Back to State: Returners From 6A Tourney Teams
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It’s impossible to predict who will be making the trip to state tournaments in March of 2024, but a good place to start is to look at who returns from the state teams from last spring. Let’s look at the…
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Continue ReadingIt’s impossible to predict who will be making the trip to state tournaments in March of 2024, but a good place to start is to look at who returns from the state teams from last spring.
Let’s look at the state teams who return the most talent this year, starting with the 6A class, where a bunch of teams return a nucleus of their teams from a year ago:
Blue Valley Northwest – finished first in 2023:
The Huskies lose the best player in last year’s tournament – Grant Stubblefield. But they return arguably the best big man in the tournament in Joey Matteoni Joey Matteoni 6'8" | PF Blue Valley Northwest | 2024 State KS (pictured). They bring back forward Jaxon Klein Jaxon Klein 6'6" | SF Blue Valley Northwest | 2024 State KS , who may be ready for a bigger role, and guard Jacob Fritz Jacob Fritz 6'3" | CG Blue Valley Northwest | 2024 State KS , whose stock soared at the end of the season. The big question for the Huskies is whether star football recruit Gavin Hoffman will suit up for his senior season or move on to the University of Iowa as an early graduate.
Wichita Heights – finished second in 2023:
The Falcons lost several really good seniors from last year’s team, but they bring back the best player in the state in TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'5" | SG Wichita Heights | 2024 State #176 Nation KS . His versatility makes up for losses at several positions. He can play big, play the point, pop popcorn, sell programs…whatever the team needs. Super defender Amalachi Wilkins Amalachi Wilkins 6'8" | C Wichita Heights | 2025 State KS will be back as one of the best athletes in the state. Heights returns one of its top reserves in Chase Robinson Chase Robinson 6'4" | PF Wichita Heights | 2025 State KS , who should be ready for more responsibility as a junior.
Derby – finished third in 2023:
Derby lost a trio of stud guards, but returns four of its top players from a year ago. Kaden Franklin Kaden Franklin 6'6" | PF Derby | 2024 State KS is a powerful presence in the paint who will give the Panthers an advantage over most opponents. Around him will be three guards who can light it up from anywhere. Dallas Metzger Dallas Metzger 6'3" | SF Derby | 2024 State KS returns with the most experience and has size to score in a variety of ways. Jack Ulwelling Jack Ulwelling 5'10" | CG Derby | 2025 State KS and Mason Anderson are ready to take the minutes from the graduated guards and provide ball handling, shooting and pesky defense.
Olathe North – lost to Derby in first round:
The Eagles have a lot of their top contributors back, including the dynamic duo of TJ Porter TJ Porter 5'7" | PG Olathe North | 2024 State KS and Jaalan Watson Jaalan Watson 5'8" | PG Olathe North | 2025 State KS in the backcourt. Those two will keep the pace at a fever pitch and can generate a lot of offense. They have their lone big man back, Cameron Love Cameron Love 6'4" | PF Olathe North | 2026 State KS . Aiden Bruce leads a group of returners who also played important roles.
Shawnee Mission Northwest:
This team brings back essentially everything. A trio of versatile juniors are back with a ton of experience in Van Collins Van Collins 6'4" | SG Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2025 State KS , Keaton Wagler Keaton Wagler 6'5" | CG Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2025 State KS and Aiven Riley Aiven Riley 6'3" | SF Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2025 State KS . Those guys can get buckets in a variety of ways, so offense shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re worried about defense, they have post Ethan Taylor Ethan Taylor 7'0" | C Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2026 State KS who should make a huge leap after scratching the surface of his ability as a freshman. And Deven Bolton is a veteran point guard who should handle ball handling and defense in the backcourt. If you wonder which team returns the most talent from last year’s tournament, it’s the Cougars.