Back to State: Tourney Teams from Smallest Class Return Talent
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The 1A classes graduated a lot of really good players from last season. In fact, only a handful of all-state players return from either of the smallest classes. The best players to make the tournament – Greeley County’s Jaxson Brandl,…
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Continue ReadingThe 1A classes graduated a lot of really good players from last season. In fact, only a handful of all-state players return from either of the smallest classes.
The best players to make the tournament – Greeley County’s Jaxson Brandl, Isaac Detweiler from Axtell and Landon Grimmett from Lebo – won’t be back.
But there’s a strong group who will return this season, including Lebo’s Grayson Shoemaker Grayson Shoemaker 6'1" | SF Lebo | 2024 State KS and Zachary Oswald, Stafford’s Brody Kerschenske and Greeley County’s Lincoln Shafer (pictured)
Here are the three 1A state teams that return a significant portion of last year:
South Central – finished third in 2023:
The Timberwolves finished third at last year’s tournament without a single senior on the roster. They return a nice set of complementary pieces led by a versatile forward in Gavin Uhl. Fiesty guard Jamie Sarmiento can score as well as create a lot of havoc. 6-foot-5 center Heath Howell is a rim protector and scorer in the paint. That group is joined by guard Jack Herd, who made an impact as a freshman.
Axtell – finished fourth in 2023:
The loss of Detweiler is a big one, but this team has a lot going for it. Juniors Brandon Schmelzle and Eli Broxterman Eli Broxterman 6'0" | CG Axtell | 2025 State KS had decorated sophomore seasons and will pick up even more leadership this year. Forwards Grady Buessing and Grant Buessing are ready to be senior leaders. And Colin Shaughnessy and and Landon Schmitz were contributors as freshmen.
Beloit-St. John’s – lost to Lebo in the first round in 2023:
The Bluejays lost just one senior. The leader of the team – versatile 6-foot-2 forward Daniel Eilert – is back. As a freshman, Edward Horinek was a key contributor and should be even more ready for the challenges of varsity action. Those two need returners like Jacob Winkler and Tyson Gates to take another big step.