Looking Ahead: Top Returners to 5A
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It’s football playoff time! That means basketball season is about a month off. Basketball practices will be tipping off soon. So it’s time to start looking ahead to the season. Let’s start with a look at the top returners by…
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Continue ReadingIt’s football playoff time! That means basketball season is about a month off. Basketball practices will be tipping off soon. So it’s time to start looking ahead to the season. Let’s start with a look at the top returners by class.
Like 6A, graduation claimed nearly all of the all-staters from 5A. But a nice crop of players are ready to step in and grab those spots. Here are the top returners to 5A:
Jace Linenberger Jace Linenberger 6'7" | C Hays | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-6 center, 2022, Hays:
Probably the top candidate for 5A Player of the Year, Linenberger led Hays to a great season last year, before it was cut short by the Topeka West Chargers. He was the dominant presence in most games and the team leader in points (16.2) and rebounds (7.5) per game. For that excellence, he was the only junior on the first or second team 5A last year. He bullied competition this summer, showing he’s ready for a memorable senior season.
Kyle Grill Kyle Grill 6'4" | CG Maize | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-6 guard, 2022, Maize:
A huge guard who can handle the ball and is lights out from deep. What more can you ask for? The future Fort Hays State Tiger was third-team 5A last year and will be ready to repeat the state title run from last year. He averaged 11.3 points on a well-balanced team, and shot a ridiculous 50% from beyond the arc.
Will Anciaux Will Anciaux 6'6" | PF Kapaun Mt Carmel | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-6 forward, 2023, Kapaun:
Well, when you’re getting offers from just about every major football program there is, basketball might be an afterthought. But if Anciaux keeps applying himself on the court, he’ll be one of the best in the state again this year. He is long and athletic, with great coordination and body control for a big man. His ability in the mid-range and running the floor sets him apart from most his size.
Jaron Briggs Jaron Briggs 6'4" | CG Piper | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, KC Piper (pictured):
Briggs may have been underappreciated on the high school scene so far. He’s a big guard who can handle it and score, and is powerful and athletic enough to create a mismatch mess for opponents. He guards just about everyone on the court, runs the floor and does the dirty work that summer club teams appreciate.
Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-4 guard, 2022, Topeka West:
Brooks has been a star in the Capital City for three years already. He’s back for one more go at it, hoping to stay injury free this year. He missed too much action last year, but the Chargers were so loaded, they soldiered on without him. He appeared healthy this summer, and we all know what he can do when healthy. Look no further than the three games of 28 or more points he ran off last year.
Avery Johnson Avery Johnson 6'2" | CG Maize | 2023 KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Maize:
Grill’s running mate at Maize is sort of in the same situation as Anciaux. The star quarterback is being courted by a dizzying array of colleges. But if he stays focused on the court, he will be one of the best in the state again this year. You can’t do much better than he did last year: leading scorer on the 5A state champs.
Other top returners in 5A:
Dylan Blazer Dylan Blazer 6'3" | SF Mill Valley | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Mill Valley
Trevor Mcbride Trevor Mcbride 6'2" | CG Basehor Linwood | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Basehor-Linwood
Ty Henry Ty Henry 6'3" | SG Seaman | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, 2022,Seaman
Carson Kieffer Carson Kieffer 6'1" | PG Hays | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Hays
Jinwoo Kim Jinwoo Kim 6'1" | PG Blue Valley Southwest | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, 2022, Blue Valley Southwest
Juan’Tario Roberts Juan’Tario Roberts 5'10" | CG Highland Park | 2022 State KS , 5-foot-10 guard, 2022, Highland Park
Will Rost Will Rost 6'3" | SG Aquinas | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, 2023, Aquinas
Sam Somerhalder Sam Somerhalder 6'7" | SF St. James Academy | 2022 State KS , 6-foot-7 forward, 2022, St. James