Heavy Losses

<p>As Prep Hoops updates the Class of 2021 Rankings for the final time, it’s apparent some schools will take heavy losses to graduation. A few programs have names dotting the ranking list, and will have big shoes to fill next year.</p> <p>Here’s a look at a few of the programs losing multiple ranked players:</p> <p>Blue Valley Northwest:</p> <p>The biggest losses will be felt in Overland Park. At BV Northwest, the #3 and #4 players are moving on. This team was a juggernaut until it was stopped by Lawrence in the state quarterfinals. #3 [player_tooltip player_id="730611" first="Alston" last="Mason"] (pictured) is a passing phenom who just can get wherever he wants, and knows just how, and when, to get a teammate the ball. He’s headed to University of Oklahoma. Teammate [player_tooltip player_id="889454" first="Jack" last="Chapman"], #4 on the list, is a long, athletic forward who dominated club competition and topped 1,000 points in high school. He’s committed to UMKC. #33 [player_tooltip player_id="889496" first="Ben" last="Fritz"] is a long and athletic forward who manned the middle a lot for the high school team. He is a runner who finishes with authority. He filled the post role nicely and has a lot of diverse skills.</p> <p>Blue Valley North:</p> <p>Talk about loaded. Blue Valley North, the 6A champs, lose four players in the top 40. Moving on are #15 [player_tooltip player_id="962473" first="Andrew" last="Orr"], #18 [player_tooltip player_id="889487" first="Isaac" last="Patterson"], #19 [player_tooltip player_id="747099" first="Nikko" last="Taylor"], and #39 [player_tooltip player_id="889473" first="Luke" last="Adams"]. Orr, Patterson and Taylor made up an almost invincible front line. Each had a variety of skills, including passing, which made them gel. Adams was the quarterback who handled the pressure, and got the ball to his teammates. He is also a fine outside shooter, creating space for everything in the interior.</p> <p>Campus:</p> <p>The 6A runners-up lose two of the top 10 players in #5 [player_tooltip player_id="730616" first="Sterling" last="Chapman"] and #10 [player_tooltip player_id="824114" first="Stevie" last="Strong Jr"]. Those two will leave some huge shoes to fill, and a gap at the top of the Wichita talent pool. Chapman and Strong were the only players from the Wichita area to earn 6A first or second team honors. Chapman is headed Tulsa, while Strong will play at Newman.</p> <p>Belle Plaine:</p> <p>The Dragons had a really nice season before succumbing to Hillsboro in the state quarterfinals. The Dragons finished 14-6, but now must bid farewell to three ranked players, which is extraordinary from a 2A school. #79 [player_tooltip player_id="889511" first="Eli" last="Wiseman"] ran the show. A 5-foot-9 guard, Wiseman earned first-team 2A honors after he averaged more than 25 points per contest. He’s now headed to Butler County. #137 [player_tooltip player_id="889535" first="Austin" last="Hilton"] is a 6-foot-2 guard who slashes through the lane and moves without the ball to find shots. He was a versatile player for the Dragons who is now headed to Tabor College. #166 [player_tooltip player_id="946198" first="Tim" last="Bible"] had his season cut short by injury, but he’s reportedly back on the baseball diamond this spring. A long and active player, the 6-foot-3 Bible was especially good in transition and on the perimeter. He was sorely missed when he went down.</p> <p>Hays:</p> <p>The Indians were really good last year, and they look to be loaded again. But they graduate two ranked players, plus one still in the rankings who hasn’t played basketball in awhile. #69 [player_tooltip player_id="1070202" first="Dayln" last="Schwarz"] is a strong 6-foot-6 forward who helped big man [player_tooltip player_id="1075931" first="Jace" last="Linenberger"] lock down the lane. #80 [player_tooltip player_id="889506" first="TJ" last="Nunnery"] is a long and athletic guard/wing who has a lot of flash. He is a leaper and can really be tough to contain in the open court. #105 [player_tooltip player_id="889527" first="Trey" last="Adams"] dropped basketball his junior year to focus on other sports. He is a 6-foot-7 beast who was ranked early because of his physical, athletic gifts. Hays obviously did quite well without Adams, but he would have been a difference-maker with his power and size.</p>