Top Teams, Top Players: 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a little different tack on top players of the top teams in the 1A ranks. The top teams – including Olpe, Greeley County and Pawnee Heights – are led by highly recognizable names. We write a lot about <strong>Truman Bailey</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1080198' first='Jaxson' last='Brandl'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1212165' first='Alec' last='Carlson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So here's a look at some of the OTHER top players from top 1A teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A Div. I</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Burlingame – <strong>Colby Middleton</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middleton has been under the radar as a basketball player while excelling on the football field. But as a senior he's stepping up for Burlingame, which graduated some top talents a year ago. He's helped lead the Bearcats to a 5-1 record out of the gate, the lone loss coming against 2A Lyndon. Middleton accounted for 21 in the final game before the break, a victory over Waverly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Macksville – [player_tooltip player_id='1213186' first='Ryan' last='Kuckelman'], 6-foot-5 center, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macksville returned essentially everything from its state tournament team, so it's no surprise they have rolled to a 7-0 start, including some quality wins against Hoisington, Stafford and Cunningham. Kuckelman is the powerful presence in the paint for the deep and talented Mustangs. He's averaging 14 points and 9 boards. He's consistent and efficient, scoring in double figures in all but one game, and hitting 61% of his shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#7 Wichita Classical – [player_tooltip player_id='1212167' first='Jordy' last='Dolloff'], 6-foot guard, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints have been blasting everyone so far this season, running to 6-0. They're led by veteran guard Dolloff. The all-state soccer player has also been a star on the court his entire career. He's got a lot of talent around him, so he doesn't have to score a ton. He dishes out 6 assists a game to go with 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A Div. II</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Northern Valley – <strong>Kenton Thalheim</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies are off to a great start to make a return trip to the state tournament. They got to 6-1 in December, their lone loss coming from Hoxie. Thalheim played a supporting role to some great players as a sophomore. Now he's stuffing the stat sheet with 16.5 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Hanover – <strong>Chase Bruna</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team replacing a lot of talent and leadership, the 4-1 Wildcats haven't really been challenged yet this season. Bruna is one of the experienced returners, having played a role on state tournament teams. He jumped out with a couple of big games to start the season with 21 points against St Xavier and 19 against Wetmore. He rebounds hard for a guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Cunningham – <strong>Trey Deweese</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike some of the other ranked teams, Cunningham faced a gauntlet early. They picked up four good wins but lost to Ellinwood, Macksville and Wichita Classical. Deweese has been through the battles before in multiple sports and knows how to lead. He's averaging 16 points, 8 rebounds 3 assists, and 2 steals so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->