Rebuilding Projects Abound in Big Seven League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It looks like a rebuilding season in the United Kansas Conference for a few teams. That might allow for some juggling of the standings. There are a couple of teams in the league who will look to new players for significant contributions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big Seven League Preview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason Player of the Year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1624968' first='Cameron' last='Boswell'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2025, Hiawatha (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore, Boswell stepped in as the leader of the Red Hawks. The big lefty can really light it up from deep and play with physicality. With a year of experience, he could be ready for even bigger things.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason Team of the Year: Sabetha</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No team brings back a deep group of returners. But Sabetha returns at least a few pieces from last year's team that was considered among the best in the state. They are hungry to get the taste out of their mouth of the crushing defeat that prevented them from going to state. The Bluejays have a high standard of winning and will expect to continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1378447' first='Marcus' last='Bauman'], 6-foot guard, 2024, Sabetha</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll go with Bauman in this spot because it will finally be his chance to shine as the lead guard for the Bluejays. He's a gritty, fearless competitor who can light it up or attack off the bounce. He will step in as the leader the team needs as it replaces some studs from last year and looks to new guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Top Players (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673661' first='Eli' last='Dean']</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2025, Perry-Lecompton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Galle</strong>, 6-foot-4 center, 2024, Jefferson West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1438363' first='Abe' last='Hilbert'], 6-foot-6 center, 2024, Nemaha Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyler Kathens</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Holton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2147823' first='Christian' last='McAfee'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Sabetha</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ian Torres</strong>, 2024, Royal Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising Star:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Hajek</strong>, 5-foot-11 guard, 2025, Nemaha Central:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hajek is one of those multi-sport stars just slides from one sport right into the next. He ran wild on the football field, leading the Thunder to the 2A state title. He's a physical athlete who will use those same skills to make plays on the court this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Rising Stars (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bodie Dillon</strong>, 5-foot-11 guard, 2025, Holton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Koltyn Kaniper</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Perry-Lecompton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conner Reich</strong>, 5-foot-9 guard, 2025, Jefferson West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->