Teams to Watch: 5A

Seaman shocked the state by claiming the 5A tournament over several more highly ranked opponents. Will there be a surprise team that rises to the top again this year?

Here’s a look at some of the teams to watch in 5A, framed as “Returners,” “Contenders” and “Unknowns”:

Returners:

De Soto – The Wildcats got on a roll last spring and made it to the state title game. That feat will be tough to match, but several key players return. It all starts with returning point guard David Cobin David Cobin 5'10" | PG De Soto | 2024 State #270 Nation KS (pictured), who went crazy at the state tournament. He’ll be flanked by senior guards Trent Johnson Trent Johnson 6'0" | PG De Soto | 2023 KS and Blake Hicks, a couple of veterans of the playoff run. De Soto didn’t play with a lot of size last year and will need some young big men to step up.

Kapaun – The Crusaders were bitterly disappointed when they fell in the first round of the state tournament a year ago. They are stocked with talent again, having lost just one big piece from that team in Henry Thengvall. They bring back length and athleticism. The question will be how coach Steve Eck mixes and matches all the talent he returns. He will probably rely some on bigs like Teagan Charles Teagan Charles 6'5" | SF Kapaun | 2024 State KS and Corbin Johnson Corbin Johnson 6'3" | PG Kapaun Mt Carmel | 2025 State KS to play the guard position. Eck may need a traditional point guard like Brooks Powers to step up.

Challengers:

Highland Park – The Scots return arguably the best collection of experience and athleticism in the state. They lack a true post player, however, which could be problematic against some opponents. The Scots run their opponents to death with a stable of guards led by Tre Richardson Tre Richardson 5'9" | CG Highland Park | 2023 State KS , arguably the fastest basketball player in the state. They’ve got one of the most explosive players in senior Ketraleus Aldridge Ketraleus Aldridge 6'4" | SF Highland Park | 2023 State KS , and experience in Quentin Adams Quentin Adams 5'9" | PG Highland Park | 2023 KS and Jahmir Kingcannon Jahmir Kingcannon 6'3" | SF Highland Park | 2023 State KS . Watch for sophomore Jacorey Robinson Jacorey Robinson 6'4" | SF Highland Park | 2025 State KS to take a big step forward after playing a key reserve role as a freshman.

Andover – The Trojans return a brilliant group of seniors who learned tough lessons when they fell short of the tournament a year ago. They are led by the state’s top senior, Eli Shetlar Eli Shetlar 6'5" | SG Andover | 2023 State KS , who has developed into more than just a sharpshooter. Chris Harris Chris Harris 6'7" | SF Andover | 2023 State KS is another long wing who can go inside and mix it up or drop bombs from deep. BJ Redic BJ Redic 6'2" | SF Andover | 2023 State KS is a rugged guard and Brad Harris Brad Harris 6'0" Andover | 2023 KS is a smart and tough point man. Throw in Devon Neal-McFarthing Devon Neal-McFarthing 6'4" | SF Andover | 2023 KS and Brady Strausz Brady Strausz 6'3" | CG Andover | 2023 State KS and this team is experienced and deep.

Unknown:

Aquinas – The Saints were very disappointed with their 7-14 record a year ago, but there’s lots of new talent to build on. They have some key returners, led by senior Will Rost Will Rost 6'3" | SG Aquinas | 2023 State KS . But look for a group of sophomores to step up and have a big impact. Huge posts Will Goode Will Goode 6'9" | C Aquinas | 2025 State KS and Julian Marks Julian Marks 6'7" | PF Aquinas | 2025 State KS could dominate the paint. Sophomore guards London Burton London Burton 6'0" | SG Aquinas | 2025 State KS and Isaiah Freeman Isaiah Freeman 6'2" | CG Aquinas | 2025 State KS will bring a serious infusion of talent too. Each of those four got varsity experience as a ninth grader and should be confident and ready to go.