2A KBCA Top 10 Rankings: Key Players
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Throughout the season we will take a look at the KBCA Rankings as voted on by the coaches around Kansas and take a look at the key players in the top 10 and how they will or have impacted their…
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Continue ReadingThroughout the season we will take a look at the KBCA Rankings as voted on by the coaches around Kansas and take a look at the key players in the top 10 and how they will or have impacted their teams during the 2021-2022 Campaign. Today’s venture will be on the 2A rankings from December 21st.
#1 Hillsboro
MVP: Grayson Ratzlaff Grayson Ratzlaff 6'7" | PF Hillsboro | 2022 State KS , 6’7 W/F, 2022: A long an athletic wing/forward hybrid player that can run the floor, seal some inside, and step out and knock down threes off the catch. Fills up the stat sheet in the points, rebounds, steals, and blocks departments, and impacts the game in every area. Does a great job of finishing off teammates passes and can get on the offensive glass and get extra buckets that way.
X-Factor: Matthew Potucek Matthew Potucek 5'11" | CG Hillsboro | 2022 State KS , 5’11 G/W, 2022 (Pictured): The senior guard plays with a ton of energy and effort on both ends of the floor. Potucek lives in transition and does a great job of running out and getting layups himself or looking up ahead to kick it to teammates running. His defense and understanding of when to shoot gaps is top notch and creates a ton of extra opportunities for his team and pesters oppositions.
Name to Watch: Brekyn Ratzlaff Brekyn Ratzlaff 6'0" | PG Hillsboro | 2023 State KS , 6’ G, 2023: The younger Ratzlaff has been producing since he has entered high school and is doig more of the same this year. Plays with a swagger on both ends of the floor and controls the game from the guard spot. Creates havoc and a ton of steals and pressures the ball well, finishes opportunities in transition, and is crafty with the ball. Can also step into 3’s off the pass and drill perimeter shots in bunches.
#2 Wabaunsee
MVP: Brayden Meseke Brayden Meseke 6'0" | CG Wabaunsee | 2022 State KS , 6’1 G, 2022: Is the engine that helps their offense run and is still a tremendous defender with his instincts on the floor. Continues to be poised and play with a ton of energy in games. Averaging 18 points per game at an efficient 56% from the field while grabbing 3.6 rebounds, dishing out 2.4 assists, and snagging 2.4 steals per game. Playing at a really high level continuing from last season’s end.
X-Factor: Cade Oliver, 6’2 G, 2022: A match up problem for a ton of teams with his physicality and ability to stretch the floor and go off the bounce. Oliver is a great rebounder from the guard spot. Consistency during the long season stretch will pay massive dividends for the Chargers, especially shooting it from 3. Currently averaging 18. points on 53% from the field, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
Name to Watch: Eli Oliver Eli Oliver 6'2" | SG Wabaunsee | 2023 State KS , 6’3 G, 2023: The name that got hot last season that helped them on their late season push is once again someone to watch this season. A very long and lanky guard who can shoot the ball from the perimeter and cause problems for opposing offenses. Averaging 11.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
#3 St Mary’s
MVP: Fred Criqui Fred Criqui 6'7" | C St. Marys | 2022 State KS , 6’7 F, 2022: Recently committing to Doane University in Nebraska, the big man continues his rise from this past grassroots season playing at a dominating level to start the season. The touch from the field, improved hands, great footwork, and tenacity has shown early on. Has caught multiple lob dunks as well that have been impressive. Averaging a double double currently with 16 points and 11 rebounds per game while blocking 3 shots per game. Shooting a whopping 81% from the field.
X-Factor: Keller Hurla Keller Hurla 6'0" | CG St. Marys | 2023 State KS , 6’ G, 2023: Has played the guard position with a ton of electricity this season and taking the league by storm with his scoring ability that has expanded from just a top tier 3 point shooter. His high impact scoring from the perimeter will be key for a big run for them this year as it has proven so far this year to be important. Scoring 18 points per game while shooting 41% from 3, 4 rebounds per game, and 3 steals per game.
Name(s) to Watch: Jaxon Hurla, 5’10 G, 2022 and Noah Jacobson, 6’3 G, 2022: Both of these guards help round out a terrific starting 5 for St Marys and both guards bring an element to winning basketball games. Hurla is averaging 10 points per game while being the teams best play maker for others with the ball handing out 5.5 assists per game. Jacobson is a versatile and athletic wing player who can guard multiple positions, slash to the rim with the ball, and can knock down shots. Jacobson averages 9 points and 5 rebounds per game.
#4 Lyndon
MVP: Jackson Biggs, 6’5 W, 2023: An athletic wing player who is really explosive. Can get up on the glass at a really high level both to grab rebounds and to finish up at the rim. Uses his athleticism and length to protect the rim well and impose his will on the game. Shoots it well from the perimeter especially when trailing in transition. A matchup nightmare for a lot of teams.
X-Factor: Kaedin Massey, 6’8 F, 2024: He is their X-Factor for the reason that at his size and with his potential, with some seasoning throughout the year, could be a massive impact on their run down the stretch. Should see some more opportunities this second semester and if he rounds out, will give Lyndon some massive size and reliability down low.
