Potential Playoff Stock Risers: 2A

<p>2A teams are wrapping up the regular season. Sub-states will get underway next week, and the number of 2A teams still going will dwindle quickly.</p> <p>Every year, some lesser-known or off-the-radar guys rise up during the playoffs. The benefit of the playoff spotlight brings to broader attention their skills, heart and ability to rise to the occasion.</p> <p>Here are a few 2A players who might just take advantage of the playoffs to rise in the eyes of the state, and in the Prep Hoops rankings:</p> <p><strong>Dylan Cervantez</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2023, Valley Falls:</p> <p>It seems like the Dragons are flying under the radar. They are ranked #3 in 2A, but haven’t received a lot of media attention. Cervantez is a multi-sport star who definitely will merit consideration for ranking soon. A nice playoff run could propel him pretty high. Though he’s not a big guy, the toughness that makes him a good football quarterback plays well on the court. He’s good for 15.1 points and 6.2 rebounds. He and fellow guard Avery Gatzmeyer will make a tough 1-2 punch in the playoffs.</p> <p><strong>Derek Keith</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2022, Hill City:</p> <p>Keith’s teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1378399" first="Trent" last="Long"] recently cracked the rankings for 2023, but Keith has thus far eluded the watchful eye of Prep Hoops scouts. But his 17.7 points and 7.1 boards per game merit some attention. Hill City is in a perfect position to make a move this postseason. There isn’t a single ranked team in the Ringnecks’ sub-state. Wakeeney-Trego probably has to be considered the favorite, but Keith and Long could grab the spotlight with a nice run.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080187" first="Brekyn" last="Ratzlaff"], 6-foot guard, 2023, Hillsboro (pictured):</p> <p>It’s hard to move up much when you’re a top-25 player. But you could make the argument that Ratzlaff is undervalued at #24 in the 2023 class. If he should add a second state championship to his resume, you would have to consider moving him up. His numbers don’t tell the full story of his value as the playmaking leader of the Trojans. But his numbers are real good – 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1378393" first="Parker" last="Scheck"], 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Ellinwood:</p> <p>If Ellinwood is to get out their sub-state and make any noise at state, [player_tooltip player_id="1080178" first="Britton" last="Dutton"] can’t do it all himself. Ellinwood has several long veterans who can rebound and defend and score some. Scheck is a gritty inside-out forward who could really raise his stock with a nice playoff run. Without being a real focal point of the offense, he produces 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds. He’s long and active, tough, and runs the floor well.</p> <p><strong>Will Schmidt</strong>, 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Oakley:</p> <p>Oakley’s record isn’t great, but Schmidt has the type of diverse stats that tell you he’s carrying a lot of weight. He’s stuffing the stat sheet with 15.3 points, 6.8 boards, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals. Oakley is in the same sub-state with Hill City and Wakeeney-Trego, but a couple of wins could bring a lot of attention to Schmidt.</p>