North-Central Kansas League Spring Wrap

<p>This small league of just six schools had a surprising wealth of seniors last year. Several of the clubs lose nearly all their top players this off-season, creating a ton of opportunity this summer for development of guys who didn’t get a ton of varsity action.</p> <p>Here’s a look back, and a look forward, for the North-Central Kansas League:</p> <p>Top Team: Marysville</p> <p>Although Abilene qualified for state, they did so with a 13-5 record, where they lost to McPherson. Marysville did not reach state. They lost in the sub-state finals to a really good Royal Valley team. But the Bulldogs went 18-4, loaded with high-quality seniors.</p> <p>League Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id="891911" first="Kaleb" last="Becker"], junior, Abilene</p> <p>The 6-foot-4 Becker is a versatile and athletic beast who averaged 16.6 points and 6.9 rebounds against really good competition. He edges out [player_tooltip player_id="730642" first="Tanner" last="Hecht"] for player of the year based on his consistency and how far his team went in the playoffs.</p> <p>Senior Star: [player_tooltip player_id="730642" first="Tanner" last="Hecht"], senior, Wamego</p> <p>Hecht is a 6-foot-5 wing who can jump out of the gym and shoot from anywhere. He averaged 19.4 points and 8.3 rebounds. He has an elite skill set and showed it off with some really high quality clubs last summer.</p> <p>Other Top Grads (in alphabetical order):</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1070205" first="Avery" last="Bryson"]</strong>, Abilene</p> <p><strong>Ben Kirkland</strong>, Marysville</p> <p><strong>Isaac Lee</strong>, Clay Center</p> <p><strong>Gavin Pieschl</strong>, Marysville</p> <p><strong>Jackson Rader</strong>, Marysville</p> <p><strong>Wyatt Trost</strong>, Concordia</p> <p>Top Returner: Becker</p> <p>Other Top Returners (in alphabetical order):</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="889527" first="Trey" last="Adams"]</strong>, junior, Chapman</p> <p><strong>Cav Carlgren</strong>, junior, Concordia</p> <p><strong>Mark Hoffman</strong>, junior, Clay Center</p> <p><strong>Camden Liebau</strong>, junior, Chapman</p> <p><strong>Burk Springer</strong>, junior, Wamego</p> <p>Players to Watch this Summer (in alphabetical order):</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1140375" first="Jake" last="fritz"]</strong>, junior, Wamego (pictured):</p> <p>Fritz was second fiddle to Hecht, but by season’s end, Fritz was turning in some huge efforts to keep the Red Raiders rolling. Down the stretch he had 24 against Chapman, 18 against Council Grove, and 25 (including five 3-pointers) against Hayden in sub-state. He averaged 11.6. But with Hecht gone, Fritz can use the summer to prepare to be the top perimeter gun for Wamego next season.</p> <p><strong>Tyler Hobrock</strong>, junior, Concordia:</p> <p>On a team so full of quality seniors, Hobrock didn’t have to produce a ton offensively. He did put up a few double-digit outings, but the 6-foot-4 forward really excelled on the glass. He pulled down 7.0 rebounds a contest. Now with big man Chase Parker graduated, there will be a lot more opportunity for Hobrock to show what he can do. Summer will help him prepare for that opportunity.</p>