Home Stretch: The 1A Div. I Race

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a few weeks left in the regular season, which 1A teams are setting themselves up for post-season success? Here are some 1A Div. I teams to watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Favorites:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Olpe</strong> - What's new? Olpe won the past two titles and currently sits in the top spot in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association rankings. Their only loss came at the hands of 2A power Lyndon. They've got returners [player_tooltip player_id='1749052' first='Truman' last='Bailey'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387789' first='Blake' last='Skalsky']</strong>, big athletes who have done a lot of winning over the years. <strong>Blake Redeker</strong> is one of several guards contributing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macksville</strong> - The Mustangs return essentially everyone from a team that finished third at state last year. For that reason alone, they would appear to be the biggest threat to Olpe this season. They return a ton of experience and have numerous weapons. Five players average more than 8 points per game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1213186' first='Ryan' last='Kuckelman'] is the big man who has a ton of experience. Fellow seniors <strong>Rogelio Ibarra</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1378395' first='Alexis' last='Barron'] both average 11 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Challenger:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue Valley - Randolph</strong> - The senior-loaded Rams are led by a couple of veterans who can fill it up in <strong>Ryan Stevens</strong> and <strong>Jaylyn Pleasant</strong>. That pair averages 30 points per game, while Pleasant also makes sure his teammates get plenty of good shots. <strong>Dylan Krause</strong> is worth nearly a double-double each night as well. The Rams have weathered some tough tests and have the leadership needed to make a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hopeful:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wichita Classical</strong> - The Saints have steamrolled just about every opponent their own size, with losses only to 2A foes Bennington and El-Saline. This team is led by a trio of seniors who have been highly decorated. 6-foot-4 center <strong>Carter Sinclair </strong>gives the Saints an imposing presence who can defend in the paint. <strong>Brett Buckingham</strong> can handle the ball, shoot from deep and rebound from the guard position. [player_tooltip player_id='1212167' first='Jordy' last='Dolloff'] is an experienced guard who leads the attack. Junior <strong>Daniel Young</strong> joins those seniors in averaging in double figures, and he's providing support on the glass too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->