The Big’Ins (Part II)

It is time to present to you another group of members of perhaps my favorite high school basketball fraternity, "The Big’Ins." These big, strong, thick-bodied young lads really know how to throw their weight around on the court, while helping their respective teams win a lot of games. Ryan Schwendeman Ryan Schwendeman 6'4" | SF St. Dominic | 2022 State MO (St. Dominic): The 6'4" 245-pound forward is headed to Southern Illinois to play college football next season, but not before completing what has been a stellar prep basketball career with the Crusaders. The Big Fella can dominate in the paint and knock down 3-pointers as well. He is currently averaging 19.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in leading the Crusaders to an 18-5 record and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Class 4 district playoffs. Gage Wilson Gage Wilson 6'8" | PF Northeast Cairo | 2022 State MO (NE Cairo): The 6'8" 240-pound 2022 doubles as a standout pitcher in baseball as well as an outstanding power forward for the Bearcats. He has been a force in the paint throughout his career in helping the Bearcats on a very successful run of winning. He finishes well inside and can move people around in the post. He has led the Bearcats to a 20-5 record and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Class 2 districts. Cade Limback (Higginsville): A 6'4" 310-pound center who also plays lineman on the football field and can also swat the baseball. He really moves well for his size around the post and he has a nice soft touch around the basket. He had an impressive 14-point performance against Richmond in a big conference victory on Tuesday night. He's played a big part in the Huskers' 23-1 record. JD Tate JD Tate 6'8" | PF Spokane | 2023 State MO (Spokane): The big 6'8" 2023 missed the early part of the season with an injury, but he came back strong with a 37-point effort in his first game back. He has nice hands and a soft shooting touch inside and a big body that moves people around inside like furniture. Landon Wood (Putnam County): A 6'3" 270-pound post player who can dominate games with his sheer size and muscle. When he establishes his position, he is not going to be moved. When he catches it, he can finish with both hands with equal effectiveness. If he misses, he is going to get his own rebound and score. He is averaging about 20 points a game in leading PC to a 20-2 record. Ethan Wiley Ethan Wiley 6'5" | PF Battle | 2023 State MO (Battle): I always enjoy watching this 6'5" 2023 forward play because he likes to rebound. Not only does he use his big body to get position inside, but he moves well and will get out of his area to corral boards. He's physical and he stays very active inside.