2023 in Review – big school highlights
2023 was another great year in the history of Kansas high school basketball. Let’s review some of the high points and memorable stories of the year that occurred in the 6A-4A classes. The Rematch: 6A defending champ Wichita Heights returned…
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Continue Reading2023 was another great year in the history of Kansas high school basketball. Let’s review some of the high points and memorable stories of the year that occurred in the 6A-4A classes.
The Rematch:
6A defending champ Wichita Heights returned several players to make a run at a repeat. That group included TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'5" | SG Wichita Heights | 2024 State #176 Nation KS , who appeared until the last second to be headed the prep school route. With Williams, the Falcons rolled to the state title game, where they met their opponent from the 2022 title game, Blue Valley Northwest. The Huskies had a star of their own in Grant Stubblefield. The Huskies shocked the defending champs in the first quarter, holding them to just 6 points. The Falcons struggled to catch up and mounted a 23-point fourth period which fell just short 55-50. Stubblefield led all scorers with 22 and vaulted into the top position in the Prep Hoops ranking of 2023 grads.
Survive and Advance:
Andover entered the 5A tournament as the #4 seed and looked to have a difficult path. The Trojans were loaded with seniors who had been denied a trip to state the year before. They just edged Maize South in the first game of the tournament 49-46. Facing the top seeded Highland Park Scots, Andover engineered a comeback to pull a last-second upset 55-54. BJ Redic (pictured) was the hero in the finale, in which the Trojans knocked off #2 seed Kapaun Mt. Carmel.
Hugoton Makes Successful Move Up:
The Eagles looked to be one of the more talented teams in 3A. But the KSHSAA student count bumped Hugoton up a class for the 2022-2023 basketball season. Would the versatile and talented group led by Carson Bennett and Ryle Riddlesperger be able to adjust to the 4A classification? After a 20-2 regular season, the test came. Hugoton passed the first two rounds with flying colors, blasting Clay Center and Eudora. Matched against traditional power McPherson, Hugoton jumped to a big early lead and held on to win 67-58.
Grads Make Good in Division I:
The top ranked Kansans from the class of 2022 made an impact in the college ranks. Gradey Dick, a native of Wichita who finished at Sunrise Christian Academy, was a key member of the Kansas Jayhawks in his lone college season. Dick was selected 13th in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. Dick’s Sunrise teammate Mark Mitchell, previously of Bishop Miege, made an impact in his freshman season at Duke, averaging 9 points and 4.5 rebounds. Aidan Shaw played in 32 games as a freshman at Missouri, making two starts.
Top 2023s Move On:
Grant Stubblefield, mentioned above, committed to play basketball at University of Nebraska-Omaha. Andover’s Eli Shetlar headed off to Indiana State. Ketraleus Aldridge from Highland Park enrolled at Phoenix Prep and continued to showcase his talents. He recently committed to play at Arizona State next year.