Five Burning Questions- Wichita City League
With basketball season right around the corner and football finishing up, it’s worth our time to take a look at five storylines to watch unfold in the Wichita City League in the 18-19 season.
1. Can Heights stay seemingly untouchable in the regular season?
Coming off of a 19-4 year boasting a 14-2 record in district, Heights continues to live at the top of the city during basketball season. With a good mix of young, developing talent like Danair Dempsey and Keither Florence and tenured upperclassman like Jaden Okon, Izaiah Hale, Donald Bobbit, and Corey Anderson, the Falcons have every reason to stay at the top.
They will be faced with tests along the way but I do believe that their season will be fruitful, especially before Christmas break.
2. Is this the bounce back year for East?
East has a solid incoming freshman class who will be a topic of conversation in years to come but what about the state of their program now?
Coming off of a uncharacteristic tough year under Joe Jackson, the Aces are looking to bounce back in a major way. The emergence of Daylan Jones has gotten everyone’s attention, even those living under a rock, and with a year of varsity experience, I feel as though he’s ready to step into a bigger role.
Also, with their leading scorer back for his senior year, Jaylen Randle, East is certain to be one the list to bounce back.
3. Where does West shake out this season with first year head coach Tommy Brumbelow?
It takes time to rebuild a program, that’s one thing for certain and West has had their troubles, winning only three games in the past two years.
By the looks of it, Coach Brumbelow is in the process of turning West into an eventual contender but there will still be some growing pains this season although I believe they will easily exceed the number of wins in the past two years combined.
Milan Jenkins is going to have to be phenomenal for them to make a run in the City League, which isn’t out of the question but a big challenge at that.
4. Can Southeast come together quickly and have success?
There’s no questioning the amount of talent that Southeast has on paper. Jackie Johnson is a lethal addition to a lineup that already hosts Micah Jacques, Jun Murdock, Rone Smith, and others.
We have seen Jackie carry the load for a team plenty of times, although he had help while playing alongside Peyton Hatter, they both accounted for the majority of the offense at North.
I believe Southeast will have early success due to their talent level but over time, you may see that start to deteriorate with a new head coach and tensions will inevitably rise later in the season.
5. Will Bishop Carroll defend their state title?
Bishop Carroll is essentially returning a championship team who is now bigger, faster, stronger, and more experienced which is a scary thought for everyone competing in the City League.
There will be challenges, mainly in the form of Heights and Southeast for the district throne but the emergence of Carsen Pracht, Tanner Mans, and Gunner Lynch during their state title run leaves them as the favorites to repeat.
They have a team that is bought in, well coached, and now knows how to win both on good nights and bad.