Some of the State’s Best Lead Private Schools

<p>Big private schools like Bishop Miege, Kapaun Mt. Carmel and Aquinas have asserted dominance in basketball at various times over the years. Some of the very best players in the state are doing work at some of these big schools.</p> <p>Among the best seniors in the state last year were [player_tooltip player_id="889462" first="Alex" last="Littlejohn"] at Carroll, [player_tooltip player_id="889476" first="Michael" last="Cahill"] at St. James Academy, and [player_tooltip player_id="889470" first="Harrison" last="Braudis"] at Miege.</p> <p>Arguably the best returning player in Kansas, Miege’s [player_tooltip player_id="787626" first="Mark" last="Mitchell"], will play for Sunrise this year. But that doesn’t mean the big private schools won’t be stocked again this year.</p> <p>Here are a handful of private-schoolers who are among the best returners in the state (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080159" first="Will" last="Anciaux"], 6-foot-6 forward, 2023, Kapaun:</p> <p>As happens for so many Kansas star athletes, Anciaux will likely have to choose between football and basketball in a couple of years. He’s getting looks from major football programs. But for now, he can split his time and remain arguably the top cager in the 2023 class. He earned honorable mention 5A last year, and will probably make a big jump in that category next year. He’s long, smooth, and versatile. Without getting out of control or dominating the ball for TBB Kansas, he impacts the game in about every way possible.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891909" first="Christian" last="Bowen-Webb"], 6-foot-2 guard, 2022, Miege:</p> <p>Bowen-Webb may have been overshadowed a bit by all the talent around him last year, but there’s no question his ability. He has an electric jumper that he can hit over just about any defender. He is capable of taking over a game with the deep ball, or blowing up a defense in transition. He was honorable mention 4A partly because Miege put too many other players on the all-state teams.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="787630" first="Taj" last="Manning"], 6-foot-8 forward, 2022, Miege (pictured):</p> <p>Don’t cry any tears for Miege if Mitchell is gone. They have plenty of talent left, including perhaps the top big man in Manning. The long, lean forward is filling out physically, and filling in any holes there might have been in his game, including his deep stroke. He averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds in a first-team 4A junior season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080188" first="Joe" last="Otting"], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Hayden:</p> <p>Like Anciaux, Otting is getting lots of D1 football interest. No wonder. He’s a filled-out 6-foot-4 beast with light feet and a basketball-player’s coordination and agility. Otting is a big man, but he’s not strictly a banger. He has nice touch on his jumper and great hands. He was honorable mention 4A last year and will be a focal point for the Wildcats this year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080165" first="Will" last="Rost"], 6-foot-3 guard, 2023, Aquinas:</p> <p>Rost earned honorable mention 5A as a sophomore, and looks to be one of the elite players in the KC area the next couple of seasons. He’s certainly one of the top shooters in the city. He commands respect with the bounce and with his length can penetrate and make plays. But defenses can’t afford to play off him even a step. He hit 45% from deep last year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="946269" first="Sam" last="Somerhalder"], 6-foot-7 forward, 2022, St. James Academy:</p> <p>Somerhalder has a great combination of length, athleticism and ball skills. He can get to the rim seemingly at will off the bounce. He can catch and score in the post. And he can face the bucket and make plays. His numbers are impressive – 15.6 points, 5.4 boards, 2.7 assists – but they don’t even tell the story of how smooth and creative this guys is. He was honorable mention 5A and will be fun to watch as a senior.</p>