Big Shoes to Fill: 6A
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Summer is now half over. With each passing day, we draw a little closer to the start of another season, when graduates are replaced by new faces and young players get the opportunity to step up. All-state seniors are not…
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Continue ReadingSummer is now half over. With each passing day, we draw a little closer to the start of another season, when graduates are replaced by new faces and young players get the opportunity to step up.
All-state seniors are not forgotten, but teams have to move on. Here are some returning 6A players who will have the chance to fill some big shoes (in alphabetical order):
Jacob Fritz Jacob Fritz 6'3" | CG Blue Valley Northwest | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-3 guard, 2024, Blue Valley North (pictured):
You don’t replace the top-ranked player statewide in the graduating class. No one expects Fritz to replace Grant Stubblefield. Not only was Stubblefield a high-scoring point guard, he willed his team to back-to-back trips to the 6A finals with remarkable tournament performances. But there’s a lot to like about Fritz’ versatility, explosiveness and length. He may not operate quite like a traditional point guard, but he can do a lot of things and should be capable of elevating his stats, which last year were 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Amare Jones Amare Jones 6'0" | PG Washburn Rural | 2025 State KS , 6-foot guard, 2025, Washburn Rural:
Jones won’t play the same role all-state grad Jack Bachelor did for Washburn Rural last season. Bachelor was somewhat of a hybrid guard who had the ball in his hands a ton and everything ran through him. Jones fits a bit more of the traditional point guard mold. But he showed as his sophomore season unfolded that he’s someone who can be trusted with the ball to make good decisions and make the right plays. His 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists are just scratching the surface of where this guard is headed.
Landon Knopp Landon Knopp 6'4" | SF Manhattan | 2025 State KS , 6-foot-4 forward, 2025, Manhattan:
Jack Wilson was one of the best true bigs in the state the past two seasons. He provided solid leadership and versatile playmaking for the Indians. Like Wilson, Knopp is a long forward who can step out and hit from deep, body up inside and run the floor. Manhattan loses not just Wilson but also bigs Collins Elumogo and Cole Coonrod. So Knopp will get plenty of opportunities as a junior.
Jaron Lashley, 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Blue Valley North:
Expect a big senior season from Lashley. The Mustangs lose all-state center Blake Garrett, who did so much besides just score points. Lashley isn’t quite as tall as the 6-foot-7 Garrett, but he has a lot of power and skill around the goal. Lashley averaged 10 points as a junior. Next season the Mustangs will be looking for a lot of production to replace a big 2023 class.
Jack Ulwelling Jack Ulwelling 5'10" | CG Derby | 2025 State KS , 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Derby:
Similar to the case with Fritz and Stubblefield, no one will expect Ulwelling to replicate what Kaeson Fisher-Brown gave Derby. They are different players. But Ulwelling was an explosive scorer off the bench for the Panthers last season and should be ready for a bigger role. That role will probably include handling the ball more as a traditional point guard. Everyone knows Ulwelling can shoot it. He hit 43% from deep and 84% from line as a sophomore. He’s not just a shooter. He’s a feisty ballhawk who is the first to dive on the floor or to chase down a loose ball.