Big Shoes to Fill in 4A
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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 4A who will have big shoes to fill next year:
Kaiden Abasolo, freshman, Mulvane:
Kaiden’s older brother, Trey Abasolo Trey Abasolo 6'1" | CG Mulvane | 2021 State KS , earned first-team 4A as a senior. His numbers will be impossible to replace by one man. Trey averaged 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game. It’s also unfair to expect a younger brother to try to live up to what an older brother did. But Kaiden showed a ton in his own right as a rookie. He stepped into the top-ranked Mulvane lineup and averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 boards in a supporting role.
Jake Fritz Jake Fritz 6'2" | SG Wamego | 2022 State KS , junior, Wamego (pictured):
Tanner Hecht Tanner Hecht 6'5" | CG Wamego | 2021 State KS was a unique player in 4A – a 6-foot-5 leaper who could shoot the lights out. His flashy and highly-productive game will be greatly missed next season. But Fritz really came on in the second half of last season and will provide a lot of the perimeter production of Hecht. In just the final few weeks of the season, the 6-foot-2 junior exploded for 25 against Hayden, 24 against Chapman and 18 against Council Grove. It was not uncommon for Fritz to hit five or more 3-pointers in a game.
Jessie Greenly, sophomore, Atchison:
Atchison loses two Xaviers who got honorable mention accolades this year – the high scoring Xavier Hernandez and guard Xavier Cushinberry. Their experience and scoring output will be really tough to replace. But sophomore Greenly showed he has a lot of potential. He went for 24 against Rossville and 23 against KC Wyandotte. He’s a 5-foot-11 guard who will lead the attack next year.
Jack Voth Jack Voth 6'6" | PF J.T. Hoggard | 2023 State NC , sophomore, Buhler:
The quarterbacking and production of Max Alexander Max Alexander 6'0" | PG Next Level Prep | 2022 KS will be really tough to replace for Buhler. But guard Jack Voth Jack Voth 6'6" | PF J.T. Hoggard | 2023 State NC is a big athlete who can grow in his role. Voth was a great complement to Alexander, with the ability to run the floor, spot up for an outside shot, or get to the rim. He’s got good physicality to defend and crash the boards.
Kaden McDaniel Kaden McDaniel 6'4" | PF Augusta | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Augusta:
Augusta loses all-stater Brendan Parker Brendan Parker 6'1" | SG Augusta | 2021 State KS , a 6-foot-1 guard who led the Orioles to the state semifinals. But 6-foot-4 wing will help soften the blow. He’s a long shooter who was really good down the stretch. He went for 19 against Rose Hill, then contributed 14 in the semifinal loss to Louisburg. He moves well and rebounds, so he’ll bring lots of versatility next year.