Small School Year in Review – Highlights of 2023
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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 3A-1A classes. Hesston Pulls Off Three-peat: After winning two 3A…
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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 3A-1A classes.
Hesston Pulls Off Three-peat:
After winning two 3A state titles in a row, it seemed unlikely that Hesston could continue the string. Cason Richardson and a number of seniors moved on, leaving only Jake Proctor to lead the 2022-2023 team. But the retooled Swathers ran to a 22-1 record to get back to the tournament. Once in the big dance, Proctor scored 50 points over the three-game run. The Swathers got the three-peat by beating Marysville 50-44. Is there any chance Hesston could win a fourth? They’re off to a 6-0 start, so you might not want to bet against them.
Last-second Shot Lifts Moundridge:
Led by some elite seniors, Moundridge got to the state tournament with a 20-3 record. But when things got dicey, it was a sophomore who made the big play. The Wildcats trailed TMP-Marian with just a few seconds left. When TMP took away other options, it was up to sophomore Henry Hecox Henry Hecox 6'2" | SG Moundridge | 2025 State KS to hit the clutch shot. He did, and it was the only close game Moundridge had to win in rolling to the 2A title.
Brandl, Greeley County Get Second Title:
The past two seasons, there was no better player in his respective class than Greeley County’s Jaxson Brandl. The 6-foot-2 guard basically averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in each of his four seasons. He was at his best in the tournament. As a junior, Brandl scored 76 points in the 1A Div II tournament. As a senior, he scored 70 more. He did it all for the Jackrabbits, but he wasn’t a one-man team. They got great performances from other players to get those two titles.
Elite Scorers Finish Their Careers:
Brandl was one of a trio of senior scorers who will go down in history. The Greeley County senior finished his career with 2,162 points. Amazingly, he went over 500 points as a freshman and had a low of 431 points scored as a sophomore. Ellinwood graduate Britton Dutton topped the 2,000 point mark with 2,084 in his career. An efficient scorer throughout his career, Dutton hit 54% of his shots from the field, 39% from deep and 81% from the line. Pawnee Heights’ Alec Carlson finished with 1,856 points, hitting 191 threes in his career.
Collegiate Freshman Burst on the Scene:
While Brandl, Dutton and Carlson finished out their illustrious careers, a trio of freshmen at Wichita Collegiate burst on the scene. The Spartans stormed to a 20-3 record to reach the 3A state title. Center Sebastian Hines-Turner Sebastian Hines-Turner 6'5" | C Wichita Collegiate | 2026 State KS gained several all-state accolades while Amare (AJ) Batiste Amare (AJ) Batiste 6'2" | CG Wichita Collegiate | 2026 State KS and Jaden Parker Jaden Parker 6'1" | CG Wichita Collegiate | 2026 State KS also garnered various post-season awards. That trio has been slowed by injuries thus far, but 2023-2024 should be another special year for the special young talents at Collegiate.