Awards Time: Celebrated Sophs 1A-2A
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It’s that time when all-state, all-league, all-area and all-city teams are announced. Sports in Kansas publication recently released its all-state team. The selection of the top players by classification was dominated by seniors, with a good mix of juniors throughout.…
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Continue ReadingIt’s that time when all-state, all-league, all-area and all-city teams are announced. Sports in Kansas publication recently released its all-state team. The selection of the top players by classification was dominated by seniors, with a good mix of juniors throughout.
But a handful of sophomores were recognized, including a few who haven’t received a lot of notoriety to this point.
Here is a look at the sophomores listed on the 1A and 2A all-state teams:
Brekyn Ratzlaff Brekyn Ratzlaff 6'0" | PG Hillsboro | 2023 State KS , Hillsboro, 2A 1st team:
The guy who made things go for the 2A state champs, Ratzlaff is a dynamic point guard with the ability to stay cool on the big stage. He dominated the first half of the championship win over Wabaunsee, finishing with 16 points. He is a demon on the defensive end, and gets his teammates involved.
Britton Dutton Britton Dutton 6'0" | SG Argo Comm | 2023 State KS , Ellinwood, 2A 1st team:
The ringleader of a talented young group in Ellinwood, Dutton has been putting up big numbers for two years now. As a sophomore, he was one of the state’s leading scorers with 23.3 points per game. But the athletic 6-foot-1 guard does more than chuck up shots. He was one of the state’s leaders with 4.8 assists per game, and also chipped in 2.5 steals a game.
Ryan Kuckelman, Macksville, 1A Div 1 2nd team:
A long 6-foot-6 forward. Kuckelman is a guy who Prep Hoops will need to give more attention following his special showing as a sophomore. He averaged 12.7 points and 10.1 boards this season for a pretty competitive Macksville club. Watch for Kuckelman to emerge as one of the top small school bigs next year.
Jerrit Norris Jerrit Norris 6'4" | PF Troy | 2023 State KS , Troy, 1A Div 1 2nd team:
Like Kuckelman, Norris is a big guy to watch as one of the best moving forward. Norris has put together a good resume already, averaging a double-double in back-to-back seasons. As a sophomore, he went for 18.1 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. He’s a well-built 6-foot-4 athlete who is especially effective scoring off rebounds.
Alec Carlson, Pawnee Heights, 1A Div 2 1st team:
Though just 6-foot-1, Carlson plays with a bit of a big-guy style. He led Pawnee Heights to the state semis, scoring 18 in a win over South Haven, then finishing with 13 in a loss to Elyria Christian. He was one of the most productive players in the state last year, recording 23.3 points and 8.5 boards per game.
Jaxson Brandl Jaxson Brandl 6'2" | CG Greeley County | 2023 State KS , Greeley County, 1A Div 2 1st team:
Talk about a start to a career, the 6-foot Brandl is putting up some incredible stats so far. After putting up crazy numbers as a freshman – 21.2 points and 9.8 rebounds – he showed as a sophomore that it was no fluke. He scored 19.5 points and corralled 10.6 boards this year, to go with 3.5 steals.
Jay Vincent, Wheatland-Grinnell, 1A Div 2 1st team:
The 6-foot multi-sport star was a do-it-all guard, knocking down perimeter shots, finding open teammates, and playing a ball-hawking role at the defensive end. Vincent averaged 10.1 points and 3.9 rebounds, while also dishing out 2.7 assists. He picked up 2.5 steals per game. He will be a well-rounded guy for Prep Hoops to give some extra attention moving forward.