NE KS Trios to Watch
Turnover always opens the door for a lot of new storylines. But some of the best small-school ballers in the state are already established members of these terrific trios. They’re ready to take it to another level next year, and…
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Continue ReadingTurnover always opens the door for a lot of new storylines. But some of the best small-school ballers in the state are already established members of these terrific trios. They’re ready to take it to another level next year, and their teams will be some of the best in the state.
Northeast Kansas Trios to Watch (players are listed by their grade next school year)
Royal Valley’s Nahcs Wahwassuck Nahcs Wahwassuck 6'5" | CG Royal Valley | 2022 State KS , junior, Brady Klotz, junior, and Brevin Canady, senior: It will be really fun to see what Royal Valley – 19-1 last year – can do with this crew one year older and even more established. You could add junior-to-be Mason Thomas Mason Thomas 6'4" | SF Royal Valley | 2022 State KS to this group and call them a fearsome foursome.
Wahwassuck is already established as one of the best players in the state. He has two more years to leave his mark, as well as to market himself to college programs. He was a first-team all-leaguer as a freshman, and was first team all 3A as a sophomore. The 6-foot-4 floor general can do it all. He led the Panthers to a 19-1 regular season mark by scoring 16.6 points per game. But his game is well-rounded, and with his size, he’s a matchup nightmare. Look for Wahwassuck to be one of the state’s best players the next two seasons.
The 6-foot-3 Klotz earned first-team all Big Seven and 3A honorable mention as a sophomore. Klotz tallied 10.6 points per game while cleaning up 7.2 rebounds for the Panthers. Klotz was tough come playoff time. He tallied 16 points in a win over Silver Lake and 12 in a bitter 44-43 loss to St. Marys in the sub-state final.
Canady wasn’t called upon to score a lot for the loaded Royal Valley club. But he’s a slick ball handler and distributor who led the Panthers in assists. The 6-foot Canady will team with a trio of sophomores to make the Panthers a beast next season. Canady won’t have to be THE leader, but his leadership as a senior can make the Panthers a favorite in all of 3A.
Seabury’s Zach Bloch, senior, Joao Carlos Ramirez, junior, and Stavion Jones, senior: Talk about loaded, Seabury had talent to spare last year, and was rolling through 2A with a 22-2 mark when the state playoffs were halted.
The 6-foot-1 combo guard Bloch can pass, create and score. He’s the 16th ranked 2021 in the state for a reason. He’s surrounded by so much talent, his chance to show off on his high school team is limited. But Bloch was named Wichita Eagle 2A Player of the Year because he gave the loaded Seahawks the ingredients they needed to win. Seabury finished 21-2 and seemingly had a different star every night. But Bloch’s final game demonstrates his talent: he shot 12-15 for 27 points against Valley Heights.
There might be no other player more capable of an explosion than Ramirez this fall. The 6-foot-6 junior is a double-double machine. He tallied 26 against Lyndon in the sub-state final. But Seabury is so loaded with talent, it may be hard for Ramirez showcase his development. But coaches will be watching because his raw talent and size are enticing. That’s why he’s PrepHoops’ 4th rated 2022.
The 5-foot-9 Jones is by no means lost in the shadow of his teammates. He was honorable mention 2A as a sophomore and earned second team last year. He was frequently his team’s leading scorer, including roasting Mission Valley for 32 in the sub-state second round win.
Lyndon’s Miles Kitselman, senior, Luke Detwiler, senior, and Toby Miller, junior: Another loaded group returns at Lyndon, whose season was ended at sub-state by Seabury. Plan on junior-to-be Darian Massey to supply this trio with even more talent – Massey was Flint Hills league honorable mention last season.
Kitselman is a 6-foot-5, 240 pound monster in the middle, and a pivot for his talented teammates to work around. He was first-team all Flint Hills league and 2A honorable mention.
The 5-foot-10 guard Detwiler grabbed headlines in January when he led Lyndon to the Flint Hills Shootout title with upsets over Council Grove and Mission Valley. He averaged 13 points in the tournament. He was second-team all Flint Hills and all state honorable mention.
A 6-foot guard, Miller is equally confident shooting from range or taking the ball inside for the Vikings, who went 17-3 in the regular season and fell to top ranked Seabury in the sub-state final. He grabbed a spot on the Flint Hills League first-team. With Kitselman and Detwiler returning, Lyndon will be loaded again. That could make it hard for Miller and fellow junior Massey to expand their roles too much.
Madison’s Drew Stutesman, junior, Chase Harrison, senior, and Ryan Wolgram, senior: The Bulldogs went 20-2 and were one of the most exciting teams in 1A. Though they were felled by Lebo in the sub-state final they made headlines with a young and talented crew that returns. Add Brome Rayburn – Lyon County League honorable mention – to this trio, and Madison will be a beast next year.
Stutesman was a key contributor to the Bulldogs as a freshman, but he took a giant step forward in his second season. Even with some good older players on the Madison team, Stutesman grew into a leading role. He became a go-to guy for the third-rated team in the state, averaging 13.8 points and 7.3 boards en route to second team all-state honors, as well as first team in the Lyon County League.
The 6-foot Harrison has had some huge games, including the game winner in the Lyon County League tournament, 25 against Northern Heights, and 29 against Wichita Home School. He averaged 12.0 per game after leading the team in scoring as a freshman. Harrison stepped up big in big games and in big moments. He was third team all-state honors, and another first teamer in the Lyon County League.
The star football quarterback Wolgram can also light it up on the court. He’s a 5-foot-9 guard who can run circles around opponents, and is a heady leader.