Northeast Kansas League Spring Wrap
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The Northeast Kansas League was generally strong across the board, but only one team made it to state, and no player earned all-state honors. There’s a strong crop of juniors who will be back in this league. Here’s a look…
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Continue ReadingThe Northeast Kansas League was generally strong across the board, but only one team made it to state, and no player earned all-state honors. There’s a strong crop of juniors who will be back in this league.
Here’s a look back, and a look forward, for the Northeast Kansas League:
Top Team: Valley Falls
The Dragons returned a ton of talent from the previous season, and rolled a 17-5 record through sub-state. They lost to Wabaunsee at state. You could make an argument for Jefferson North, which went 14-4 and lost to the Wabaunsee juggernaut in sub-state by a much closer margin.
League Player of the Year: Ryan Feldkamp, junior, Jefferson North
You could make an argument for a few others, but Feldkamp’s numbers give him the edge. The 6-foot-4 junior averaged 16.3 points and 6.6 boards for the Chargers.
Senior Star: Nate Hawk Nate Hawk 6'6" | PF Valley Falls | 2021 State KS , Valley Falls (pictured)
Hawk is a graceful and explosive athlete who didn’t always put up huge numbers, but was always key to what Valley Falls accomplished. He could explode occasionally for 20-point outings. He averaged 12.3 points and 7.0 boards for the Dragons.
Other Top Grads (in alphabetical order):
Connor Gibson, Pleasant Ridge
Cooper Jepson, Valley Falls
Emmett Jobbins, Jefferson North
Korlan Korbelik, Maur Hill
James Kramer, Jefferson North
Dylan Thompson, Jackson Heights
Top Returner: Avery Gatzemeyer Avery Gatzemeyer 6'1" | PG Valley Falls | 2022 State KS , junior, Valley Falls
Other than Feldkamp, Gatzemeyer is the other top junior who returns. He’s an athletic 6-foot-2 guard who can do a lot of the things on the floor as the two-year leader of the Dragons. Last season he averaged 15.3 points per game, and is an effective passer and rebounder as well.
Players to Watch this Summer (in alphabetical order):
Walker Adams, junior, Pleasant Ridge:
Despite lots of experienced guards around, Adams took his game to a higher level as a junior, scoring 10.8 points per game. With the graduation of Connor Gibson, Adams will have even more opportunity next year to run the show. Adams can take a big step in preparation this summer.
Trenton Kraxner, junior, Valley Falls:
Gatzemeyer will need a running mate as the Dragons lose Hawk and Cooper Jepson. Kraxner showed last year he can get after the boards, collecting 7.5 per contest. The 6-foot-3 forward can use the summer to get ready for a lot bigger role next year.