Looking Ahead: Top Returners to 3A

<p>It’s football playoff time! That means basketball season is about a month off. Basketball practices will be tipping off soon. So it’s time to start looking ahead to the season. Let’s start with a look at the top returners by class.</p> <p>Some of the very best 3A players from last year are back (minus [player_tooltip player_id="891912" first="Nahcs" last="Wahwassuck"], who opted for a year at a developmental program).</p> <p>Here are the top returners to 3A:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891932" first="Cason" last="Richardson"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Hesston:</p> <p>He was the top player in 3A and the leader of a championship squad. Richardson came up huge in the playoffs, including 36 points in the semifinal, and 16 more in the finale. He’s big, athletic and versatile. He produced 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists as a junior. Hesston will be tough once again.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076403" first="Brett" last="Sarwinski"], 5-foot-10 guard, 2022, Galena:</p> <p>Richardson’s rival for best in 3A, Sarwinski did his best against Hesston in the championship, putting in 19. The first-team all-stater average 17.8 as a junior, and scoring isn’t all he does. Watch for Galena to be right back in the mix this year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1075928" first="Harrison" last="Voth"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Cheney:</p> <p>Voth earned second-team 3A a year ago and will be back for more, but only after he completes this season as one of the very best quarterbacks in Kansas. Voth is first and foremost a shooter, but he can do some of everything from the guard spot.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1139921" first="Jimmy" last="Dorsey"], 6-foot-5 forward, 2022, Wellsville:</p> <p>Dorsey is a long and versatile baller who put up some big numbers en route to third-team 3A honors. He can shoot, rebound, push the ball in the open floor, and beat defenders on the bounce. He averaged 20 points as a junior, taking his team to the state tournament.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1195604" first="Jordan" last="Fudge"], 6-foot-8 forward, 2022, Frontenac:</p> <p>Perhaps the guy with the most potential in the group, Fudge put up huge numbers as a junior while just scratching the surface of his physical gifts. He is huge, athletic, and determined to improve. As a junior he averaged an impressive double-double – 17.8 points and 11.7 rebounds. Watch out for a very talented Frontenac team to make noise this year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1146270" first="Keller" last="Hurla"], 6-foot guard, 2023, St. Marys:</p> <p>Most likely the best junior guard in 3A, Hurla was a third-teamer as a sophomore. He is a brilliant shooter and ball handler who plays with a mature understanding of the game. He’s on a talented team that will be fun to watch this season. He doesn’t always need to go for 20 for the Bears to win, but he is certainly capable.</p> <p>Other top returners to 3A:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1139910" first="Cooper" last="Autry"], 2022, Holcomb</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1146292" first="Landon" last="Boss"], 2023, Osage City</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076411" first="Fred" last="Criqui"], 2022, St. Marys</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080184" first="Wesley" last="Fair"], 2023, Collegiate</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076412" first="Brady" last="Klotz"], 2022, Royal Valley</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080164" first="Tyler" last="Little"], 2023, Galena</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080163" first="Eli" last="Sawyers"], 2023, SE of Saline</p>