5A Class Teams to Watch
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We’re looking at interesting teams through the classes. What teams return the most talent, while others are “contenders” and “unknowns?” Here’s the answers from the 5A class: Returners: Bishop Carroll The Golden Eagles didn’t win a lot of games last…
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Continue ReadingWe’re looking at interesting teams through the classes. What teams return the most talent, while others are “contenders” and “unknowns?” Here’s the answers from the 5A class:
Returners:
Bishop Carroll
The Golden Eagles didn’t win a lot of games last year. But you have to like the core they bring back this season. That’s the reason we placed them in the “returners” category. Their three best players return, led by dynamic big man Mikey Brand Mikey Brand 6'5" | SF Bishop Carroll | 2024 State KS (pictured). They will have balance and diversity in their big three of Brand, John Hauserman John Hauserman 6'3" | PF Bishop Carroll Catholic | 2024 State KS and Van Haneberg. How big of an improvement can they make on their 10-11 record from last season?
St Thomas Aquinas
What a junior class the Saints have. They should have enough talent to make up for the graduation of Will Rost. London Burton London Burton 6'0" | SG Aquinas | 2025 State KS is an explosive playmaker, as is Isaiah Freeman Isaiah Freeman 6'3" | CG Aquinas | 2025 State KS . They have great size in Will Goode Will Goode 6'9" | C Aquinas | 2025 State KS and Julian Marks Julian Marks 6'7" | PF Aquinas | 2025 KS , plus lots of other talent. This team should rise significantly this year. Similar to Bishop Carroll, we slotted Aquinas as “returners” because of the wealth of talent back from last season.
Contenders:
Kapaun Mt. Carmel
One of the best teams every year, the Crusaders always seem to have more talent ready to fill graduation holes. But they did lose a significant amount, particularly big man Will Anciaux. But they will certainly have some young players ready to step up to support the excellent returners. Will Thengvall Will Thengvall 6'3" | SF Kapaun | 2024 State KS and Teagan Charles Teagan Charles 6'5" | SF Kapaun | 2024 State KS will be a great tandem in the front court while Corbin Johnson Corbin Johnson 6'4" | PG Kapaun Mt Carmel | 2025 State KS will lead the guard group.
Great Bend
The Panthers will be a team to watch. It will be fun to see what Ian Premer Ian Premer 6'6" | PF Great Bend | 2026 State KS does as an encore after a special freshman season. He will be surrounded by lots of talent, led by Ben Nicholson Ben Nicholson 6'5" | C Great Bend | 2025 State KS , Carter Coombs Carter Coombs 5'11" | CG Great Bend | 2024 State KS and Maddox Spray Maddox Spray 6'1" | CG Great Bend | 2024 State KS , guys who can make plays, defend, and especially shoot the ball.
Unknowns:
Andover
Well, part of why the Trojans won 5A state is because they were so loaded with senior talent. They will pay the price this season as they rebuild. Josh Kim Josh Kim 6'3" | CG Andover | 2025 State KS and Blake Rucker Blake Rucker 6'3" | SG Andover | 2024 State KS are very good building blocks, but there will be a ton of new faces to sort out.
St James Academy
Talk about turnover. The Thunder is a school that always has plenty of talent in the pipeline. But when you graduate essentially everyone, there will be a lot of question marks.