Wichita Collegiate Among Best in AVCTL Div IV

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wichita Collegiate blew up in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div IV last year, rolling to the state tournament and highlighting some precocious freshmen in the process. Can the Spartans pull off an encore and make a deeper run in the 3A tourney this year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Div IV Preview:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason Player of the Year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1962891' first='Carter' last='Burnett'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Wellington:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We could have gone with one of the talented youngsters at Wichita Collegiate, but we'll go with the 4A junior who has proven he can do it at a high level. Burnett was part of a state tournament team last year, and though he was surrounded by good seniors, he wound up being a leader on the floor by the time the season was over. Look for this talented and versatile big man to have a big jump in his production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason Team of the Year: Wichita Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans had a good foundation going into last season. But when the added their freshman class to the mix, suddenly they became something special. They went 20-3 before getting knocked out of the first round of the 3A tournament, and their freshmen collected a lot of accolades at season's end. They lose just one contributor from last year's group, and the returners will be a year older and wiser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2209780' first='Sebastian' last='Hines-Turner'], 6-foot-5 center, 2026, Wichita Collegiate:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He might not be the best basketball player on the team, but he's probably the most physically gifted and explosive of the bunch. He intimidates around the rim and can run with anyone his size. He was the most decorated of the team's players last year and will be a tough player for anyone in 3A to match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Top Players (in alphabetical order):&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2147799' first='Jace' last='Evans'], 6-foot-2 forward, 2024, Rose Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaeden Fisher</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2024, Clearwater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1300857' first='Logan' last='Garner'], 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, El Dorado (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Nace</strong>, 6-foot-6 center, 2024, Rose Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Shackelford</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2024, Wichita Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising Star:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1541007' first='Amare' last='(AJ) Batiste'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2026, Wichita Collegiate:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batiste is a gifted ball handler and creator who can flat out fly. He had a stellar freshman season running the show for the Spartans and will be even better with a year of experience. He will be in the conversation of top guards in 3A already this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Rising Stars (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morice Ayers</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2024, Wellington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jack Horsch</strong>, 6-foot guard, 2026, Andale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2211301' first='Jaden' last='Parker'], 6-foot-2 forward, 2026, Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->