Top Teams, Top Players: 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kansas Basketball Coaches Association revealed its latest rankings of 4A teams just before the holiday break. You don't reach the KBCA Top 10 without a high-quality leader. Check out the leaders of some of 4A's best teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 McPherson – [player_tooltip player_id='1461339' first='Cory' last='Muehler'], 5-foot-11 guard, 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bullpups bounced back from close loss to Derby to get a big win over Andover. The junior Muehler went for 19 in that impressive victory. The team stretched its record to 5-1, with Muehler again getting 19 against the athletic guards of Shawnee Mission Northwest. He's a knockdown shooter and versatile guard who plays equally off the ball or with it at the point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Miege – [player_tooltip player_id='1080169' first='Aiden' last='Wing'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Stags played just three games before the break, but it was enough for Wing to demonstrate that he's the new go-to guy. He's an athletic wing who can compete in the lane, play on the perimeter, run the court and finish at all three levels. He averaged 23 points and 5 in the team's first three games. Miege is talented, but not very experienced, so Wing is playing an important role as the team leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Hayden – [player_tooltip player_id='1080188' first='Joe' last='Otting'], 6-foot-3 center, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have played well aside from the surprising loss to the much improved Emporia Spartans. Their best win was an 11-point victory over Bishop Ward. Their veteran leader Otting stepped up with 23 points and 11 in that win to close out the semester. Otting, of course, is the powerful yet nimble post man who leads the team in both talent and experience. For all the accomplishments the big man has racked up in multiple sports, the one thing he lacks is a state championship. The Wildcats look poised to make a run at it this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Circle – <strong>Trevor Cowman</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunderbirds graduated a couple of good seniors from a team that went 11-10 a year ago. So it's maybe a bit of a surprise that they are off to a 6-0 start. Cowman is the team's top returner and he's taken on a big leadership role. He tossed in 19 in a win over Augusta. He's a shooter who can also put it on the floor and get to open shots. The senior finished off the semester with 28 against Mulvane. Circle can test itself right out of the gate in January with a visit to McPherson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Atchison - <strong>Trey Carter</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2024 (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Phoenix turned in a great 5-0 start with Carter running the point. He's a shifty ball handler who uses the stop-and-go to create space and get defenders on his hip. He's strong and crafty and knows how to run the offense. He tossed in 21 in a win over Ottawa. Atchison better come back from break ready to go. They host Highland Park to start the new year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->