Significant Talent Returns to the United Kansas Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The United Kansas Conference failed to send a team to any state tournaments last year. It will be interesting to see if that changes this year, particularly because a lot of the league's best players are back. The league has a nice collection of 2025s and some 2026s who saw a lot of action last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>United Kansas Conference Preview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason Player of the Year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270268' first='David' last='Cobin'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2024, De Soto (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the slickest guards in the state, Cobin has shown what a great shot maker and creator he can be. This year he has shooters around him, and he can distribute. His team will be in the running in the 5A class. When they need a bucket, Cobin can turn on his playmaking ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason Team of the Year: De Soto</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was tempting to put Piper in this spot due to the combination of players they developed last season. But we will go with the proven team with the proven star in Cobin. The Wildcats have some shooters that can really stretch a defense, and they have some athletes who can defend. They lack a big man, and they are relying on some new guys. But Cobin is good enough to give them the nod.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1371482' first='Brennon' last='Dodge'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, Shawnee Heights:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dodge is a prolific scorer who has been the leader of the T-Birds for two years. He's ready for a big senior year, with some good talent around him. He is best at getting to shots off the dribble. He's a threat from deep and in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Top Players (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2169832' first='Peyton' last='Brown'], 6-foot-6 center, 2025, Basehor-Linwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1756342' first='Devin' last='Kerr'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Piper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1609657' first='Jayden' last='Lang'], 6-foot guard, 2025, De Soto</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1772983' first='Breckin' last='McBride'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Basehor-Linwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1624999' first='Phillip' last='Moore'], 6-foot guard, 2025, Piper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1588383' first='Jaret' last='Sanchez'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Shawnee Heights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising Star:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2209781' first='DJ' last='Jackson'], 6-foot guard, 2026, Piper:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a bunch of good sophomores in this league, guys who got significant playing time and made an impact as freshmen. We'll go with Jackson in this spot because he was the most decorated of the freshmen. He received some all-state honorable mentions and was second-team all league last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Rising Stars (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2211343' first='KaeVon' last='Bonner'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2026, Seaman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1890719' first='Ontarius' last='Emmot'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2026, Shawnee Heights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josiah Harris</strong>, 5-foot-10 guard, 2026, Turner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2209783' first='Keimani' last='Paul'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2026, Topeka West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2039558' first='Simon' last='Rowley'], 6-foot guard, 2026, Topeka West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->