3A KBCA Top 10 Rankings: Key Players
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Throughout the season we will take a look at the KBCA Rankings as voted on by the coaches around Kansas and take a look at the key players in the top 10 and how they will or have impacted their…
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Continue ReadingThroughout the season we will take a look at the KBCA Rankings as voted on by the coaches around Kansas and take a look at the key players in the top 10 and how they will or have impacted their teams during the 2021-2022 Campaign. Today’s venture will be on the 3A rankings from December 21st.
#1 Hesston
MVP: Jake Proctor, 6’4 W, 2023: Scores the ball in bunches and can really shoot it from the perimeter. Has put up multiple 20 point efforts on the season and paced them with a 28 point effort in a big win earlier in the year. Has really solid size on the perimeter and gets his shot off in a variety of ways. After losing one of their top players to injury heading into the season, Proctor has stepped up big time.
X-Factor: Ty Schroeder, 6’3 W, 2022: A swiss army knife on the basketball floor as he can guard both perimeter players and work on some forwards inside. Reads the help side really well and can make plays on defense that lead to early and quick offense. Can rebound it well, push and lead the break and make sound decisions with the ball in his hands, or run out and be the recipient in transition and finishes well.
Name to Watch: Brayden Schilling Brayden Schilling 6'5" | SF Hesston | 2022 State KS , 6’6 F, 2022: Great anchor for the defending 3A champs and is a solid inside out forward. Can go out and get a double double, attack from the mid post to 3 point line off the bounce and finish or kick to shooters. Has been a staple for them in years past and look for more of the same this season.
#2 Cheney
MVP: Harrison Voth Harrison Voth 6'1" | SG Cheney | 2022 State KS , 6’1 G, 2022: Has a great feel for scoring the basketball at all 3 levels on the floor. A dead eye knock down shooter both off the dribble and the catch, and has the physicality and balance to finish off the bounce attacking the rim. Takes high quality shots and is not afraid to get others involved. Also plays extremely hard on the defensive end. Also scored his 1,000th point this season.
X-Factor: Jack Voth Jack Voth 6'6" | PF J.T. Hoggard | 2023 State NC , 5’11 G, 2024: The younger Voth started off getting a feel for his role, but has exploded lately providing another spark for Cheney. If he can continue to bring another threat, look out because Cheney is already really deep. Had totals of 16 points and 23 points in his last two outings. His output the rest of the year could take them over the hump.
Name to Watch: Luke Grace Luke Grace 6'3" | SF Cheney | 2022 State KS , 6’3 F, 2022: A versatile forward player that brings a ton to the table for Cheney. Averaged 16 a game last year and is on pace to bring more of the same. Can defend multiple positions, mixes it up and rebounds on both ends, and is a high IQ player. A very strong frame and a great leader on the court, look for Grace to be a staple for their continued success this year.
#3 Galena
MVP: Brett Sarwinski Brett Sarwinski 5'10" | PG Galena | 2022 State KS , 5’11 PG, 2022: One of the best point guards in Kansas and the best point guard in 3A is back and better than ever. A true floor general on the offensive end having a great feel for each game and what he needs to do to help his team be successful to score the basketball. On defense he sets the tone up top and is a great defender of other teams top guard. Can score it in isolation, off screens, and catch and shoot, and is a really solid distributer. Could be on track for another 3A top player award.
X-Factor: Kobe Mcglothlin, F, 2022: The big fella is a key factor for Galena’s success as he allows for the next named player Tyler Little Tyler Little 6'5" | PF Galena | 2023 State KS to have more free roam to play inside out and make a nice inside tandem. Kobe does well rebounding the ball, defending tough against solid posts, and finishing inside.
Name to Watch: Tyler Little Tyler Little 6'5" | PF Galena | 2023 State KS , 6’6 F, 2023: Little is a big bodied and versatile forward prospect that is a multi spot star for a reason. Is a double double threat each time he steps on the floor with his scoring and rebounding ability. Little is also a great passer out of the post, can lead the break and find shooters, and plays well off rolling to the rim.
