Waverly Tournament Pits Top Small Schools

<p>While not a lot of media attention is directed to the Waverly Preseason Tournament each year, it often features some solid teams and individual players. This year, the talent level is quite high, with several participants winning awards last year, and attracting attention from colleges.</p> <p>The four teams gathered each year include Burlingame, Cair Paravel (Topeka), the NEK Saints (Topeka, and Waverly. Here are some of the many players in the tournament worth following:</p> <p><strong>Lane Bartley</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2022, Waverly:</p> <p>Waverly is the only team at the tournament that opened the season ranked. The Bulldogs checked in at No. 7 in the 1A Div. II preseason poll. Bartley earned honorable mention last year and will lead the way again this season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1139929" first="Zach" last="Clark"], 6-foot-3 forward, 2022, Cair Paravel:</p> <p>Clark opened eyes last season by pouring in 17 points and 7 rebounds a game. His springy athleticism and versatility led to honorable mention in 1A Div. I last year.</p> <p><strong>Ethan Frank</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2023, NEK Saints:</p> <p>Frank is a multi-sport athlete who scored 13 points in the Saints first outing of the season. He saw limited action as a sophomore, but may be a player to watch for a big leap this year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1195615" first="Damian" last="Foster"], 5-foot-9 guard, 2022, Waverly:</p> <p>The football standout is also an all-state basketball player, earning third-team 1A Div. II by leading the Bulldogs to the state tournament. He scored 20 or more in several games as a junior.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076408" first="Noah" last="Hastert"], 6-foot-7 forward, 2022, Cair Paravel:</p> <p>The star football receiver has been Mr. Consistent on the basketball court. He scored in double figures in nearly every contest last season, posting 15.5 points and 10.1 rebounds. That earned him third-team 1A Div. I.</p> <p><strong>Justin Mercer</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2024, NEK Saints:</p> <p>Mercer got a lot of experience as a varsity player as a sophomore. He scored 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the Saints first game. His length makes him an interesting young player.</p> <p><strong>Lance Noonan</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2022, Burlingame:</p> <p>A returning all-Lyon County League player, he would like to repeat his performance against Waverly last year. In that game he scored 10 field goals and finished with 27.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1139930" first="Trever" last="Quaney"], 6-foot-8 center, 2022, Burlingame:</p> <p>Quaney and Burlingame knocked Cair Paravel out of the Lions’ first foray into substate action last year 55-54. Quaney netted 20 in that game. He averaged 16.3 points and 11.9 boards last year, earning second-team 1A Div. I honors. He’s a monster in the paint.</p>