Name(s) to Watch: Toby Miller, 6’3 G, 2022 and Darian Massey, 6’1 G, 2022: Miller is a strong and good sized guard who can score the basketball at a solid clip, rebounds well, and defends, highlighted with an 18 point and 8 rebound performance just before break. Massey is a very high IQ guard that gets guys in their spots and knows how to control tempo and makes really smart plays.
#5 Valley Falls
MVP: Avery Gatzemeyer Avery Gatzemeyer 6'1" | PG Valley Falls | 2022 State KS , 6’1 G/W, 2022: Good size, plays really physical, and competes at a high level on the basketball floor. Scores it at a really high percentage from the field and is averaging roughly 15 a game. Does a great job of getting others involved and is a terrific help side defender while getting his hands on basketballs that lead to deflections and steals.
X-Factor: Dylan Cervantez, 5’10 G, 2023: Is a playmaking guard that is really crafty with the ball and dishing out passes to cutters and shooters for assists. Can also get into the painted area and create shots for himself as well. Is a guard who can take over games with his playmaking ability.
Name to Watch: Zac Evans, 5’10, 2024: A young guard who has shown big time flashes for Falls this season, highlighted with a 17 point win against a really good Pleasant Ridge team. Evans can shoot it from the perimeter, moves well without the ball, and is a name to watch develop this season as he makes a positive impact for Valley Falls.
#6 Ellinwood
MVP: Britton Dutton Britton Dutton 6'0" | SG Argo Comm | 2023 State KS , 6’2 G, 2023: Would not be going out on a limb to say that Dutton is primed to be the 2A player of the year in Kansas. One of the most complete scorers of the basketball in the state and a efficient assassin from the field. Currently the top scorer in Kansas at over 32 points per game shooting 65% from the field and 53% from 3. Is a true competitor as well and makes winning plays outside of scoring as well. Averages 2.5 assists and 4 rebounds per game as well.
X-Factor: Parker Scheck, 6’4 W, 2023: Is a big time athlete and versatile presence for Ellinwood who has come in the last two games and made an immediate impact. Can jump passing lanes and get out on the break, block shots from the help side, and guard the ball in multiple spots. Can get up and dunk the ball out on the break and make game altering plays.
Name to Watch: Koy Behnke, 6’4 G, 2023: A do it all guard for Ellinwood who contributes in the scoring, passing, and rebounding game. Averages over 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for Ellinwood this season. Is really long and uses his length well on the floor.
#7 Jefferson County North
MVP: Ryan Feldkamp, 6’5 F, 2022: Also a tremendous football player Feldkamp is leaving a stamp on this basketball season as well. A stretch forward type of player who can knock down open shots from 3 especially off the catch and mix it up inside and score it in the paint. Makes good passes to open teammates and can bang inside and rebound as highlighted with his 11 point 6 rebound, and 5 assist performance right before break.
X-Factor: Blake Fowler, G, 2023: Has put up some nice stat lines throughout the season for North, and a little more scoring consistency could really take North up a notch. Hitting about 1 to 2 threes a game and shoots it on good looks. Makes extra passes and smart plays with the ball and plays extremely hard. Just before break had a breakout performance with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Name to Watch: Caleb Worthington, PG, 2022: A senior guard who has a knack for being involved in big moments in games and making plays in big spots. Kicks the ball ahead nicely in transition and he can also get out and finish layups as well running and pushing the ball.
#8 Erie
MVP: Eric Dillinger Eric Dillinger 6'5" | PF Erie | 2022 State KS , 6’5 F, 2022: Has been a monster to start the season, being a physical presence on both ends of the floor. Averaging a double double on the season, Dillinger has been making his mark on Erie’s 4-0 start to being the season. He is averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds per game on 50% shooting from the field and is even 3 of 4 from 3. He also has handed out over 3 assists per game.
X-Factor: Garrett Ruark, 6’3 G/W, 2022: Having a really solid start to the year and has been a great compliment to DIllinger. Ruark is averaging 12.4 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. Has hit 15 threes on the season and is shooting over 50% from the field.
Name to Watch: Ethan Bartholomew, 5’10 G, 2022: A senior guard that is a really solid player across the board for Erie. Currently averaging 6.8 points, 3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game.
#9 Trego
MVP: Charlie Russell Charlie Russell 6'4" | PF Trego | 2022 State KS , 6’4 F, 2022: His 17 point, 5 rebound performance vs Decatur is a great highlight of his high level play building off of a big summer for WKE. Russell is a hard nosed forwrad/wing that has a little bit of everything in his tool box and impacts the game all over. Finishes it at a high level and does a good job of scoring through contact.
X-Factor: Cole Feldt, 5’10 PG, 2022: A really good point guard that can defend at a high level and turn defense into instant offense whether its kicking it ahead, attacking downhill and dumping it off for layups, or running out to finish. Knows how to find shooters and his bigs for high quality looks. Feldt’s point guard play can take them far.
Name to Watch: Owen Day, 6’ G, 2023: A guy who can knock down shots for Trego from the perimeter and is a junior guard who makes some really good contributions for Trego.
#10 Berean Academy
MVP: Austin Thiessen, W, 2022: The senior leader for Berean to start the year and is a athletic presence who contributes consistently for them and has had some big time performances for them to start off the year. A big time contributor especially when attacking the rim and being aggressive on defense.