#4 Wichita Collegiate
MVP: Wesley Fair Wesley Fair 6'2" | CG Wichita Collegiate | 2023 KS , 6’2 CG, 2023: Is a stat sheet stuffer and can play both guard spots at a really high level. Makes plays with the ball in his hands for both himself and for others. Uses his athleticism really well in transition and when attacking off the bounce in the half court. Was great last year and has been great to start the season this year.
Name to Watch: Jack Duarte, G/W, 2022: A really solid all around player who can score it in bunches. Also a terrific special teams player on the football field, he has the ability to make special plays on the basketball court. Him and Fair make a tremendous duo for Collegiate. Has led them in scoring on multiple occasions.
#5 Royal Valley
MVP: Brady Klotz Brady Klotz 6'4" | SF Royal Valley | 2022 State KS , 6’5 F, 2022 (Pictured): The versatile inside out forward started off a little slow this season but erupted for 38 points against Perry to really ignite his season. His ability to stretch the floor out the the 3 point line consistently now to pair with ability to bang inside, rebound, and make quick moves from the mid post make him a tough matchup across 3A and the Big 7. Averaging 16.4 points and 7 rebounds per game and shooting 51.7% from the field.
X-Factor: KJ Miller, 6’2 F, 2022: Expanding from a nice role player piece to a key starter, Miller has been a really solid player this year. The lefty has been able to knock down the 3 ball and 15 footer rather nicely, plays with energy, rebounds, and can catch and finish quickly in the paint. Miller’s ability to become a reliable third option to go along with Thomas and Klotz has made Royal Valley dangerous once again. Averaging 15.8 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Name to Watch: Mason Thomas Mason Thomas 6'4" | SF Royal Valley | 2022 State KS , 6’4 G, 2022: Has had a long and successful career at RV and Thomas has played well in his senior campaign to start things off. Always and still is a really solid catch and shoot 3 point maker with sneaky athleticism especially in transition. Is a big shot maker in spots where his team needs him late. Can also be a really good wing defender when engaged. Shooting 41% from 3, 81% from the free throw line, while scoring 14.6 points per game and dishing out 3.6 assists per game.
#6 Nemaha Central
MVP: Kurtis Beck Kurtis Beck 6'4" | PF Nemaha Central | 2022 State KS , 6’4 W, 2022: Started off the season with a bang, scoring 30 in an opening night win over Perry. Him and his twin brother do a lot of the same things on the floor and have almost identical frame, but Kurtis has shown a little more in big moments so far this year and has displayed a tad more flash especially on finishes on the offensive glass or attacking off the dribble.
X- Factor: Carter Lutz Carter Lutz 6'4" Nemaha Central | 2022 KS , 6’5 W, 2022: Picked up an offer from near by Cloud in the pre season, Lutz started off a little slow but is starting to come to form. He is capable and shown flashes of being a high level 3 and D wing player with great length, shooting stroke, and confidence in his ability. Can get hot from 3 really quick, defends well, and provides some rebounding.
Name to Watch: Marcus Beck Marcus Beck 6'4" | PF Nemaha Central | 2022 State KS , 6’4 W, 2022: The twin of Kurtis Beck Kurtis Beck 6'4" | PF Nemaha Central | 2022 State KS , Marcus makes big time plays without the basketball in his hands as a cutter, rebounder on both ends, and getting hands on balls to create extra possessions. If teams zone them, Marcus is great at finding open spots and being effective when catching to knock down short jumpers or attack the rim.
#7 Holcomb
MVP: Cooper Autry Cooper Autry 6'3" | SG Holcomb | 2022 State KS , 6’4 G, 2022: After a slow spring/summer, Autry is back to filling out the stat sheet at a really high level for Holcomb and leading them to a terrific start this season. Shooting 41% from 3 on the year which is really solid, 56% from the field and averaging 15 points per game. Where he really impacts the game is elsewhere with his passing ability and rebounding prowess where he is averaging over 3 assists per game and 11 rebounds per game.
