Back to State: 2A Tourney Teams Return Loaded Lineups
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There are several teams from last year’s 2A tournament with impressive groups of returners. Moundridge lost some great seniors, but the return of Barrett Moddelmog Barrett Moddelmog 6'3" | SG Moundridge | 2025 State KS and Henry Hecox Henry Hecox…
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Continue ReadingThere are several teams from last year’s 2A tournament with impressive groups of returners.
Moundridge lost some great seniors, but the return of Barrett Moddelmog Barrett Moddelmog 6'3" | SG Moundridge | 2025 State KS and Henry Hecox Henry Hecox 6'2" | SG Moundridge | 2025 State KS and several supporting pieces will have the Wildcats back in the hunt.
St. Marys has only a couple of significant losses, but they will have to rebuild around Brady Hurla Brady Hurla 5'10" | PG St. Marys | 2025 State KS .
Here are the four 2A state teams that return a significant portion of last year:
Medicine Lodge – finished third in 2023:
The Indians finished off the season with a thrilling win over TMP in the consolation game. They return almost everything from that team, led by all-around athlete Keveon Ruiz Keveon Ruiz 6'1" | SF Medicine Lodge | 2025 State KS . Senior guards Derrek Randels Derrek Randels 5'10" | SF Medicine Lodge | 2024 State KS and Carter Cunningham are versatile guards who can get the ball to teammates, defend and rebound and produce points. There will be a ton of experience back at the guard position in addition to Randels and Cunningham.
Bennington – lost in first round to Medicine Lodge in 2023:
Like Moundridge, Bennington returns two established studs. But the Bulldogs bring back a lot more than that. It all starts with dominant big man Eli Lawson Eli Lawson 6'7" | C Bennington | 2024 State KS , who’s 6-foot-7 frame and fundamental skills make him a beast in the small schools. Add Savailio Smith Savailio Smith 6'4" | SF Bennington | 2024 State KS (pictured), who goes by “Mister” and you have an athletic 1-2 punch few can match. Talan Pickering was really good as a junior, scoring in double figures and stuffing the stat sheet. Kian Wilson and Payge Rodenbeek were key contributors as sophomores and will be even more experienced.
Horton – lost in first round to Wichita Independent in 2023:
Horton has a good shot to get its first-ever state tournament victory this year after gaining experience a year ago. Nearly everyone on the floor for the Chargers is back, led by senior Gannon Becker. They will feature a balanced team of guys who can score and rebound, including seniors Cooper Wischropp, and Kaden Smith and juniors Luke McAfee and Donte Masqua.
Pittsburg-St. Mary’s – lost in first round to Wichita Independent in 2023:
A really talented class of 2024 guided the Panthers to the tournament last year, so expectations are really high for their senior season. They have good size with 6-foot-3 Tristan Voss anchoring the back line and several good-sized talents around him, led by Jack Schremmer Jack Schremmer 6'2" | CG St. Marys/Colgan | 2024 State KS and Tucker Harrell. This group is used to going to state, and they will expect to make a bigger noise next spring.