Playoff Players to Watch – Small Schools

<p>Playoffs are now in full swing. Here are some of the small school players to keep your eye on:</p> <p>3A:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="602176" first="Drew" last="Nicholson"], senior, Hoisington:</p> <p>Ranked #7 in the final vote, Hoisington got stuck in the ridiculously tough Larned sub-state that also features #1 Lakin and #5 Hugoton, as well as Holcomb. Hoisington will rely heavily on the 6-foot-7 Nicholson, who is wrapping up an illustrious career. Having earned second-team 3A last year, he is averaging 18.9 points and 6.2 rebounds as a senior.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1072895" first="Josh" last="Broxterman"], senior, Jefferson West:</p> <p>The Tigers didn’t quite have the season they would have liked, but they are in position to turn things around Friday. Having defeated Nemaha Central 58-51, they take on Royal Valley, the #8 ranked team in 3A. Broxterman worked his way back from injury a year ago for a fine senior season. He tuned up with a 28 point effort against Nemaha Central. He and [player_tooltip player_id="1072893" first="Garrett" last="Athon"] can provide the size and muscle to match up with Royal Valley.</p> <p>2A:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="946226" first="Harlan" last="Obioha"], senior, Hoxie:</p> <p>Ranked #1 in the state in 2A, Hoxie has run out to a 20-0 record. They obliterated Smith Center Monday and take on Hill City next. So far, no one has a had an answer to the 6-foot-11 Obioha. Although he’s getting more college interest for football than basketball right now, he is getting it done on the court. He is averaging about 23 and 12, and demonstrates athleticism for a huge man. He passes the ball and runs the court.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080178" first="Britton" last="Dutton"], sophomore, Ellinwood:</p> <p>Ellinwood got by Spearville and now must deal with Medicine Lodge, with a finals matchup with Sterling taking shape. While Dutton gets most of the attention, and deservedly so, Ellinwood has an incredibly young lineup and is led by a quartet of sophomores that also features Tyler Stuhlsatz, Parker Scheck, and Koy Behnke. The four combine to average about 50 points and 19 rebounds a game. The headliner, Dutton averages 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 steals a contest.</p> <p>1A Div 1:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1072883" first="Devan" last="McEwen"], senior, Lebo:</p> <p>The entire Madison sub-state bears watching. #3 ranked Olpe plays Burlingame, while Lebo, the #6 team in the state must take on #7 ranked Madison. All four of those teams could hold their own at state. But only one will emerge. McEwen bears watching because he was held to just four points in a mid-season meeting with Olpe. He got revenge later by putting up 28 against Olpe. It will be interesting to see what McEwen can pull off in his final go round.</p> <p><strong>Aaron Skidmore</strong>, senior, South Gray:</p> <p>The undefeated Rebels look to have a relatively clear path to state. Ranked #2 in the state in 1A Div. 1, they will ride their 6-foot-3 senior one more time. He averaged 22 points and 7.6 rebounds as a junior and has been somewhat underappreciated because he plays so far out in Western Kansas.</p> <p>1A Div. 2:</p> <p><strong>Xander Newberry</strong>, junior, Attica:</p> <p>#1 ranked Attica appears to have a very manageable path to state. They are led by 6-foot guard Newberry, who racks up 18.2 points and 6.9 rebounds a game. Newberry is a versatile left-hander who scores in the lane and the perimeter, and cleans up on the glass.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076414" first="Emmitt" last="Jueneman"], junior, Hanover (pictured):</p> <p>Hanover is no one man show. Seniors Blake Hynek, Jacob Jueneman and Colin Jueneman deserve a ton of credit for the Wildcats’ 17-1 showing. But [player_tooltip player_id="1076414" first="Emmitt" last="Jueneman"] is the most proficient scorer and leader of the group. When Hanover is challenged, it’s the junior Juneneman who steps up. He averages 18 points per game in limited time because the Wildcats blow out so many opponents. He also dishes 4.4 assists a game.</p>