PREVIEW: United Kansas Conference

<p><em>Pictured: Kenyon Myers, Leavenworth (Photo courtesy of Israel Potozcny, Prep Hoops)</em></p> <p><b>Basehor-Linwood (21-3, 7-0)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Losses: Jacob Coleman (6’5, G/F), Kobe Sifford (6’2, G), Nolan Ford (6’1, G).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Basehor-Linwood will be looking to replace Jacob Coleman, one of the state’s premier all-around wing players, as well as guards Kobe Sifford and Nolan Ford. The trio brought toughness and a winning mentality to the floor that will be hard to replace. However, the cupboard is far from bare for the Bobcats who return several talented players that played key roles for the team’s run to the state championship game last season, including guard Connor Younger, big man Cory Davila and rising sophomore Trevor McBride.</span></p> <p><b>DeSoto (7-14, 4-2)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Losses:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DeSoto is coming off a tough season a year ago, but has some promise with the emergence of 6’9 2021 big man Nate Barnhart who is among the state’s most promising prospects. Along with the play of junior Jackson Miller, DeSoto will be looking to surround Barnhart with the pieces to be successful this season.</span></p> <p><b>Kansas City Turner (0-22, 0-9)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Team is coming off a tough run in 2018-19 and will be looking to get things back on track.</span></p> <p><b>Lansing (8-13)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Losses: Jaden Remington (6’4, G/F)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lansing joins the United Kansas Conference after going 8-13 overall last season. They will have to replace 6’4 wing player Jaden Remington who led the team in scoring last season averaging 13 points per game. Barnard averaged 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season, while Jackson added 5.1 points per game. They will be led in 2019-20 by senior guard Alex Mack, 2021 forward Malik Benson and others.</span></p> <p><b>Leavenworth (10-13, 6-3)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Losses: Jarrett Hensley (6’8, F), D’Monte Gaw (6’3, G), Michael Sauer (6’0, G).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Leavenworth loses 6’8 forward Jarrett Hensley and guards D’Monte Gaw and Michael Sauer, but still has a lot of quality pieces for a run in 2019-20, including a talented frontcourt in do-everything forward Reece Williams and standout defender and above-the-rim athlete Kenyon Myers. Mix in the play of wing Payton Hanzlik and several tough guards and the Pioneers are poised for a breakout year.</span></p> <p><b>Shawnee Heights (13-10, 4-4)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Losses: Tyce Brown (5’11, PG).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Thunderbirds will have to replace the leadership and solid point guard play of Tyce Brown who was lost to graduation, but 2021 forward Harvey Davis and 2020 guard Elijas Watson will lead the way this season, giving Shawnee Heights a solid 1-2 punch to lean on in 2019-20.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>