Farewell: Small School Seniors Exit First Round of Sub-state

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anyone who every played a sport knows how hard it is to see it come to an end. Several really good high school players saw their careers come to a close in opening-round losses this week. We want to make sure all seniors are recognized for their hard work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few players from the small school ranks who saw their careers come to an early end in the first round of sub-state:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1080187' first='Brekyn' last='Ratzlaff'], 6-foot guard, 2023, Hillsboro (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning back-to-back state titles, the star point guard saw his career end in a first round loss to Sacred Heart of Salina. Ratzlaff had a historic career at Hillsboro, playing big on the biggest stage. He was a distributor on talented teams, and a lights-out scorer when the team needed production from the point guard spot. He could shoot, score at all three levels, distribute and make a lot of plays on defense. As a senior, he averaged 19 points and 5 assists per contest. The opening round defeat of Hillsboro means that arguably the best point guard in the small-school ranks will be watching the rest of the playoffs from the stands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1268858' first='Jackson' last='Swartz'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2023, Chaparral:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When #4 Chaparral was upset at home by #5 Kingman 75-69 on Tuesday, it ended the career of stat monster Swartz. The 6-foot-5 leaper was a highlight-reel maker. He was an explosive wing who could get to the goal and make a lot of plays in the open court. He averaged 19 points and 11 boards as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Hammeke</strong>, 5-foot-11 guard, 2023, Hutch Trinity:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior has been a leader for Hutch Trinity for several years. The lefty with the sweet release could score in creative ways. He was particularly good at penetrating, then stepping back from the defense to loft a fadaway jumper. He also had almost limitless range from behind the arc. Hammeke averaged 20 points per game as a senior. It wasn't enough to lift Trinity over second-seeded Moundridge in a loaded sub-state, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1146302' first='Kyler' last='Keller'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Syracuse:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the higher seed, Syracuse was upset by Sublette 49-48 at home on Monday. That brought to an end the career of the smooth, lanky wing Keller. He was a guy who could produce without the offense running through him. He could put the ball on the floor to get to the goal or move without the ball to get in position to produce. The senior averaged 17 points this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->