Wichita Roundup Entering Stretch Run

<p>With a few weeks left to sort things out at the top of the Greater Wichita League and the state rankings, Kapaun is established as the team to beat. With just one loss, they are the top-ranked team in 5A. The Crusaders are deep and talented, with several multi-sport athletes attracting D1 offers.</p> <p>Here’s a look at who is rising to the top in the city:</p> <p>Wichita Heights:</p> <p>The Falcons haven’t been able to solve the Kapaun riddle, having lost two tight games to the Crusaders. Otherwise, they are undefeated and currently ranked third in 6A. [player_tooltip player_id="1080161" first="Marcus" last="Zeigler Jr"] is the unquestioned leader of the team, but he’s surrounded by lots of talent, headlined by super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1270090" first="TJ" last="Williams"]:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080161" first="Marcus" last="Zeigler Jr"], 6-foot guard, 2023, Wichita Heights:</p> <p>Arguably the top point guard in the state, Zeigler is constantly in control. He directs the action and gets the ball where it needs to be without a lot of extra effort. He can get in the lane and score when needed too. He’s averaging 13.3 points per game, to go with 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1270090" first="TJ" last="Williams"], 6-foot-4 guard, 2024, Wichita Heights:</p> <p>Ranked the top sophomore in Kansas after a fine freshman year, Williams is putting up a solid stat line of 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2. assists.</p> <p><strong>Dre Kemp</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2022, Wichita Heights:</p> <p>Kemp provides length and toughness averaging 6.6 rebounds to go with 7.9 points. He’s a high riser who brings a lot of energy.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1075925" first="Chase" last="Harris"], 6-foot-1 guard, 2022, Wichita Heights:</p> <p>Talk about energy, this guy is a flash up and down the court who keeps the game reved up. He’s a great complement to the diverse talents around him, excelling at just about everything: he stuffs the stat sheet with 11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.</p> <p>Wichita Northwest:</p> <p>The Grizzlies have dropped a few games recently, but still command a lot of respect as the eighth-ranked team in 6A. Like Heights, Northwest is led by a strong presence at the point. [player_tooltip player_id="891921" first="Geremiah" last="Moore"] (pictured) directs the attack just like he did as quarterback on the football team, giving out 3.9 assists while also scoring 10 a game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1372654" first="Kee’on" last="Hutton"], 6-foot-3 forward, 2022, Wichita Northwest:</p> <p>Maybe the newcomer of the year to Kansas, Hutton is showing what made him a decorated player in Iowa. The lanky wing is racking up 15.5 points per game, shooting 52% from the field and 44% from deep. He also grabs 6.1 rebounds a game.</p> <p><strong>Kevin Brown</strong>, 6-foot-1 center, 2022, Wichita Northwest:</p> <p>Brown is one of the most underappreciated players in the state. He does the dirty work and consistently produces. He’s the tough guy in the paint for the Grizzlies, averaging 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds.</p> <p>Others in the city (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1268855" first="Asa" last="Barnes"], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Wichita Southeast:</p> <p>Barnes is a long and slick guard who can create his own shot and also rebounds well from the guard spot.   Barnes is averaging 13.0 points and 4.7 rebounds for the 11-6 Golden Buffalos, who will be a tough out come playoff time.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1268857" first="Walt" last="Gray"], 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Carroll:</p> <p>Gray is showing this season that he’s not just a tough interior player. He is knocking down the 3, and scoring 15.3 points for the rebuilding Golden Eagles</p> <p><strong>TJ Neal, </strong>5-foot-10 guard, 2022, Wichita South:</p> <p>The South guard is putting up a diverse stat line as a senior. Neal averages 9.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.2 steals per contest for the 8-8 Titans.</p>