Top Returners: One-Two Punch
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With school back in session, we can take a look around at what everyone returns. In this series, we looked at best senior class and will also look at top backcourts and front courts. Here’s a look at some of…
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Continue ReadingWith school back in session, we can take a look around at what everyone returns. In this series, we looked at best senior class and will also look at top backcourts and front courts.
Here’s a look at some of the top tandems in the state:
Ryle Riddlesperger Ryle Riddlesperger 6'2" | PG Hugoton | 2023 State KS and Carson Bennett Carson Bennett 6'2" | SF Hugoton | 2023 State KS , Hugoton – If you don’t know how good these guys are because they play so far out west, take in some Western Kansas Elite games at a tournament. They are highly skilled and play with great awareness and vision. Ryle Riddlesperger Ryle Riddlesperger 6'2" | PG Hugoton | 2023 State KS can shoot the lights out and handles it well. Carson Bennett Carson Bennett 6'2" | SF Hugoton | 2023 State KS is a playmaker who handles the ball and uses his size and strength to abuse smaller guards. The combined for 28 points per game and will lead a talented group of younger players this year.
Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS and Jake Mueller Jake Mueller 6'0" | SG Hayden | 2023 State KS , Hayden – Here’s a couple of multi-sport stars who get it done inside and out for the Wildcats. Big Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS , a Notre Dame football commit, is light on his feet and has great coordination for a guy his size. He’s got a variety of spin and pivot moves that allow him to excel against taller, lighter foes. Jake Mueller Jake Mueller 6'0" | SG Hayden | 2023 State KS is a track star who can play 100 mph all day long. He crashes the lane to get shots off on the move, and he draws a ton of fouls. He’s also a threat from deep. Because they’re both good passers and team-first guys, they play well off each other.
Jaden Hamm Jaden Hamm 6'6" | C Eudora | 2023 KS and Logan Sullivan Logan Sullivan 6'3" | SG Eudora | 2024 State KS , Eudora – Similar to Hayden, Eudora will feature an inside/outside duo this year. Senior Jaden Hamm Jaden Hamm 6'6" | C Eudora | 2023 KS is a standout athlete who uses his leaping ability and physicality to dominate under the goal. He’s got the brawn and rugged toughness of a football star, and he runs the court as well as any big around. Junior Logan Sullivan Logan Sullivan 6'3" | SG Eudora | 2024 State KS is a creator and scorer who draws fouls and can hit from deep.
Kaeden Bonner Kaeden Bonner 6'1" | SG Seaman | 2023 State KS and Aron Davis Aron Davis 6'4" | PF Seaman | 2023 State KS , Seaman – The Vikings shocked 5A by turning the corner and rolling through the playoffs to the title. They lose some nice seniors, but they return a great inside/outside duo in seniors Kaeden Bonner Kaeden Bonner 6'1" | SG Seaman | 2023 State KS and Aron Davis Aron Davis 6'4" | PF Seaman | 2023 State KS . Bonner has long been a sniper who has developed into a well-rounded, physical guard. He averaged 13 points per game and had some huge moments in the state playoffs. Davis struggled through an injury-plagued regular season, but there was no doubt what he meant to the team. Once he got healthy, the Vikings took off. He hit all eight shots he took in the championship game, leading all scorers with 17 points.
Kamryn Kaniper Kamryn Kaniper 6'4" | SF Silver Lake | 2023 State KS and Gunnar Ball Gunnar Ball 6'3" | SF Perry-Lecompton | 2023 State KS (pictured), Perry-Lecompton – Big news in the 3A classification. Kamryn Kaniper Kamryn Kaniper 6'4" | SF Silver Lake | 2023 State KS , a multi-sport standout at Silver Lake, has moved up Highway 24 to Perry-Lecompton. The 6-foot-5 forward brings his well-rounded game to pair with senior guard Gunnar Ball Gunnar Ball 6'3" | SF Perry-Lecompton | 2023 State KS . Ball is one of the more under-appreciated talents in the state. He’s a physical guard who can produce just as well under the goal as on the perimeter. He is a tough competitor who, like Kaniper, averages nearly a double-double.