Teams to Watch: 2A
In this article:
A couple of the 2A top teams from previous years were hit hard by graduation – Hillsboro, St. Marys and Lyndon in particular – but there are some really loaded teams back who would like to challenge for the top…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA couple of the 2A top teams from previous years were hit hard by graduation – Hillsboro, St. Marys and Lyndon in particular – but there are some really loaded teams back who would like to challenge for the top slots.
Here are some teams to watch in 2A:
Returners:
Wichita Independent – The Panthers certainly can’t be considered a favorite. Not yet anyway. But they do return the most players from the state tournament. They actually had no seniors a year ago. They bring back a couple of all-leaguers in Joseph Recalde-Phillips and Christian Dean.
Inman – Fresh off a great football season, it may take the Teutons a bit to shift gears. But they’ve got a bunch of players back, led by senior Eli Brunk and junior Tanner Heckel Tanner Heckel 6'0" | CG Lyndon | 2024 State KS . They have a ton of experience and know how to win.
Ellinwood – One of the state’s best players leads a deep and experienced group. Britton Dutton Britton Dutton 6'0" | SG Argo Comm | 2023 State KS (pictured) is a scoring machine, but he won’t have to do it all for the Eagles. He is joined by fellow seniors Koy Behnke Koy Behnke 6'3" | SF Ellinwood | 2023 State KS and Parker Scheck Parker Scheck 6'3" | SF Ellinwood | 2023 State KS , a couple of guys with length and diverse skills. Junior Drew Heinz is a feisty guard to help out Dutton. The Eagles are tired of getting upset at substate and want to make a run.
Moundridge: Like Ellinwood, Moundridge didn’t appreciate having their season cut short a year ago, but they return a lot of nice players. They have the point guard and post in place with slick Landon Kaufman Landon Kaufman 5'11" | PG Moundridge Highschool | 2023 State KS and big man Logan Churchill Logan Churchill 6'6" | C Moundridge | 2023 State KS . They also can hope for more from sophomore Barret Moddelmog, who earn all-league honorable mention as a freshman.
Challengers:
Valley Falls – The Dragons lost a lot to graduation, but have two key pieces back. Tough and versatile Dylan Cervantez Dylan Cervantez 5'10" | CG Valley Falls | 2023 State KS will be joined by athletic Zac Evans Zac Evans 6'0" | CG Valley Falls | 2024 State KS . They will need a lot of other young players to step up, however.
Lyndon – Same as Valley Falls, Lyndon will be back if they can develop some young players to help Jackson Biggs Jackson Biggs 6'5" | SF Lyndon | 2023 State KS , a long and athletic shooter. They have some small, quick guards in Evan Feuerborn, Ryan Bones and Jalen Massey Jalen Massey 5'9" | PG Lyndon | 2024 State KS .
Unknown:
Hillsboro – The Trojans’ two year run as 2A champs came at a price. They relied heavily on the class of 2022. Four primary pieces of those title teams are now gone. Hillsboro does return Brekyn Ratzlaff Brekyn Ratzlaff 6'0" | PG Hillsboro | 2023 State KS , the catalyst of those teams, as well as senior Tyson Plenert. But they will lack size and experience.
TMP – The Monarchs are an unknown partly because they drop down from 3A. One would assume that’s to their advantage, but you never know. TMP returns a stud in 6-foot-6 forward Dylan Werth Dylan Werth 6'7" | PF Hays-Tmp | 2023 State KS , the best player from last year’s tournament team. They graduated a lot, but return some subs from that team, including seniors Kade Harris Kade Harris 5'11" | CG Thomas More Prep | 2023 State KS and Luke Rome.