Even 1A Schools Are Affected by Graduation
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Even among Kansas’ smallest schools, occasionally a group of players grows up together, and after achieving success on the court, they graduate together. Some schools like Olpe and South Gray seem to find a way to reload and get right…
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Continue ReadingEven among Kansas’ smallest schools, occasionally a group of players grows up together, and after achieving success on the court, they graduate together.
Some schools like Olpe and South Gray seem to find a way to reload and get right back in the thick of things the next year. Others see these clusters of kids come along only every so often.
Here are some 1A schools who face the biggest losses to their rosters, as well as some players who might be able to step into those leadership roles:
Macksville:
No 1A team will be hit as hard by graduation as Macksville. They rode a special group of seniors to the state title last year. Leading the pack was big Ryan Kuckelman, ranked #87 in the 2023 class, and Alexis Barron, #113. The Mustangs’ six-player rotation included guard Rogelio Ibarra and forward Lance Lickiss. Adding support was Alvaro Ibarra. It will be tough to overcome the loss of size in Kuckelman, Barron and Lickiss. The Mustangs do return a couple of small, quick guards who were integral to the championship, 2025s Hector Gomez and Diego Esparza Diego Esparza 5'8" | PG Macksville | 2025 State KS .
Wichita Classical:
Although they don’t lose the number of seniors Macksville loses, Wichita Classical says goodbye to a special trio of their own. Guard Jordy Dolloff, #72 in the class, was a winner from day one and got his teammates involved to the tune of over 300 career assists. He led a balanced attack that featured big man Carter Sinclair and versatile forward Brett Buckingham. Behind that trio, the Saints battled Macksville to the wire for the state title. The team’s top returner is rising senior Daniel Young, who chipped in 13 points in the title game.
Olpe:
In terms of quantity, no team loses more than Olpe. They say farewell to eight seniors. That group tried its best to extend the school’s state title streak to three, but lost heartbreakers in both the semifinals and in the consolation game. Leading the 2023s was all-stater Truman Bailey, ranked #122. Blake Redeker was a highly-decorated member of the team. Graduating eight seniors will be tough to overcome, but Olpe always seems to have good players on the way. Blake Skalsky Blake Skalsky 6'5" | C Olpe | 2024 State KS was a team leader as a junior and Dexton Hoelting also played a crucial role.
Greeley County:
Of course there is no bigger loss than saying goodbye to the best 1A player in the state two consecutive years. Jaxson Brandl was just that. He finished his career ranked #31 in the class. By leading the Jackrabbits to back-to-back titles, Brandl could claim to be the state’s most impactful senior. He got a lot of help from gritty guard Titus Sherer over the years. Those two were backed by Jariath Yanez and Valentin Villalobos, as well as Isaac Schneider and Carson Luebbers. It will be Lincoln Shafer Lincoln Shafer 6'1" | CG Greeley County | 2025 State KS ‘s team next year. He’s got a ton of experience and is a winner, but he will need a lot of help next season.