X-Factor: Damon Mesa, 5’10 G, 2024: A young guard who has come on nicely and provided another scoring punch for Holcomb currently at just over 10 points per game. Has not taken a ton of threes but is 3 of 4 from there and is 58% from the field in total. Has 4 steals in 6 games and does a good job of guarding and playing hard.
Name to Watch: Daegan Vanpelt, 6’1 G, 2022: Another senior guard who can really shoot the ball from the perimeter. He meshes well with Autry’s ability to find guys with his passing ability and Vanpelt can knock them down. Has made 14 threes in 6 games and is averaging just over 10 points per game.
#8 Hays TMP
MVP: Dylan Werth Dylan Werth 6'7" | PF Hays-Tmp | 2023 State KS , 6’6 F, 2023: Has missed some of the start of the year with an injury, but he is way to important to them to not have on here. A really long and lean forward prospect who has solid footwork on both ends of the floor. Walls up really nicely on the defensive end and can block a ton of shots. Runs the floor super well and finishes on his touches efficiently. Has nice touch outside the paint as well. He controls much of what they are able to do on offense.
X-Factor: Bryce Seib, 5’10 G, 2022: A senior guard who brings a ton of energy and passion to the floor. A solid floor general on offense and makes solid plays, but his moxie is on defense where he brings a ton of ability and effort to guard the other teams best guard.
Name to Watch: Gavin Unrein, G, 2022: Another senior guard for TMP who can guard both on and off the ball. He has solid length on the perimeter and can disrupt driving gaps and passing lanes.
#9 Southeast of Saline
MVP: Eli Sawyers Eli Sawyers 6'7" | SF Southeast Of Saline | 2023 State KS , 6’5 W/F, 2023: As versatile as it gets, not only in the class of 3A but throughout Kansas. Can defend a 5, rebound after a contest, and push the break and either finish above the rim, with finesse, or find teammates for easy buckets. Has a wide arsenal to his offensive game and is always making a massive impact on games, even if you take away his ability to score the ball. Just gives ya a ton of talent and ability at so many potential positions on the floor. Averaging over 18 a game.
X-Factor: Luke Gebhardt, 6’ G, 2023: Another talented junior for SES, scoring over 11 a game while grabbing 4 rebounds and snagging 2 steals per game. He is shooting over 60% from the field ad is 6 of 11 from 3 this season.
Name to Watch: Nakari Morrical-Palmer, 6’3 G, 2023: Another stat sheet stuffer on this roster who makes a great tandem with Sawyers. Has really come on this season and exploding on radars throughout the state. Has a great feel for the game and can control situations off the bounce getting to his spots on the floor to make plays. Averaging 10.7 points, 4.2 assists, 9.2 rebounds, and nearly 2 steals per game.
#10 Osage City
MVP: Landon Boss Landon Boss 6'1" | SF Osage City | 2023 State KS , 6’1 G/W, 2023: An all around solid forward who runs their offense really well, posts and seals hard, and makes plays when they are available. Strong on both ends of the floor and is physical. Knows how to jump gaps and get steals and get out in transition and does a really good job of capitalizing. Can take it of the dribble both in transition and in the mid post area. Really has a knack of getting into guys bodies and finishing through contact. They really play through him.
X-Factor: Kaden Kirkpatrick, 6’2 F, 2023: Him and Boss make a nice forward tandem. Another post that they are comfortable playing through and he shows the ability to finish in the post area. His consistency will be a major player in their success this year.
Name to Watch: Tyler Sage, 6’ PG, 2022: The senior guard is their most complete guard on the floor. Is a heady defensive minded guard who jumps passing lanes, switches in the right moments, and gets into gaps. Can knock down open looks and make appropriate passes.