1A Division I Has Some Interesting Teams to Watch
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We’ve looked at all the bigger classes for Teams to Watch. Now let’s turn our focus on 1A, starting with the Division I group: Returners: Elyria Christian The Eagles ran into Wichita Classical in the first round and took an…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve looked at all the bigger classes for Teams to Watch. Now let’s turn our focus on 1A, starting with the Division I group:
Returners:
Elyria Christian
The Eagles ran into Wichita Classical in the first round and took an early exit from the state tourney. But they come back loaded for a deeper run with star Ty Romero Ty Romero 6'4" | SF Elyria Christian | 2025 State KS in the lead. He will be one of the best players in the small classes this year. He won’t have to do it alone. He will have seniors Johnny Unruh and Alex Robertson to rely on. The team has size, balance and experience.
LaCrosse
The Leopards lost a few players from last season, but still they are loaded with seniors, and those seniors have good size. Caden Morgan Caden Morgan 6'2" | SF Lacrosse | 2024 State KS and Gage Burk are big forwards who do a lot of things. Conner Barriger will be a big asset. And watch for big man Logan Skillett to take it to the next level.
Contenders:
Clifton-Clyde
The Eagles probably belong in the “returners” category because of all their fine returners. But the big question will be, how will they adapt to the graduation of one of their best players in Seth LeClair. The Eagles were upset in the first round with LeClair. How will they fare without him? In his absence, the Eagles may lack size, though 6-foot-3 Drayden Reed will take up some of that slack. They do have slick guards Trent Long Trent Long 5'10" | CG Clifton-Clyde | 2024 State KS and Coy Steinbrock and versatile Jack Skocny Jack Skocny 6'1" | CG Clifton-Clyde | 2025 State KS (pictured).
Solomon
The Gorillas really missed their star junior guard Spencer Coup Spencer Coup 6'1" | SG Solomon | 2024 State KS for much of the season. He broke his arm in the winter. But he was healed enough to win state golf in the spring, so hopefully he’ll be full go this winter. The team went just 10-11 but they gained a ton of experience making up for Coup’s absence. Carlos Duran was really good as a sophomore.
Unknowns:
Olpe
Olpe has been really good for so long, it’s hard to envision them not being atop the 1A pecking order. But you have to wonder if that can continue this season. They graduated eight players from last year’s tournament team. Can they find enough to fill the gaps? Watch for 6-foot-5 Blake Skalsky Blake Skalsky 6'5" | C Olpe | 2024 State KS to head the returners.
South Gray
After a thrilling run last spring, the Rebels return arguably the best player in the class in Joey Dyck Joey Dyck 6'2" | SF South Gray | 2024 State KS . But aside from senior Dominic Martin Dominic Martin 6'0" | CG Lyndon | 2024 State KS , there will have to be a new cast. They weren’t a deep team last year, and several seniors need to be replaced.