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With graduation sapping a lot of the top teams in the league, Royal Valley will have a clear path to repeat as league champs. Led my all-state stud Nahcs Wahwassuck Nahcs Wahwassuck 6'5" | CG Royal Valley | 2022 State…
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Continue ReadingWith graduation sapping a lot of the top teams in the league, Royal Valley will have a clear path to repeat as league champs. Led my all-state stud Nahcs Wahwassuck Nahcs Wahwassuck 6'5" | CG Royal Valley | 2022 State KS , the Panthers can build upon a two-loss season that saw them barely miss the state tournament.
Nemaha Central was the lone state qualifier a year ago, reaching the 3A state tournament. They lost a whole crop of seniors, but return the formidable Beck twins.
Preseason Player of the Year:
Nahcs Wahwassuck Nahcs Wahwassuck 6'5" | CG Royal Valley | 2022 State KS , junior, Royal Valley:
The only all-state player in the league last year, the junior has been a leader at Royal Valley since day one. At 6-foot-4, he has the body to play the post. But he has ball skills to play point, off guard, wing…he could sell tickets and pop popcorn if needed. He showed over the summer that he has the elevation and nastiness to try to dunk over traffic. He also exhibited top-flight range from the perimeter. He is a quality floor manager and passer.
Returning stars:
Brady Klotz Brady Klotz 6'4" | SF Royal Valley | 2022 State KS , junior, Royal Valley:
Klotz teams with fellow junior Mason Thomas Mason Thomas 6'4" | SF Royal Valley | 2022 State KS to provide size and versatility to the dynamic guards of Royal Valley. Klotz was honorable mention 3A last year having tallied 10.6 points and 7.2 boards. He is tough on the glass and on defense in the lane.
Kale Purcell Kale Purcell 6'3" | SF Holton | 2021 State KS , senior, Holton:
An honorable mention 4A pick as a junior, Purcell can score in a number of ways. His leaping ability creates opportunities in the lane and he can shoot midrange and beyond. He led Holton with 11.2 per game last season.
Parker Stone Parker Stone 6'1" | CG Perry-Lecompton | 2021 State KS , senior, Perry-Lecompton:
A smooth shooter, Stone averaged 15.1 as a junior. His team lost a ton of size, so the 6-foot-2 Stone may have to move inside more as a senior. He earned honorable mention 3A last year.
Kurtis Beck Kurtis Beck 6'4" | PF Nemaha Central | 2022 State KS , junior, Nemaha Central:
The 6-foot-4 Kurtis will team with his twin brother Marcus after combining for about 19 points and 15 rebounds a contest a year ago. Kurtis earned honorable mention 3A.
Brevin Canady Brevin Canady 6'0" | CG Royal Valley | 2021 KS , senior, Royal Valley:
Canady is the lone senior to lead this junior-rich squad. He is a smooth ball handler and quarterback who frees Wahwassuck to play a versatile role. He averaged 8.3 points and 3 assists a game last year.
Players to watch:
Josh Broxterman Josh Broxterman 6'2" | PF Jefferson West | 2021 State KS , senior, Jefferson West:
Broxterman is working his way back from an injury that hampered his junior season. He showed this summer to have some of his athleticsm back, and he is a tough customer in the lane. He has the work ethic to battle for rebounds and defend, and he has some good ball skills and touch from the mid-range.
Carson Brading, senior, Jefferson West:
Broxterman’s teammate on the Kansas Hoggs this summer, Brading displayed a ton of range and touch from the perimeter. He’s a smooth 5-foot-10 ball handler who, when left alone, will burn you from deep.
Drew Schmelzle, senior, Sabetha:
Sabetha will have to make up for a ton of lost points from graduate Gabe Garber. Schmelzle has yet to put up impressive numbers on the basketball court, but he’s a 6-foot-5 athletic man-child. He showed on the football field that he can carry a team with his speed, strength and explosiveness.