Highlight Performances by Big Seven League Bigs

<p>With high school basketball season just a couple of months away, we’ll soon be making preseason looks at players, schools and leagues across the state.</p> <p>But it’s not too late to take a look back at some of the best performances turned in by players who will be back for another go round this fall.</p> <p>Here are some of the best performances from big men in the Big Seven League last season:</p> <p><strong>Gunnar Ball</strong>, 6-foot-1 forward, 2023, Perry-Lecompton:</p> <p>The Kaws had a bunch of talented veteran performers last year, but Ball is just too talented not to have a role. He is a multi-sport star who was ready as a sophomore to provide a lot of scoring – double figures in nearly every game. He poured in 20 points with eight buckets including two 3-pointers against KC-Ward late in the season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076409" first="Kurtis" last="Beck"], 6-foot-4 forward, 2022, Nemaha Central:</p> <p>The Beck twins pose a long, athletic double threat that few small schools can match. Kurtis scores in double figures nearly every game, but his high scoring outing came when he hit 9-9 from the line against Hiawatha. He also dropped two 3-pointers and finished with 21 points in a close victory.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1195624" first="Marcus" last="Beck"], 6-foot-4 forward, 2022, Nemaha Central:</p> <p>Like his brother, Marcus was in double figures nearly every game. His biggest output was a 24-point night in a blowout of Sabetha.</p> <p>Todrick Duncan, 6-foot-1 forward, 2023, Riverside:</p> <p>Guards did most of the damage for Riverside last year, but Duncan played a forward role to work off the talented guard group. His biggest output was a 15-point night against Hiawatha.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076412" first="Brady" last="Klotz"], 6-foot-4 forward, 2022, Royal Valley:</p> <p>As part of the talented Panthers who rolled through the regular season, Klotz didn’t always have to put in a lot of points. But as has been seen this summer, he’s capable of a ton and will probably take a big leap forward this year. His big output was a 23-point night against Mission Valley.</p> <p><strong>KJ Miller</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2022, Royal Valley:</p> <p>A key component of the success of the Panthers, Miller was a powerful force in the lane who also could step outside to knock down shots. Miller hit two 3-pointers and 4-4 free throws to finish with 12 against Sabetha.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891923" first="Mason" last="Thomas"], 6-foot-3 forward, 2022, Royal Valley (pictured):</p> <p>Thomas is a rugged and athletic, versatile piece used in every way by the Panthers. He occasionally busts out with big point games, with his best a 20 point night against Silver Lake.</p>