New Additions to the 2024 Rankings 22-41

<p>On the strength of breakout sophomore seasons and some good performances in the spring, 13 new players were added the 2024 Rankings.</p> <p>Here are the top six players added to the list:</p> <p>22 [player_tooltip player_id="1461338" first="Joey" last="Matteoni"], 6-foot-6 power forward, 2024, Blue Valley Northwest:</p> <p>The Huskies made a nice push to the state finals, and Matteoni was a big part of that run as he matured into the varsity game. His season stats of 2.8 points and 1.4 boards per game don’t do justice to his play by the end of the year. He grabbed 11 rebounds in an upset of Free State in the semifinals. Then he recorded 10 points and 7 assists in the state championship game against Wichita Heights. He’s a long, wiry rim protector and he runs the floor with speed and purpose.</p> <p>30 [player_tooltip player_id="1385618" first="Mikey" last="Brand"], 6-foot-3 small forward, 2024, Bishop Carroll:</p> <p>Brand was advanced enough a year ago to play a role for a really good Golden Eagles team as a freshman. So it came as no surprise when he stepped into the starting lineup and was really good this past season. He teamed with [player_tooltip player_id="1268857" first="Walt" last="Gray"] to form a rugged and intense front line. Brand attacks the game with great energy and has nice skills in the lane and on the glass. He was solid from behind the arc too. He averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds last season.</p> <p><strong>31 [player_tooltip player_id="1461339" first="Cory" last="Muehler"]</strong>, 5-foot-11 combo guard, 2024, McPherson</p> <p>McPherson advanced to the 4A state tournament by depending a lot on a group of talented and unflappable sophomores. Muehler is a slick ball handler and a dead eye shooter who continues to impress this spring with an entertaining Kansas Team 2024 club. He sees the floor and loves to run and dish. Left open, he will shoot you out of the gym.</p> <p>32 [player_tooltip player_id="1461340" first="Will" last="Cravens"], 6-foot-3 shooting guard, 2024, Ellsworth (pictured):</p> <p>As impressive an athlete as we’ve seen in the spring season, Cravens can leap out of the gym. His athleticism can sort of overshadow his solid skills, including the ability to hit from deep. He pushes the ball in the open court and can absorb contact to convert near the goal. His quickness and long arms create a lot of havoc at the defensive end.</p> <p>33 [player_tooltip player_id="1390595" first="Kalen" last="Streit"], 6-foot shooting guard, 2024, Bonner Springs:</p> <p>Streit gave the Braves another threat and he helped the veteran team to a solid season. He averaged 10 points and 3 rebounds and also showed he can make plays on the glass and at the defensive end. He’s a slick and athletic guard who will carry a lot more weight next year after the graduation of senior guards <strong>Jayce Smith</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id="946270" first="Trent" last="Stimac"].</p> <p>41 [player_tooltip player_id="1436793" first="Kyden" last="Thompson"], 6-foot-1 shooting guard, 2024, McPherson:</p> <p>Thompson is Muehler’s backcourt mate at McPherson and with Kansas Team 2024. Thomspon was a key reserve for the Bullpup team that reached the state tournament. He is an athletic ball handler who loves to attack the defense in transition, finding ways to get to the goal or to find an open teammate. He’s a playmaker.</p>