Gridiron to Hardcourt: Hoopers Receive FB Recognition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the top football players in the state are also basketball standouts. Too many to mention, infact, particularly at the small school levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We may be at the break of basketball season, but let's give praise to some of the state's best basketballers who were included on the Kansas Football Coaches' Association's honors list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a previous article we looked at the six who were named to the KFCA's Top 11 – <strong>Mac Armstrong</strong>, Miege; <strong>Cooper Hajek</strong>, Nemaha Central; [player_tooltip player_id='1146270' first='Keller' last='Hurla'], St. Marys; [player_tooltip player_id='1080176' first='Avery' last='Johnson'], Maize; [player_tooltip player_id='1080188' first='Joe' last='Otting'], Hayden; [player_tooltip player_id='1454197' first='Tre' last='Richardson'], Highland Park. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are others who made the all-star teams of their school's class:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A Athlete - [player_tooltip player_id='1378390' first='Grant' last='Stubblefield'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Blue Valley Northwest (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The star of the Huskies' run to the state title game a year ago turned in a phenomenal football season. Then he turned in a great season leading the school's rushing attack. He surely could have had plenty of suitors to play football at the next level. But he's elected to take his point guard skills to the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He's up to his old tricks as a senior on the court, leading the Huskies to a 5-0 start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A Defensive Back - [player_tooltip player_id='1080162' first='Caleb' last='Wiese'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Garden City:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A standout in both sports since his freshman season, Wiese presents an interesting set of skills at the safety position. He's a big guy for the position for sure. On the court, he's always been a workhorse, and his numbers this season – 12 points, 6 rebounds – have helped the Buffaloes to an impressive 7-0 start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A Defensive Line - [player_tooltip player_id='1268857' first='Walt' last='Gray'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Bishop Carroll:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray appears to be sitting out his senior basketball season – he's recorded no stats for Bishop Carroll. The Golden Eagles could surely use his physical presence and athleticism. He had a fine hoops career that culminated with 13 points per game as the team's go-to guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A Defensive Line – [player_tooltip player_id='1212168' first='Jaden' last='Hamm'], 6-foot-6 center, 2023, Eudora:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Gray, Hamm appears to be sitting out the season at Eudora. He recently committed to the Kansas University football team. Eudora certainly misses him. He was the athletic playmaker in the middle for the Cardinals when they were the top-ranked team in the 4A bracket last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A Receiver – [player_tooltip player_id='1454193' first='Jake' last='Proctor'], 6-foot-3 guard, 2023, Hesston:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Proctor is one of the lone returners from the back-to-back basketball champs. He's doing a fine job picking up the slack. The team is off to a 5-1 start. He was the Swather's top threat as a wideout, scoring five touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A athlete – [player_tooltip player_id='1212170' first='Mario' last='Menghini'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Frontenac:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Menghini continues to rack up honors as one of the most decorated multi-sport stars in the state. A big athlete who can really light it up from deep, he went for 38 points in a game earlier this season. He's closing in on 1,000 points for his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A Defensive Back – [player_tooltip player_id='1080184' first='Wesley' last='Fair'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Collegiate:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fair is not playing basketball this year, and is headed to Kansas State to join the football team's defensive backfield. He's a physical athlete who left a mark on the basketball scene. He was a versatile guard who could overwhelm opponents with size and strength, and ability to run the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A Athlete – [player_tooltip player_id='1146292' first='Landon' last='Boss'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Osage City:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another highly decorated multi-sport star, Boss is getting some interest from football scouts, but he's doing some more damage on the basketball court. The Indians are off to a 4-1 start with Boss providing outside shooting, ball handling, rebounding…everything we've come to expect from this versatile athlete. Last year he averaged 24 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A Returner – [player_tooltip player_id='1268858' first='Jackson' last='Swartz'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2023, Chaparral:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Imagine a 6-foot-5 guy running at you with a kickoff or punt. Especially one who can jump over you. That's Swartz, who was honored for his multi-purpose skills. He's just as explosive on the court, averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds so far this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->