymond Johnston (113/120) won almost 30 matches as a freshman but missed last year to injury. Senior Kyle Horton returns to Hillsboro after he competed last season for Marion. LAKIN junior Hadley Panzer was third at state last winter at 285 pounds. Junior Kayden Christiansen was a state qualifier at 152 last winter and will wrestle at 160 or 170 this year. LARNED went 5-3 overall and took 36th in Class 4A. Seven starters return, led by senior Kristopher Nolde at 132 pounds. MINNEAPOLIS is led by senior Tyson Villalpando (182), who was 26-7 and state runner-up. The Lions also return senior Tristin Hauck (138) a SQ with a 28-8 record. Senior Chance Korinek (220) also qualified for state with a 22-22 mark. Junior Dayton Randall (126/134) was 9-24 and qualified for state. Senior Austin Roth (113/120) was 29-12 and sixth at state. Sophomore Adam Reed (113) went 25-15. “We also have a bunch of new freshmen coming into an already tough line-up,” Hauck said. “Just need to stay positive and healthy.” LINCOLN returns three starters for first year coach Tommy Knapp: sophomore Tra Barrientes (220, SQ, Sylvan-Lucas co-op), and juniors Jerry Marinhagen and Chantz Vath at 195 and 138, respectively. Vath qualified for state as a freshman, but did not wrestle last year. OAKLEY co-coach Dylan Campbell looks for a “big improvement” over last season with everyone back except one senior. Junior Aidan Stephenson (126) and senior Morgan Rains (160) are both returning qualifers. Five others fell one match short. PERRY-LECOMPTON senior Dalton Kahle (106) was a ‘17 SQ, and junior Braden Woodson (126), soph. Thad Metcalf (132) and seniors Wyatt Pringle (138) and Collin Rossillon (220) are past qualifiers. “This is one of the best teams we’ve put on the mat,” coach David Roberts said. REPUBLIC CO. returns soph. Kaleb Talkington (120/126), who was 32-17 and sixth at state. Senior Mason Simmons (195) went 18-15 and qualified. REMINGTON has four returning state qualifiers: sophomore Jacob Holle (120), and seniors Caleb Farmer (126), Javier Martinez (145) and Jeyton Saunders (152). “Our hard work and dedication will show this year,” coach Casey Gobel said. “We have a pretty special senior group this year.” RIVERSIDE returns three qualifiers: 132-pounder Beau Horn, 160-pound Luke Horn and 152-pound Kinstin Juhl. Each won between 36 and 38 matches. ROSSVILLE returns state qualifiers Zach Archer (106, Jr., 26-15), Alex Archer (126, Sr., 25-15), Layne Hurla (120, So., 34-12) and Kody Davoren (220, Jr., 33-7). Senior Garrett Carver was 21-6 at 160. “We return four guys who won matches at state,” coach Courtney Horgan said. SOUTHEAST OF SALINE has senior 160-pounder Rudy Rodriguez, who has earned fourth and fifth at state. Sophomore Sterling Harp (170) qualified for state. Senior Colby Beer is a transfer with state experience. New STAFFORD coach Robert Hall has no returning wrestlers. TMP returns six starters, none with state experience. STOCKTON has five starters back, though just one senior with 170-pounder Jalen Basart. UNIONTOWN junior Colt Eck is a two-time qualifier projected to wrestle 160.

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