Big Shoes to Fill in 2A
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Graduation claims some of the best players every year. When a great player moves on, it opens the door for another to step up and show their talents. But there can be some pressure when it comes to trying to…
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Continue ReadingGraduation claims some of the best players every year. When a great player moves on, it opens the door for another to step up and show their talents. But there can be some pressure when it comes to trying to replace a lot of production.
Here are some returning players in 2A who will have big shoes to fill next year:
Jackson Biggs, sophomore, Lyndon:
One of the top 2A programs last year, Lyndon loses a couple of top talents in second team 2A honoree Miles Kitselman Miles Kitselman 6'5" | C Lyndon | 2021 State KS and honorable mention point guard Luke Detwiler Luke Detwiler 5'11" | PG Lyndon | 2021 State KS . The Tigers will have honorable mention performers Toby Miller and Darian Massey back. But the long, athletic Biggs is their most dynamic returner with the most upside. He is an explosive and versatile 6-foot-3 guard/wing who can make highlight plays.
Eric Dillinger, junior, Erie:
The Red Devils lose a couple of star seniors in third-team 3A performer Mark Bogner, and tough big Dawson Lehman. But returning is Eric Dillinger, a 6-foot-5 forward who was the team leader in points and rebounds with 15.8 and 6.8. Dillinger led the Red Devils to the state playoffs, where they narrowly fell to Lyndon.
Nehemiah Byrd, junior, Riverside:
Bray Davies started his senior campaign like a house afire. He torched Royal Valley for 29, then hit for 18 against Perry-Lecompton and 21 against Hiawatha. Putting up those types of numbers against great competition was really impressive. But as the season progressed, the junior Byrd assumed a lot of the scoring lead for Riverside. Davies averaged 14.3 as a senior, while Byrd contributed 11.9.
Walt Gray, sophomore, Hutchinson Trinity:
Replacing Lucas Hammeke won’t be easy for the Celtics. He was one of the most productive guards in the state, averaging 21 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 steals. Gray plays a different style, but will be called upon to take up a lot of the slack. A rugged football star, Gray spends more time in the lane, but he has a sweet stroke from behind the arc and can rack up a lot of impact plays because of his versatility.
Wesley Young, junior, West Elk:
The elite athleticism of graduate Devin Loudermilk Devin Loudermilk 6'3" | SF West Elk | 2021 State KS won’t be easy to replace. He takes 20.5 points and 7.0 rebounds with him. But 6-foot-4 Young is an impact player in his own right, particularly when it comes to crashing the boards. Young led the Patriots with 10.7 rebounds as a junior, and will see his scoring go up from the 12.5 he averaged this year.