Back to State: 4A Tourney Returners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can someone threaten Miege's stranglehold on the 4A state title? A look at who returns might provide some answers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are last year's 4A tournament teams who return significant pieces for another run:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miege</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miege dominated the last year's field with some brilliant seniors. But that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare. The Stags gave four juniors significant playing time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will be tough in the front court again, thanks to the presence of [player_tooltip player_id='1080169' first='Aiden' last='Wing'] (pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id='1080201' first='Daegan' last='Jensen']. The two combined for about 22 points and 9 rebounds per game. They are both long, athletic and versatile forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guard position will need to develop as seniors <strong>Mac Armstrong </strong>and <strong>Isaiah Coppage</strong> were strictly backups a year ago. The wildcard is a non-returner – [player_tooltip player_id='1300808' first='Patrick' last='Mccallop Jr'] who sat out last season with an injury. He tore up the track in spring and has had a fine football season. A fully healthy McCallop gives the Stags a fast and creative point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McPherson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McPherson will miss <strong>Seth Madron</strong>, but boy must the Bullpups feel good about what comes back. They finished third at state relying on a bunch of sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bullpups return a nice big man in senior <strong>Mason Miller</strong>. And are they ever guard-rich. They can run out some combination of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1461339' first='Cory' last='Muehler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1556702' first='Owen' last='Pyle'], <strong>Kreighton Kanitz</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1436793' first='Kyden' last='Thompson'] for a mix-and-match guard rotation. They are all athletic, creative and smart with the ball. Senior <strong>Dawson Feil</strong> was also in the mix at guard last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden shocked last year by reaching state at 9-13, then by upsetting Eudora in the first round. The question remains whether big man [player_tooltip player_id='1080188' first='Joe' last='Otting'] will be balling at Hayden or jump starting his career with Notre Dame football. If Otting is back, Hayden should be a formidable 4A unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether Otting is back or not, the Wildcats will have track star [player_tooltip player_id='1080202' first='Jake' last='Mueller'] to build around at guard. A few other returners got significant playing time last year, including <strong>Daxton Ham, Dominic Ridley</strong> and <strong>Dylan Foster</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abilene</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cowboys graduated a big-timer in <strong>Kaleb Becker</strong>. But a lot of returners gained good experience on the 16-7 run to state. They have some size in juniors <strong>Thomas McClendon</strong> and <strong>Kyson Becker</strong> and senior <strong>Cameron Vinduska</strong>. McClendon is a big-bodied post how can run and provide power in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At guard, the Cowboys will look for seniors <strong>Grant Waite</strong> and <strong>Thomas Cottone</strong> to grow in their roles. Look for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1346958' first='Brax' last='Fisher'] and <strong>Keaton Hargrave</strong> to become leaders this season. Fisher is a versatile guard who may play the point or off guard for the Cowboys. He's an energy-bringer who can handle and facilitate or hunt shots and hit from deep and midrange.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->