Big Shoes to Fill in 5A

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 replace a lot of production. Here are some returning players in 5A who will have big shoes to fill next year: Cole James Cole James 6'4" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State KS , junior, DeSoto: Talk about a tall order. The 6-foot-4 James will be the sole returner from the imposing front wall at DeSoto that featured all-stater Wyatt Noll Wyatt Noll 6'4" | PF DeSoto | 2021 State KS and 7-footer Nate Barnhart Nate Barnhart 6'9" | PF DeSoto | 2021 State KS . James was really good in his own right, but now must become the lead big man for DeSoto. He is solid in every area, and can handle the ball and pass well for a big. Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Topeka West: Austin started the season on JV, but as opportunity presented itself, he worked into a bigger and bigger role for the Chargers. He gained invaluable experience, making it all the way to the state finals. But now he’ll have to take up some of the production of graduates Tre Alexander Tre Alexander 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2021 State KS and Marque Wilkerson Marque Wilkerson 6'1" | SG Topeka West | 2021 State KS . Austin is more of a pure point guard, so he won’t do things the way those two did. But he showed he’s a capable quarterback of the offense and a slick ball handler. Eli Shetlar Eli Shetlar 6'2" | SG Andover | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Andover: Loaded with guards, Andover was diverse and athletic last year. They featured the explosiveness of Jack Johnson Jack Johnson 6'2" | CG Andover | 2021 State KS and the headiness of Kaleb Gaddis Kaleb Gaddis 6'1" | PG Andover | 2021 State KS . Shetlar was a lights-out contributor from the perimeter, averaging 8.8 points and hitting 45% from distance. But now the 6-foot-3 sophomore have to shoulder more of the ball handling and distribution that Johnson and Gaddis provided. BJ Redic BJ Redic 6'2" | SF Andover | 2023 State KS , sophomore, Andover: Shetlar won’t be alone in replacing Johnson and Gaddis. He’ll have a running mate in the super athletic Redic. The 6-foot-2 sophomore is a diverse talent. He can handle the ball and attack the defense for 94 feet, but he also crashes the glass with abandon and defends with tenacity. He averaged 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in a supporting role last year. Henry Thengvall Henry Thengvall 6'5" | PF Kapaun Mt Carmel | 2022 State KS , junior, Kapaun: Senior Blake Danitschek Blake Danitschek 6'7" | SG Kapaun Mt Carmel | 2021 State KS was one of the state’s best wings for the past couple of years. He had a unique perimeter game for a man his size, and his athleticism provided an inside-out versatility. Thengvall has some of the same skills. He is a solid ball handler and shooter for a 6-foot-5 player. He will bring some toughness and energy in the lane.